Covid19

[Chik]

A few words from the trenches in Belgium (with typos and awkward auto-translation hiccups intact):

Today was a busy day for me.

Some of y'all already know. I am a pediatric nurse and at the end of of (Intensive Care and Medical Aid) and therefore a student, working in an emergency service in the Charleroi area.

But I am also a nurse in a Brussels-based private company whose mission is to transfer stable patients to the most unstable, requiring the presence of a doctor, nurse on board the vehicle and sometimes equipment allowing them to stay alive...

This company has been entrusted with tasks by the SPF Health and the reference hospital centres in infectious diseases (CHU Saint-Pierre in Brussels and L ' UZA in Antwerp) to carry positive patients to the coronavirus. This company is the only company in Belgium that can equip itself and follow the hygiene protocols for this kind of transport we call MHCE (Highly Contagieuses and Emerging diseases).

Today, I transported a patient infected with the coronavirus in a medical impact type transfer (requiring the intervention of a doctor). This mission lasts more than 5 hours... Yes, 5 h... because we have to count the road from our base to the care hospital, location tracking to ensure that none Contamination of other patients or civilians cannot happen, dressing up in specific combinations, monitored by a crew of hygiene protocols trained in hygiene protocols, care of the patient from his room to the ambulance, the transfer from the first hospital to the from destination until it is taken care of by specialist teams or on-site medical nurse teams. But it's not over, once the care is over, we don't stop there... We need to disinfect the whole vehicle before you can undress with all its precautions taken and eliminate them so as not to contaminate anything ...

Why so many caution? Because we work in a closed environment, without air. In which we are exposed even more to the contagion.

Today, during my care, I saw... I saw a father's lost look, red eyes and face filled with tears. A face scared by the situation and also by the future. I saw a pregnant mother stay strong when she should have been at rest. She was strong for her family and husband... Last time I saw the look of a father like this, I was a nurse at Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital in the ER during CPR maneuvers of one child...
I also saw when arriving at the hospital of destination, the distress of a father who could not stay with my patient and his wife and once again the fear and anxiety that all of this creates.

Today, I also saw a selfish, self-indulgent and intelligence-free population. People were were on the streets, would be in their arms like nothing was when our country is in a state of lockdown.

BUT SHIT, what don't you understand in the word lockdown? Why don't you stay home? With your families? Who I think should be protected from this plague that is falling on the whole world.

Yesterday I saw idiots, young people like old people rush into bars, evenings, restaurants and all these gathering places to celebrate the "Lockdown" or enjoy this last day before the lockdown... But What a brilliant idea? Like the COVID-19 is going to wait before we start spreading again?

Yesterday I saw people not informed, stupid people once again rush on food... while our country has no shortage of stock and resources! but where is your common sense?

Scientists and politics have made decisions to protect us, to reduce the spread of this virus that is spreading at incredible speed and can kill.. look in China and Italy, the death number!!!

Today I'm pushing my face to this selfish, selfish and self-centered population. While front-line caregivers but also second lines (doctors, nurse, physiotherapist, caregivers and I probably forget) and everything that revolves and revolves around us (secretaries, surface technicians, bio - engineers, lab, educators, teachers, teachers, teachers, firefighters, firefighters, ambulance 112, pharmacists, police officers...) help each other to fight, reduce and relieve our population before it's too late.

Because today, you are the next patients with the coronavirus, the next likely patients I will be taking by ambulance or'd in my emergency department. Thanks to you, we didn't put a club kick to the spread of the COVID-19 but we helped him keep moving forward...

So open your eyes and ears, become aware and do what is asked of you. Stay home and only make the useful trips. Take the proper care and basic hygiene measures that we have been constantly telling you for days and weeks. Do you want information? Don't go to social media, but read the updated scientific data on the right sites (I'll put you the links below).

Stop being selfish and unconscious!
Be in solidarity so that our beautiful Belgium does not endure as much as other countries.
Before we have to make more drastic decisions about the lives of patients and maybe one day of your entourage, family or even your own life.

