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A lot has already happened this year. SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) which can cause COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019) has been making headlines shortly after it was first reported. The first cases were reported to WHO (World Health Organization) on 2019-12-31. The virus spread. It began as an epidemic in China . The world watched apprehensively. Reports surfaced of cases in other countries and the the apprehension grew. For many folk, it turned to fear when it was upgraded to a pandemic: WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 11 March 2020: "We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic."
We have seen increasing efforts to stem the spread of the disease. Efforts have run the gamut. Closing of borders. Cancellation of sporting events. Conferences cancelled. Churches and other places of worship also closed. Schools closed. Panic buying of household goods and supplies. Supply chain disruptions affecting manufacturers. Restaurant, bars, and other such establishments closed. Work-from-home policies established and enacted.
The changes have been many, widespread, and continuing.
Reading about all the ways that "other people" have been affected is one thing. It seems different, somehow, when it hits closer to home and affects us directly. With many of our usual social activities curtailed or cancelled, it is easy to begin isolating and lose perspective. SoylentNews arose from a troubled period (the SlashCott) and a community has formed from that challenging period.
How have you been affected? Have you been infected? Had a family member or friend who was? Helped neighbors who are struggling? Hunkering down and isolating? (In a basement is optional.) Are you suddenly working from home and finding it challenging to manage your time? Still working on site, but now have a faster commute due to all the other people staying home? Catching up on watching TV shows? Reading more SoylentNews? How has your life changed?
From a somewhat different perspective, how have others helped you to cope... and how have you been able to help others? One of the potential impacts of social distancing is isolation and depression. I count myself fortunate, indeed, to have served this site for over 6 years and for all the people I have gotten to know, here. For those who may not be aware, SoylentNews has its own IRC (Internet Relay Chat) server. Feel free to drop in to #Soylent and just say "Hi!"
Social distancing is permanent when you're dead. So, practice good hygiene and stay safe.
Previously (oldest first):
China Battles Coronavirus Outbreak: All the Latest Updates
2019-nCoV Coronavirus Story Roundup
Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Roundup
Coronavirus Roundup
Coronavirus Roundup (Feb. 17)
Roundup of Stories about the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus and COVID-19 Disease
COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 - CoronaVirus) Roundup
CoronaVirus (SARS-CoV-2) Roundup 2020-03-12
Working from Home: Lessons Learned Over 20 Years
(Score: 4, Informative) by Gaaark on Tuesday March 17 2020, @10:50PM (2 children)
Get some potato boxes: plant them in dirt, then when the greens come up, bury them almost completely in more dirt. Keep doing this. Finally, after greens have wilted/gone brown, HARVEST!
You'll get lots of potatoes in a small area, with large potatoes on the bottom and smaller ones on the top. Get a few of them going and you'll have potatoes all winter (harvest them in small batches for potatoes in late summer/fall).
Harvest them, leave them in shade for a while (just brush major dirt off but do not wash them) them put them gently into a box or something and leave in cool, dry, dark area.
I might get a second box going this summer, and am looking into growing sweet potatoes.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 18 2020, @01:29AM (1 child)
This looks like fun, thanks for posting.
When we grew potatoes in my mother's garden, a farmer friend advised using blood meal (dried blood from a slaughterhouse) for fertilizer. It's very high in nitrogen, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_meal [wikipedia.org]
Worked great, we had wonderful potatoes that year.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Gaaark on Wednesday March 18 2020, @02:32AM
Yeah, I definitely have to look more into proper fertilization: I put compost on my asparagus, and planted clover which is supposed to put (?nitrogen?...my memory sucks) into the soil for them, but my potatoes I kind of just let go. Probably because it was fresh soil. This year I might just do something...
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---