Covid-19 Thread

rivercitynik

Hi everyone! Let's drop all Covid-19 related thoughts here. The hope is to use this spot to talk about the thing that's on all of our minds, but to keep the other threads clear so that if people need a mental break from thinking about it they can get that on the other threads.

rivercitynik

I'll kick us off! I work from home but most people who work for my org work out of our offices in DC and NY and starting this week everyone is being asked to work remotely for a month. I'm in the process of collecting some best practices from my fellow telecommuters to share out, but I stumbled upon this article and it basically covers everything I'd say. Posting it here since I know a lot of you are starting to work remotely for the first time. (A lot of this article is about working from home when you are alone, but I know a lot of you will be sharing space with partners and kids, but hopefully there is something helpful in here for you!)

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/k7expe/how-to-work-remotely-coronavirus

@roo_baby, in the random thread from last week you brought up A/S and the possibility of it getting postponed. When is yours? I've started wondering this about mine too. It's scheduled for next Tuesday (I should have done this week but I was supposed to be out of town for my big conference), and will happen at my practice's office, which is within one of the local hospitals. I'm assuming restrictions are just going to get stricter over the next few weeks and so am preparing myself for it to get postponed. I already feel like it's happening on the late side so I really hope that doesn't happen. 

I also saw the same info you did about hospitals restricting visitors, including for labor, and my heart really goes out to anyone due in the next few months. I really hope this isn't something we need to worry about by the time we deliver. In general, I feel like it's been a real practice to make sure I'm not getting caught up in an anxiety spiral right now.

Would love to hear what everyone's doing to get through this the best they can! What pantry meals are you making? How are you connecting with loved ones? What activities/practices are bringing some joy/relief/energy?

RedBaramid

We're not cooking anything special, we still intend to grocery shop weekly but we've been choosing days and times to go where stores aren't necessarily as busy. I've also heavily leaned in to yoga right now... 25-30 minutes on the yoga mat stretching and breathing really helps me clear my head space.  I also keep a pretty close eye on the news and updates of spread, it's a hard line to ride but in the end I feel more calm informed than I do just turning it off. Also, you probably don't even WANT to know how many romance web-comics I read this weekend.  We're talking Twilight levels of love triangles and fantasy.. but it keeps my mind busy and it's been a fun escape. 

Yesterday we deep cleaned our balcony so we could start taking picnics outside on nice days and enjoying the warm air. 

Today I'm feeling pretty defeated and angry, husband had to go into work today because today is his official start date with the company, he just needs to go in long enough to ensure the system is set up correctly and he has all his new permissions, he's also got to officially sign off on an I-9 and get an updated ID badge.  He plans on coming home as soon as those things are completed and most of the office is taking the voluntary work from home opportunity so we're not any more concerned than we were a week ago about the potential for exposure, I'm just upset because my brain is taking him going into the office today personally, even though I know it's not personal. He did not *PICK* my birthday to be his start date, that date was picked for him.  I had a good sob this morning about being far away from our friends and family and about how we couldn't even go out safely right now for safety concerns.

My upbeat and positive self really decided to stay in bed today, so for now I'm just gonna let myself feel shitty and hope to hold it together just enough so the kid doesn't notice because then she'll get worked up and I'll feel like I have to brave face. 

mrswheeler812

Well I work for a hospital based credit union... Luckily I work in the back office of our main office which is our only standalone location but I am scared to go to work. All I can do is germ-x and stay hidden in my office. Im in ohio so all restaurants have closed, schools are closed and there is talk of closing the daycares as well.... Scary times.

lachnessmomster

Copying and pasting this from randoms, because this seemed like the better place for it!

@roo_baby I'm not really concerned with the hospital canceling, but I may cancel myself for a couple reasons: 1) I don't really want to go out of my way to go where all the sick people go. 2) If they close down the gates here on our military post, I won't be able to leave anyway, and the childcare that I arranged won't be able to get ON base. DH is still out of town for the foreseeable future, so I have no one else to watch my kids for my AS, and children under eight are not allowed in the ultrasound room. I legit had to sign a form that I would not bring my kids to my AS, so if I have no childcare, I'm pretty much SOL anyway. Maybe I won't be having an AS this pregnancy? Do they perform those after, say, 24 weeks when DH will return? 

DOES ANY OF THIS MATTER IF I'M GOING TO BE STUCK ON A CLOSED MILITARY BASE? Trying to stay calm over here, guys. Obviously succeeding.

