[sarahsweets]

This obviously is about the coronavirus. I was so pissed when I read that in my state (NJ) even though Atlantic City cancelled their St Patty's day parade, bars and clubs were all open with drink specials and even local government people were celebrating! I don't live there but its all over. In my local FB group someone asked if there were any St Patty's day things going on and a bar I live near proceeded to list their drink specials. I commented that you can also get a "corona special" there.

My daughter has chronic lymes and is 8 months pregnant. Oh, so you think it's just an old persons's problem? What will you say if my daughter gets sick?

I am going to be out of TP soon because I wasn't assholish enough to wipe out a store. What then? My daughter has no bread, no meat and took 2 rolls of my paper. I plan on showing up at the store today at 6am to get what I need. Even though I feel a sense of urgency I do not plan on knocking people over and grabbing all I see, if there is anything to grab.
My other daughter has psorisis which is autoimmune. What will you say to me if she gets sick because you are too selfish to follow directions? Because you are too selfish and ignorant to stop your stupid life long enough to heed expert guidelines? Don't you know they nicknamed this virus "Boomer remover"? What do you think that means you jerk?

Oh, well its only people over age 60 and they must have health issues that are all their faults so tough on them for dying. Disposable to you I suppose.
Really? So the 50 year old woman with no health issues that died here must not matter?
You bunch of hoarding horrible people!
Selfish and gloating and price gouging asses!

When your family members get sick from YOU because YOU had to go to a bar what will you have to say then????

I'm sorry you guys, I never get wound up about people like this and I am not an alarmist. You know what I am? I am someone who reads the science. I understand infectious diseases and viruses and I know that its not about who gets sick, its about how they get sick, and how to stop other people from getting sick. It is all of our responsibility to help other vunerable people stay well. If the hospitals get flooded with sick people what happens when my daughter goes into labor?
Her hospital already changed their policy and is not letting anyone else but the partner and 1 person in the delivery room. What if they change that to partner only? Then I miss the birth of my grandson?
Ok, I guess I'm done. Feel free to add on to this if you want or just give me a hug and tell me it will all be ok.

[LiteraryLark]

This behavior is really, really F'D UP...

Today at work, a group of customer's came in with one man covering his mouth with his shirt. He proceeded to walk up to me and grossly hacked his lungs out in front of me. Then he shook his head and everyone laughed like it was a hilarious ****ing joke because he "wasn't actually sick". Another customer twenty minutes later asked me if I had a "corona special".

Then at Walmart, 10:00pm people are using multiple carts and overflowing them with supplies. One woman pushing TWO carts had the nerve to glare at me while I was picking out a box of water flavoring. It took me a second to realize she was glaring at me, then I gave her a pointed look and asked her, "Did you need to get by me?" with a look of "you could use your words and politely ask to get by me" and she hissed at me, "Oh, I was just WAITING." I had myself a vengeful laugh when at 10:30 she was just starting to check out with her two carts full of stuff and I gave my best attempt of a sour impatient scowl.

My brother lives in San Diego and he wanted to pick out some meals for himself and his fiance and her mom so he went to the local grocery store at 6 in the morning and he told my dad it was pure insanity...he had to ask people who were leaving for a cart because they were all taken and all that was available on the shelves were canned corn. At six in the morning.

My parents try to make light of the situation (because even though we're not hysterical it does stress us out) and we share memes about it, and right now we're shaking our heads that this is the dry run of how people handle an emergency when it isn't a true emergency...yet.

[WastingAsparagus]

Yeah, it honestly seems like this crisis is bringing out the worst and best in people.

Let me explain. I mean the worst is shown in examples like the ones you shared. It's absolutely horrible the way some people are behaving in the midst of this.

But it also brings out the good, when people with common sense or just an ounce of decency are just trying to show some humanity to others.

[guilloche]

Yeah, people are super ignorant and not getting the ramifications of this, or just incredibly selfish. It feels insane right now.

*hugs* to everyone.

I keep reading that our supply chains for groceries (and toilet paper) shouldn't be affected. That once people stop panicking and stores restock, we should be OK. I read a post from someone in Seattle (where they're a little further ahead of other states, in terms of having had the first cases in the country) - and it was reassuring that getting food/necessities was not a problem.

