Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[Nysha]

4 hours ago, Christina87 said:

I hear ya, but can you *ever* see Jessa taking food in its raw form, seasoning it, and putting other ingredients with it and modifying them?

I watched her video on how to make Chicken Tikka Marsala and it basically consisted of frozen chicken, 3 packages of Tikka Marsala seasoning & some canned stuff dumped in the crockpot. It might taste good, but that's one step up from pulling out a frozen package of Chicken Tikka Marsala and tossing it into the microwave.

[Nysha]

1 hour ago, ChiCricket said:

The rest of the article, I knew, and just infuriated me all over again, how they wouldn't let the airport workers wear masks as people poured back into the U.S. from other countries...how he couldn't get tested when he got sick until it was way too late.😭

I'm not "sue happy" but I really think that your family has a decent claim for a wrongful death lawsuit. Not allowing their workers to wear masks in an airport is mind-boggling. 

One thing this pandemic has exposed is how little regard a lot of major corporations have for their employees. 

[BetyBee]

I busted out my sewing machine and have made 5 masks so far. I sent 2 to my sister. I'll soon be out of elastic (that I just happened to have in my sewing box), so I'll have to make ones with ties, if I continue. I'm not sure I'd like using the ones with ties. I really just want two for hubby an 2 for me, so we'll have a fresh one if the other is in the laundry. I haven't sewn a single thing in years and my sewing machine gave me some headaches, but I got through it. I watched a few tutorials, but I adapted the ones I made to my own less than stellar skills. We wear them on walks and kind of get the stink eye from people, but I think we're setting a good example and we're doing it for them, since it's not much protection for us. We only see someone once in a while and keep a wide berth. My husband wears one when he goes to pick up our grocery order too. And I received an unexpected check, so I guess I'll have to go to the drive up and I'll wear one then. I think I'll wait a couple of weeks though and see if things improve. We're still in the 2 weeks that were predicted to be the worst for the Chicago area. 

[Zella]

5 minutes ago, Nysha said:

I'm not "sue happy" but I really think that your family has a decent claim for a wrongful death lawsuit. Not allowing their workers to wear masks in an airport is mind-boggling. 

One thing this pandemic has exposed is how little regard a lot of major corporations have for their employees. 

Agreed. I'm certainly no attorney, but I think it would be worth talking to one about. 

[galaxychaser]

Oops

 

Edited April 11, 2020 by galaxychaser

[Scarlett45]

1 hour ago, ChiCricket said:

For anyone in Chicagoland, this is in the Chicago Tribune about my nephew today:

https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-death-airport-worker-20200411-verhl23q65a3zmkz3enbhlv4ji-story.html

I found out something from it I didn't know before, Flaco had diabetes. 😢

 The rest of the article, I knew, and just infuriated me all over again, how they wouldn't let the airport workers wear masks as people poured back into the U.S. from other countries...how he couldn't get tested when he got sick until it was way too late.😭

(Btw, people around here know "Chicagoland  also includes parts of southeast Wisconsin and Northwestern Indiana, along with the city of Chicago and the suburbs)

PS..it's behind a paywall..but I think you get a certain number of articles free each month.  If someone here is interested in reading it and already used up your free articles, PM me and I'll share my password for my Tribune subscription with you so you can read it.

One chicago-gal to another (((hugs))). 
 

Boyz II Men “Too Hard to say Goodbye” was an excellent musical choice. 
 

I am so sorry for your niece and his daughters. 

27 minutes ago, Zella said:

Agreed. I'm certainly no attorney, but I think it would be worth talking to one about. 

I think we are going to see a lot of settlements in the next 2-5yrs for wrongful death following this outbreak. 

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

I think we are going to see a lot of settlements in the next 2-5yrs for wrongful death following this outbreak. 

I think you're right! 

[Ohiopirate02]

8 hours ago, Barb23 said:

I'm glad your glucose monitor is working OK.