I'm also very stressed about how birthing people will be treated and the regulations that will be put in place to try to keep everyone healthy within the hospitals. No joke, I've been doing research about what to do in the event that we can't get to our birthplace and how to manage having a baby at home. I'm not going to go to a hospital where I could possibly be quarantined, separated from my baby/husband, kept against my will, surrounded by infected people, etc. This all sounds like crazy, straight-out-of-a-horror/sci-fi-movie stuff, but I just see this going from "here are your options" to "you have no options" pretty quick.

Or I could just be incredibly paranoid. Again, doing a great job of staying calm over here.

Hopefully all of this will be done and over with by August.

ETA: @RedBaramid HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I'm so sorry this craziness has you stuck inside and that your hubby had to go into work for a bit on your big day. I hope y'all are able to find a way to celebrate despite the madness. 

maelove

@RedBaramid have you ever used the app down dog? It has guided yoga classes and is amazing. I use it when I can't get to the gym. They are offering it for free through April right now in light of covid! 

fitandnerdy

@lachnessmomster I am hoping this has all calmed down by August, but my husband and I have discussed the possibility of planning a home birth if things don’t seem like they’re getting better. I feel so bad for people that are birthing in the next few weeks and how they may be impacted. 

I haven’t thought about canceling appointments yet since my midwife office is not in the hospital and they do the ultrasounds in their office. I have an appt on Friday so I guess I’ll get some info then 

ETA: just heard from my midwife office regarding my upcoming appointment... no spouses/partners for the time being. I’m ok with that for Friday since it’s just some bloodwork and a checkup... but should have my AS in about 3-4weeks and I hope he can come for that 

mrswheeler812

They've already closed two locations of my OBs office so now I have to drive 30 minutes instead of 5 to every appointment and I haven't heard if my ultrasound at the hospital will be postponed or if I can move it to their independent location...

kgrgreen

I just called my practice to see if my A/S is still on for tomorrow. They informed me it is but only MH can be in the room with me. We've already decided he won't be able to come to the appointment and needs to stay home with DD (we pulled her from daycare today and I'm now working from home indefinitely). I was totally OK with the decision when we made it - actually I was the one who suggested he stay home to reduce our chances of exposure... but now I'm sad. Instead of being happy I get to see our baby tomorrow, I'm really, really sad. Stupid hormones and stupid virus!

But honestly thinking this could still be affecting us when we deliver in August is a lot. I guess I have a lot more questions to ask my doctor tomorrow...

HUGS to EVERYONE stressed out by this rn. Hoping we can all make it through the next few months healthy with healthy little babes.

ziggymama06

@rivercitynik Thanks for starting this thread!  I legit was going to start it today, ha!  And thanks for the tips on working from home!  Any chance you can move up your scan since you are no longer out of town?

@RedBaramid Happy birthday!  I'm sorry your day isn't turning out so well.  I'm sure YH would rather be home with you.  Enjoy your extra time in bed and have a lazy day.

@lachnessmomster Any chance you can move up your scan to get it done before they close the gates?  Don't panic yet... we still have a few months to see how this will play out... deep breaths mama.

@maelove Oooooh, I'm going to try that app!  I've been looking for some type of class for instructions that isn't a small fortune!  Thanks!

Regarding having partners/doulas at your birth, I just received a few updates this am from my MW's office and they said that partners and doulas are considered part of the healthcare staff for your birth and will be allowed.  Perhaps it is only certain hospitals that are not allowing partners in?  What a terrible thing to do!  To both the mother who needs the support, but also the father.

For those nervous about delivering at the hospital, are there any birthing centers nearby?

MH works from home full-time... and he was less than thrilled that I would be impeding his "office", but is obviously happy that I am able to work remotely.  He set me up in our guest room and I have my full work station with me... double monitors, phone, the works.  The set up is great and now we each have a door we can close if we are on the phone or need some quiet.  This is also helpful for the end of the workday so we are not seeing our work equipment and tempted to login.  Meals haven't changed too much, except we are eating all the pre-prepped meals that we froze a while back, eggplant parm, soups, etc.  Trying to limit market runs.  We had groceries delivered last Saturday and are trying to stretch it another week or so, if possible.  I'm not seeing anyone that isn't absolutely necessary.  My mother has MS so I won't visit her for fear of getting her sick.  MH's birthday is Wednesday and I feel so bad!  We won't even be seeing his family since they work around A LOT of people... he understands, but I still feel bad.  I don't even have a cake for him (ordered his gifts and cards online-thx Amazon!)  Maybe I'll have a cake delivered?

ETA - MH and I take our dog on two longer walks a day to get out of the house, get some fresh air/sunshine, and some exercise.

