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posted by Fnord666 on Tuesday March 17 2020, @11:52AM   Printer-friendly
from the sudden-impact dept.

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


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  • (Score: 2) by edIII on Wednesday March 18 2020, @04:20AM (4 children)

    by edIII (791) on Wednesday March 18 2020, @04:20AM (#972643)

    Are you being sarcastic or serious? I've heard from official sources that our testing capacity isn't anywhere near what it needs to be. Certainly not that you can get tested out of concern.

    If you're serious, citation please.

    --
    Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
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  • (Score: 1) by khallow on Wednesday March 18 2020, @10:37AM (3 children)

    by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday March 18 2020, @10:37AM (#972695) Journal

    Are you being sarcastic or serious? I've heard from official sources that our testing capacity isn't anywhere near what it needs to be.

    When has that been an excuse to not even try?

    • (Score: 2) by edIII on Wednesday March 18 2020, @07:38PM (2 children)

      by edIII (791) on Wednesday March 18 2020, @07:38PM (#972885)

      I'm not interested in excuses, just facts about testing availability.

      Everything I'm hearing leads me to believe that people who need testing, are not getting the testing. A lot of stories of people who believe they're sick, or that somebody else is, and they can't get the tests done even though they're in hospitals, clinics, etc. There is a lot of talk about backlog.

      Bottom line, is if you think you may be sick, self-isolate. That also requires testing at some point, and I'm not hearing that people are getting tested nearly as easily as the administration lies would lead you to believe. The top guy in the White House says that testing is inadequate and we don't have enough tests, in stark contrast to the Orange Anus's claims that the "beautiful" tests are widely available and free.

      My state and local government (California) is constantly saying that don't have the testing kits the administration says that they have. A lot of people contradicting each other instead of providing cohesive leadership, and the only anecdotal evidence I can collect around me paints a grim ass picture of inadequate testing.

      So if you have any official news I can use as a citation regarding the availability of the testing kits, please share. I'm not interested in blame, just pure facts regarding the numbers of testing kits, how many will be produced in a month, how many on hand, per state, etc.

      That information seems to be on lockdown, and all we get is bullshit theater from above.

      --
      Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 18 2020, @09:31PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 18 2020, @09:31PM (#972921)

        Must be nice to be rich. For most Americans that's not a viable option. Using sick days requires a doctor's note and most people don't have $400 in savings if they don't have sick days to use.

      • (Score: 1) by khallow on Wednesday March 18 2020, @11:29PM

        by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday March 18 2020, @11:29PM (#972965) Journal

        I'm not interested in excuses, just facts about testing availability.

        One such fact is that the person in question didn't try to get tested.