I am starting to get somewhat anxious about the coronavirus in relation to the memory care facility my parent is in.
Memory care facilities I think could be hot beds of virus for this sort of thing, due to the low hygiene levels as a result of how the residents themselves are.
I don't want to be a carrier that unknowingly delivers it to the facility and I most definitely don't want to catch it from there.
Any ideas as to how to manage and minimize risk asides from just not visiting?
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200317175442.htm
Title:
COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic has a natural origin
From the article:
"The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was so effective at binding the human cells, in fact, that the scientists concluded it was the result of natural selection and not the product of genetic engineering.
This evidence for natural evolution was supported by data on SARS-CoV-2's backbone -- its overall molecular structure. If someone were seeking to engineer a new coronavirus as a pathogen, they would have constructed it from the backbone of a virus known to cause illness. But the scientists found that the SARS-CoV-2 backbone differed substantially from those of already known coronaviruses and mostly resembled related viruses found in bats and pangolins."
NOTE: People did NOT get infected from eating bats... bats carry many viruses, including several coronaviruses, but are immune to most of them. Generally the virus spreads to another mammal (suspect in this epidemic could be pangolins.) Zoonotic transference of diseases happen, this is nothing new. When it is a virus that is new, it certainly can have a devastating effect.
See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat-borne_virus
Although the true source of smallpox is unknown, speculation in scientific theories suggest "...The date of the appearance of smallpox is not settled. It most likely evolved from a terrestrial African rodent virus between 68,000 and 16,000 years ago." So, did people back then generate bioweapons? Also, if anyone REALLY wanted something deadly, there are many already deadly diseases to choose from - one doesn't need to bio-engineer a new one! Smallpox would be a possible choice, since they no longer vaccinate for it (at least by 1977, as my daughter was born then and neither she nor my son had the vaccination.)
It has been several weeks since you left this message. I just discovered it a few days ago. I am still trying to learn my way around this website.
I read last week that Senator Rick Scott (Republican Florida) wrote a letter to the SEC to cut off funding the Chinese based corporations traded on our stock market over the covid-19 virus. He also asked his fellow senators to investigate The Who in the cover up roll they played to protect China. The senate will be taking up the investigation of The Who. This might just lead to Senator Tom Cotton's (Republican Arkansas) charge that China is at fault of either negligent control measures or willful acts of war by releasing the virus. I believe Senator Cotton is right. China's economy has been crippled by the tariffs and other restrictions placed on them. How do you get back? You release a biological weapon. China does not care about their people. They have no problem killing their own to get at the rest of the world.
I like your argument and I hope but doubt it is going to work out the way you have posted.
I think there are lots of theories floating around about this virus. We do not have the answers. This is President Trump's 9-11. At least we could see and combat that enemy. This now is much harder. It seems like the Chinese did what the terrorist could not accomplish. I pray to God that things improve.
BTW, MANY viruses have originated, even in the dark ages, from the area. Others come from other areas, such as the Ebola virus and Marburg virus. THIS virus has NOTHING to do with them being Chinese although it originated there. You think they invented the bubonic plague to wipe out everyone? Even back then trade with western countries was a boon to their society. They do NOT benefit from creating viruses, and you come across very ignorant and hateful when you post this crap.
Stop with the ethic hate mongering please.
(put into perspective - early Americans DELIBERATELY gave blankets, clothing, etc INFECTED with smallpox to the indians. THAT was deliberate, because they KNEW indians had virtually no immunity. THIS is an accident of nature - the yearly flu is generated the same way. NATURE.)
This is an excellent article on How to determine if you are infected!
Stanford hospital board internal message:
There is so much info out there but I wanted to share this.
Begin forwarded message:
Stanford hospital board internal message:
The new Coronavirus may not show sign of infection for many days. How can one know if he/she is infected?
By the time they have fever and/or cough and go to the hospital, the lung is usually 50% Fibrosis and it's too late.
