Covid-19 Pandemic Discussion Thread

inthewoods23 · March 2020

***TW***

This thread is for discussing any and all things related to the Coronavirus pandemic. Talk about your concerns, updates on cases/hospital situations, tips for staying healthy, etc here. This will allow those who do not wish to discuss the topic in the dailies/weeklies, or are having a rough day in general or about the topic, the option to avoid it.

jbal918 · March 2020

This wedding tonight has me nervous. My job (I teach) is closed for a week for now. Possibly two because there is a case in the town over and our districts share a high school.

misshelen86 · March 2020

@jbal918 how big is the wedding? I would personally go if it’s not a huge amount of people. As long as you keep a safe distance and wash your hands, should be fine. I have a wedding next month and won’t be missing it unless I’m sick or it gets cancelled.

emeraldduchess · March 2020

@jbal918 I teach too. My school is closed for two weeks and it could be extended. I wouldn't be surprised if your district extends the amount of time they're closed. Did you send students home with work to do while school is out?

inthewoods23 · March 2020

Oh people.... On FB our zoo just announced they will close indefinitely. People are commenting asking if they will get refunded on their zoo pass or if their membership will get extended.

Omg people, the memberships are for a full year, it's not like you paid for unlimited entry for a month only and it just happened to be for this month.

Asking about refunds/money for sporting events or concerts, fine. But refunds/money for something that has no specific date for your attendance? Get over yourself.

kiki047 · March 2020

How many of you are able to/have been told to work from home? And may I ask what it is that you do that allows you to WFH?

I'm a financial advisor, and it's tax season, so while I can work remotely on occasion, realistically we have a small office of only 6 people, in a fairly quiet building, so the risk of exposure to us is low and we need access to our files so we'll probably be working right through this (albeit with more telephone consults instead of in-person meetings) unless something changes.

bows22 · March 2020

@kiki047 I’m a CPA (audit) and we were told we are encouraged to work from home but only a handful are doing it. Aside from looking at client documents that they only have in paper, I can do the rest of my job from anywhere (we are paperless) so I’m planning to stay home versus going to the office for the foreseeable future.

I do have some client visits scheduled and am undecided about how I’m going to handle that. I’m hoping they just tell me not to come.

misshelen86 · March 2020

I’m a nurse so I’ll be right on the frontlines..

legallykate · March 2020

@misshelen86 Thank you! Please know we are all thinking of and appreciating your service right now.

I work for an international law firm. Starting Monday the entire firm is working remotely for at least two weeks aside from skeleton staffs in each office. I can completely work from home and have in fact been doing so for a week already in anticipation of this. Most courts are cancelling all nonessential trials and hearings right now, so I think things will really slow down which is kind of stressful, I hope the firm doesn't have to do layoffs.

mindyb2019 · March 2020

I also work in healthcare so no working from home for me lol. I do Recreational Therapy in a care home for the elderly.

legendairymomma · March 2020

I am a Store Manager at a storage facility. Its only me and one other person who work at the location but we get customers in. There is no way to WFH but they have been known to lock us in the office and make customers pay online/by phone or drop payments in the drop box.

emeraldduchess · March 2020

I am an elementary school teacher and they are having us do what we can to teach remotely for the next two weeks. We sent home work, and will be available to the students via email and our online parent/student communication portal. It's tough to do at the elementary level but we're going to make it work. I can send them links to learning websites and such so we don't fall too far behind in the curriculum. We're a private school so we don't have the state standardized testing to worry about, thank goodness. This is around the time the first wave of testing starts in the public schools. I can't imagine the headache they're dealing with trying to reschedule that.

@misshelen86 and @mindyb2019 thinking of you both and everyone else who works in health care or is a first responder. Thank you for doing what you do!

_orchid_ · March 2020

I'm also in a K-5 school (librarian). My district announced yesterday that they're pushing our spring break up to this upcoming week and then they'll reevaluate. It seems like the governor is going to close public schools soon so I'm hoping for a better idea. Towns all around mine are reporting active cases so I think it's just here now (NJ).

I went out for coffee with a friend today but think that's the last time I go out into the "public" for a few weeks. Still planning to exercise outside (as long as we're not under quarantine) but don't really want to be around people.

I can't believe this is real life.

@jbal918 did you end up going? How was the wedding?

gingermama29 · March 2020

My school and all area schools just announced that they are closed indefinitely. We have no cases in our county yet thankfully.

allthingscozy · March 2020

I’m a therapist so our clinic is having a meeting on Monday to discuss potential Telehealth options. That way clients who are worried/vulnerable can still receive services. Unfortunately my psoriasis medication puts me in the more high risk category since it slows my immune system. I see mainly children and adolescents and they can’t really do teletherapy so I’m still going into the office but cleaning quickly between sessions.