"Hallelujah" is one of my all time favorite songs. Check out K.D. Lang's version of it. She puts her all into it & I think hers is the best . She sang it during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada as well as for other concerts. I read that Mr. Cohen was in the audience for one performance.  That had to be nerve wracking to say the least. 

 

Does the KD version keep in the sex?  The one posted above was a nice rendition,  but lacking for my taste.  I love the Jeff Buckley version. 

[sixlets]

We ventured out to do a Target Drive-Up order, which was missing 11 items.  There's either another bag on the shelf, or, and this is my guess, the people parked beside us got one of our bags.  We also went to the grocery store to pick up some filler items.  Today was the first time out for us wearing anything protective.  We only had bandanas, and while they did work, they are so uncomfortable for any length of time.  I grabbed some B&BW anti-bacterial that I had to keep in the car.  I grabbed a semi-unpleasant scent, but it at least the smell of it stopped me from touching my face.  I have been impressed with Ohio's leaders and how they're dealing with things.  Maryland was directly behind Ohio and put it some drastic steps long before some states.  Our numbers are updated at 1000am each day.  We're currently at 7,694 cases with 206 deaths statewide.  For reference, Baltimore County has 827,000+ people and Baltimore City has 602,000.  While officials believe the MD/VA/DC Capital Region will be the next hotspot, thankfully, we're not there yet.  I used to enjoy our Saturdays out together and now, they are filled with fear.  I can safely say I do not suffer from anxiety, at least not at this phase in my life.  But, I literally cry every single night over the unknown fear.  It's just getting to be too much.  

@CHI, thank you for posting the link to Flaco's story.  He sounds like an amazing man, and I am so sorry for you loss.  Your family remains in my thoughts.

[Scarlett45]

4 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

Does the KD version keep in the sex?  The one posted above was a nice rendition,  but lacking for my taste.  I love the Jeff Buckley version. 

K D Lang is nothing but sex. She would totally steal your girl 100%. 

 

[Love2dance]

9 hours ago, PikaScrewChu said:

I'm having a bad day today. I'm at the point of shutting off every single texting app I have. 

I'm an introvert by nature. Everyone assumes I'm happy as a clam with this situation and have the energy to listen to all their complaints and conspiracy theories. I am not. They are getting increasingly pissed off that I won't. I understand therapy is expensive and out of the reach of many. I am not a therapist. I am not okay. I am tired of people being selfish and not wondering how I'm doing.

Introvert =/= being happy with not seeing people for weeks on end. 

So sorry @PikaScrewChu, people can be be so inconsiderate sometimes. You should absolutely do whatever you need to protect your feelings and mental health from them. I definitely have a few people I have to limit my exposure to, also.

Hang in there. Hugs!

[jcbrown]

1 hour ago, sixlets said:

I have been impressed with Ohio's leaders and how they're dealing with things.  Maryland was directly behind Ohio and put it some drastic steps long before some states.  Our numbers are updated at 1000am each day.  We're currently at 7,694 cases with 206 deaths statewide.  For reference, Baltimore County has 827,000+ people and Baltimore City has 602,000.  While officials believe the MD/VA/DC Capital Region will be the next hotspot, thankfully, we're not there yet. 

Totally agree that Ohio, Maryland, and California (where I am) have done a good job. I heard that Texas decided to loosen their restrictions, which pisses me off as someone who has been sheltering in place for a month. Some states have not even shut things down. If we don't do this together, we'll be doing it forever! Of all times for us to have an incompetent idiot pretending to lead.

[Jynnan tonnix]

7 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

K D Lang is nothing but sex. She would totally steal your girl 100%. 

 

For the longest time I had the tendency, whenever I saw her photo somewhere, to instinctively think, "oh, he's cute!" Even though I knew who she was, I wasn't familiar enough with her to really recognize her at sight. It wasn't until I found one of her renditions of "Hallelujah" on You tube (over 10 years ago) that I really became a fan.  She really does have a completely amazing voice, and ability to tell a story with her singing. And I still find her really attractive. 

Edited April 12, 2020 by Jynnan tonnix

[Nysha]

9 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

K D Lang is nothing but sex. She would totally steal your girl 100%. 

