Coping with Coronavirus

DSGamer wrote:
Badferret wrote:

Does anyone have recommendations for fast food restaurants and fast casual during the pandemic?

Our 8 year old loves Chic Fil-A and luckily their COVID protocol is top notch; they don't handle your credit card, they bring your food in a bin and everyone is masked.

Similarly, Five Guys offers contactless curbside with the food delivered to your car in a bin.

However, from what I can see from the other popular drive thru chains, they appear to be offering minimal to no added protections, but I also haven't tried them to confirm.

Anyone good or negative experiences in this realm?

Do you live somewhere that does delivery? Delivery introduces a lot of the protections you'd need.

Yeah, that's the problem. We are in a rural area west of Asheville, too far out for most delivery. So, 20-25 minute drive minimum to get to places we feel comfortable with.

Wendy's would have been my go to for true fast food burgers before the pandemic but I just don't trust any of the burger places right now for the reason Stengah mentioned.

Ah well, we actually do have a ton of places scattered around Asheville that are doing proper curbside with some planning, but sometimes with an 8 year old in the back seat having a few more quick choices would be nice, but not enough to take on more risk.

While I'm here, I thought I would also pass along that instacart now has an option to have pick-up directly from the store, with our local options being Aldi, Publix and Fresh Market. Which has even further simplified our grocery shopping as we notify the store via the app that we are on our way and they usual have the groceries either waiting for us when we park or within a minute. Again, this is a godsend, especially with an 8 year old. I know a lot of places have more grocery pick-up options, but at least here in Asheville, the only store to offer that was Harris Teeter. Meanwhile, the local dominant chain, Ingles, still hasn't put up plexi for their cashiers or instituted one way aisles. Not, that we have gone in a grocery store since mid March.

Something we took to doing recently is that there are nicer restaurants that will make batch meals in advance that are meant to be frozen. So we might go buy a few meals worth of something that is slightly nicer than fast casual and then sock it away in the freezer. That way it's available for when we need it. Better than fast food, but more convenient and better than a purely frozen meal from the store.

Solid idea, DSGamer, thank you!

Here in Ottawa we actually have a store that has been doing that as their entire business model: They make pre-prepared meals that were actually made that day or have already been frozen and are typically more creative than the usual fare. I used to go there occasionally on the way home if we didn't feel like cooking but didn't want to order out, and all you have to do is throw it in the oven. Obviously, they are doing gangbusters right now.

The problem with takeout aside from the cost is that even in a city with lots of variety outside of the burger/pizza/fried chicken route, it ends up being basically "grain + protein typical of the country that doesn't require a lot of preparation" and the feeling of greasy sameness still quickly sets in.

kuddles wrote:

Here in Ottawa we actually have a store that has been doing that as their entire business model: They make pre-prepared meals that were actually made that day or have already been frozen and are typically more creative than the usual fare. I used to go there occasionally on the way home if we didn't feel like cooking but didn't want to order out, and all you have to do is throw it in the oven. Obviously, they are doing gangbusters right now.

Which store is that? Now I'm curious to try it, but since I'm in Nepean, it's probably not conveniently close

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/Y2IKFZK.png)

What to look for when buying reusable face masks in Australia and how you need to clean them

You may have read or heard that putting your mask in the microwave with water will sterilise the mask.

But co-presenter of ABC's Coronacast, Dr Norman Swan, said not only could it be a fire hazard, it won't necessarily kill most germs.

Re-using a single-use surgical mask is not recommended — but Dr Swan said they can be re-worn if there is no other option.

"If you're stuck, the key thing here is not to wear them so long that they're getting wet or damp because they lose their effect," Dr Swan said.

"So you want to actually take them off before they're wet or damp."

Dr Swan recommended removing the mask — being careful not to touch the front of it in case there's virus on it — and spraying it with a disinfectant, like Glen 20.

He then said to let it dry out completely and put it only later.

"As long as it's dry, then you probably can reuse it, but it's not recommended and it's not guaranteed that it is going to be as good a filter as first-time wear.

"But if you're stuck … a dry mask that's been disinfected with spray will do some good for you, but not indefinitely."

Is that for keeping the virus in or out?

Both in all cases.

Had symptoms since Wednesday but was refused testing when I went to the clinic today. They draw a hard line it seems, 3 consecutive days over 38 degrees. Going to try again on Monday.

I think I’ve discovered one of the reasons for Japan’s good coronavirus numbers though. Urgh.

Mr GT Chris wrote:

Had symptoms since Wednesday but was refused testing when I went to the clinic today. They draw a hard line it seems, 3 consecutive days over 38 degrees. Going to try again on Monday.

I think I’ve discovered one of the reasons for Japan’s good coronavirus numbers though. Urgh.

Yikes! That's a weird stipulation.

Wrong thread.

Japan’s testing capacity isn’t under stress yet. Test turn around would be 3-4 days and I’d qualify for partial pay during that time. As it is, do I be responsible and stay home on zero pay, or f*ck it, go back to work.

Having said that, right now my symptoms are too heavy for me to work anyway.

Mr GT Chris wrote:

Japan’s testing capacity isn’t under stress yet. Test turn around would be 3-4 days and I’d qualify for partial pay during that time. As it is, do I be responsible and stay home on zero pay, or f*ck it, go back to work.

Having said that, right now my symptoms are too heavy for me to work anyway.

