The "Fuck you Covid19" thread

[phil1955]

A woman came in yesterday 100% symptomatic. We swabbed her. Got the results today that she is positive for Covid. We call to let her know - self isolate, inform your employer, and let us know if she gets worse.

Her response?

She doesn't believe the test. *cough* She's at a family BBQ and *cough* she will call us back later. She will not be informing her employer *coughcough* and she would appreciate if we didn't report her results to the CDC. *cough*



People are why I'm feeling hopeless not a disease. The virus is real but honest to god, the fucking denial and ignorance is just...disheartening.

I would like to offer something profound but I can’t find it. There is a lot of good in the world and even in this forum, there are good vibes and words. However, there just seems to be a percentage of people who care about nothing but themselves which makes life harder for everyone.

 

[Bramblethorn]

no dude, I'm not trying to be flip, and I'm not some right-wing conspiracy nut- I know how serious this is, believe me- and I am by no means trying to down play the seriousness of it and I get equally annoyed by some of the general-board crap that it's all "The liberals who invented it" or "The chinese invented it as germ warfare" or whatever other nonsense crap they post over there. I do not imply that you are over-reacting to the seriousness of the current situation, just that you are overly pessimistic about the future of the situation.

I don't think anybody here said this disease is going to be with us for eternity. Just "for a long, long, time", and being worried that people are abandoning caution way too soon, risking a second wave of infection.

That is entirely consistent with the history of the diseases you mentioned. The Black Death, middle and worst of three major bubonic plague outbreaks in Europe, ran for about four years. Spanish flu ran for about fifteen months, and the second wave (which came after people got bored with precautions) killed more people than the first. It then settled down into a seasonal 'flu that we've never eradicated, even with vaccines, and which flared up again in 2009.

These are not comforting examples! If you want to take Spanish flu as your precedent, we're less than halfway through this one, both in duration and in body count. I'd like to hope that things won't repeat the historical pattern, that our response will be faster and more effective, but you know what they say about hoping in one hand... I'm not putting all my eggs in that basket.

I guess, I am tired of all the constant gloom and doom predictions, that's all. I am just craving some sort of optimism, some sort of hope, some sign that it is getting better- just ANYTHING that would give me hope, and a reason to get up in the morning. But yet, all I hear is, "This is never going to end. So we may as well just stop living our lives and cancel everything from now till the end of the universe." That is just...grim. It makes me want to just give into despair if there is no hope for any end to this, no light in the tunnel. When there is no hope, there is no reason to go on living. I just want some hope, some positivity, thats all. Sorry.

I get that. It sucks and if you're feeling crap about it all, you will find a lot of sympathy here. We would all love for it to be over and for these restrictions to end. But chiding other people here for their own distress isn't comforting and you're not likely to find a warm welcome for that.

Because unlike some people, I do not want to spend the rest of my life living under quarantine and social distancing.

...who are these people who you think are enjoying this?

I'm probably having a better time of it than most. I have interesting work to do, I'm reasonably financially secure and set up for remote work, I'm autistic and enough of a hermit that large gatherings were never my kind of thing, and I'm living with a partner who I adore, in a country whose death toll is one-thousandth that of the USA. I don't have anywhere near the burdens that Cassie, PLP, Fara or some of the other posters here are dealing with.

It still sucks. My partner's dad is slowly deteriorating in a nursing home in another state, and we were facing the possibility that he'd die and we wouldn't be able to visit. I am exhausted trying to do a job that's suddenly become much more urgent and more complex, while also trying to provide support for about twenty staff under my care who are all dealing with their own lockdown issues (and being "thanked" for all this with what's effectively a pay cut). I'm at risk of burnout (please do google "autistic burnout" if you want to understand just what that means for me) with no end in sight for months, and fuck knows when I'll ever be able to take the holiday I was planning. The house is in a mess, because my partner and I are both working harder than ever on our regular jobs, and we're paying our cleaner not to show up. One of my main avenues for de-stressing is getting a professional massage, which I used to do every few weeks; that's been off the table for months. My regular roleplaying groups are on ice because the GMs are too stressed or busy to run stuff.

I'm just buckling down and trying to make it through day by day and not think too hard about what shape I'm going to be in at the other side of it all. That's what a "good" lockdown experience is like.

I am sorry you're having a shit time of it all. Plenty of sympathy for that here. But antagonising other people who are also having a shit time by telling them they oughtn't be so worried is... not helpful.

That is not how humans were meant to live. I literally cannot stand to live as a prisoner of fear and despair for the rest of my life.

I am not good at hyperbole here, so apologies if I'm taking something literally that wasn't intended to be, but: unless you're in your eighties-plus or have some sort of terminal diagnosis, very unlikely that we're talking about "the rest of your life" here.