Stay well everyone  

lachnessmomster

@ziggymama06 I highly doubt moving up the appointment is going to work. I’m only 17 weeks right now, and the office was hesitant to even schedule me at 18 weeks, even though the midwife said anywhere between 18 to 20 was fine. They said it's not uncommon for ladies to have to come back for yet another A/S, because techs don’t get the measurements they need at 18. Hence why we were waiting for 20. I imagine if they shut down the gates, it’s going to be relatively soon. There’s already been a travel ban implemented beginning today for military personnel and families. It’s a real mess here right now.

We'll just have to see how it all plays out! So nice that you are stocked up on groceries and supplies! I tried to stock up, but we could still use a grocery run. The commissary is closed today, but hopefully it will be open tomorrow. I might run in to assess the situation. Haven’t decided yet.

wildrainbow

H starts working from home tomorrow and it's going to be hell. We don't have a dedicated office space and the hooligans will be here. I see a lot of grumpiness and sniping at each other. Hopefully it won't be too bad. The hard part will be keeping the kids away from him, especially my 4yo who is a daddy's boy. Hopefully we can make this transition smooth on everyone, but I will admit I'm not looking forward to it. We have a routine, and throwing H in will throw it off and my kiddos don't do well off routine. 

ziggymama06

@lachnessmomster Ugh, try to not stress.  It is out of your control at this point.  Any chance you can call your dr's office and explain what is going on to see if there would be an issue performing the scan later on?

@wildrainbow Glad YH is able to work home.  I'm sure the boys will be so excited to have their daddy home.  Is there any space in your bedroom that he can set up a small table/tv tray to work?  That way he can close the door when he needs some quiet time to get things done.  

RedBaramid

@kgrgreen I'm expecting my OB to make the same call about my A/S... mine isn't until April 1st but given the state of things, it's probably best for everyone.  We don't have anyone to watch DD so if MH wanted to go at all, it had to be all three of us. I'm pretty sad that I'll be going through this alone, but I am planning to ask the tech if I can record a couple moments of video and heart beat on my phone to take home and share with MH since he won't get to be there. I had a good cry about that this morning too. It's hard and I feel like we're being robbed of these moments, but at least we're not delivering now.  Those families have to be incredibly stressed. My heart goes out to them especially. At least we have hopes of a settle down or at least more proven and calm procedures by August. 

coldlife

lachnessmomster said:

@ziggymama06 I highly doubt moving up the appointment is going to work. I’m only 17 weeks right now, and the office was hesitant to even schedule me at 18 weeks, even though the midwife said anywhere between 18 to 20 was fine. They said it's not uncommon for ladies to have to come back for yet another A/S, because techs don’t get the measurements they need at 18. Hence why we were waiting for 20. I imagine if they shut down the gates, it’s going to be relatively soon. There’s already been a travel ban implemented beginning today for military personnel and families. It’s a real mess here right now.

>snip<

Same. I've heard this as well. Personally, I won't ever get an anatomy scan that early. My sister's was right around 18 weeks and showed an abnormality in the brain. It's apparently something that "can" be an issue, but typically it goes away and doesn't appear on the scan as the pregnancy progresses. She went back two weeks later to look again, and it was gone. So they had two weeks of stress and worry over the health of their baby when if they'd just waited for 20 weeks, they wouldn't have even known about it. (And the baby is now a healthy child.) 

ziggymama06

@coldlife Wow, how stressful for your sister.  I was wondering why some scans are scheduled at 18 vs 20 weeks?  I suppose it's much better to wait and let baby develop a bit more!  Mine is scheduled for 20 weeks.  

Just took my dog for a walk and the playground in my neighborhood is closed with police tape all over it.  There are signs posted to prevent the spread of covid19.

[Deleted User]

My anatomy scan and fetal echo are not scheduled till 20 and 22 weeks.  I'm hoping a lot of this will have blown over by then, but I'm also not holding my breath... :/

fitandnerdy

This question might be too situational about figured I would see if anyone here knows more about telecommuting... 

We live in PA but my husband works in NJ. His employer is allowing him to be a telecommuting employee, but we want to make sure his state would still be considered NJ.. NJ has great family leave laws, so we really don’t want him to suddenly become a PA employee when he’s planning on utilizing NJ family leave in August. He is reaching out to HR but his HR is notoriously slow and incompetent, so just wondering if anyone else is dealing with something similar...

tyrion_

I’m trying to work through the anger I feel over the fact that this has been coming for months and we sat on our hands. 

I have a lot of loved ones in healthcare/first responders and we are hanging them out to dry. 

It’s despicable. 