 

Wow!!! This is an awesome rendition. Thank you for posting it.

[SunnyBeBe]

Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all of you and your families. I’m going to watch a service on tv. 💜🌸
 

 

[Ohiopirate02]

11 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

K D Lang is nothing but sex. She would totally steal your girl 100%. 

 

Thanks for that.  She may have cut the most explicit verse, but kept in the sex.  I appreciate the doves towards the end.   It shows she knows what the song is about even if we dont hear her sing "remember when I moved in you, and the holy dove was moving too."  

[Jynnan tonnix]

1 hour ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

Thanks for that.  She may have cut the most explicit verse, but kept in the sex.  I appreciate the doves towards the end.   It shows she knows what the song is about even if we dont hear her sing "remember when I moved in you, and the holy dove was moving too."  

To be fair, that verse might be less than totally applicable to her.

[Ohiopirate02]

1 minute ago, Jynnan tonnix said:

To be fair, that verse might be less than totally applicable to her.

Yeah, I could go into the logistics of penetrative lesbian sex,  but...  I do think that verse was left out of a family-friendly event like the opening ceremonies of an Olympics.   I do applaud KD not trying to leave off an essential part of the song.  So many artists do.  

[Minivanessa]

I posted here last Monday about a very rural county in Oklahoma that's being hammered by COVID 19. My cousin lives in another Oklahoma county, in a rural area. I've been following the Oklahoma state COVID-19 updates online. The county is Greer County, and as of today they have 49 confirmed cases and 4 deaths. The county seat has 3000 (or fewer) population and per Wikipedia the total county population in 2010 was 6200. That's a horrific per capita toll for the disease. 

The mayor of the county seat has been quoted in one story,  saying that the virus was probably introduced by a traveling preacher who came to town (and has since died of COVID-19). That's what my cousin had heard, and told me last week. The powers that be have apparently backed off that now, IMO because they don't want to risk the ire of being considered "anti-religion" in that Bible Belt place. And, to be fair, because there's probably not ironclad proof of how the virus was spread, as in "defending against the defamation lawsuit" proof. I get it. BTW, the denomination in question wasn't the same that the Duggars et al, that we talk about around here, belong to. 

To me, the bigger significance of this, is that I think it's brought home to a lot of people who thought they were safe just because they are in rural areas, that they can't ignore the crisis and just carry on life as normal right now. I think a lot of people thought of the virus as something "out there" and not "ours." But it's here, and it's ours, and we just have to do our best to be careful. 

I hope everyone here is having a good day. I've been editing photos which is one of my happy things to do. 

Edited April 12, 2020 by Jeeves

[whydoiwatch]

17 minutes ago, Jeeves said:

 

To me, the bigger significance of this, is that I think it's brought home to a lot of people who thought they were safe just because they are in rural areas, that they can't ignore the crisis and just carry on life as normal right now. I think a lot of people thought of the virus as something "out there" and not "ours." But it's here, and it's ours, and we just have to do our best to be careful. 

 

Unfortunately, I think a lot of people still believe this way, but I fully recognize the seriousness of the virus.  Our small rural Indiana county has been hit hard, 60+ cases now and 3 deaths. We live next to a park where I have been walking daily weather permitting. Social distancing is not a problem there, most days I don't see another person.  In the last 10 days, however,  I have seen 2 weddings at the park - both well over 10 people, more like 50+. That is the only place I have been, besides grocery store, in a month. My last grocery trip was early last week and I would say 30% of customers were wearing masks.

[whydoiwatch]

4 hours ago, Nysha said:

Wow!!! This is an awesome rendition. Thank you for posting it.

Somehow, I had missed KD Lang's version of Hallelujah - wow, that is great. I have the song in my playlist but by Pentatonix. I have been aware of KD Lang, but not real familiar with her music - will have to check it out. Thanks !

[Temperance]

@Jeeves There are two different counties in OK hit by this? Could you remind us of which is which?

[Minivanessa]

7 hours ago, Temperance said:

@Jeeves There are two different counties in OK hit by this? Could you remind us of which is which?