If it's helpful: https://elemental.medium.com/notes-f...r-e194d771056f

Sarah, your family is in my thoughts and I hope your kids are able to stay safe. *hugs*

[divine1966]

Hope your family is ok Sara. I’ll be thinking about your daughter. Tough times

Some people buy stuff for reselling. That’s appalling

But I’d be careful passing judgements on what people buy and why. Our neighbour’s wife is receiving cancer treatment and is very sick and they have elderly frail father in law living with them. The other day he tried to buy two cases of water and this one woman pushed him and yelled why he needs two cases. Really? There was no toilet paper or he’d be yelled at why his wife needs so much toilet paper after chemo. Who knows why people need stuff they are getting.

At least some of us don’t have to work. I am lucky I am out of my day job for next three weeks, but my husband is RN and is endangering himself every shift. But somebody would say by looking at him, or he is a healthy looking big guy, he’ll be just fine not even knowing what he does

I don’t think we can decide who is worse and who is better in what situation and why people do what they do. I do understand wanting to rant of course. Rant away. Sometimes that’s all we could do

[guilloche]

My boss made a comment on our call today. I hope that I misunderstood, but it was basically the same thing I've heard other says, "It only affects older people and people with medical problems, we're not really affected."

It's infuriating.

First, what the heck? Older people and people with underlying issues are still humans, still somebody's parent, grandparent, sister, brother, friend. You don't get to just write them off.

Second, who *doesn't* have some sort of underlying problem? Some ridiculously high number of people are on medications. Are you really *sure* you don't have *any* weaknesses in your immune system? In your heart or lungs? Heck, my parents smoked until I was 4 or 5. I don't have anything diagnosable, but who knows if that affected my lungs.

Third, we're all affected. If the hospitals become overwhelmed, what happens if *you* need something not related to the coronavirus. What if you need emergency care, what if you have a heart attack or stroke or are in a car accident. He has a brand new granddaughter (and yes, he's old enough to have a grandkid now, so not young!) - what if she needs care. How do you think that's going to work when hospitals become so overwhelmed with coronavirus patients that people are stuck on gurneys in the halls waiting for care.

Sorry for joining the rant, but I find it infuriating and crazy too. I don't know how to react to people like this. My boss is a bit crazy about other things (very conspiracy-theory oriented) and he's my boss - so I don't know that there's anything I *can* say. It's just frustrating.

[lizardlady]

Divine, thanks for the reminder that we don't know other people's situation. This is a good time to remember to show one another some compassion. That said, I view the people who are hoarding because they are greedy with no love.

example - a coworker works part-time at one of the big box stores. They got a pallet of hand sanitizer delivered. An employee was assigned the task of making sure people only got two bottles (the store's limit). Some man started an arguement with him that he wanted to buy the whole pallet. The employee kept politely explaining there was a two bottle limit. The man became enraged and was screaming at the employee. He was so loud that people at the front of the store could hear him. Personally, I think management should have called the police to eject him from the store.

The others that get my goat are the ones stockpiling, then price gouging. I just read a story about a guy with bottles of hand sanitizer her was charging $70 per!🤯

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Divine, thanks for the reminder that we don't know other people's situation. This is a good time to remember to show one another some compassion. That said, I view the people who are hoarding because they are greedy with no love.

example - a coworker works part-time at one of the big box stores. They got a pallet of hand sanitizer delivered. An employee was assigned the task of making sure people only got two bottles (the store's limit). Some man started an arguement with him that he wanted to buy the whole pallet. The employee kept politely explaining there was a two bottle limit. The man became enraged and was screaming at the employee. He was so loud that people at the front of the store could hear him. Personally, I think management should have called the police to eject him from the store.

The others that get my goat are the ones stockpiling, then price gouging. I just read a story about a guy with bottles of hand sanitizer her was charging $70 per!🤯

Yes buying for reselling is absolutely horrible. Profiting on people’s misery

[Mountaindewed]

The level of unprofessionalism.... far too much. Related to hygiene at my job today.

I was the only one with sanitizer on me. My coworker wanted some simply because it was cotton candy scented. Yeah sure you can have some. So you don’t get me sick. About 10 of us were crammed in the stock room. 2 coworkers sharing a very small table. Sharing everything. Completely unsanitary. I hope they do close for a little bit.

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

The level of unprofessionalism.... far too much. Related to hygiene at my job today.