Also my PGAL brain won’t let me attach. I have this voice that continues to pop up telling me I won’t get to take him home. It really freaking sucks. 

lachnessmomster

@tyrion_ That breaks my heart. I can't imagine having that kind of anxiety every day, and I am sending you so many positive vibes. 

ziggymama06

@fitandnerdy Glad YH is able to work home now.  MH works home FT all the time for a company based out of PA.  Since he works in NJ all the time, he pays NJ taxes in his paycheck, so I'm almost certain he is eligible for NJ FMLA benefits.  Given YH will be temporarily working home, I would think the NJ benefits would apply to him.  

kgrgreen

@tyrion_ I am so sorry you're in this mind-space. All the anxiety around the situation is definitely not helping. There are so many unknowns and so many things that could happen we have no control of. It's a time of uncertainty but really try to get your head clear and focus on you and your babe. You're going to bring this one home 

ziggymama06

@tyrion_ I'm also angry that we didn't act sooner.  The amount of tests we've completed is pathetic.  I also have family who works in hospitals and am praying for all our healthcare workers now.  I hope everyone at this point just abides by the isolation/distancing and this ends soon.

I'm sorry you are having trouble with PGAL brain...  Let yourself relax and breathe.  This is your take home baby  

samsonator

This is all so stressful. I'm worried that we don't know how it affects the developing fetus. Hopefully it doesn't! Man last pregnancy was Zika and this pregnancy is CO-VID. My next one better be health crisis free 🤣 

wednesdaygirl1019

It's been a whirlwind over here. Thursday morning we had our first positive case in a nearby county, and as of today all surrounding counties are in state of emergency, schools are closed, and there's now a case in my town. Surprisingly, even though 85% of my caseload has canceled services, my agency is still open and wants us proving in-home and in-daycare therapy. Except now the daycares are refusing to let providers  come in and see kids (as they should! I should not be working!) So I'm just in a waiting game I guess. 

I really feel for anyone who's giving birth anytime soon. My cousin is currently pregnant with twins and in the hospital 24/7 for around the clock monitoring, and the hospital won't even let her husband in to see her, and have said that she may not be allowed into the NICU once the babies are here. I can't even imagine how stressed she and other moms-to-be are. 

psychobutthead

So now I'm worried.

My husbands job as just created a new covid policy.

Pretty much if you try to come to work with any form of sickness they make you take a mandatory 14 days off from work.

Unpaid! Wtf are we supposed to do if he gets sick?

Hes been with this companyy for 10 years. I'm thinking maybe once this is all over its time to move on. This is ridiculous.

wednesdaygirl1019

@psychobutthead I'm sorry. That policy is not fair. 

lachnessmomster

@wednesdaygirl1019 Oh, man. Your cousin's current situation is literally my absolute nightmare. I would be thinking long and hard about hightailing it outta there. I realize she can't with that kind of high risk pregnancy, but I would be so freaked, I'd just be looking for any way out at that point. Not even able to see her husband!? Complete and utter nightmare.

riatortillaxo

I am pretty well stocked on food and wasn't panicking because I figured we would still run out weekly for produce and things like that. But I cannot find chicken! I'm not running all over town and unnecessarily going into stores and coming into contact with people so I'm just hoping everything will be restocked soon. Seriously, we are okay on other meat and have a good amount of food so I don't know why I'm so anxious about chicken!!! I think it's just all the craziness and the thought that more and more things are closing and seeing empty shelves is giving me anxiety. 

I'm trying to be grateful that I can be home and thankful that we are doing okay financially. My husband has his own remodeling business and has a few jobs lined up with family and friends so assuming no one gets sick or there isn't a major lock down, he will still have an income. I am a teacher and we have a strong union in our district so I'm confident that as long as we continue to provide educational opportunities to our kids and give feedback, we will still be getting paid. 

I'm sorry to everyone worried about getting to their appointments and stressing about job situations. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I'm thankful for communities like this where we can vent, share information and support each other. 

Stay healthy everyone ♥️

cornichonmam

So the advice in the UK has changed quite dramatically for me today and I don't know what to think. Pregnant women have now been added into the at risk category. It seems likely that those in the at risk group will be asked self isolate for 12 weeks by the end of this week.

I know a lot of you ladies are now working from home but I'm a teacher so it's not really possible. My older students have their GCSE exams coming up in just a few weeks and I don't want to leave them without a teacher. It dosen't look like the schools are going to be closing at the moment, so it is going to be very difficult for the schools to get cover for all the teachers that are going to be isolating.

We have also decided that my mother-in-law shouldn't collect DS from nursery anymore as she is in her 70s so either me or my husband need to finish work early to pick him up. Though if I do have to isolate I'll be taking him out of nursery, so that won't be an issue but it also means I won't be able to do much work either.