There are many counties in Oklahoma with confirmed COVID-19 cases. Most of them, I think.

The only county I've been talking about here is Greer County. Its county seat is Mangum. I linked to a TV news story that began with a bit about Greer and I think moved on to another county. (I have cousins in OK but none of them live in Greer County.)

ETA: The pastor who may have been the source of the virus spread, was based in the Tulsa area, in the NE part of the state. He conducted a funeral service in Oklahoma City (in central Oklahoma), then came to Mangum (in SW Oklahoma) for the March 15 revival and visiting. He tested positive on March 17 and died on March 18. Sad and scary!

Edited April 13, 2020 by Jeeves

[SunnyBeBe]

I am really big on repurposing as much as possible, but a couple of years ago when I cut off  the legs to some sweat pants, I was skeptical as to how I’d ever use them. But, yesterday I pulled them out and discovered they go great over your head and down around your face! Perfect to use as a mask.  
 

I cheered up my family today. I pulled out a hideous pair of yellow shorts, that I don’t know why I bought. Put them on with a pink shirt....so, I pretty much resemble an Easter egg. Lol

Yesterday, I did a lot of organizing, cleaning, put up some new curtains, etc.  I have big goals for next week. 

[emma675]

16 hours ago, jcbrown said:

I heard that Texas decided to loosen their restrictions, which pisses me off as someone who has been sheltering in place for a month. 

Texas here, we have not loosened our restrictions (Dallas shut down all parks this weekend), but the current shelter in place order is set to expire on April 30. But it may be extended to May 20.

[jcbrown]

1 hour ago, emma675 said:

Texas here, we have not loosened our restrictions (Dallas shut down all parks this weekend), but the current shelter in place order is set to expire on April 30. But it may be extended to May 20.

Oh, good. Sorry to cast aspersions on your state. My husband told me and he is kind of obsessed with monitoring the interwebs for what's going on so I thought he had solid info. Glad to hear he didn't!

[emma675]

Eh, there are plenty of good reasons to cast aspersions on my state, but that's not one of them.  😉

[ChiCricket]

For anyone who celebrates💗 

[CherryMalotte]

4 hours ago, emma675 said:

Texas here, we have not loosened our restrictions (Dallas shut down all parks this weekend), but the current shelter in place order is set to expire on April 30. But it may be extended to May 20.

I tend to think now that mid-May will be the target point here in Illinois.  All I can tell you is that when we get a firm date I'm taking the next day off of work to go get my hair done.  

Hope everybody had a good chocolate bunny day.   

[ChiCricket]

I have another online friend that I met collecting those (dumb) Beanie Babies. 🙄 

She lives in Minnesota, but winters in Arizona. She just posted this on Facebook.

(I thought "that can't be true, can it?" But it is.)😱

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/goodwill-to-open-21-of-the-valleys-90-stores-by-monday

Edited April 13, 2020 by ChiCricket

[Temperance]

George Carlin did a rant on germs that included a part where he makes jokes about a deadly virus that kills people. Someone just posted it to social media. I watched it not knowing what it was like.  I don't how to respond.  What's the point of having a big extended family if enough of them are jerks?

Any advice about what to do. 

[Nysha]

 

6 hours ago, Temperance said:

I don't how to respond.  What's the point of having a big extended family if enough of them are jerks?

Any advice about what to do. 

I put my aunt on mute for 30 days on Facebook. She's all about conspiracy theories and how Covid 19 is a hoax and/or a deep state virus developed by Bill Gates to commit genocide against the Christians. I've been muting anyone posting similar theories. I figure the more sane members of my family will post if any of the muted ones have a problem.

9 hours ago, CherryMalotte said:

I tend to think now that mid-May will be the target point here in Illinois.  All I can tell you is that when we get a firm date I'm taking the next day off of work to go get my hair done.  

I'm seriously thinking about giving myself a mullet. It's the only self-cutting hair style I know. My bangs keep falling in my eyes and it is severely driving me insane.

