COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

@rosemarya Yesterday I noticed that very few people were wearing masks, when I stopped at a grocery store in the town closest to us. Very disappointing. I remain, like you and many others no doubt, concerned that a lackadaisical attitude may contribute to a longer disease cycle and reinfection in populations. I understand that some states are opting for "soft opening" of several things like stores and beauty salons, which I personally do not think is a good idea.

I am encouraging my husband to get tested for the antigens, to see if the severe respiratory infection he had in late January/early February, was actually COVID-19. It would be helpful knowledge.
Ginger

@rosemarya Very informative video, but what I wonder is, if a person has antibodies, can they be a carrier and possibly infect other people? That question is not explicitly answered but it does seem to be implied by saying a person with immunity can return to work, etc. I would love a more definitive answer for that though.
JK

Ginger, Very interesting! Around here, Albuquerque, it's about half and half! What I find interesting with our state governorment is our governor says she will not reopen until everyone is tested. Then on the same newscasts they say only people that show symptoms of the virus can get tested!
With my Lyme disease I have been having a relapse this last month, on Tuesday and Wednesday I felt really bad so I went to a test location. It had 10 tents set up to drive through for various information gathering! It took about 30-45 minutes to complete, FYI the actual test with the thing up your nose was a real treat, at least they forewarn you, anyway in that time there was only one other car coming through, in a city with a population over 500,000!
It's all a bit confusing!
Richard(Sundance)

@gingerw, I'm hearing similar reports here about grocery shoppers not wearing masks and not abiding by distancing but clustering in the aisles and a checkout registers.

Even more alarming and after only 2 weeks of issuing a "stay in place order" by our governor, he decreed Friday that state parks would reopen April 20th, all stores in Texas should be able to operate “retail to go” starting April 24th and on April 22nd, "restrictions on medical staff affected by limitations will be lifted on surgical procedures to allow doctors to diagnose patients without an exception". This despite reports that this state is at least 2 weeks from nearing the peak of the current virus outbreak.

I fear more a 2nd or 3rd worse wave of the spread because of this and for me it will mean a much longer self-imposed quarantine which I heartily resent. So many I know here are going about their lives pretty much as before which has concerned me all along. So much for the "whine".

It would be great and I would imagine so reassuring if your hubby could get tested for the antigens. Let us know if he does, ok?

My hair grows fast; usually in for a trim every 3 1/2 weeks...would dearly love a "better look" but may have to resort to a utube search on "how to cut one's short hair"...now that should prove to be high adventure! vbg

@sundance, I am finding the conflicting reports as well as fast changes in orders issued by my state and mayor confusing at best because I am already easily confused...I need simple for this 'ole brain!

@fiesty76 He is probably going to call his dr tomorrow; what may be discussed or decided, who knows? He has been quarantining up here for just over 3 weeks, but needs to return to his job for critical on-site testing of some equipment he is designing. Some of that designing has been done up here, remotely. He plans to leave here this coming Wed.

He is a kidney transplant recipient [Oct 2016] and it would be helpful to know. We are both concerned when we see the cavalier attitude of many, and the thought of a second wave of cases is upsetting. Our county has 22 confirmed cases, with no deaths. We have about 111K persons in this county, pretty wide-spread.
Ginger

In response to Fiesty76's concern about the Texas Gov starting to reopen parks and retail and remove medical restrictions only 2 weeks after (finally) issuing a "stay in place" order: If you're cranky, how cranky do you think those of us fortunate enough to live in Oregon, where the Gov has been extremely proactive are? Gov Brown shut down restaurants and bars long before most states did anything, issued a "stay home" order shortly thereafter, closed all state parks, banned functions on site (including church services), set all the electronic reader boards along freeways and highways to say "stay home - save lives." The press conference was notable because she shared it with the Portland Mayor and Mult. County Commissioner--but all three stood far apart, took turns moving up to the mic to speak or answer questions. What a powerful message! If our national leaders had been doing that, it would have sent a message to everyone in the US!

