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Virus
Mar 18, 2020 5:19:36 GMT -5
Post by biteybird on Mar 18, 2020 5:19:36 GMT -5
Hi everyone, just want to see if our overseas members are doing OK with this coronavirus spreading, etc. In Darwin we have only one confirmed case so far, but in other Australian states there are quite a few. I guess I am concerned that there are no limits on travel from state to state yet and that, given that it seems the virus can be present in someone some 6-7 days before symptoms showing, people could be spreading it around without knowing... Any thoughts? It would be interesting to compare the experiences of people in different countries. I hope you and your families are safe and coping OK. 
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Virus
Mar 18, 2020 20:38:54 GMT -5
Post by cnyguy on Mar 18, 2020 20:38:54 GMT -5
So far, there are six confirmed cases in Onondaga County, but many more in other parts of New York State. Around here, nearly everything is temporarily closed. All the schools in the county closed as of Monday, and local colleges sent students home. Online study programs are being set up at all levels. Restaurants and bars are closed, except for takeout orders; sports events have been canceled or postponed, churches, shopping malls, casinos, theaters and all other entertainment venues are temporarily closed. Only necessary services remain open: grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies. There's little left on the shelves in the grocery stores; things like paper products and soap are completely out of stock. Produce and meat counters have been picked bare (Ralph will have to make do with warmed-up frozen peas for now), stocks of frozen and canned foods are depleted. I shopped yesterday and had to improvise since hardly anything on my list was in stock. Aside from having some unusual meals (like hot dogs and beans without the hot dogs) and having to conserve resources like paper towels, I haven't been too badly disrupted as yet.
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Virus
Mar 18, 2020 21:47:20 GMT -5
Post by Caseysmom on Mar 18, 2020 21:47:20 GMT -5
Hi, I think there are 5 confirmed cases in our area but as not everyone is tested for mild cases that number might be higher. Like Gary pointed out everything is closed up here too, we have been walking our dogs in the quiet and open spaces of our provincial park, but as of this evening they closed all the parks too. That doesn’t make sense to me. Our grocery stores are very empty or so I’ve heard, I haven’t been in since last Thursday. The only contact we have with family even is just Skype and FaceTime. I think this will be going on for a while unfortunately. Gas prices are down to 67 cents a litre, less then half of the normal price. But now we have no need to drive anywhere so not that isn’t helpful
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Virus
Mar 20, 2020 4:57:17 GMT -5
Post by biteybird on Mar 20, 2020 4:57:17 GMT -5
Well, today we had two people return to the Northern Territory from overseas, on separate flights, who tested positive. it's here. Who knows how many people on those flights are now spreading it to others? It would only take one person on each flight to have caught it and to spread it further before they are contacted by the airlines.
If just one 'positive' person came from overseas/interstate into Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs or Tennant Creek (or any of the really remote areas like Maningrida) the Aboriginal population would be absolutely decimated. A lot of them don't even have homes (they are called "long grassers"), let alone the ability to maintain proper hygiene...scary stuff.
We have been told we shouldn't get tested unless we've had direct contact with someone recently arrived from overseas, or with someone who has tested positive. I don't think that's good enough, given the transmissibility of the virus prior to symptoms appearing. We've had a couple in Sydney who went to get tested and were turned away, only to test positive later - they were only tested later because they were persistent and happened to have been in touch with someone else that tested positive (this happened AFTER they felt ill and tried to get tested initially). I really wish Australia had closed its borders a few weeks ago - as always, we have done too little too late.
Sorry if I am sounding negative, I am just MAD at the lack of timely measures taken by our government.
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Virus
Mar 20, 2020 5:03:45 GMT -5
Post by biteybird on Mar 20, 2020 5:03:45 GMT -5
I shopped yesterday and had to improvise since hardly anything on my list was in stock. Aside from having some unusual meals (like hot dogs and beans without the hot dogs) and having to conserve resources like paper towels, I haven't been too badly disrupted as yet. Yeah, a lot of Australian shelves are empty, too (I suspect less in Darwin than other cities, but certain things have sold out, like toilet paper, paper towels, pasta, some tinned foods). I started just getting a couple of extra items per shopping trip about 4-5 weeks ago, so I am glad I wasn't one of the lowlifes that bought stuff in bulk, leaving nothing for others. As of today I am working from home (a nice option to have, as in my previous job as Special Education teacher, there is NO WAY you could teach the kids online). It's the first day of working from home I've ever had in my working career... 