[BetyBee]

9 minutes ago, Nysha said:

I put my aunt on mute for 30 days on Facebook. She's all about conspiracy theories and how Covid 19 is a hoax and/or a deep state virus developed by Bill Gates to commit genocide against the Christians. I've been muting anyone posting similar theories. I figure the more sane members of my family will post if any of the muted ones have a problem.

I've snoozed tons of friends for 30 days on FB. And often for another 30 when that 30 days is up! It just makes my life more peaceful.

[Barb23]

I keep feeling like we are all a part of a Twilight Zone episode. 

My brother & I were talking about this yesterday -- if someone in the year 2000 predicted we were going to have a worldwide pandemic in 2020 (similar to the 1918 Spanish flu) we would have laughed & told them they were nuts.  

[Ohiopirate02]

17 minutes ago, Barb23 said:

I keep feeling like we are all a part of a Twilight Zone episode. 

My brother & I were talking about this yesterday -- if someone in the year 2000 predicted we were going to have a worldwide pandemic in 2020 (similar to the 1918 Spanish flu) we would have laughed & told them they were nuts.  

I have the opposite reaction.  My undergraduate degree is in history, and I have worked in healthcare.  I read The Hot Zone (ebola) and researched the AIDS epidemic back in high school.  I have been waiting for something like this to happen.  It has always been a matter of time before a disease pops up.  History shows us this.  Most of us living in first world countries grew complacent and arrogant over the years.  That is why we are thrown for a loop right now.  We have no context for this.  

[Scarlett45]

20 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I have the opposite reaction.  My undergraduate degree is in history, and I have worked in healthcare.  I read The Hot Zone (ebola) and researched the AIDS epidemic back in high school.  I have been waiting for something like this to happen.  It has always been a matter of time before a disease pops up.  History shows us this.  Most of us living in first world countries grew complacent and arrogant over the years.  That is why we are thrown for a loop right now.  We have no context for this.  

Yeah I agree with you. I’m not surprised at all. Our world is SO SMALL now with internet and air travel, things are going to spread faster. Our species isn’t that old in the grand scheme of the earth but even then 100yrs isn’t that much time in the grand scheme of anything other than a typical human life span. 

[louannems]

12 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I have the opposite reaction.  My undergraduate degree is in history, and I have worked in healthcare.  I read The Hot Zone (ebola) and researched the AIDS epidemic back in high school.  I have been waiting for something like this to happen.  It has always been a matter of time before a disease pops up.  History shows us this.  Most of us living in first world countries grew complacent and arrogant over the years.  That is why we are thrown for a loop right now.  We have no context for this.  

I worked in a large VA hospital for 31 years.  And every year we practiced things like mass trauma, shelter in place due to a chemical weapons situation, and yes, even pandemic.

But not once did I ever hear that the whole world would need to shut down.  Of course I understand how necessary this all is, but it still surprised me.

I guess I thought we would all just be getting on with our lives and yes, lots of people would die.

I'm retired and receiving a pension and social security so this is not affecting my pocket book but I really feel for all those who can't work from home and have no income coming in.

My local Goodwill has been closed for weeks and I'm just appalled at all the JUNK people are dumping at the donation side. Broken sofas, gross mattresses, broken toys spewn all over.

Even with a large sign saying  leave no  donations without an attendant present.

[SunnyBeBe]

I Facetimed with two of my best friends again this weekend. It really is like a shot in the arm for me.  I learned something about the cause of the government's lack of preparation, but, it might sound political, so, I won't go there. Maybe, it will be remedied. 

Yesterday, I saw plenty of stupidity.  Neighbor, a senior who is at least 80 years old, welcomed about 20 family members over to her house, where they went inside, I presume for lunch and then  had a yard full of kids having an Easter egg hunt in the front yard (Lots of kids and not far apart).

I think my mother is irrational.  She said that not having her family visit on Easter was worse than having the virus.  I don't think she meant it, but, she pouted all day because she didn't have a ham (family tradition). lol

I'm visualizing myself going into one of my favorite restaurants on a nice mild day, sitting on the patio, and relaxing as I sit and chat with a few of my best friends over a glass of Cabernet.  I do miss something like that. 

