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What Condition is Your Condition In?

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 1:12 PM

zugmann
People refuse to take this seriously.  It will only get worse. 

Left to ourselves, this outbreak would be a non-issue here in a week or two.  

Videos of a fire Tuesday on Long Island showed traffic on a main artery that was probably at least as heavy as a normal day.  At least most non-essential folks here are sticking around home.  Of course, the list of essential people grows daily - and that's not people who think they are essential.  They've been so designated by their employer.

 

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Posted by zugmann on Thursday, March 26, 2020 1:38 PM

tree68
Left to ourselves, this outbreak would be a non-issue here in a week or two.  

I really doubt that.  Don't take my word for it, though- puruse some thoughts from doctors and other medical folk. 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, March 26, 2020 1:40 PM

tree68
 
zugmann
People refuse to take this seriously.  It will only get worse.  

Left to ourselves, this outbreak would be a non-issue here in a week or two.  

Videos of a fire Tuesday on Long Island showed traffic on a main artery that was probably at least as heavy as a normal day.  At least most non-essential folks here are sticking around home.  Of course, the list of essential people grows daily - and that's not people who think they are essential.  They've been so designated by their employer.

Not only that - their employer has also have to have been designated as essential.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Thursday, March 26, 2020 1:40 PM

zugmann
tree68
They probably won't, and that's when you'll see growth in this area.  

People refuse to take this seriously.  It will only get worse. 

My cousin in in the Chatham, NY area (about 20 miles SE of Albany) reports the same about NYC folks - they were shocked to see how many were out and about the other day.  Their hospital situation is not very robust - have to go to Albany for that.  

Monroe, Co. PA in upper eastern PA (roughly Stroudsburg almost to White Haven, straddling the I-80 corridor) reportedly has a similar issue - it's a popular get-away/ 2nd home for NYC folks.  Lot of NY license plates reported there.  It's among the 10 PA counties (67 total) that are now under a "Stay-At-Home" order, and probably the least-densely populated (permanent residents) one of the 10, so that ought to indicate how much the influx and the problem is. 

- PDN. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by MikeF90 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 1:49 PM

samfp1943
Cataract Surgery is, these days, literally, 'a walk in the park'. Relatively common, and many practitioners do them in what would amount to a purpose- built, surgical suite within an office setting.

I'm very interested to hear these positive outcomes of cataract surgery since I will need it eventually; both eyes measure correction diopter > 10 and cataracts have no obscurations. However, my optometrist has been discouraging me due to the risk of retina detachment. I'm due for another appointment as one y/o glasses are already blurry and I seem to need even more light (opacity issue?). Any thoughts on the threshold for surgery? TIA!

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Posted by MikeF90 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 2:20 PM

BaltACD
tree68 zugmann People refuse to take this seriously. It will only get worse. Left to ourselves, this outbreak would be a non-issue here in a week or two.

@tree, you have overlooked the '5% Rule'. 95% of the people understand the issue and will do the right things, but there are 5% who will not or cannot without strict supervision.

The SFBA here has been a hot spot but there are some signs of turnaround. My visits to Trader Joes and Costco revealed that employees are well trained to help with social distancing, and buying volumes now look like essentials, not panic. There are even reported sightings of toilet paper.

Rural areas will be hard hit sooner or later because they have far fewer resources to draw on, say grocery stores or medical facilities. My neighbor's relatives in western Idaho report that they are still in the panic buying phase.

Startup of normal businesses or schools will have to have well thought out protocols to prevent relapse. I can't imagine how indoor physically strenuous work or tightly packed classrooms can be made safe yet.  

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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, March 26, 2020 3:07 PM

After the surgery this morning, my daughter and I stopped at the optical shop in the building to see what strength reading glasses I should get; then we went to Smith's (Utah Kroger) to get glasses. There were many people in the store, some buying much and others buying little; they did not really bunch up at the registers. We used one of the self-serve registers--and an employee was going around, wiping everything off after each customer used one.

My temperature was taken in my room a few minutes ago, and it was in the good range.