Better yet, WA and CA, in spite of the fact that both states had early outbreaks that could have become huge, also have proactive Govs, so managed to contain the outbreaks without needing field hospitals, extra supplies, etc. All three West Coast states have sent ventilators that aren't needed here to NY. We also have medical people who've gone to NY to help where help is really needed. Still, all three west coast govs have agreed that they don't plan to reopen anything any time soon. Gov Brown says when the times comes, she visualizes allowing restaurants to reopen only if tables are separated by polystyrene dividers, people have their temps taken before entering, etc.

While we have a few idiots protesting every day at Noon in our town, they're considered fools by most. Virtually everyone here is being very careful to maintain distancing in stores, some of which only allow a few people inside at any one time. There are no clusters of people. Those of us who live adjacent to the ocean are allowed to walk the beaches (no one in their right mind would lie on a beach in Oregon except on an unusually warm day in August), but we must carry ID to prove we live here. Others are removed by the beach patrols. People walk outside, maintaining a distance, relying on the open air instead of masks for the most part. We're fortunate in that only 8,000 people actually live within our area, even though it ordinarily accommodates an additional 45,000-50,000 visitors most weekends. There is still lingering distrust for the VRD owners from other states who've shown up to use the houses that they usually treat like piggy banks and never use themselves; the police are called...and respond quickly. It's just not right that four cars (presumably at least eight adults, perhaps more if they have children) suddenly appear at a short-term rental property. Nightly rentals were shut down here almost a month ago.

Areas like this rely solely on tourists to support everyone in town, but we've tightened our belts and the town council is wrestling with how to operate without the almost million-dollar monthly income that flows in from TRT (transient rental tax) sources. If we can survive, why can't other areas of the country, especially those not totally reliant on tourism, survive through this crisis without "business as usual"? Shoot, the three most western states all rely heavily on tourism because we live in God's Country, but we've been setting a good example since early in this awful crisis. In our town, retired people living comfortably are contributing $$ and food to help us nourish all the people unemployed due to the total closure of restaurants and motels. It's great to see this hometown generosity!

@joyces.. I live in Southern California, Los Angeles County has extended the shut down till may 15. I live in Orange County and I think we're on the same path. We have Disneyland, Universal Studios and Hollywood, Knotts Berry Farm, not to mention all the beaches up and down the coast, they are all closed now. Tourism is a big industry too, and alot of people are out of work. I feel very badly about that too. But if we could just hang tight a little longer and not rush to reopen, we could see better days. Otherwise we may never recover. I hope those who have would share with those who have not. We're in this together.

@fiesty76 My thoughts are with you at this terrible time. I lived in the US many years ago and still have friends in Minnesota where it seems they have similar problems.. I worry so much about you folks right now. Here in Scotland, people are more or les saccepting the lockdown restirctions. Sunday papers today say over 95% accept the lockdown regulations although we have somweho don't ( Covidiots they are called in the press). Whether that will remain the case weeks from now is anyone's guess. All you can do is stay safe and avoid all those people who are flouting the rules. Sadly, many of them will get sick. As transplant patients, many of us have faced death before and we know what must be done to avoid it again. Stay safe.

As someone who volunteers 7-10 hours/week for Backpack in our small town that relies on tourism, I'm thrilled that so many people and organizations have stepped to provide $$ or food for all the programs for homeless and minimum-wage workers here. When any helping organization has some sort of fundraiser, the first people to turn out are those who volunteer for/donate to other organizations. Because Backpack got a grant to buy two additional big frost-free freezers, we'll make our older, smaller freezers available to two other charities. If the board feels we should charge them something, I'll buy 'em as a gift. Even though two of my company's big jobs aren't happening, I'm fortunate and don't need a stimulus check, so that money will go toward helping others, like the couple who own a tiny coffee company whose cafe is closed...they came up with the idea of asking people to buy coffee for the company to donate to first responders. As a result, they're able to pay their rent (personally and for the business) due to the generosity of this town. They've also set up a walk-up so that we can buy their coffee by the pound.