Community Chat

[Alison Wonderland]

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@I am still oxox wrote:

So tired of reading gloom and doom, is anyone out there happy and not scared of contracting some mysterious virus

I have a compromised immune system and I am cautious but living my life 

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I think most people are. I didn't show up to work in an empty building - everyone is here, business as usual.

[CatsyCline]

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@Sushismom wrote:

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@CatsyCline wrote:

well i was rather blase about the whole thing until now. we have 3 cases of the virus within 25 mile radius and a severly understaffed hospital.

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We, too, have at least 3 cases. None of our hospitals (and we have at least 5) are understaffed more than normal. 

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@Sushismom  guessing there there are several world class medical centers in your area.  the one "major" urban hospital here is bleeding $$$

[SilleeMee]

Since I have no control of where this virus is going, or whether or not I'll be it's next victim, I'm not changing a thing...life goes on as usual for me today and probably tomorrow, too.

[PamfromCT]

It seems some people view reactions in such extremes.  There is a huge gulf between being adequately prepared and living in hysteria.  I’m not shaking in terror and hiding in a closets, but we have a good supply of prescription meds, over-the-counter meds, food, disinfectants, and paper supplies.  And foodie for the darling kitty we just adopted.

We are elderly people who are conscious that we are not forty years old any more.  Went to an enjoyable party for our GD this weekend, and we will make decisions of where we go on an ongoing basis.  

If anyone would like to belittle us for being prepared and careful with our health - well, that’s not my problem.  

[Porcelain]

Some of us have found watching the news stressful for a quite a while. If I were going to panic about all the possible varying formats of doom, I would have done so long ago. Not going to happen. That would make the jerks of the world way too happy.

This is a great chance for us to learn to handle stress and control our reactive minds. The ability to take in information, and detatch and not take it personally is such a crucial skill. Crud happens, but you don't have to let it ruin your day, much less your whole outlook on life.

England was in a very precarious position before and during WWII. And they kept going to work and doing their thing. If they could do that, we all can. Keep Calm and Carry On wasn't a cute meme back then, it was a survival tactic.

I think we should keep up to date on what is going on, but schedule it. Don't dip into the internet right before bed! Schedule your info time, and if need be worry time, for the afternoon if possible. Then let it go until the next afternoon. Dwelling or compulsively checking does you no good and wastes your time.

How can I prove all the above works? I do it all myself and so far you haven't seen me in the news being arrested for running through the streets stark nekkid with my hair on fire, screaming "Wake up you people! The world is on FIIIIIIRe" Let's keep our senses of humor above all.

[Gorgf]

I felt so depressed after church I don't want to go any more. People were literally rude about shaking hands, throwing them up in the air or turning their backs. If they did not want to Share the Peace that is fine, stay seated instead of making a big scene. Fuel to the fire I guess everywhere.

The only thing I am doing differently is washing hands more often and counting 20 secs. Just a good practice during cold and flu season in general. I was lax about doing it anyway.

[itsmagic]

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@wonderfulworld wrote:

This winter ( Jan and Feb) I have had 3 relatives who have had fairly severe viruses with lung congestion. Hight temps. One was tested for flu, strep and cultured. Lasted a good week.

All tests came back negative for identifying the usual pathogen. Nothing came back positive. They wonder if this virus has not already been around?

We live in the Midwest. No 'known cases' in our state.

Any thoughts?

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I’ve had the same thoughts.   My sister who lives in the Midwest and works in a shop in a touristy town came down with an upper respiratory infection with a fever about 3 weeks ago.  The doctor did not test her for the coronavirus.  She said it was going around her work.    It makes me wonder . . . .

[rms1954]

Same here.  The news is unreal ... anything for ratings.  People are going crazy.  This morning I went to get coffee and the server behind the counter was Asian. While being waited on, another customer came in and actually asked him if he has been in contact with any friend or relative who has traveled to and from China.  I was dumbfounded.  I get concern but this went beyond.  I turned to the customer to say it was an inappropriate thing to do and the response was "mind your own f...ing business -- wasn't talking to you."  The manager pulled him to the side, had a few words, and then escorted him out.  When I left a moment later he was still sitting in his car glaring at me.  

[RainCityWoman]

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@I am still oxox wrote:

So tired of reading gloom and doom, is anyone out there happy and not scared of contracting some mysterious virus

I have a compromised immune system and I am cautious but living my life 

Sorry, but I live where the first US deaths occurred and more and more cases are being confirmed on a daily basis. None of them traveled. My neighbor is a nurse at the medical center where the two cases died. One nursing home here not only has had a death, but more and more residents are testing positive. On top of that some of the workers there have tested positive, and now the student group touring the facility is quarantined. That nursing home is close by the Medical Center where the first deaths occurred, but new cases are popping up in all directions of the city. Several of our schools have had students with the virus, and the buildings are closed to be cleaned and disinfected. I too have risk factors, but I still want to be informed. Information is power...no matter how gloomy it is. I don't want things hidden from me as was done in China. I'll take precautions. I'm playing pinochle today at a very public town center and food court. I'll bring Lysol to spray the table and hand sanitizer to frequently clean my hands, and I won't be touching my face, eyes, nose or mouth. It pays to be aware, even if you find the information inconvenient.

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[Porcelain]

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@rms1954 wrote:

Same here.  The news is unreal ... anything for ratings.  People are going crazy.  This morning I went to get coffee and the server behind the counter was Asian. While being waited on, another customer came in and actually asked him if he has been in contact with any friend or relative who has traveled to and from China.  I was dumbfounded.  I get concern but this went beyond.  I turned to the customer to say it was an inappropriate thing to do and the response was "mind your own f...ing business -- wasn't talking to you."  The manager pulled him to the side, had a few words, and then escorted him out.  When I left a moment later he was still sitting in his car glaring at me.  

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I recently learned about a great proactive but non aggressive way to handle situations where you see someone being bullied or discriminated against. You talk to the person being bullied about innocuous topics like the weather or whatever the store or event is about. You show that they are not alone and without friends. Completely ignore the jerk and whatever they are saying and cut them out of the conversation. Just say, "I like your hat." or scarf or whatever to the vulnerable person.