COVID-19: Personal Update 2020-04-11 From Kirkland WA
Posted 04-11-2020 at 11:39 AM by Blondebaerde
CORONAVIRUS
A deadly new virus from China, which causes respiratory illness and pneumonia, is spreading around the world. CDC calls it COVID-19. I live in Kirkland, WA, about two miles due south of the outbreak's original United States epicenter, with multiple cases and the first substantial deaths.
(Caveat: one man, one IT worker, one opinion: I have no extra info over and above, one commentary only.)
Interesting question posted to my neighborhood's local FB group:
"Based on what we now know... That COVID19 is ubiquitous and prevalent everywhere... It can live on surfaces much longer than previously expected, it hangs airborne for longer, and further, than previously expected, and it goes asymptomatic for extended periods of time... PLUS it's now under investigation that it was transmitted into Cali as early as last November... PLUS PLUS, ESPECIALLY given we Kirklanders live at ground zero...
Do you suspect or assume you may have already had exposure, and your system handled it and built immunity?
Or not.
Then, please explain why you think so."
My reply goes to where I think we are socially, and where we might go:
That's a really interesting question, or maybe just because the news has raised this recently and I've been thinking on it.
I became aware that trouble was coming on about Feb 22, then a news conference w/WHO and CDC on Feb 27 or so sealed it: they were "concerned" which is CDC-speak for, "we have trouble brewing, nationally." I bought some supplies, not to the point of hoarding, assuming a month batten-down since nothing is just "two weeks." So my position was not prepper, but a little ahead of the curve (some are way ahead, to be sure).
Before that, I went about life at 99.9% of us did. I'm not a dirty bird, nor Mr. Clean in my habits: probably quite average, though I carry wipes in the cars and at home and do keep things wiped well enough (hands and surfaces, you freaks).
IF this thing is...ubiquitous...I'd love to have a "negative" or "immune" test. I heard on an infomercial this AM...not the most reliable source!...that "immune or already exposed" tests MIGHT be nearly here. Please explore this yourself, I'm just some guy on the group. I want one, at some point, though that may not happen because it probably doesn't need to.
I have no problem with being cautious, with gloves and maybe a mask and surfaces for another year or so, if that's what it takes. I'm betting some form of our distancing will persist, socially.
I'll have to go with the preponderance of evidence: we're still locked down. Also heard from Gov Inslee's team that if we "release" now, and this flairs up again (numbers trends chance), we released too earlier. It's a heinously complex gamble and the big brains are on it. I'm no doctor, but bottom line is I want Gov Inslee's crew, and the Feds, to make a strong recommendation on or about May 4. I'll do it, whatever it is, as long as it makes sense.
I notice there are cars about, I stopped by for some Burger King this AM (drive through) and they're quite clean with no-touch and gloves. I believe we could, and should, after May 5 keep up the hygiene in restaurants, bars, and other businesses best we can, as long as we can. "My guts" tell me, being something of an optimist, this will burn through into the background AFTER about May 4. YMMV!
A deadly new virus from China, which causes respiratory illness and pneumonia, is spreading around the world. CDC calls it COVID-19. I live in Kirkland, WA, about two miles due south of the outbreak's original United States epicenter, with multiple cases and the first substantial deaths.
(Caveat: one man, one IT worker, one opinion: I have no extra info over and above, one commentary only.)
Interesting question posted to my neighborhood's local FB group:
"Based on what we now know... That COVID19 is ubiquitous and prevalent everywhere... It can live on surfaces much longer than previously expected, it hangs airborne for longer, and further, than previously expected, and it goes asymptomatic for extended periods of time... PLUS it's now under investigation that it was transmitted into Cali as early as last November... PLUS PLUS, ESPECIALLY given we Kirklanders live at ground zero...
Do you suspect or assume you may have already had exposure, and your system handled it and built immunity?
Or not.
Then, please explain why you think so."
My reply goes to where I think we are socially, and where we might go:
That's a really interesting question, or maybe just because the news has raised this recently and I've been thinking on it.
I became aware that trouble was coming on about Feb 22, then a news conference w/WHO and CDC on Feb 27 or so sealed it: they were "concerned" which is CDC-speak for, "we have trouble brewing, nationally." I bought some supplies, not to the point of hoarding, assuming a month batten-down since nothing is just "two weeks." So my position was not prepper, but a little ahead of the curve (some are way ahead, to be sure).
Before that, I went about life at 99.9% of us did. I'm not a dirty bird, nor Mr. Clean in my habits: probably quite average, though I carry wipes in the cars and at home and do keep things wiped well enough (hands and surfaces, you freaks).
IF this thing is...ubiquitous...I'd love to have a "negative" or "immune" test. I heard on an infomercial this AM...not the most reliable source!...that "immune or already exposed" tests MIGHT be nearly here. Please explore this yourself, I'm just some guy on the group. I want one, at some point, though that may not happen because it probably doesn't need to.
I have no problem with being cautious, with gloves and maybe a mask and surfaces for another year or so, if that's what it takes. I'm betting some form of our distancing will persist, socially.
I'll have to go with the preponderance of evidence: we're still locked down. Also heard from Gov Inslee's team that if we "release" now, and this flairs up again (numbers trends chance), we released too earlier. It's a heinously complex gamble and the big brains are on it. I'm no doctor, but bottom line is I want Gov Inslee's crew, and the Feds, to make a strong recommendation on or about May 4. I'll do it, whatever it is, as long as it makes sense.
I notice there are cars about, I stopped by for some Burger King this AM (drive through) and they're quite clean with no-touch and gloves. I believe we could, and should, after May 5 keep up the hygiene in restaurants, bars, and other businesses best we can, as long as we can. "My guts" tell me, being something of an optimist, this will burn through into the background AFTER about May 4. YMMV!