 

[Stillrandy]

Numbers

That is entirely consistent with the history of the diseases you mentioned. The Black Death, middle and worst of three major bubonic plague outbreaks in Europe, ran for about four years. Spanish flu ran for about fifteen months, and the second wave (which came after people got bored with precautions) killed more people than the first. It then settled down into a seasonal 'flu that we've never eradicated, even with vaccines, and which flared up again in 2009.

One thing that bothers me: compared to when those earlier major plague outbreaks occurred, there are a lot more people on the planet now. Granted, we ought to be smarter about these things, but the sheer numbers scare me.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

A woman came in yesterday 100% symptomatic. We swabbed her. Got the results today that she is positive for Covid. We call to let her know - self isolate, inform your employer, and let us know if she gets worse.

Her response?

She doesn't believe the test. *cough* She's at a family BBQ and *cough* she will call us back later. She will not be informing her employer *coughcough* and she would appreciate if we didn't report her results to the CDC. *cough*



People are why I'm feeling hopeless not a disease. The virus is real but honest to god, the fucking denial and ignorance is just...disheartening.

"Disheartening" or "infuriating"? This makes me angry. I know HIPAA laws mean there's probably not much you can do, but this person's willful stupidity is putting others at risk.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

COVID-19, like any communicable disease, is reportable to the DOH.
Yeah, your name, address, and phone number as well.
PLP’s office is bound to report all positive cases.

I didn't know that. Now I'm glad I do.

 

[cascadiabound]

100,000 dead and no memorials...

We are quickly approaching 100,000 dead here in the United States this memorial day weekend. It is a staggering number of people to die in less than 3 months. We have more dead from Covid19 than ALL of the US deaths from the Korean War, the Vietnam War and and the Afghanistan War.

Let that sink in.

And still we have the problem of people grasping at conspiracy theories and denial. Politicizing a pandemic that cares not a whit about our petty political disputes.

I have been thinking a lot this last week about how to memorialize all those that have died in such a short time. To make our losses visible.

I have been musing about other times and other ways that we have done things to make our dead visible. To help awaken everyone else about how many are grieving and to create an urgency to act in the benefit of others.

I was just beginning my medical career when AIDS/ HIV was new and we were all very worried about getting it. We learned new precautions for the handling of blood and other bodily fluids and we talked to patients about the importance of safe sex... it was no longer just to prevent the clap or whatever that we had long had ready antibiotics to cure - no... sex could kill you. It changed everything about the way many of us thought about intimacy. But those who were dying were mostly "others"... gay men. Urban populations. People who were... well - to many people (sadly and wrongly) not that important.

I remember the NAMES project AIDS memorial quilt project.

Maybe we need to do something like that again. A panel for each person who has died.

But there are SO MANY dead in such a short time. And I fear that there will be so many more in the next months. Perhaps we need to make a memorial like that at some point, but we need to do something simple and easy right now. We need to figure out a way to honor those that have died of covid19. A signifier. Something to unite us and to make our grief visible. Something that could cross cultures and work anywhere in the world.

Here in the states, if someone in your family died while serving in a time of conflict in the military, you become a "gold star family" - these are commonly displayed in windows. Sometimes people wear them on their clothes, especially at commemorative events - like during Memorial Day events. Maybe we could use a star - a black star or a green star or ? Or some other simple symbol. Something not tied to a particular faith or country. These could be placed in our windows to be seen from the street. Worn on your lapel or jacket or stitched onto the masks we wear. Placed anywhere you like. Your backpack. Your purse. Your hat. It could just be a little button with a star and nothing else - or a star and the words Cov19.

What do any of you think? Do you think we could make such an idea go viral all over the world???

cb

P.S. I agree that we will not need to take the precautions we are taking now "forever" - but we certainly will for the foreseeable future. We can only hope that this pandemic will blow itself out in 2-3 years. We can pray for a vaccine that confers immunity for years, not months. But these are at the moment unknowable things. All we can do right now, is act in a way that both protects ourselves and protects our neighbors. One choice at a time - to stay home when you can. To social distance when you can't. To wear a mask. For others. I am deeply concerned that the choices that are currently being made in the US will cause a new spike in cases in the next month or two. More medical systems getting overwhelmed by more cases than ICU beds. And medical staff exhausted from caring for people who die in spite of our best efforts. This is terrible work. Depressing work. Work full of fear and faint hopes.

God save us from ourselves.

 

[clistenovena]

COVID-19, like any communicable disease, is reportable to the DOH.
Yeah, your name, address, and phone number as well.
PLP’s office is bound to report all positive cases.

I didn't know that. Now I'm glad I do.

And contact tracing. If your name is given as someone who came in contact with someone who tested positive, like mine was, you get called
(*that* was jarring), and they follow up to ensure that you self-quarantine and whether you did (thankfully, didn't) develop symptoms.