[Minivanessa]

3 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I have the opposite reaction.  My undergraduate degree is in history, and I have worked in healthcare.  I read The Hot Zone (ebola) and researched the AIDS epidemic back in high school.  I have been waiting for something like this to happen.  It has always been a matter of time before a disease pops up.  History shows us this.  Most of us living in first world countries grew complacent and arrogant over the years.  That is why we are thrown for a loop right now.  We have no context for this.  

I've just finished reading The Great Influenza, by John M. Barry. It's about the 1918 flu pandemic. A deep dive into medicine, research, history. I'm still processing what I read. One of the most stunning facets is how the pandemic just never became a part of history, was ignored by authors and historians, and yet it was such a HUGE and disruptive event across the country and the world.

I think I'll read some totally frivolous escape fiction, before I tackle Gina Kolata's book about the 1918 pandemic, Flu. I decided I wanted to learn more about the 1918 pandemic even if it wouldn't be pretty, but it's also completely valid IMO to *not* want to delve into that history right now. There are so many things going on that are beyond our control, not that there aren't anyway but now there are scary things beyond our control. It's a personal decision how to deal with that. 

Good luck with the things we CAN control. Seriously, I wish everyone here the best, in these crazy times.

[SunnyBeBe]

It's so funny.  I posted yesterday how I amused my family wearing a ridiculous, Easter Egg looking, yellow shorts with a pink top . Today, I'm getting all these ads on my site advertising  yellow sandals!  lol  Is that crazy or what. 

I read an article yesterday. Link below. It's actually a AP article. It's about how some doctors are trying to avoid ventilators for Covid-19 patients, due to the high death rate!  I was shocked. It says that 80% of those with the virus who go on a ventilator don't survive! (Is this NYC only?)  It goes on to say that the survival rate for going on a ventilator is not great, no matter what the reason is for going on it!  I'm trying to put this into some context, because, it's really disturbing.  I was thinking ventilators saved lives.  😟

 

https://www.wral.com/some-doctors-moving-away-from-ventilators-for-virus-patients/19047755/

Edited April 13, 2020 by SunnyBeBe

[Bewitched]

Not sure about that ventilator article.  Background: I'm an ICU nurse in a designated COVID unit.  We have been seeing COVID patients for over a month.  Our thinking on how to treat patients has changed over time.  We are still using ventilators but we are not using the traditional ventilator settings for severe flu or PNA patients.  The lungs of COVID patients do not behave the same way as other severe respiratory illnesses.  There is also an unexpected issue of blood clotting (micro clots) that impair oxygen exchange.   It is true that patients on ventilators tend to need longer care but one reason is that we are not placing tracheostomies as we normally would for infection control reasons.  This makes it more difficult to wean from the vent in some patients.  

Its also a fine line for infection control.  Using high flow oxygen in a patient's nose blows the virus all around and needs negative pressure rooms to protect staff from the virus.  Before this pandemic, only 2 out of our 18 beds had that capability.  Luckily, my hospital system spent $$$ and converted all our ICU rooms.  Not every hospital has the resources we do.  While I'm not sure what the scientific data shows, I feel safer taking care of ventilator patients than ones on high flow oxygen or ones who are coughing in my face.  (which I realize might sound terrible, but its true)

The 80% mortality rate for ventilator patients does not hold true for my hospital.  We have had several patients come off the ventilator, recover, and go home.  Cant't extrapolate beyond my own experience but wanted to share a little positive real world data.

Edited April 13, 2020 by Bewitched

[Scarlett45]

1 hour ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I think my mother is irrational.  She said that not having her family visit on Easter was worse than having the virus.  I don't think she meant it, but, she pouted all day because she didn't have a ham (family tradition). lol

That is irrational. It’s natural to be annoyed that your routine has changed or be disappointed you can’t have celebrations/traditions but being healthy is far more important (I know you know just saying). 
 