I was the only one with sanitizer on me. My coworker wanted some simply because it was cotton candy scented. Yeah sure you can have some. So you don’t get me sick. About 10 of us were crammed in the stock room. 2 coworkers sharing a very small table. Sharing everything. Completely unsanitary. I hope they do close for a little bit.

Yup. I am off my day job for at least next three weeks but I have a side job in retail just one evening a week (unless it’s a school break). I went in on Saturday and we were provided with nothing. No sanitizers, break room ran out of soap, nothing was wiped or cleaned omg it was mortifying. All stores send these emails to customers how they do Extra cleaning. It’s baloney. No regards for ours or customers safety

[1claire]

This is so sad that in times like these some people tend to be greedy.
We should be helping each other if the government suggested that we should stay home then we should do it. I feel sorry for the old people who can't buy anything at a nearby grocery store because people hoard too much food and hygiene stuff without thinking of others.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by divine1966

Hope your family is ok Sara. I’ll be thinking about your daughter. Tough times

Some people buy stuff for reselling. That’s appalling

But I’d be careful passing judgements on what people buy and why. Our neighbour’s wife is receiving cancer treatment and is very sick and they have elderly frail father in law living with them. The other day he tried to buy two cases of water and this one woman pushed him and yelled why he needs two cases. Really? There was no toilet paper or he’d be yelled at why his wife needs so much toilet paper after chemo. Who knows why people need stuff they are getting.

At least some of us don’t have to work. I am lucky I am out of my day job for next three weeks, but my husband is RN and is endangering himself every shift. But somebody would say by looking at him, or he is a healthy looking big guy, he’ll be just fine not even knowing what he does

I don’t think we can decide who is worse and who is better in what situation and why people do what they do. I do understand wanting to rant of course. Rant away. Sometimes that’s all we could do

I get what you are saying. My brother is an ICU nurse and my mother works as a nurse in the recovery room so I know that there are plenty of people that have to be out. Thats fine. I am talking about people that literally fight over toilet paper and leave the store with carts of it. I know some people might be buying for others- I scored some yesterday- a pack for me and one for my daughter. But seeing how things went from bad when I was at the store at 6am yesterday to bedlam in my area as the news got worse just scares me. My mom and brother are not mingling with us (as they should) because neither of them know what they are encountering and what they are exposed to. My brother said they had their first positive in his 16 bed unit yesterday. If anything the healthcare workers need to have ready access to special hours at the store to get supplies and testing even if they dont meet the criteria. In fact a store here just started having special hours for 60 and older/healthcare workers so they have a chance to take care of their own needs. They hired an armed guard to keep people out during those hours.

[sarahsweets]

Well Here's an UPDATE:

Its like my worst fears came true. My daughter (8 months along) called me yesterday and told me she was feeling sick. Stuffy, sore throat and thought she had a fever but didnt have a thermometer. I asked her if she felt so sick that she needed to go somewhere and she said no. I asked if her boyfriend could go buy a thermometer but he still hasnt straightend out his license yet so I told them to just stay in. (this was in the morning)He works for Wayfair and they sent everyone home Sunday night. I checked in with her around noon and called and woke her up and she didnt sound too good but said everything was fine. NJ instituted a curfew so at 630p she calls and asks me to bring the thermometer. I told her to wait for me in her car and my brother had given me a mask (he is an ICU nurse) and I had gloves and alcohol swabs for the thermometer. I took her temp and at that point it was 99.6 so a low grade temp but she has never handled any elevated temp well. (she also has chronic lymes). I am not a doctor. I told her to call his service, explain what was going on and see what he says. I told her DO NOT show up at an urgent care. If she is sick she exposes people and if they are sick she gets exposed.