Taiwan experts provide a simple self-check that we can do every morning. Take a deep breath and hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you complete it successfully without coughing, without discomfort, stiffness or tightness, etc., it proves there is no Fibrosis in the lungs, basically indicates no infection. In critical time, please self-check every morning in an environment with clean air.
Serious excellent advice by Japanese doctors treating COVID-19 cases: Everyone should ensure your mouth & throat are moist, never dry. Take a few sips of water every 15 minutes at least. Why? Even if the virus gets into your mouth, drinking water or other liquids will wash them down through your throat and into the stomach. Once there, your stomach acid will kill all the virus. If you don't drink enough water more regularly, the virus can enter your windpipe and into the lungs. That's very dangerous. Please send and share this with family and friends. Take care, may the world recover from this Coronavirus soon.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - CORONAVIRUS
1. If you have a runny nose and sputum, you have a common cold
2. Coronavirus pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose.
3. This new virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed by a temperature of just 26/27 degrees. It hates the Sun.
4. If someone sneezes with it, it takes about 10 feet before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.
5. If it drops on a metal surface it will live for at least 12 hours - so if you come into contact with any metal surface - wash your hands as soon as you can with a bacterial soap.
6. On fabric it can survive for 6-12 hours. normal laundry detergent will kill it.
7. Drinking warm water is effective for all viruses. Try not to drink liquids with ice.
8. Wash your hands frequently as the virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 minutes, but - a lot can happen during that time - you can rub your eyes, pick your nose unwittingly and so on.
9. You should also gargle as a prevention. A simple solution of salt in warm water will suffice.
10. Can't emphasis enough - drink plenty of water!
THE SYMPTOMS
1. It will first infect the throat, so you'll have a sore throat lasting 3/4 days
2. The virus then blends into a nasal fluid that enters the trachea and then the lungs, causing pneumonia. This takes about 5/6 days further.
3. With the pneumonia comes high fever and difficulty in breathing.
4. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You feel like you're drowning. It's imperative you then seek immediate attention.
We got email earlier in the week with their list of ways to curb infection, but tonight was a second one in which they said our governor is planning to nix all visits. So that's that. Just enough time to deliver a bunch of briefs!
Just remember, the entire country could be tested today, and come down with this or any other virus tomorrow.
Often times, flu can show negative, but can be positive.
For years, all of the assisted and nursing facilities, clinics and hospitals in my area have hand hand sanitizers at the front with visuals to use masks as indicated. We are in a touristy area and are considered a retirement town; maybe that is why.
On a different note, we are also in a county that used to be the highest of opioid overdoses as well, which had been unknown to the general public until a few years back.
The government, the CDC, The Who, all are cautious on information released to the public. Not everything they know do we now or ever will know.
I think the CDC has suggested that only people whose family members are on hospice should be visiting senior care facilities. The virus just needs to be carried in to spread among this vulnerable population. If you do decide to visit, do not touch your loved one and wash your hands before and after your visit.
My concern is that the facility where one of our family members is living is "doing their best" when asked what protocols are being observed. I do not see signs alerting people that only essential visitors should be coming in. I don't see any guidelines for wearing masks if you have a cough and I see people hugging and kissing their loved ones. I don't even see extra Purell available. It should be available on the way in and out at the very least.
The way they are handling the people in Kirkland, Washington is sobering. One family member said they cannot get their parent tested until they meet some symptom criterion. He said 'It really feels like there has been a decision that this population is not worthy of resources." They weren't even testing the workers until they showed symptoms. That's too late.
We are staying away until this clears up a bit. I hope the other families will also at least take precautions when visiting the facility.
"It just seems hard to believe that a person who just happens to work in a nursing home just happened to go to this exact place in China where they have a level three or four virus testing location. They get sick and come back home to bring it to our elderly population."