Johnny

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Posted by samfp1943 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 7:46 PM

Deggesty

After the surgery this morning, my daughter and I stopped at the optical shop in the building to see what strength reading glasses I should get; then we went to Smith's (Utah Kroger) to get glasses. There were many people in the store, some buying much and others buying little; they did not really bunch up at the registers. We used one of the self-serve registers--and an employee was going around, wiping everything off after each customer used one.

My temperature was taken in my room a few minutes ago, and it was in the good range.

 

  Johnny:
                   I am glad to hear your proceedure went so well! 
                I'm sure the next eye proceedure  will do just as well !
               A good surgeon, and some prayers....
                                          work their wonders...                                                        Congratulations Whistling

 

 


 

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Thursday, March 26, 2020 8:23 PM

Here's a thought to get kids (and some adults) to wear a mask:

[mischief emoji] Put it inside a Darth Vader helmet! [sounds of heavy breathing]

- PDN. 

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 8:57 PM

Paul_D_North_Jr

Here's a thought to get kids (and some adults) to wear a mask:

[mischief emoji] Put it inside a Darth Vader helmet! [sounds of heavy breathing]

- PDN. 

Indeed.  Two layers of knit fabric (think t-shirt) aren't N95, but they're still pretty good.  The key is to be able to breathe through them.

That said, there are plenty of kid friendly knits available, if your fabric outlet is still open.  There are also team prints for the sports fans.  And appliques aren't out of the question for the craft-minded.

Our local Joann's has pre-cut kits they are giving away.  And there are plenty of patterns available.  

 

LarryWhistling
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Posted by alphas on Thursday, March 26, 2020 11:52 PM

Mike F90:   A GOOD retina surgeon should be able to handle your problem while removing the cataracts-they do retina attachments as part of their services.    But you need to do some research and find out who is really qualified in your area.    Then make an appppointment with him/her and have them check your eyes.     However, you will probably have this done as an out-patient in a hospital setting since it could be more than simple cataract removal.   

I  just had Lazer surgery on both my eyes last Fall [I'm now 75] with the best eye surgeon in my area.    I don't need glasses at all for distance vision while all I need for reading is $9.95 Walmart reader glasses at only 1.25 magnification.    My friends who have had just lazer removal of cataracts from the same surgeon have nothing but praise for him.   It is a very short operation.     Cataract removal is covered by medicare if you have it.

I don't understand why your optometrist wouldn't want you to be checked out by a retina surgeon before declaring it wouldn't be a good idea.    The surgeon is the expert as to what is possible.   And if a local retina surgeon can't do it, he possibly could refer you to an Eye hospital in one of the major cities which specializes in more difficult cases.

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Posted by Deggesty on Friday, March 27, 2020 8:49 AM

Thank you, Sam. So far as I know, I am facing no further "procedures:" both eyes have been renewed. I understand that the next step is checking the vision in both eyes and then glasses that truly fit my need for close work. Bifocals with clear vision for distance and prescription for close work?

I so not have glasses on as I work with my computer. My keyboard and screen are both clear in my vision.

Johnny

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Posted by SFbrkmn on Friday, March 27, 2020 9:41 AM

I live in Wichita where Sedgwick County has a shelter-in-place in effect for 30 days. While we are not a "hotspot", most of us here are taken the recomindations to stay safe and lower the virus spread. Most issues from this region have centered around Kan City metro. One case was confirmed from the college of which the rr training center in housed while an employee at the diesel shop has tested for it.                                                                                                      If I were to become ill, chances are it would be from work or the hotel. Little is being done to sanitize the locomotive cabs. We are all left on our own to fend for ourselves. It is also frustrating when one climbs aboard @ a crew change point w/empty water bottles not trown away, the trash bag almost full, a water bottle full of tobacoo juice, which totally grosses me out. You would think in these critical times, folks would be a little more aware of their surroundings but I guess not. It takes two, if not, three hand wipes on most occassions to clean the work area before higballing from town. Not fun.                              

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Posted by AgentKid on Saturday, March 28, 2020 3:40 PM

Hello everyone,

As to what condition my condition is in, my condition is still pretty much normal for what my condition is.

My local grocery store has customer appreciation days near the start of the month, and at the start of March I did a major restocking just because I needed to. That has been a big benefit in these times of increasing restrictions.