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Virus
Mar 20, 2020 5:08:15 GMT -5
Post by biteybird on Mar 20, 2020 5:08:15 GMT -5
It does seem weird to close the parks. I wonder what the reasoning is. At least, as I read somewhere online recently, if you are an introvert, this situation is a dream! (Social distancing, I mean). 
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Post by cnyguy on Mar 20, 2020 20:55:03 GMT -5
I am glad I wasn't one of the lowlifes that bought stuff in bulk, leaving nothing for others. All the stores here have placed purchase limits on the more "popular" items. The last time I was in the store, I overheard a young "gentleman" talking to another fellow. He said he was sending his wife and kids in to buy all the items they could and were returning to the store every day to do that. "I don't care about anybody else, " he said, "we're going to have everything we want." Nice attitude. Onondaga County, New York (where I live) is up to 13 confirmed cases, and more are showing up in adjoining counties each day too. New York City has the most in the U.S. The reaction here wasn't all that speedy either, and none of the government officials seem to be on the same page; conflicting information is going out all the time. Not very encouraging. Hope everyone stays well.
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Post by msdani1981 on Mar 24, 2020 2:15:58 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I'm so sorry for my absence!
I'm in Washington state, about 90 miles north of one of the major outbreaks. As of now, there are 48 confirmed cases in my county and 2 deaths.
So far my husband and I, and our friends and families, are all safe.
Washington is on "Stay Home" orders now, with the exception of essential workers and essential tasks.
I hope everyone here is safe and healthy. 💕
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Virus
Mar 24, 2020 3:47:57 GMT -5
Post by biteybird on Mar 24, 2020 3:47:57 GMT -5
So far my husband and I, and our friends and families, are all safe. Hi Dani, glad you're OK! We now have 6 cases here in the NT (all from overseas). It wouldn't surprise me, though, if there are people already walking around undetected until they display symptoms... We are watching a story on the News about Washington right now. Trump wants to reopen everything for business? I guess I don't get American politics (unless the reporting is inaccurate, of course).
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Virus
Mar 24, 2020 19:58:47 GMT -5
Post by cnyguy on Mar 24, 2020 19:58:47 GMT -5
We are watching a story on the News about Washington right now. Trump wants to reopen everything for business? I guess I don't get American politics (unless the reporting is inaccurate, of course). The reporting is correct. Trump originally planned to lift all restrictions in about a week, but now is aiming for Easter Sunday. It's extremely doubtful that will be possible; the medical professionals in the U.S., as well as individual states' governors, are opposed to Trump's plans. As more testing is being done locally, the number of coronavirus cases rises every day; Onondaga County is now up to 65 confirmed cases, and one death in the county thus far. Things are improving somewhat at the stores. Panic buying has subsided and many items are back in stock, though paper products, soap products and disinfectants are still in short supply. On my last visit to the grocery store, the produce department looked almost normal (and I was able to buy fresh peas for Ralph), but the meat counters were still sparse. Everything is being disinfected between customers.
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Virus
Mar 24, 2020 23:53:11 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by msdani1981 on Mar 24, 2020 23:53:11 GMT -5
I have strong feelings about our current government, so I don't want to get into that subject. LOL
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Virus
Mar 31, 2020 1:03:11 GMT -5
Post by Jan and Shah on Mar 31, 2020 1:03:11 GMT -5
Well here in NSW, Australia, we seem to be travelling okay. We have had a few deaths but not as many as originally anticipated. Of course, everything is shut down so I only go out once a week to do supermarket shopping. It is hard not visiting with friends but they are enforcing the 2 person rule so it makes it tough. However, I deem myself very lucky. I get a government payment every 2 weeks, don't have a mortgage and have a roof over my head. I feel so awful for those people who have been put off work, have mortgages or rent to pay and families to feed. I also feel very sorry for the homeless. These are uncertain times but we will come out of it. I wish Australia would start its manufacturing industry again - I am happy to pay extra. We can be self sufficient but greed gets in the way. All birds and cats are doing well although I am getting the impression that Casper is getting fed up with having me around. I hope everyone else is practising the hygiene rules and that you all stay well and healthy.
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