To the teachers who are still working via internet or in person and healthcare workers. You are all amazing! I am so grateful for all you do. Our state has not closed schools yet but I imagine it is imminent. May you all take time each day to engage in self care of some sort and know I am here for you all if you ever need to decompress, vent or process what is going on. Love you all so so much!

jbal918 · March 2020

@misshelen86 We went! It was like 75 but because people didn’t show. I hope you stay safe! Thank you for what you do!

@emeraldduchess We did! I teach a two way immersion program for Preschool in a public school and this week we have to do phone conferences because it was conference week anyways. I plan to do video chats to check in too!

@_orchid_ We went! It was fun but everyone was virus this and virus that. It was annoying lol! I’m also in NJ btw!

jbal918 · March 2020

@mindyb2019 Thank you for all you do! (Sorry I meant to put that in the post above!)

inthewoods23 · March 2020

Question for all you teachers, if your schools are closing is that meaning no school/teaching whatsoever? Or are you moving to virtual teaching?

Our governor has asked to close all public and private schools, but I wasn't sure if that meant those that have the ability to take things online can do that or if there is so be no instruction for the next 2-4 weeks for everyone.

charmedlifex3 · March 2020

I’m a financial advisor.its been and ... interesting week. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

ashaislurking · March 2020

Our local colleges are preparing to move all classes online. Thankfully my masters program is already online so I can self isolate pretty well. I have an autoimmune disorder so if I get sick I get SICK.

gingermama29 · March 2020

@inthewoods23 not sure yet. Details are still being worked out.

One thing that has really warmed my heart in the midst of all the anxiety and uncertainty is how many districts (mine included) are working to still provide meals for students and families during the closure. We have a large population that gets free and reduced lunch (we're a title I school). It just gives me faith in humanity to see us still taking care of each other in the face of all this.

_orchid_ · March 2020

@inthewoods23 we are moving everything online and the district is going to make/deliver packets to students who don't have access. We had a day of training on Friday and our spring break was moved to this week to give a little more time for us to plan. We went over expectations for us and students to keep a daily presence. Fortunately my school has really embraced technology so our kids are familiar with the tools they'll be using. Can't imagine what it would be like otherwise.

**Tw LC mentioned**

Ds1 school is requiring everyone to log onto a central website at 9 and complete assignments by 4. Tomorrow is day 1 so we'll see what that looks like.

inthewoods23 · March 2020

@gingermama29 we have that going on too for some of the districts. I'm so glad people recognize that piece that there's more than just switching to online, some kid's only meals are lunch at school!

@_orchid_ yeah I'm not sure how it's going to work out with our school district. I don't think ours was going to go online but with a probable case with a student in the district bordering ours they decided to close. And thankfully, at least for the high school, they provided Chromebooks to every student which I think was to help them comply with the requirements for online learning should it need to happen (like now).

jbal918 · March 2020

@inthewoods23 My district is low income so we sent home paper packets. I do believe that we will be closed longer than those lost and we have already been asked to use online resources and get them to as many kids as we can. We are only closed for the week but I think it will be much longer than that.

emeraldduchess · March 2020

@inthewoods23 I sent home a math skills packet and some projects for other subjects. I'm going to be accessible to students/parents via email and our online communication portal. All our textbooks have an online component so I can set them up with that as well. Since we're kind of in uncharted territory, we're just going to do the best we can with what we have. My class was mad at me for sending home work but I told them to suck it up. I'm the one who has the grade all their projects when school resumes.

emeraldduchess · March 2020

Anyone have any good podcast recommendations for those of us who may be stuck at home? I have the Office Ladies and Red Handed (true crime, and some is VERY disturbing) on my list.

feather_heather · March 2020

I work for local town government and all non-essential employees are on paid administrative leave until further notice. I have access to my email at home, but I cannot access our server with all of my files, so I can only WFH partially. The state made an emergency amendment to allow for virtual public meetings, but it may take a week or so for the Town to set a system up to allow for that. They are currently trying to figure out how we can work and continue to serve the public while closing public access to all town buildings. I have supplies to last me a few weeks and I plan on social distancing for awhile (due to my heart conditions). Still no word from my doctor's office on whether or not my cycle will be cancelled (as my transfer is done at a big hospital in the city where we do have cases of COVID-19).