[Deleted User]

@cornichonmam what a tough spot.  Do you have any articles about that?  The last thing I googled from the CDC still seemed to think pregnant women were NOT at higher risk. 🤐

samsonator

@cornichonmam that's tough is the 12 weeks paid? It's interesting that they are doing things differently. Isolating only those at risk. 
It's concerning that pregnant women are now in the at-risk group. I wonder if there's new information.

wednesdaygirl1019

@cornichonmam I'm sorry. That's a long time to be isolated. I also wonder if there's new information coming out that we dont know about yet.

As for me, things just went sideways. I was laid off from my (normally very stable job as an SLP) job as of 3/23. I get to figure out unemployment and cross my fingers that I'm still eligible for Paid Family Leave when this is all over and my agency rehires me.

[Deleted User]

Oh man @wednesdaygirl1019 I'm sorry about the added stress

ziggymama06

@wednesdaygirl1019 Oh no!  I'm so sorry to hear that!  I really hope you get the coverage.

roo_baby

@rivercitynik Thanks for starting this thread! My A/S appt is next week. I checked with my doctor and she said we would still keep it since it's considered essential, but all other appointments would be video appointments. I've heard they are doing 38 wk appts and 6 wk postpartum appts via video too, which is just crazy.

I am currently sick (no fever, but a cough) so we may have to reschedule my appointment regardless. I won't know until they call for the pre-appt screening (a new thing to prevent people from showing up sick) if they will let me come in. It's probably just a cold, but impossible to know if I can't get a test. I would love if pregnancy made me high risk enough to warrant a test so I would know for sure. 

@riatortillaxo I was just hearing today about people going nuts trying to buy chicken! I guess it's a comfort food for a lot of people. 

@cornichonmam could you teach remotely? I hope you get paid leave, but I know even so it's emotionally hard to not see your students for that long. 

@wednesdaygirl1019 I'm so sorry!! I hope you are able to find a new job soon. 

viola_mama

I’ve been avoiding opening this thread, but I can’t sleep anyway. I’m so sorry for what you are all going through. My husband and I are both home with very little income for the foreseeable future. I’m not worried about money yet, but I will be if this extends to May. Unsure if I qualify for unemployment, so maybe that’s my project tomorrow. 

Today was his birthday, too. I feel bad it wasn’t very eventful. We took a walk with the dog and had pizza and beer delivered. At least the weather here is gorgeous this week. My next appt is 3/27 and the A/S on 4/8. No idea what’s going on at my clinic but seems pointless to call this early, since it easily could change by next week anyway. One day at a time I guess. 

rivercitynik

Thinking of everyone whose employment and income have been impacted by this...I'm sure that's so much add stress on top of an unsettling situation.

@roo_baby glad your A/S will happen as planned. Were you planning to have anyone attend it with you and is that still possible? I just sent a note to my provider this am to check on mine and will report back. It's also wild that all other apts are going to video 😬

Is there anyone who has been planning a hospital birth that is now considering a home birth or birth center birth? I hope everything is back to normal by the time we deliver, but I'm starting to feel like I should at least explore those two options since it's really important to me given my situation (not partnered with my son's dad) that I get to have additional support people in the room. (He's caring and attentive and we have a good relationship, but I still really want my mom and my doula). For reference, I currently see an NP (but she's not a midwife) for care and alternate visits btw her and a doctor on staff at the practice. Their office is attached to the hospital, which has a low intervention birth center within it that is staffed by midwives. I've liked the idea of delivering there bc I know I'll be supported in my hopes to go unmedicated, but like being within the hospital in case either the baby or I need intervention/extra support. 

samsonator

@wednesdaygirl1019 I'm really sorry about the layoff hoping it's short term and doesn't affect FMLA

@rivercitynik I've thought about a homebirth, but I don't think my insurance covers it. 

Do you guys predict this all still being a big issue in August?? I was thinking things would be back to "normal" illness wise by then, but several of you don't seem to think so 🥺

fitandnerdy

@rivercitynik I’ve thought about it and if things don’t seem to be improving in a month or two, we will explore it more seriously. It would not be ideal because in hospital maternity care is covered 100% and out of hospital care will not be covered at all. It’s basically the difference between paying $0 or paying $7000.... but I would be willing if things are not going well here 

@samsonator I think things will either be back to normal or significantly improved by then. We have 5ish months until August and I really can’t imagine this is still our reality then. At least I’m being optimistic and telling myself that...

eta: @wednesdaygirl1019 I’m so sorry 😔 

tyrion_

Oh, man, @wednesdaygirl1019 I am so sorry about your job. Sending you big hugs during this stressful and unprecedented time.