It was curious that they were pleasantly surprised with my adherence to the guidelines. Apparently, many in my area feel that being cautious
isn't at all necessary. Because as PLP said, denial and ignorance.

 

[twister947]

I can't quite pin it down, but I'm sensing a silent resistance to testing, because of the responsibilities that a positive result confers. People don't want to be bothered.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[PrettyLilPussy19]

Oh yes, we reported her results to the CDC before we called her. We can't, however, make her leave a BBQ or call her work.


Or, ya know, make her believe in science.

 

[AveryElle]

Oh yes, we reported her results to the CDC before we called her. We can't, however, make her leave a BBQ or call her work.


Or, ya know, make her believe in science.

I’m sorry you’ve got people like this around you. And I’m going to preface this with this isn’t an argument. If policy leaders DID make it a crime to knowingly spread CV19, as it is a crime to knowingly spread HIV, cops could make her leave. It’s so gross to see local leaders (and some state) embracing the culture war and knowingly killing people. But also working to ensure employers have no liability when people get sick on the job because of a lack of protections.

 

[AveryElle]

The county next to mine has a huge infection rate. Ours is minimal anymore in spite of being a hot spot. But the idiots protesting are going to win out and we are ‘opening up’ next week. Like counties have borders. The county next to mine has no health department. They are very conservative and think Hannity knows best. I drive by Lowes and it was a regular Memorial Day weekend there. They bitch about ‘let us go back to work’ but I don’t see those people going back to work. I see them wanting others to go back to work so their conveniences can be met.

I can’t imagine testing and treating people who DGAF. Bravo to those who do

 

[Whiskeyjack]

My church and my county is fairly conservative (by NJ standards anyway), but we've also been hit pretty hard. It seems just about everyone knows someone (often many someones) who's been hospitalized or died of Covid. There's not a lot of appetite, even among my conservatives, for reckless re-opening. Our unfortunate reality is that everyone's seen what's at stake.

 

[gracie920101]

Cascadia, you're not being ignored. I'm pondering your suggestions about honoring our dead. In the age of the internet, I'm wondering if a website with pics/videos is more likely to go worldwide.

But I like the idea of a button or lapel pin I could sticking anything.

 

[twister947]

Cascadia, you're not being ignored. I'm pondering your suggestions about honoring our dead. In the age of the internet, I'm wondering if a website with pics/videos is more likely to go worldwide.

But I like the idea of a button or lapel pin I could sticking anything.

No. Not ignored. Waiting to hear from more voices.

 

[Mrtenant]

no dude, I'm not trying to be flip, and I'm not some right-wing conspiracy nut- I know how serious this is, believe me- and I am by no means trying to down play the seriousness of it and I get equally annoyed by some of the general-board crap that it's all "The liberals who invented it" or "The chinese invented it as germ warfare" or whatever other nonsense crap they post over there. I do not imply that you are over-reacting to the seriousness of the current situation, just that you are overly pessimistic about the future of the situation.

I guess, I am tired of all the constant gloom and doom predictions, that's all. I am just craving some sort of optimism, some sort of hope, some sign that it is getting better- just ANYTHING that would give me hope, and a reason to get up in the morning. But yet, all I hear is, "This is never going to end. So we may as well just stop living our lives and cancel everything from now till the end of the universe." That is just...grim. It makes me want to just give into despair if there is no hope for any end to this, no light in the tunnel. When there is no hope, there is no reason to go on living. I just want some hope, some positivity, thats all. Sorry.
Because unlike some people, I do not want to spend the rest of my life living under quarantine and social distancing. That is not how humans were meant to live. I literally cannot stand to live as a prisoner of fear and despair for the rest of my life.

Methinks this drives a lot of people as well as making it a constitutional issue. And as always, let's throw guns in the mix. (That's being flip, btw, nothing against you Pax)

So, the question is, what will you do? I find the cure for what you stated, Pax, is to do something positive. It helps push away your own troubles and frankly, there are those that are far worse off than you that could use some help.

I went on a hike, took a friend who has health issues and is isolating. It was good for him, and me. Find some good social media to interact on. (Lit anyone?)

I also run a food pantry. I have super strict rules in place to protect myself and volunteers and still make whatever difference we can for those worse off than ourselves. Food security is an issue with a lot of joblessness. Some of my people are pleased with themselves, and I am glad for them. Others, like me, are heartbroken to see so many hungry people in one of the wealthiest cities in the country.

And yet, they are my people. I will help. I know what its like to be desperate for even the basics of living and nowhere to turn for help. It hurts indescribably.

I know others that are expanding their creativity like never before. It is my hope, that this episode of human experience will bring out artistry that will inspire generations to come. A new renaissance in art.

So I challenge you, and everyone, find a way to make a difference. Start small, locally, I find that is a good place to start. See where it takes you. Exercise due intelligent caution, yes, but with courage. Do not accept fear.