Since you posted this, can you provide your "source" for this? Last I checked, they don't know who patient 0 is. Could it be a facility worker? Sure. But it could have been ANYONE, as there are many visitors, workers other than nurses, delivery people, any host of OTHER people who could have brought the virus in. Once in, with age and various medical issues, it is a given it would spread easily and be deadly.
You also said "One area that concerns me is that there is a segment of HIV in this virus." That sounds like pure unadulterated hogwash to me. Provide your source for that and state your medical background please!
If you post stuff like this, you need to back up your statements with actual real **GOOD** sources, not just junk from social media or whatever pops into your head.
"By Sunday, 16 deaths had been tied to the Life Care Center nursing facility in Kirkland, Wash., where dozens of residents, staff members and visitors were sickened. Many of those cases involved older people with other health problems that made them especially vulnerable to coronavirus.
Among the people in the United States who have died from coronavirus, almost all have been in their 70s, 80s or 90s. The youngest known fatality was a man in his 40s."
See how easy that is?
Focus on the fact that MOST of the US deaths have been associated with the facility in WA, MOST, but not all, fatalities have been in the elderly and MOST of them had other medical issues, yet there is indication that younger people can be affected too.
Still, 372 MILLION people in the US, not quite 700 cases identified and 26 deaths to date - some germ warfare. I do worry about those in other facilities, but worry won't cure anything. Neither will spreading outlandish conspiracy theories.
While I will still say be careful, cautious and take precautions as needed, there is no need to panic. Less than 700 people in the US have reported illness and out of the current 327 MILLION, this isn't a lot. I posted elsewhere, 40,000 people in the US die EVERY YEAR due to car accidents - you going to blame that on the car companies (aka China, as many parts come from there)?
Please stop with the conspiracy theories. If the Chinese "invented" this, they have done a very poor job since it's affecting their own citizens more than any others. You also state you think this is "...slightly stronger then the common cold..." If they want germ warfare, it will need to be a LOT stronger than a hyped up cold!
You blame the media for over-hyping, which I agree with, BUT you contribute to it by posting your "theory", multiple times.
Put this in perspective;
As of March 09, 2020, 20:55 GMT
China has almost 81000 cases, with 3120 deaths. NO other country has yet come even close! 3.8% death rate there.
Italy has the second highest infection and death rate and has initiated a lock-down. 9172 cases, 463 deaths, resulting in a 5% death rate.
S. Korea and Iran have the next highest number of cases, but Iran has a higher number of deaths. (7478, 7161 cases, 53, 237 deaths, .7% and 3.3% death rates respectively.)
IF you remove the higher stats, there are 9673 cases outside these areas - currently 108 countries/territories and a cruise ship (they haven't counted in the other cruise ship), that averages to 88 each - obviously some have more (France, Spain and Germany all over 1000 infected), some far less.
Although the "death rate**" for the US is about 3.5%, consider this:
Of the current deaths in the US, 22 of the 26 are from WA state, many or most from one facility and most of those were old and/or medically compromised.
((** The ACTUAL death rate could be much lower everywhere, because there are many who have mild symptoms, who aren't tested, hospitalized or otherwise "captured" in the statistics. If MORE cases actually exist (which is VERY likely), that reduces the death rate.))
In addition, many of those identified with the virus traveled to some of the countries that have the high rates of infection/death. It is spreading from them, but not as bad yet.
THAT also partly answers your question as to why mostly older people. They ARE more vulnerable to begin with and if they have other serious medical conditions, it is, like ANY illness, going to hit them harder. CURRENT data indicates those under 50 have a .4% OR LESS chance of death from this virus. Males seem to have almost twice the chance of dying. Did the Chinese target old men??? Various conditions increase the chance of death (high BP, heart or lung issues, diabetes, cancer, etc.) Those with no medical conditions, less than 1% chance of death. One source mentions how like SARs (also coronavirus) it attacks the lung cells, if it gets into the lungs, and can lead to pneumonia on top of the virus - THIS is a leading cause of death in the elderly!