Personally, I have made the decision to give even more of my time to help my neighbor, help his lives at risk and help you!

TODAY I AM BELGIUM, CARE AND SOLIDARITY!

I would like to say thank you to my fellow doctors, nurses and ambulance workers who I work tirelessly every day. But also to those around us to make our health sectors work. As well as to the solidarity population!!!

Y ' all are heroes!!

#coronavirus #jesuisbelgique #staythefuckhome #solidarité #covid19 #infirmierenpéril #m2ambulance #transfertMHCE #monpeupleceshéros

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sciensano.be | Toute une vie en bonne sante
https://www.info-coronavirus.be/

Want to know more about our work? We have been interviewed by RTL, and will normally be going to the 19 pm newspaper this March 15th.

[slwrnu]

I have just met my mate and we have printed off a flyer. Most of the places we have in mind are in small flats in chalets that have a notice board. So we can pin up the flyer in the hallway. We can also buy a modest stash of basic materials like cleaning stuff, loo rolls, and so on. Everybody is looking after each other.

[Mark Kelly]

A few words from the trenches in Belgium (with typos and awkward auto-translation hiccups intact):

Thanks for posting that.

[Tom]

In my opinion if one takes precautions it's better to be asymptomatic in the country where you are less likely to be obliged to be close next to more people than in a densely populated area.

[Too Tall]

Thanks Chik.

[summilux]

Thanks for that Chik. It made me realize how petty and inconsequential my own dealings with COVID-19 are.

[rowdyhillrambler]

I was just watching the local news and the story that was on was in praise of two local Christian schools that are still willing to play baseball—otherwise public schools have decided not to play. The Coach said, “we’ve all had the flu before, what’s the big deal? Bring on the Corona! If we get sick we will just call in our prayer warriors..”

Much like the asshat Rush-this is some really dumb shit-

What will happen is that the good people in healthcare and science will hopefully get ahead of this and it might, hopefully, not be as bad as we prepare for..

Then-Moronic turds like Rush will say, ‘see I told you so..it ain’t that bad’

Thanks Idamelio-I hope what you say is true..be safe

[davids]

I heard previews of this yesterday from a (MD/PhD) friend, whose hospital has been doing their best to prepare for the storm that's beginning to hit us. They know it's going to be bad (although they could use a few million test kits...) We want to hope it won't be, but they know better. So we need to listen to them:

• Stay away from large groups. Hell, stay away from as many people as you can.
• Wash your hands. With soap. Wash them again.

This is not a drill, this will kill many many people. Take care of yourselves and take care of others!

[holliscx]

I don’t see the harm in going for a bike ride. Everything was about social distancing yourself and while you could argue that an accident would stress the medical staff those would be outliers and you can argue for just as many stubbed toes all days indoors. Today is the first day of lockdown in Barcelona. I’ve seen several runners and a few bikers but according to the government no one is supposed to run or cycle. You can’t take your kids to the park. The only permitted activities are supermarkets, bread, banks, pharmacies, walking your dog, and wait for it ... hair salons.

[Chik]

Speaking of going out on a solo ride, I have to say that I wanted to the last couple of days but didn't.

In my neck of the woods, there are at least a few solo roadies, grupettos and proper club rides out and about on any given day, particularly on paths that are free of automobiles where we all tend to prefer. That means, as you approach or get overtaken by others, there is a risk of catching a bit of snot rocket, avoidance of which is a heady mix of art, science and luck.

Not to sound overly paranoid, but one infected droplet is probably all it takes. That keeps me from going for a ride.

A local cycling buddy is having a large group ride to celebrate his 60th birthday next weekend. Obviously, it's an important milestone for him, but I wished him all the best and declined the invitation.

Am I exaggerating? Perhaps.

[SlowPokePete]

Anybody blowing snot rockets with somebody else around oughtta be _________________.

