Coronavirus in Massachusetts (Boston: driver, hospital, cultures)

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by Steephill2

You’ve mentioned this like a million times already. Now that you have assigned blame and probably feel better for doing so, what’s next? Does that help the thousands who are getting sick? I just dont know what that accomplishes. Why dont you write a nice letter to Mr. Xi telling him to compensate the world. Add a few pages of a list of the foods you think his country should eat as well and the types of soaps he should start manufacturing. Im sure he will make that his #1 priority.

Also for those people who says “Chinese” food, its like the same as saying “European” food. Boston Mike is the only one here who got it right saying Sichuan. For those who dont know, and apparently there are many, China is made up of many cultures, dialects, and yes, cuisines. If history played out differently, it could very well be 20 separate countries today.

Thank you. Calling this is "Chinese virus" reminds me of how HIV was called the "gay men's disease" for so many years at the beginning.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Steephill2

Also for those people who says “Chinese” food, its like the same as saying “European” food. Boston Mike is the only one here who got it right saying Sichuan. For those who dont know, and apparently there are many, China is made up of many cultures, dialects, and yes, cuisines. If history played out differently, it could very well be 20 separate countries today.

In the USA "Chinese" is a commonly accepted term for what's also known as "Chinese American" food, which bears no resemblance to any of the many regional cuisines found in China itself. Nobody here is incorrect.

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

As someone of Asian descent, I am appalled by the amount of implicit culture bias I see in the last few posts here, with respect to hygiene habits. In my own and several Asian cultures, it is anathema to wear shoes inside one's own, let alone someone else's, home. So we leave our shoes outside the door by force of habit. It's been proven that shoes are a huge source of germs and infection. Does this make all Westerners unhygienic by virtue of my cultural prism?

I'm of western descent, and I take my shoes off. That I think about it, people that don't are probably the exception (especially in the winter time). It's not just an Asian thing, although probably more universally practiced over there.

[Arya Stark]

Is anyone else annoyed this thread is now about racism not about the virus in Massachusetts. Please stop thread hijacking. Mmmmkkkayy?

[Steephill2]

Originally Posted by massnative71

In the USA "Chinese" is a commonly accepted term for what's also known as "Chinese American" food, which bears no resemblance to any of the many regional cuisines found in China itself. Nobody here is incorrect.




I'm of western descent, and I take my shoes off. That I think about it, people that don't are probably the exception (especially in the winter time). It's not just an Asian thing, although probably more universally practiced over there.

When people are walking their dogs sometimes I wonder if they put shoes on for them. Like their dog steps all over the ground outside and comes home and jumps onto their owner’s sofas, beds, etc. Can’t possibly be hygienic.

[Bettafish]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Why is the soap/sanitizer usage so low, even in urban areas? Is/was it really that limited in availability? If 60% of the population washes and only 30% of those people use soap, that means only 18% of the population washes hands WITH soap before eating and after defecation. I never said Italy is doing well with that stuff either, but come on that is scary stuff.

The adverb here is "always". In China, most public bathrooms do not provide soap or sanitizer, so most people will not answer with "always".
At home, they probably do it more often.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by Steephill2

When people are walking their dogs sometimes I wonder if they put shoes on for them. Like their dog steps all over the ground outside and comes home and jumps onto their owner’s sofas, beds, etc. Can’t possibly be hygienic.

Yep...thanks for pointing this out. In many Asian countries, pets aren't allowed in the home at all (granted, I'm thinking of the tropical climes)...if they are, the kitchen is strictly off-limits precisely for hygiene reasons.

[Amontillado]

Massachusetts reports 823 new coronavirus cases, 10 more deaths.
and
Brigham and Women’s Hospital now has 51 employees with coronavirus.


I won't bother adding the new cases to what we already had to get a total. But it's very ominous that so many hospital employees are getting sick themselves, as the number of cases rises. At what point will they say it's too dangerous to work any more?

[Taffee72]

That is frightening how the hospital employees are getting infected. I think they don't have enough equipment and perhaps not properly trained to prevent getting infected. I saw one article where hospital staff were wearing garbage bags.

[Arya Stark]

Originally Posted by Taffee72

That is frightening how the hospital employees are getting infected. I think they don't have enough equipment and perhaps not properly trained to prevent getting infected. I saw one article where hospital staff were wearing garbage bags.

Isn't it just more likely that it is very difficult not to get infected with this and they probably should just accept that fact? I mean it isn't ebola. If they are under 50 they have a solid chance to be ok. I just had an appointment converted to a phone visit with a major specialist in the area. But I understand. He is 70+. Any medical personnel over 55 should be in the background or in there office by zoom.

[BostonMike7]

Supposedly, the BWH cases are suspected of being community spread vs exposure. Since they are medical personnel they have access to and priority for testing.

I’m starting to think this virus is a lot more widespread than we think.


A number of firefighters have been exposed from responding to calls determine to be covid after the fact. My brother-in-law is on day 7 of his quarantine (firefighter)

I actually had to go into the office today and found that one employee was out being tested. I feel like I’m just dodging potential exposure these days. One instance of close calls and two near misses.

Oh, btw, my mother in law is well on her way to recovery. She’s home and better every day. Still isolating herself for a bit longer....just in case