My mom got grumpy that she couldn’t get my sister’s fav breakfast sausage in her instacart delivery but she got over it. 🤪

[crazy8s]

4 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I have the opposite reaction.  My undergraduate degree is in history, and I have worked in healthcare.  I read The Hot Zone (ebola) and researched the AIDS epidemic back in high school.  I have been waiting for something like this to happen.  It has always been a matter of time before a disease pops up.  History shows us this.  Most of us living in first world countries grew complacent and arrogant over the years.  That is why we are thrown for a loop right now.  We have no context for this.  

same reaction here  - our PHD daughter professor did her dissertation on pandemics and patient agency focused on early america. (mayflower, cotton mather etc) she has had articles published in well known journals on her research.

she is in NY state and is terrified to leave her home at this time

fun fact - she has a bowl of stuffed viruses in her office. like stuffed animals but ebola, small pox, gonnorrhea, syphillus, TB etc

 

 

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by crazy8s

[Absolom]

11 minutes ago, crazy8s said:

fun fact - she has a bowl of stuffed viruses in her office. like stuffed animals but ebola, small pox, gonnorrhea, syphillus, TB etc

My daughter does, too.  I gave her several as Christmas presents and now she does that for her niece and nephew.

[SunnyBeBe]

32 minutes ago, Bewitched said:

Not sure about that ventilator article.  Background: I'm an ICU nurse in a designated COVID unit.  We have been seeing COVID patients for over a month.  Our thinking on how to treat patients has changed over time.  We are still using ventilators but we are not using the traditional ventilator settings for severe flu or PNA patients.  The lungs of COVID patients do not behave the same way as other severe respiratory illnesses.  There is also an unexpected issue of blood clotting (micro clots) that impair oxygen exchange.   It is true that patients on ventilators tend to need longer care but one reason is that we are not placing tracheostomies as we normally would for infection control reasons.  This makes it more difficult to wean from the vent in some patients.  

Its also a fine line for infection control.  Using high flow oxygen in a patient's nose blows the virus all around and needs negative pressure rooms to protect staff from the virus.  Before this pandemic, only 2 out of our 18 beds had that capability.  Luckily, my hospital system spent $$$ and converted all our ICU rooms.  Not every hospital has the resources we do.  While I'm not sure what the scientific data shows, I feel safer taking care of ventilator patients than ones on high flow oxygen or ones who are coughing in my face.  (which I realize might sound terrible, but its true)

The 80% mortality rate for ventilator patients does not hold true for my hospital.  We have had several patients come off the ventilator, recover, and go home.  Cant't extrapolate beyond my own experience but wanted to share a little positive real world data.

Thanks for sharing!  And thank you for your incredible service!  You are so selfless.  I can't imagine that kind of devotion.  

Can you say if the patients who are put on ventilators are sedated to the point that they are not aware of what is going on?  I've head the device down your throat is very uncomfortable and that is the reason for the sedation.  It sounds like a horror to lay there for days, weeks, without the ability to move, if you are aware of your surroundings. 

I saw a story yesterday that at this NY hospital, when a Covid patient recovers they play this song in celebration!  I don't think I'll ever feel the same when I hear this song again.  Now, I really LOVE the song.

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by SunnyBeBe

[Bewitched]

Just now, SunnyBeBe said:

Can you say if the patients who are put on ventilators are sedated to the point that they are not aware of what is going on?  I've head the device down your throat is very uncomfortable and that is the reason for the sedation.  It sounds like a horror to lay there for days, weeks, without the ability to move, if you are aware of your surroundings. 

We do our best to sedate appropriately.  I will say that these patients as a whole have been more difficult to sedate than normal.  There is a risk of a national shortage of sedatives so we are being creative with what we are using.  Ever heard of the street drug "special K"? Now a pretty common sedative in our ICU called ketamine.  The drug that killed Michael Jackson?  Propofol - actually one of my favorite sedatives because it is quick on and quick off.  Fentanyl - killer of many but a terrific pain reliever in the ICU setting.   

