Akeath

@ Helen and others worrying about coronavirus mutations: I’ve been researching coronavirus pretty steadily, and it seems that it mutates fairly slowly compared to other viruses like the flu. Here’s some good articles I found on that: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/25/820998549/the-coronavirus-is-mutating-but-that-may-not-be-a-problem-for-humans and https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/science/new-york-coronavirus-cases-europe-genomes.html

I just saw something outside that got me a little teary-eyed. The local elementary school has been closed for weeks and everyone has been staying in. Just now I saw a line of cars – all carefully set far apart – driving down the street and honking lightly. They were the teachers from the local elementary school. They’d decorated their cars with hearts and colorful signs saying which teacher was inside, that they loved and missed their students, and that they were proud of how strong the kids were being. The kids were watching from windows and doors and cheering. Parents were recording the parade with their phones and cheering along with their kids. You could see the teachers waving in their cars. Everyone was being very careful with social distancing through all of it, too. The kids looked so happy.

I ended up just having a cold, and am already starting to feel better. My Dr. said my pre-diabetes is mild enough that I’m not at high risk if I do get coronavirus.
She also said the primary treatment at hospitals is respirators to provide oxygen and just treat symptoms. She said respirators are in short supply, and since I have a cpap machine to provide me with extra oxygen that if I catch coronavirus later I should stay home and use that and take Tylenol.

My Dr. said a lot of people with colds and flus are coming in concerned that they may have a mild case of coronavirus. People are very anxious right now if they have any signs of illness. She’s getting virtual visits set up to help deal with the volume of patients.

She also mentioned that there basically are no tests now,and it is being frowned on if a doctor uses the few tests they have. She tested two first responders and the rest of her swabs were taken away – before the two she administered even got their results. This is crazy to me.

The schools by me have announced that they are not reconvening this school year. They are still giving out free school lunches to those who need them, there’s a pick up system to avoid more than 10 people congregating. Classes are all now online.

Starting Tuesday, the counties and cities around me are all issuing stay at home orders. Basically the rules are the same as what was suggested before, but now people who don’t follow them will be fined, charged with a misdemeanor, and have businesses shut down. The order is for 30 days. My doctor said most people will need to continue isolating for a couple months at least. My Husband and I have already been staying in and getting anything we need delivered for more than a week, and were going to continue anyway. There is also a temporary halt on evicting or cutting off utilities written into the shelter at home order so people can stay in place in good conditions even if they aren’t getting paid.

On another note, Animal Crossing for Nintendo Switch just came out. It’s a cute game for all ages where you move to a deserted island. You can run around outside, catch bugs and fish, craft things, design your house and island, chat with funny animal neighbors, and visit your friend’s islands. More than a dozen of my friends and family got this. Yesterday my husband, his sister, brother and I all virtually visited each other’s islands together. This game follows real time and is made to be played a bit each day for months on end, so it is great for everyone who has to be cooped up. I bought a digital copy so I didn’t have to go to the store.