"The other thing is that it keeps evolving."
That's what viruses do... and why there is a different flu shot every year. This is nothing new.
"Why is it just the elderly that are dying from this virus?"
It is NOT just elderly dying, however due to age and/or several medical issues, they are more likely to succumb. Percentage among those with no medical issues is less than 1%.
So, please stop with the conspiracy stuff and don't contribute to the media HYPE, please.
and that’s all I can do for her and myself while there.
As for not visiting, how do you explain that to someone that can’t quite comprehend, but yet looks to see you each day.
I understand that people in Florida and North Carolina have now come down with this virus. President Trump asked for $4 million a week or two back. Chuck Schumer retorted why not spend $10 Billion. I should have said $4 Billion earlier. President Trump stated that if he was given more money he would gladly spend it. The senate has past a bill this week for $8.5 Billion. Senator Schumer has 85% of what he wanted. Meanwhile as the United States has been working on a vaccine for this virus, that would take a year or more to come up with, an Israeli company has come up with a vaccine. It is on track to be ready in the Fall just in time for next year. One area that concerns me is that there is a segment of HIV in this virus. The other thing is that it keeps evolving. I do have one question. We have people with compromised emu systems in all age brackets. Why is it just the elderly that are dying from this virus? Is it a form of euthanasia? It just seems hard to believe that a person who just happens to work in a nursing home just happened to go to this exact place in China where they have a level three or four virus testing location. They get sick and come back home to bring it to our elderly population. Odd! Yes you can say I do not trust.
Stay informed, and don't panic. Tell your legislators that you want to see more testing and measures to prevent large gatherings where people can infect each other.
That must feel surreal, so close to home.
Stay the course.
Wash your hands.
Shelter in place.
Check in here more often, we are listening.
Private hospitals preparing to cancel elective surgeries if notified by Dept Health & take public overflow patients instead.
Listening to passing ambulance siren as I type... Wish you all luck.
My mother doesn't know me, or miss me & she is content in her facility. I'll call to check on her of course.
We live in Washington State & the virus is heading our way. I actually worry more about my husband on dialysis, with his many medical appointments.
wash your hands every chance you get. Sing happy birthday twice to know you washed them long enough...remember to get between fingers and around your wrist too.
use those wipes on every surface. Either right after touching anything (door knobs, counter tops, faucets, etc) or use it to handle that ... use a wipe to open doors...etc.
keep you hands off your face.
keep a 6 foot distance between you and everyone else in an enclosed space.
this is a tough change to make...but this is the vest you can do.
Carter likely has MediCARE and FEHIB as he was a federal employee. FEHIB federal employee health insurance benefits and it runs very much what a single payor / universal policy would do. My dad was a fed & had FEHIB which my mom had as well; had retired elected officials in the family as well who were FEHIB. Depending on where you retired in the federal employee system it’s zero or low copay with a range of secondary coverage premiums to select which are automatically taken from your civil service annuity. Its not free, there is a premium to be paid. But it’s got clout as it has huge # of enrollment to get premium really low and services negotiated/discounted and coverage for speciality care included (like a Mayo or MD Anderson). It’s ridiculous to me that I have zero copay for my colonoscopy while someone identical to me in age & risk has $1800 copay. Lots of folks are going to not get care or exams done - whether for Covid-19 or a colonoscopy- as they do not have the funds to upfront pay for basic preventative care or know they cannot pay the bill later.
Again $4,328 and $8,352 average deductible in US.
That’s a huge sum of $$$ to most of us.
There’s a whole lot of folks who do not have the $ to self pay or cover their deductible. So they put off getting care but are sick; they continue to work but are sick; they don’t do annual preventive type of services (which can abate or control chronic diseases like HBP or diabetes) as they can’t pay the deductible or self pay. Their kids get sick and they don’t go to the doctor as can’t afford deductible; kids get sick but don’t stay home as parent has to work so kids go off to school sick. And somebody is going to be sick this month and have Covid-19 and going to be a point of contact for community spread.