With any ventilator patient, it is important to have them wake up occasionally to ensure that they have not had a stroke or other neurologic change.   Also, we have to keep patients more awake when we are weaning the ventilator so patients are doing all the breathing and we know they are ready to take the breathing tube out.  

[GeeGolly]

16 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

Thanks for sharing!  And thank you for your incredible service!  You are so selfless.  I can't imagine that kind of devotion.  

Can you say if the patients who are put on ventilators are sedated to the point that they are not aware of what is going on?  I've head the device down your throat is very uncomfortable and that is the reason for the sedation.  It sounds like a horror to lay there for days, weeks, without the ability to move, if you are aware of your surroundings. 

I saw a story yesterday that at this NY hospital, when a Covid patient recovers they play this song in celebration!  I don't think I'll ever feel the same when I hear this song again.  Now, I really LOVE the song.

 

A hospital in MA plays the Rocky theme music when a covid patient is discharged.

[doodlebug]

1 hour ago, SunnyBeBe said:

It's so funny.  I posted yesterday how I amused my family wearing a ridiculous, Easter Egg looking, yellow shorts with a pink top . Today, I'm getting all these ads on my site advertising  yellow sandals!  lol  Is that crazy or what. 

I read an article yesterday. Link below. It's actually a AP article. It's about how some doctors are trying to avoid ventilators for Covid-19 patients, due to the high death rate!  I was shocked. It says that 80% of those with the virus who go on a ventilator don't survive! (Is this NYC only?)  It goes on to say that the survival rate for going on a ventilator is not great, no matter what the reason is for going on it!  I'm trying to put this into some context, because, it's really disturbing.  I was thinking ventilators saved lives.  😟

 

https://www.wral.com/some-doctors-moving-away-from-ventilators-for-virus-patients/19047755/

Ventilators do save lives in that, with many disease processes, the death rate without them is virtually 100%.  So the 20% who live after being placed on one is a big improvement.  However, it appears that people with COVID can tolerate lower oxygen levels than people with other maladies and that, those who can avoid the ventilator altogether by not using it as often as we would with other diseases are more likely to survive.  Remember, this is a NEW virus, one we've only seen in humans for less than 6 months; we've got a lot to learn.

[SunnyBeBe]

If anyone watches The Bronx Zoo show on Animal Planet, they showcased the tigers who they diagnosed with covid-19 this past Saturday night.  All except one big cat got it! They have no idea why one didn't.  All are recovering well though.  HOW the tigers contracted it is a mystery though.  It's not like they get a lot of direct human contact.  

Edited April 13, 2020 by SunnyBeBe

[doodlebug]

On ‎4‎/‎11‎/‎2020 at 3:47 PM, Nysha said:

I'm not "sue happy" but I really think that your family has a decent claim for a wrongful death lawsuit. Not allowing their workers to wear masks in an airport is mind-boggling. 

One thing this pandemic has exposed is how little regard a lot of major corporations have for their employees. 

I don't know about that.  The only masks that protect the wearer from COVID are N95's which are in short supply and airport workers would be low on the list to get them and I doubt the airline could find and buy them privately.  The regular paper or cloth masks do not protect the wearer from contracting a virus, they do protect him/her from spreading it via droplets.  Gloves need to be changed every time the wearer touches something that someone else has touched because the virus can settle on them just like it settles on the hands.  People also touch their faces more when wearing masks which might actually increase the risk.  I feel sad that Flaco felt his employer wasn't responsive to his request for masks and gloves, but I think it is unlikely they would've made a difference.  I do hope the airport had masks available for travelers and employees who were symptomatic to prevent them from spreading viral particles and I hope they provided plenty of hand sanitizer.

My employer, in an effort to conserve N95's is only allowing them to be used in COVID units and when procedures where aerosol droplets are likely to be found like during intubations.  On labor and delivery, unless the patient actually has COVID, nothing but paper masks.  This is obviously somewhat controversial and more than a few of the caregivers are not happy about it.  Other labor and delivery units around town are providing N95 for deliveries in all cases.