Thursday, March 5, 2020

People Need to Heed the Warnings

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   I'm not going to lie or sugar coat things...I am worried and also a bit confused.  Why are so many people not taking this Covid-19 virus seriously?  I live in Washington state where people are literally dying every day now from it.  I do blame the mainstream media in part because so many of them are pushing the false narrative that this is just like the flu and so is the death rate...it is not!  

   I am a bit of a news buff and I have been carefully following this thing and getting my information from actual epidemiologist, the more non biased international news sites, and first person accounts of people who have had it, had relatives that have had it or have left China to protect themselves from getting it.  The people who actually lived there are reporting on how many more infectious people and deaths there are than the media is reporting.  I have also been watching how the media will report on the "possibility" of closing schools and training their teachers to do online teaching "just in case it ever comes to that", only to see them close the entire district the next day and start the online only teaching.  Yes, that happened in the Seattle area in the same area my nephews go to school.  The whole "be prepared to work from home" thing...Microsoft, Facebook, and many other businesses are starting that too.  At least my brother will be working at home and can help his boys with their schoolwork right?

   This whole "it won't affect me so why stock up" just bugs the &%$@ out of me.  Even if you yourself don't get sick, you could still be exposed at some point to someone who is and have to self quarentine for 14 days.  Or, maybe one of your neighbors gets ill or has to self quarentine since they have been exposed to someone.  Wouldn't it be nice to take some groceries or a meal over to them in disposible containers and leave it outside their door and let them know it is there for them since they will most likely be stressed out?  

   Another thing that really is irritating is that some people, especially those who are below the age of 40, seem to think this is just a hyped up media thing.  What they are failing to realize is that even if they might get through this just fine with out catching it or with minimal symptoms, their elderly relatives or relatives with underlying health conditions may not.  I can think of at least 7 family members who will most likely NOT make it if they get this due to underlying health conditions combined with their age.  Jeff is also 60 years old so that puts him in a category for having more complications if he gets it and I have a compromised immune system so yes, I am concerned.

   So yes, I have been watching this thing since it first came to the attention of the public in January in China and tracking it's progress across the world.  I've been learning all I can about the gentic make up of this and the mutations that are occurring.  I've done what I can to have us stocked up and I did it little by little before the panic buying started here in the United States because I could see what was coming our way.  The last piece of the stock up list, the ton of wood pellets to heat our home, will be coming home with my husband in a few hours when he gets off of work.  We have about 2 or 3 more weeks here in our part of Washington before things start to spread more quickly across the state. At least I hope we have that much time.  Our colleges within about 30 miles from us (and where we shop) have Spring Break coming up soon which means students will be traveling all over the place and other students, who are away at school in other areas, are starting to come home.  We also have the state basketball tournaments, with large crowds from all over the state, going on this week and into next week.  Jazz Festival just finished and that brought the closing of some schools to sanitize them after students from one of the schools on the west side, who do have cases in their community and even in their school, came over for that.  We live in a global society, where people travel all the time so it would be foolish to think it cannot or will not make it to your part of the world and community.

   Now to pray that Jeff can get approved for total knee replacement surgery (they are going to try that route with the insurance company since he has so much arthritis in his knee in addition to the torn meniscus) and have that within the next 2 weeks before things get really bad over here.  If he can't get it done for a month or so, we will just have to put it off until later because I fear that the doctors and hospitals are going to have their hands full and I don't want him or I exposed to this virus if we can help it.  We have our oldest grandson Bradley's birthday party on Saturday and Jeff has a dentist appointment on Monday...after that I think I am going to just stay home for the next few weeks for the most part and limit my exposure to other people.  Luckily Jeff's work shift also limits the number of people he comes into contact with.  

   I do pray that whomever reads this post will think about not only how to prepare for themselves and their family, but how they may be able to help others.  That has been my goal in this situation.  And please, don't go crazy and buy a bunch of stuff you will never use.  Buy what you do use on a regular basis so that you will not be wasting your money.  Be blessed and I pray you all can avoid this nasty virus. 

   

   

   

23 comments:

  1. I am prepared and stocked all the time for anything. I will not allow panic take over. This is why we prepare on a regular basis.

    I realize people are dying and I hate that. 10's of thousands have died from H1N1 just this season as well. It truly is sad.
    Take care and blessings.

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    1. Hi Cheryl, I try to stay prepared for anything too but I did do some "extra" stocking up because I wanted to be prepared for extra people staying here. Any loss of life is a tragic thing indeed. (((((HUGS))))) my friend.

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  2. I hope your husband can get approved for a knee total knee replacement, and it can be done very soon, and that he recovers from it quickly. I had knee replacement surgery 7 months ago, it was my second knee to be done.The first one healed quickly without any problems. They used staples to close it. The second knee healed more slowly. They used sutures that had knots that somehow made two weak places in the incision that caused some problems. Thank goodness I don't have three knees, but if I had to have another knee replaced, I would request the staples instead of sutures. But that is only me, I'm not saying your husband should or should not ask the surgeon about it.