The symptoms from Covid-19 are primarily the type of things you go to a physicians office or clinic to get checked out and have swabs or labs drawn for. And those type of things fall into care that have deductibles or you have to self pay. $ 550 here, $234 there, $678 RX costs. It’s - for none critical Covid cases - exams, labs and care that does not need hospitalization.
Covid-19 isn’t existing in a vacuum only affecting the over 65 set which has Medicare coverage. It’s not limited to NH residents which majority are “duals” on MediCARE and Medicaid, so the M&Ms pay for care. It’s the 35 yr old working gig economy or 52 yr old working in the mall or 17 yr old kid in school, all who can’t possibly have $4328 to meet their deductible who are going to be get it and spread it. It’s not going to be found out early, isolated, treated and nipped in the bud to lessen community spread.
China has had all testing, case finding, followup and care for everything from temp checks, to medications & food delivery, to CT scans (hundreds per day in facilities), to the fever rooms/clinics set up in all the provinces to critical care oxygenation care (ECMO) in hospitals, all have been without cost to the individual. Folks didn’t fret for days as to how to pay for a visit to a primary care doc and then wait till beyond super ill to finally go for care. That’s what’s imho gonna happen in the US.... if it means a choice of having $900 to pay rent or childcare that’s what you spend on first before going to the doctor. Maybe you have a rarefied job w/“Cadillac” employer health insurance with little or no deductible, or your below poverty level so totally on Medicaid, so that you never worry about paying for care or meds. But that’s not the situation for the majority in the US. And that’s why a single payor / universal insurance matters.
For those interested, Google: Bruce Aylward / WHO mission report. It’s all about how China dealt with Covid-19. Just amazing. Australia and Vietnam are following China’s playbook & their #s too are reigned in.
Today WorldWide 100,330 cases.
Everybody wash you dammed hands!
What would he have to gain by instituting a such a devastating plague? How would he and the state target the victims?
BUT....
current statistics for China show a population of almost 1.5 billion people with only under 3,000 deaths at this point. They are also to have said that the virus-affected is starting to slow down.
Many apple varieties have whitish stains which I suspect are from pesticides. I've found no way to remove them except by peeling apples.
The dangers from pesticides aren't something we can't observe; it requires testing.
You're not incorrect in that home grown food is the only way to guarantee organicity, unless you know the grower. Even so-called organic food sold in the stores can have some limited chemical applications.
The best way is to be your own grower. Victory Gardens were a good idea; I'd like to see them make a comeback.
I grow a few items, such as tomatoes, peppers, summer/zucchini, beans. My peppers this past year were not germinating well and by the time I got a few to put out, it was late. I actually dug them up and put them in the sun room, heated by pellet stove with my other "indoor" plants - the plan was to get them back out in the spring and they'd have a head start this year! I was "molested" the flowers that have appeared recently and have one little pepper growing! (I used the word molest as I tried this years ago with a tomato plant, brought indoor into the kitchen, which was south facing - my SIL at that time accused me of molesting the tomato plant!) I have some blueberry bushes here (transplanted before I sold the other place, so they don't produce much yet) and had wild raspberries at my previous home. I have tried other items, but so far haven't had a lot of luck here. The soil is pretty crappy - I have been composting, so hopefully the soil will improve!
Even if I were younger and could plant more and other food items, the growing season isn't year round and some items I use or want just wouldn't grow here. So, I would still have to buy items to supplement what I can grow myself.
Plus... I'm not about to raise cows, pigs and chickens to get my meat products... Even if I could raise farm animals, I could *never* kill them! Once I make eye contact and "bond" with them, that's it for me. I'd make a lousy farmer!
Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in nursing homes
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-14-nhpdf.pdf
https://khn.org/news/as-coronavirus-cases-grow-so-does-scrutiny-of-nursing-home-infection-plans