And Texas Caves In
The last bastion of sanity has jumped on the "stay at home" bandwagon. They just sent me an email that they have closed all state parks to save the 1% who may die from the dreaded super virus. Texas...
Forum Discussion
For those of you who think this is some sort of hoax, let me give a personal update from the Long Island suburbs 50 miles from NYC. The virus was spreading rapidly here. We are now 3 weeks into serious lockdown and social distancing. At least most of us are 3 weeks in. It took some people an initial week to get the drift. When I say serious lockdown, I mean it. Virtually everything is closed, streets are empty and people are at home.
I am probably about average for taking precautions. I do not abide by the 6 foot social distancing. It is 30 feet or more if downwind. I have not been in a store of any kind in 3 weeks. We are getting groceries delivered, after a long delay. We put on gloves and masks and then handle the food outdoors. We wipe down all the packages and then we wash them and set them aside for days. We also have similar procedures for handling items that need refrigeration, taking into account that Covid can likely live for years in the cold.
Today I went to one of the few "recreational" areas that is still open, an arboretum. With few people and big open areas it was still difficult to maintain suitable social distancing. I did have to put on a mask several times and some people constantly wore masks.
With all the precautions we are finally seeing some decline in the cases and death rate. Unfortunately there is no end in sight. Even at the relatively low current rates the healthcare system is swamped. Forget routine medical or dental care. It is not available. I have no idea if the death rate is 1/2%, 1% or 3%. That is almost secondary to trying to provide the care people need to get through this. Roughly 10% of those infected quickly need intensive care and respirators. The cost and the facilities needed are staggering. If the rate stays low enough and the State can add thousands of intensive care beds with staff, PPE and gear, we might get through this without people literally dying in the street.
You people who think this is a bad case of flu just do not have a clue. If or more likely when it comes your way you will find out.
I am probably about average for taking precautions. I do not abide by the 6 foot social distancing. It is 30 feet or more if downwind. I have not been in a store of any kind in 3 weeks. We are getting groceries delivered, after a long delay. We put on gloves and masks and then handle the food outdoors. We wipe down all the packages and then we wash them and set them aside for days. We also have similar procedures for handling items that need refrigeration, taking into account that Covid can likely live for years in the cold.
Today I went to one of the few "recreational" areas that is still open, an arboretum. With few people and big open areas it was still difficult to maintain suitable social distancing. I did have to put on a mask several times and some people constantly wore masks.
With all the precautions we are finally seeing some decline in the cases and death rate. Unfortunately there is no end in sight. Even at the relatively low current rates the healthcare system is swamped. Forget routine medical or dental care. It is not available. I have no idea if the death rate is 1/2%, 1% or 3%. That is almost secondary to trying to provide the care people need to get through this. Roughly 10% of those infected quickly need intensive care and respirators. The cost and the facilities needed are staggering. If the rate stays low enough and the State can add thousands of intensive care beds with staff, PPE and gear, we might get through this without people literally dying in the street.
You people who think this is a bad case of flu just do not have a clue. If or more likely when it comes your way you will find out.