The doc told her to go to the ER and called ahead to let them know she was coming. I advised her to have the BF go in and tell them who she was and who sent her to see how they wanted her to enter. They got her into isolation. Masked up and they suited up. They checked the baby and he was ok. The did a flu test because even though she had a shot there in another strain. (I have seen flu and this was not it). Later on they came in an told her that they would not test her for corona because she was not over 60, she hadnt flown and she wasn't knowingly exposed. This, even though the BF had someone in one of the warehouses test positive. And his mother's boss test positive. She said they were at a loss and she felt bad for the staff. She could tell that they wanted to be able to test her and figure it out but thanks to the "powers that be" there are not enough tests. Even though 7 pregant women have tested positive, even though we just had an ER doc who is 43 and healthy die from the virus- the archaic unprepared health system around here has no idea what to do and has to follow the health boards' protocol. NJ nearly trippled in positives yesterday.
I asked them if they told her to quarantine and she said they didnt use those exact words, almost like they were trying to avoid saying them but advised her to stay home which I know makes sense. I called the BF while they were there and told him to try and nail them down more specifically. So he said : " So its ok if she visits her mom and dad or my dad because she cant spread anything dangerous right?" And they sort of tripped over their words and said no that is not what they meant. They told her it was best if she didnt interact with anyone at all, even her upcoming check up until all her symptoms went away. Now what the hell does that mean?

I got a late night text when she was released that I saw this morning and she said they thought she "might have a UTI". I plan on asking her did she or didnt she because they can see that and would have sent her a script or given her one. She is obviously asleep since I have seen this but I told her to call me and I will drop off the toilet paper I have for her and go get her script filled. I feel bad for all the healthcare workers and hospitals because its not their fault. They dont want to commit because what if they are wrong? Worse, what if they are right? They need those beds for critical patients and I get that. I get that most people have mild symptoms and I am not even sure if she is considered a part of the vunerable population or not. I do not know what governments expect these front line workers to do, especially if they have pretty good suspicions or gut instincts. I hope I advised her well, and her doctor is the one who made the determination for her to get checked but its so scary to do all the right things and protect yourself and the public as best you can and then given no reassurance other than to call if symptoms get worse. I am done running around to stores I got what I needed for a few days. I have to drop my son's car off at the shop for car repairs and then I will either pick up any scripts she has and drop them or pick them up if they were already sent over.

I am not an irrational person. I wasnt in a panic yesterday. I did everything at the crack of dawn and stayed home after. But what will people have to do? None of us have deep freezers where we can store months of food. I will need stuff for dinner in about 5 days time and I hope by then they have some kinks worked out. NJ had its first store with an armed guard and special hours for over 60 people and healthcare workers and I think this should be done everywhere in addition to limiting the amount one person can buy of things.

I mean I am so unsure. Did I tell her the right thing? Did I follow the right protocol? Am I overeacting? I have been playing the second guessing game all night.

[Have Hope]

[divine1966]

Hugs Sara

[Taylor27]

Hugs Sara

[Mountaindewed]

A lot of retail stores are closing now and paying their employees. I hope mine does that. When I started 2 years ago it was all about “we care about our employees” now it seems to be more about how much merchandise we can push out on the floor and how fast. There’s this anonymous hotline I’m wondering if I should call to complain about the working conditions.

[Nammu]

So sorry Sara. A man to was part of the impeachment hearings lives in NY and got sick, his flu test came back negative but he couldn't get a test either cause he hadn't flown and wasn't knowing exposed to someone with the virus. He drove to Connecticut and got the test, he was positive and now his wife has it! She was able to get the test cause her husband had it.

[Open Eyes]

Hi Sara, sorry you have been challenged by all that you shared. You are being a good Mommy, and have done the best you can for your daughter. The best you can do is remain calm for her. Keep in mind thousands of people get this in all age brackets and only experience mild symptoms. Some have tested positive and never experience any symptoms at all. That has made it hard so that is why they are closing down so many things where people gather in crowds or groups.

Also, if you go out to buy toilet paper and don't want to hoard, it's good to grab some cleanex boxes too as that can be used for toilet paper too. Unfortunatly, yes, people are going to be jerks and selfish, that never changes. I know it's hard for all those who have anxiety disorders. Do your best to practice self care. Watch some up beat movies, limit watching any of the cable news channels as they all have a political agenda and tend to be promoting fear mongering for political reasons. It's best to keep to your local news so you know what is going on around you in your state. If it's nice out, go for a relaxing walk.

There will be lots of things that none us can control, so it's best to do things that are positive and calming until everything calms down.

Prayers for all to get through all of this and come out healthy and safe.

[LiteraryLark]

Hugs, Sarah. It must be so scary for you with your pregnant daughter...Your story sounds straight out of a zombie apocalypse. I am honestly thinking the hysteria is far worse then the virus itself. I wish you and everyone the best.