COVID-19 and MAC: What are you doing differently to protect yourself?

Posted by kathyhg @kathyhg, Feb 27, 2020

Is anyone doing anything differently to protect themselves now that we are facing the reality of covid-19?

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How about hitch-hiking? PS I live in dreary mid-West and have such annoyance at lack of sun in fall, winter.

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@tinaesims

I go visit a friend in Arizona for a week to soak up a little sunshine because I live in the midwest. My doctor knows I go. I was going next week. She told me not to get on a plane. Since it's too far to walk and I don't like driving, I cancelled.

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I cancelled my trip too as I did not want to take any chances traveling through airports given my bronchiectasis disease. My “staycation”starts tomorrow and I’m now looking forward to it! No packing, waiting, etc.....even though I am missing out on all tha warmth and sunshine.....

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@tinaesims

I go visit a friend in Arizona for a week to soak up a little sunshine because I live in the midwest. My doctor knows I go. I was going next week. She told me not to get on a plane. Since it's too far to walk and I don't like driving, I cancelled.

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Oh darn! Sorry you have to miss out on your trip. Better safe than sorry though.

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I had already stocked up for the month, happily. Thursday I got sick with mild symptoms, emailed my ID doc that night, heard back from an on call doc on Friday that I cannot get tested. Fortunately I am feeling better now, but I was quite worried for a few days.

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Good to hear you are feeling better. It can take awhile to feel normal. Jane Brown

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@macjane

Aren't the typical masks in the lobby of a doctor's office not safe?

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I'm sure they are better than nothing. I will use what's available.

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I live in a small, mostly Winter Texan community. Many of us have health issues, in addition to age, which make us art of the extreme risk community. We have always promoted self-quarantine when feeling ill and almost everyone here respects it.
Now, under threat of COVID-19 (although there is none confirmed yet within 250 miles of us) as well as seasonal flu and illness, we have limited our gatherings to our own community (we usually welcome all visitors) and have increased our emphasis on self-quarantine, thorough surface cleaning and handwashing. My husband and I also choose to avoid "potluck" eating events except where we know all the cooks. Our park has switched to food prep by health-precaution compliant staff and volunteers for small gatherings, and all tableware is either disposable or "bring your own." Gathering places that bring a lot of people together are largely closed, and events that would seat folks close together are cancelled.
Many of our residents have chosen to extend their stay here, with the ability to be outdoors and still socialize safely, instead of returning to northern homes to be isolated with all activities cancelled. The hardest thing so far, with those who are leaving, is to wave instead of sharing our usual hugs - especially since we have no idea what the future holds for all of us.
Above all, we need to be prudent in protecting ourselves and those around us without panic. I have challenged all of my friends and family to think twice before pushing the button to share or repost COVID-19 stories, especially those that point fingers, assess blame, or share unproven information.
Sue

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@danielad

@thumperguy -- Your "Flu Season Handshake" is a great idea! However, I would always wash/sanitize my hands after "fist bumping" as well.

On the subject of "touch avoidance" -- Other things to avoid touching: elevator buttons; ATM machines; and fast food Order Boards. Use your knockles instead!

--Dee

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Better yet, wear gloves!

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Is it an accepted fact that transmission of Covid-19 is limited to one's 'face'? Assuming that you are not around other people (minimum 6 feet?) AND you never touch your face - are you 'immune'?

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I live in the Bay Area in California, and my county (Santa Clara where San Jose and Mountain View are), has just issued a "Shelter in Place". We are essentially quarantined. We can go to the grocery store, but it appears most other businesses as closed. Restaurants are open for delivery or to-go orders. My work is requiring us to work from home anyway, and supposedly our badges no longer work. I think Amazon and Door Dash and other food delivery businesses are going to have a lot of work.

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