At this time neither me, my extended family, my neighbours, nor any of my friends have been afftected by the virus.

I live in a popular entertainment area of Calgary, and it has been quieter than 5 AM on a Sunday, which is my benchmark guide for quiet, all of the time lately. Living in the area for almost 30 years, I know many of the business owner to see them, even if I no longer frequent their businesses, and I feel bad for them during these trying times. After this is over I am afraid my neighbourhood is going to look very abandoned.

I guess that is all I have for now.

Bruce

 

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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, March 28, 2020 4:50 PM

Went to Walgreen's for a thermometer - not that I currently need one; I just don't have one.  Sold Out!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by SD70Dude on Saturday, March 28, 2020 4:52 PM

zugmann
tree68
Left to ourselves, this outbreak would be a non-issue here in a week or two. 

I really doubt that.  Don't take my word for it, though- puruse some thoughts from doctors and other medical folk. 

Actually, I agree with Larry. 

Without precautions, the virus would quickly spread and infect pretty much everyone.  Within a couple weeks all those most vulnerable would be dead or dying.  Leaving the rest of us to continue living freely, whether we contracted the virus or not (#boomerremover).

So, technically, the outbreak probably would pass more quickly if we all kept going about our business normally.

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by Semper Vaporo on Saturday, March 28, 2020 4:56 PM

I have 3 thermometers... one digital and 2 glass bulb/mercury types... they all read within .2 ° of each other, but I can't get any of them up over 97.2°... how would I know if I need to contact my dorktor.

Semper Vaporo

Pkgs.

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Posted by York1 on Saturday, March 28, 2020 4:58 PM

BaltACD
Went to Walgreen's for a thermometer - not that I currently need one; I just don't have one.  Sold Out!

Balt, our Walgreen's was the last place in our town that had TP.  They are now out.  I didn't check the thermometers.  We may have to start using the bathroom at the gas station.

York1 John       

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, March 28, 2020 5:38 PM

BaltACD

Went to Walgreen's for a thermometer - not that I currently need one; I just don't have one.  Sold Out!

Have you got one of those infrared thermometers with the laser pointer?  You're in business, and nobody has to touch anybody.

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, March 28, 2020 5:40 PM

SD70Dude
Without precautions, the virus would quickly spread and infect pretty much everyone.  Within a couple weeks all those most vulnerable would be dead or dying.  Leaving the rest of us to continue living freely, whether we contracted the virus or not (#boomerremover).

This seems to be the logic applied to the seasonal flu.  This outbreak has a ways to go to reach the ~22,000 who died of that so far this season in this country.  

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by SALfan on Saturday, March 28, 2020 9:55 PM

blue streak 1

Noticed that for a while that deaths by county were reported nationally.  Suddenly about 5 (?) days ago no longer deaths by county are posted.

As of Monday evening about 800 cases in Georgia.  300 of them are in the Atlanta metro area.  Do not believe that is a true vision of total cases as testing persons in rural area are probably behind urban areas ?  Or rural areas may just be a couple weeks behind because of their being more isolated ?

 

 

Albany in SW Georgia is the other hot spot in the state.  As for here in almost-Georgia (Tallahassee), about a dozen cases, no deaths as far as I know. Lady in my office (who I have little contact with, thank goodness) was tested 3/26, but won't know the results for about a week.  Reason given for the delay was testing for first responders and medical people is taking priority.  I'm pretty healthy, so I'm not really worried for myself, but my wife's immune system is severely compromised, and I REALLY hope I haven't brought it home to her.  On the bright side, she has taken hydroxychloroquine for years for some of her other medical issues, and was recently prescribed azithromycin for a non-corona virus lung ailment.  Guess she will be a good test for whether that cocktail wards off corona.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, March 29, 2020 9:23 AM

SAL.  Unconfirmed rumors that Albany hot spot came from attendance at a funeral ?

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Posted by Semper Vaporo on Sunday, March 29, 2020 9:44 AM

@ Tree68: From whence did you get that ~22,000 number?

Semper Vaporo

Pkgs.

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Posted by York1 on Sunday, March 29, 2020 11:00 AM

Semper Vaporo
@ Tree68: From whence did you get that ~22,000 number?