    I'm in Missouri, and so far there are no cases that they are telling us about. I completely agree with everything you said in your post today. We are slowly stocking up on canned foods that we like to eat, and TP, alcohol, and some other items. My husband very much dislikes spending the money to stock up, so we have been going back and forth about this a little bit. Our house is small and storage is a bit of a problem. I think when the first case turns up,and is acknowledged in our state, he will be more likely to want to stock up a bit more, too.

    Take care and blessings to you also.

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    1. Thank you Susie for sharing your experience with the knee replacement surgery. It is good to hear from other people what their experiences have been. :)

      You are wise to stock up on things that you can and will use regardless. If nothing happens in your area, you will still have a nicely stocked pantry right? :)

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    2. That's what I tell my husband. We are not buying anything that we don't use anyway.

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  3. "We have about 2 or 3 more weeks here in our part of Washington before things start to spread more quickly across the state. At least I hope we have that much time."

    "... and have that within the next 2 weeks before things get really bad over here."


    Why in 2 or 3 weeks? Is it because of the activities or traveling of people? I think if it does start to pop up more they will cancel those things. An international festival here was canceled for Sunday due to fears and we have had only one confirmed case in this state. Our news media freaks out about everything, even the weather. I think that contributes to people not taking it seriously.

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    1. HI Sandi :)

      Yes, it is because of the traveling of people and all the sports and recent big music activities. Sports, especially high school sports, seem to be overrule common sense in this area. When we are being asked to do the whole social distancing of keeping 6 feet between ourselves and other people, going to a crowded sports area with thousands of people rotating in and out all day just does not seem to be a prudent or smart thing to do.

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  4. Will be praying about Jeff's knee issues. My cousin had a full replacement a year ago and is back to biking and normal activities. He's 70yo. He worked hard at Physio but had a great outcome.
    Did you see the news stories from last weekend here and the run on Costcos in the Vancouver metro area? We have four Costcos, all within 30 minutes' drive of each other. The shelves were stripped of TP & sanitizers. The meat section was also empty. And lines for checkout stretched the entire length of the warehouse. Yikes - not to add to panic here, just saying what the news reported.
    The next day, Monday, I went to Safeway and all looked normal. Except some missing items from the shelves like hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol.
    Fortunately, I was able to get everything on my list.
    I
    Are you following the news about 'possible' location sites for quarantines/isolation housing RV sites on the west side? I was watching KOMO from Seattle yesterday at noon. One location they talked about was "on Maple Lane in Centralia". I did more research since it rang a bell in my memory. Maple Land School used to be the youth detention facility on the west side. And, yes, that's where the state is proposing to put people.. Sent chills down my spine.
    Sending prayers to you and yours. Stay safe.
    SJ in Vancouver BC

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    1. Thank you for your prayers for Jeff's knee surgery. It is very appreciated!

      I did see those stories on the news for your area. It looks like a repeat of what is going on here. Our Safeway still had lots of things too, but I think that is because it is the most expensive store in town. ;)

      I did see the Maple Lane story and also researched it. The latest is that the old Econo Lodge in Kent was bought and is going to be used as a quarantine area. It is right in the middle of town. I'm thinking that is not the best choice of locations either. My baby brother and his family live in the Kent/Covington area and his MIL is in poor health. I am worried about her being exposed to this.

      Be blessed my friend! Stay safe there too. Much love to you.

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  5. IT frustrates me that Jeff cannot get his operation. I worry about the virus especially with my business. But I am prepared for all things but not to be sick.

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    1. ((((HUGS)))). I pray that you and your hubby remain healthy throughout this.

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  6. I am usually stocked up with enough food and other necessities to last me for at least a couple of weeks because I try to stay prepared for a major earthquake. If I have to quarantine myself for two weeks, I can do that without any worries.

    I hope Jeff's knee surgery will be approved and take place soon and that his recovery goes smoothly.

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    1. Thank you BLess. Make sure you have lots of Dancer's favorite cat food on hand too. ;)

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  7. I like that you have emphasised the need to think of others too in this post, Debbie. Being able to leave a home cooked meal, a little basket of homegrown fruit or similar for someone who does become ill would be a gesture of kindness and care. MegXx

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    1. Thanks Meg. Our neighbors have become family to us. :)

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  8. Thanks for your insight.
    I used to think that the U.S. was so advanced, but this virus has shown how incompetent and ill prepared the CDC and our government really is. Sad isn't it.
    We live between two major universities, and they are on spring break next week. My son attends one of those colleges, and he has a history of asthma, so I am a little concerned too.
    Glad you are prepared, and I hope that Jeff will be able to have the surgery soon. Stay safe and well.

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    1. Amen sister! Praying for your son not to get this awful thing.

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  9. I truly believe I have enough for at least two months. And, I did not have to rush out to buy stuff. I did buy tp on sale a week ago, but I needed it. Also, I bought shelf stable milk, but not much. I would hate to do without milk and bananas, but I can if I must. Since I am 73 and have asthma, I worry about me!

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    1. I worry about you too! Do you have a food dehydrator or a health food store near you? You could either make or buy banana chips. That way you still get all the yumminess and vitamins from your bananas without them going bad. Praying for you.

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  10. I'm not in a panic, but I am also very concerned for the very reasons you listed. I'm still dealing with the remnants of pneumonia and I'm also a "youngish" heart patient. There's just so much unknown about this. I'm definitely paying attention.

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