Sending a big thank you to all the nurses/healthcare workers/pharmacists and grocery store workers out there!

emeraldduchess · March 2020

@feather_heather if I remember correctly, you and I are in the same area. My clinic is also affiliated with a big city hospital (I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same one), and they said they are putting all new IVF cycles on hold. We had an appointment with the genetics counselor at the hospital this week, which was postponed. Maybe they are still doing transfers, though? The nurse at my clinic said that things are changing almost hourly, so who knows what the plan will be a week from now? Unfortunately we seem to be at the epicenter of the outbreak on the east coast.

I hope your RE gets in touch with you soon and can give you some answers!

ashaislurking · March 2020

@emeraldduchess I really enjoyed the wondery true crime podcasts (especially Man in the Window and The Shrink Next Door) and Atlanta Monster for true crime podcasts. If you're into comedy The Whiskey Brothers Podcast is pretty great too.

emeraldduchess · March 2020

Well, schools in my state are now closed for 3 weeks, no social gatherings of more than 25 people, and restaurants are closed except for takeout and delivery. Wow.

dobiemom11 · March 2020

We only have schools closed for a couple weeks here, but I know other states have made changes similar to @emeraldduchess. I keep wondering if we should be making those changes? Does everyone know something that apparently our state doesn't? Best of luck to everyone though!!

[Deleted User] · March 2020

**friendly lurker**

Just a PSA to say that there are reports out of Europe that some of the cases there were much worse because patients were taking ibuprofen to reduce the fever. So if anyone does get a fever and go to reach for something from the medicine cabinet, please take Tylenol instead. ❤️

pom9207 · March 2020

My fertility clinic cancelled all in person injection classes. We need to text the clinic when we arrive and wait in our car in the parking lot. They also say only the patient should come in and no companion when possible. Things are escalating fast!

feather_heather · March 2020

@emeraldduchess - Oh man, I'm sorry your appointment already got cancelled. I'm not holding my breath on my transfer going on as planned next week, especially since a health care worker tested positive this weekend for COVID-19 at the hospital where my transfer takes place. My jaw dropped yesterday watching that press conference!! This is all so crazy!

inthewoods23 · March 2020

@feather_heather yikes!! So far only 30ish cases in my state. Not even a 1/3 of those are in my county or the county my clinic is in. I'm crossing fingers that we will proceed as long as there's not a major outbreak.

I think I read that they're only testing those with more severe symptoms so who knows what the actual total is since I believe most cases would classify as mild.

_orchid_ · March 2020

@inthewoods23 FX everything goes as planned! Yes due to limited testing abilities they're only testing people with more severe symptoms. One of the big problems in my area right now is that people are swamping their drs, urgent care, and the hospital with minor symptoms wanting the test. I keep seeing posts on social media saying ONLY call those places if you are having trouble breathing or a fever over 101 for 24+ hours.

We have a few confirmed cases in my small town now. We are staying to ourselves inside as much as possible. A friend of ours had a lot grade fever for about 24 hours this weekend and self isolated, and now his family is wondering if they should self isolate for 14 days even if they don't know if he really had it.

Things that would've seemed impossible a week ago are now real life. NYC schools cancelled until April 20- I'm in the NYC metro area and it's rare to even hear of them getting a snow day when there's a foot of snow on the ground. This is crazy!

mvt2003 · March 2020

I'm officially on WFH until further notice - I'm a department administrator for a midstream energy company, so most of my stuff can be done from home, it's just not ideal. We already have a couple of probable cases at one of our facilities, so things are getting closer to home. Additionally, I found out over the weekend that one of my closest friends is pretty sure she has it. She can't even get a test, and is self-quarantining.

I'm pretty sure my transfer will be cancelled after last night's press conference, do you agree @feather_heather
and @emeraldduchess? They did say all nonessential procedures are cancelled. I'm pretty bummed, but in a way I'm glad the decision has been taken out of my hands.

inthewoods23 · March 2020

@mvt2003 ugh, I'm really hoping since I've already started down the path of taking estradiol valerate that I can continue my transfer. As far as I'm concerned, my clinic is still only following a no visitors policy. Business is usual.

emeraldduchess · March 2020

@feather_heather yup...I go to the same hospital you're talking about for weekend monitoring. That's why I am not even asking about doing a medicated cycle or IUI right now. PS wouldn't it be really weird if we've passed each other in the lobby or something at some point?

inthewoods23 · March 2020

Who wants to move to West Viriginia with me. It's apparently the only state left with no cases of the virus

emeraldduchess · March 2020

@inthewoods23 let's go!

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