 

Tree, I hope you don't mind me answering a question put to you!

"CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 39 million flu illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths from flu."

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm#ILIActivityMap

 

York1 John       

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, March 29, 2020 11:36 AM

York1
Tree, I hope you don't mind me answering a question put to you!

Not a bit.  Actually, I've seen death numbers from 17,000 to over 40,000 attributed to the flu.  I've been sticking to the 22,000 simply because I have.  I should revise that upward.

It angers me that even with that significant number, many people say that SARS-CoV-2 can't be compared to the flu.  The death rate may be slightly higher for SARS-CoV-2 (it's been dropping since testing has been available and more accurate numbers are available) but otherwise it's little different.  

It also pains me that in their efforts to preach doom and gloom, that the MSM neglects to mention that some 98% of those who contract SARS-CoV-2 recover...

 

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by Bruce Kelly on Sunday, March 29, 2020 12:22 PM

The page linked below is updated daily. Scroll down to Infections and Deaths, where the stats for COVID-19 are compared to those for average flu seaons. Granted, COVID-19 has only been in the U.S. (officially) for just over two months, so its figures will undoubtedly increase exponentially before the current season is over. And its rate of mortality is estimated to be higher than flu. But looking at the numbers where they stand so far, with COVID-19 infections and deaths being a small fraction of average flu infections and deaths, it should make you wonder why this level of concern, panic, politicizing, and economic downturn hasn't happened during winter/flu seasons in almost every previous year, when far, far more people were being infected and killed.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-disease-2019-vs-the-flu

 

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, March 29, 2020 1:26 PM

Bruce Kelly
...it should make you wonder why this level of concern, panic, politicizing, and economic downturn hasn't happened during winter/flu seasons in almost every previous year, when far, far more people were being infected and killed.

Exactly.  Using the logic being applied to SARS-CoV-2, the country should have been in lock-down throughout the holiday season...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, March 29, 2020 2:23 PM

tree68
 
Bruce Kelly
...it should make you wonder why this level of concern, panic, politicizing, and economic downturn hasn't happened during winter/flu seasons in almost every previous year, when far, far more people were being infected and killed. 

Exactly.  Using the logic being applied to SARS-CoV-2, the country should have been in lock-down throughout the holiday season...

We 'think' we have effective treatment for 'the flu'.  We 'know' we don't have effective treatment for Covid-19.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Semper Vaporo on Sunday, March 29, 2020 2:45 PM

So what is the difference between "Corona virus", "Novel Corona Virus", "COVID-19", "SARS-CoV-2" and "the flu"?

If "the Flu" is worse than "COVID-19", then how come the hospitals have not been overrun until now?

 

(I do wish everybody, including the news media, would settle on just one name for the present panic pandemic.)

Semper Vaporo

Pkgs.

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Posted by MikeF90 on Sunday, March 29, 2020 3:46 PM

Semper Vaporo
So what is the difference between "Corona virus", "Novel Corona Virus", "COVID-19", "SARS-CoV-2" and "the flu"?

Corona virus = generic description, Novel = NEW, COVID-19 = the illness caused by the virus, SARS-CoV-2 = medical term for the new CV,  "the flu" = influenza virus that has been studied for >100 years

Semper Vaporo
If "the Flu" is worse than "COVID-19", then how come the hospitals have not been overrun until now?

SV, please turn off your TV/Cable and search the Google News feed for starters. NYC, the largest hot spot in the US, has skyrocketing number of cases that are filling or have filled their hospitals. That's why people are leaving NYC if they can.

These arm waving comparisons of influenza to COVID-19 are a bit shocking and disingenuous. We know that there are many influenza strains, some mild and a few really nasty. We have built up 'herd immunity' and so mostly the weak, elderly, unvaccinated wind up in hospital.

OTOH the SARS-CoV-2 virus is new with no effective treatments yet. The victums may end up with chest tubes during a long hospital stay, reads like end stage COPD. If we don't do everything we can especially (relatively easy) shelter-in-place it could wind up like the Spanish Flu that impacted a quarter of the worlds population: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu

 

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