The adventure we call life, is most definitely not over. Live it. Be inspired, and inspire others.

Do it now.

 

[AveryElle]

My church and my county is fairly conservative (by NJ standards anyway), but we've also been hit pretty hard. It seems just about everyone knows someone (often many someones) who's been hospitalized or died of Covid. There's not a lot of appetite, even among my conservatives, for reckless re-opening. Our unfortunate reality is that everyone's seen what's at stake.

the next few weeks, with the Jersey Shore being open, are going to be really interesting (and probably disturbing). NY and NJ alone make up more than 25% of COVID deaths. Gov Murphy seems like he's just given up.

 

[cascadiabound]

Methinks this drives a lot of people as well as making it a constitutional issue. And as always, let's throw guns in the mix. (That's being flip, btw, nothing against you Pax)

So, the question is, what will you do? I find the cure for what you stated, Pax, is to do something positive. It helps push away your own troubles and frankly, there are those that are far worse off than you that could use some help.

I went on a hike, took a friend who has health issues and is isolating. It was good for him, and me. Find some good social media to interact on. (Lit anyone?)

I also run a food pantry. I have super strict rules in place to protect myself and volunteers and still make whatever difference we can for those worse off than ourselves. Food security is an issue with a lot of joblessness. Some of my people are pleased with themselves, and I am glad for them. Others, like me, are heartbroken to see so many hungry people in one of the wealthiest cities in the country.

And yet, they are my people. I will help. I know what its like to be desperate for even the basics of living and nowhere to turn for help. It hurts indescribably.

I know others that are expanding their creativity like never before. It is my hope, that this episode of human experience will bring out artistry that will inspire generations to come. A new renaissance in art.

So I challenge you, and everyone, find a way to make a difference. Start small, locally, I find that is a good place to start. See where it takes you. Exercise due intelligent caution, yes, but with courage. Do not accept fear.

The adventure we call life, is most definitely not over. Live it. Be inspired, and inspire others.

Do it now.

 

[cascadiabound]

how's everyone doing?

checking in.

cases back on the rise here. very worrying.

 

[PaxNurgle]

I am admittedly, suffering from depression, and the effects of social isolation.

My physical needs- food, shelter, etc are being met. For that I am grateful and I give thanks, every day, for the blessings that I have.

There is survival, and there is living. I am surviving, and for that I am grateful. But I am not "living." That is what I miss.

I am trying to think of those less fortunate, and I have given generously to causes that are helping those who are struggling during these times.

 

[twister947]

2nd wave is coming with all the protests.

Yet, I’m going tomorrow.

Going?

 

[Lost_Yonder]

2nd wave is coming with all the protests.

Yet, I’m going tomorrow.

power to you! stay safe

 

[KimGordon67]

I only just found this thread ... I haven't read all of it, but enough. I'm so glad to be in NZ right now, and feel so terrible for the rest of the world, but it hadn't really sunk in until now what an island of safeness we are. (I don't watch much news, and the last few weeks have pretty much just focused on what's happening locally, which has been enough on top of the insane amount of work that came along with our lockdown.) We're nearly back to normal now, and it just feels strange when barely anyone else is.

I still can't get my head around how this will all end, but I hope everyone is doing OK.

 

[Lost_Yonder]

I only just found this thread ... I haven't read all of it, but enough. I'm so glad to be in NZ right now, and feel so terrible for the rest of the world, but it hadn't really sunk in until now what an island of safeness we are. (I don't watch much news, and the last few weeks have pretty much just focused on what's happening locally, which has been enough on top of the insane amount of work that came along with our lockdown.) We're nearly back to normal now, and it just feels strange when barely anyone else is.

I still can't get my head around how this will all end, but I hope everyone is doing OK.

Can't say I am that familiar with NZ politics, but your Prime Minister certainly seems to be one of the more humane leaders...

 

[KimGordon67]

Can't say I am that familiar with NZ politics, but your Prime Minister certainly seems to be one of the more humane leaders...

She does seem to have a done a sterling job here (well, her and the substantial team behind her). 0 new cases for the last ten days, and I think one active case at present. However, we're yet to open our borders, and only time will tell what the economic impact is going to be. We really just went for a 'lives before everything' approach and it seems to have paid off ... obviously because there's multiple variables in our favour, but good leadership is certainly one of those things.

 

[cascadiabound]

2nd wave is coming with all the protests.

Yet, I’m going tomorrow.

I'm glad to hear you have been protesting. My family has been helping with ckean up and providing safe refuge.

How are you and yours?

We are living in crazy times. I'm expecting a lot if new cases in the next weeks. I wonder if we are truly at an inflection point. It is hard to see what comes next.

Black lives matter.
No justice. No peace.