SPP

[holliscx]

To say you can’t go for a solo ride is to walk back everything about social distancing. I think any patterns of normalcy that we can hold onto are a positive (pun not intended!) and I’m talking solo nothing about groups. I’m hoping this will temper down in the next few days. I don’t want to get a fine but I don’t have any problem with riding right now. In fact I think it’s necessary. Also people without kids are fond of preaching stay inside but young people need to go outside and kick a ball or in my daughter’s case do no-hands cartwheels all over creation.

[Bobonli]

I don’t see the harm in going for a bike ride.

I agree within reason. One of the best ways to avoid illness is to stay healthy. Exercise promotes health. I’m not a young kid and I’m doing my best to exercise hoping it might give me an edge should I catch something. I’ve been solo commuting and riding/ hiking with my kids. We occasionally pass another person at a distance on a trail. No worse than if I had to go to the market for food. 6 feet distance.

I think that’s different than attending a group ride where people tend to be closer, and tend to socialize afterwards, or share a car ride to the event. I’m about to head off into the woods to promote cardiovascular health!

On a related note (about sharing a ride) NYC floated the idea yesterday of requiring a minimum of 4 people per car in the HOV lanes heading into the city, in order to limit ridership on mass transit. Great: get them off the subways and into small, cars. (Facepalm)

[rowdyhillrambler]

I’m lucky in more ways than one-I live in an area where I will ride 50 miles today and likely not see a single car or person..

I would be foolish not to go

[pajotfix]

I went on a solo ride yesterday. I also urge my kids to spend some time outdoors every day. But they can not visit their friends or go indoors (of course, the known measures regarding hygienics apply as well).

Keep moving and get fresh air. Keep distance from others.

Also, I get my information from official channels (public health organisations in Belgium and France) and avoid news media or facebook as prime sources of information.

Be sensible and stay well !

[Chik]

Anybody blowing snot rockets with somebody else around oughtta be _________________.

SPP

I agree, but it's a regular occurrence in these parts...

[sk_tle]

I went on a solo ride yesterday. I also urge my kids to spend some time outdoors every day. But they can not visit their friends or go indoors (of course, the known measures regarding hygienics apply as well).

Keep moving and get fresh air. Keep distance from others.

In Spain, police and guardia civil prevent people from going for a run or bicycle ride. They already give fines.

I've borrowed my daughters skipping rope and we do sessions of dancing at home. I wish I had a ping pong table right now. I'm glad I have at least a rooftop terrasse to get some fresh air, my neighbors aren't so lucky.

[Chik]

BTW, the words from post #521 are not mine, just in case that wasn't obvious. They are from a guy called Giordano Bellaccomo.

[jclay]

Here's another confirmed case tracking site. This one drills down to the nation or in our case the state level: Novel Coronavirus Infection Map

[rwsaunders]

Headed to Columbus this morning to move my youngest kid’s belongings out of his dorm (4-bed quad with living, bath and dining areas) and home for the year. We have a specific time (3pm) assigned to us with a 10 minute leeway and 1 hour to vacate the premises....this includes cleaning the room, living room, kitchen and bathroom. My other son will be passing through Columbus on his way home from Bloomington for 10 days, which will help the move go a bit smoother. We’ve never cleaned and packed up a dorm room in an hour and this is our third kid in college, so this will be interesting.

Petitions are rapidly circulating online for Ohio State to refund the last 6 weeks of room and board...least of my worries, but not an insignificant sum of money for a lot of people...+/- 14,000 kids live in OSU housing and a few more that than participate in meal plans. Students are mandated to live in OSU housing for the first two years, as is the policy of many schools and housing can a real revenue generator for schools. If my calculations are close, 1 month room and board is appx. ($1,500 x 1.5 months) = ($2,250 x 14,000 kids) = $31,500,000 or roughly 2 x the collective annual salaries (without bonuses) of OSU’s football staff. I’m a little bored this morning without a ride, can you tell?