That sucks. Yeah, I had a 102 or 103 F temp for an afternoon till about 2 AM awhile back. I was zoncked and thought I'd be sick for a few days. Went away by the morning very weirdly. Never had anything like it. We were able to completely quarantine in the house for two weeks after that and did so. Didn't get tested because it was so weird and we had the priveledge of being able to stay in. Didn't want to spread anything. If I had to go to work I would have needed to be tested 100%.

Fever is all the way down and I’m feeling mostly better. I’ll probably never find out if it was COVID-19 or not. Seems unlikely, but considering the difficulty of getting a test, who knows how many cases are floating around out there. I’ll probably stay home until Wednesday to hopefully prevent spreading whatever it is I did have.

From FB and good enough to share I thought!
IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/1LjHqBS.png)

It had been a little while since I had an anxiety dream about wandering around a crowded space with no mask, but that sure was one of those.

Bonus: this time I and my maskless fellow humans were on a boat, so there was no way to leave without swimming.

Agathos wrote:

It had been a little while since I had an anxiety dream about wandering around a crowded space with no mask, but that sure was one of those.

Bonus: this time I and my maskless fellow humans were on a boat, so there was no way to leave without swimming.

I go lake swimming precisely because it's socially distanced by default.

Just sayin'

Not sure why, but I got super depressed last night. I just wasn't in the mood for anything. Might have been because, due to me trying to declutter my apartment (more on that in the Declutter thread), by apartment looked liked a warzone. (It still does, I should be able to fix some of that today.) So, in the end, I put my shoes on and went for a one-hour walk. That helped somehow.

Mr GT Chris wrote:

What to look for when buying reusable face masks in Australia and how you need to clean them

You may have read or heard that putting your mask in the microwave with water will sterilise the mask.

But co-presenter of ABC's Coronacast, Dr Norman Swan, said not only could it be a fire hazard, it won't necessarily kill most germs.

Re-using a single-use surgical mask is not recommended — but Dr Swan said they can be re-worn if there is no other option.

"If you're stuck, the key thing here is not to wear them so long that they're getting wet or damp because they lose their effect," Dr Swan said.

"So you want to actually take them off before they're wet or damp."

Dr Swan recommended removing the mask — being careful not to touch the front of it in case there's virus on it — and spraying it with a disinfectant, like Glen 20.

He then said to let it dry out completely and put it only later.

"As long as it's dry, then you probably can reuse it, but it's not recommended and it's not guaranteed that it is going to be as good a filter as first-time wear.

"But if you're stuck … a dry mask that's been disinfected with spray will do some good for you, but not indefinitely."

I work as a health care provider. One of the best solutions is a double mask set up. Wear your surgical mask and then over it, wear a high quality cotton mask. We are able to conserve a limited supply or surgical masks and change the overlying cotton ones with each patient. daily or every other day, I wash all my dirty masks and then reuse them. Remember, once you wear a cotton mask, it is dirty and needs to be washed.

Our hot tub arrived today and my wife wants to go in the hot tub, masks on, with a friend. The hot tub is 8 feet diagonally. Is this crazy or is this no different from a driveway sit?

That is a good question.

It's not crazy if you all know the status of all.
I would not do it, but that is me.

If your friend has been taking precautions and isn’t in a job where they interact with a lot of people, I would probably do it.

Here you go.

CDC wrote:

CDC is not aware of any scientific reports of the virus that causes COVID-19 spreading to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds. Plus, proper operation of public pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds (such as at an apartment complex or owned by a community) and disinfection of the water (with chlorine or bromine) should inactivate the virus.

The virus mainly spreads when respiratory droplets from infected people land in the mouths or noses of others or possibly when inhaled into the lungs by others. If a public pool, hot tub, or water playground is open, it is important for all visitors and staff to take steps to slow the spread of the virus:

Stay home if you are infected or might be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
Stay at least 6 feet apart (in and out of the water) from people you don’t live with.
Wear cloth masks when not in water.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue (or use the inside of your elbow), throw used tissues in the trash, and wash hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available.

DSGamer wrote:

Our hot tub arrived today and my wife wants to go in the hot tub, masks on, with a friend. The hot tub is 8 feet diagonally. Is this crazy or is this no different from a driveway sit?

I'd say you're okay so long as you realize there is a certain amount of risk.

I took the risk while fishing for a couple weeks at the coast this year of not wearing a mask on the boat while around my dad and an occasional guest. Wore a mask at the dock, in stores, and not at the campsite. Not the smartest thing to do, but smarter than most people.

Personally, I wouldn't bat an eye at having one person over in a hot tub. I wouldn't even have them wear masks.

Course we don't have any pre-existing conditions or anything like that.

DSGamer wrote:

Our hot tub arrived today and my wife wants to go in the hot tub, masks on, with a friend. The hot tub is 8 feet diagonally. Is this crazy or is this no different from a driveway sit?

My first thought is - what does your wife's friend look like?

Spoiler:

Honest answer - depends on the friend and what their bubble looks like.

CDC wrote:

The virus mainly spreads when respiratory droplets from infected people land in the mouths or noses of others or possibly when inhaled into the lungs by others.

I don't believe this is any longer the current scientific understanding. The primary means of transmission of covid is aerosols.

How does that change the advice? Not much, but it means that the bigger risk factors in a hot tub visit would be how long you'd be in the tub and if it's an indoor tub or outdoor one. Humidity levels above 30% have been shown to help reduce the amount of virus in the air, so the heat from the hot tub would seem to help, and an outdoor tub would have adequate air flow.

Obligatory: I am not a medical doctor or epidemiologist.

Also, CDC is not a viable source of information for the time being.

MA has some pretty good testing. I had to travel to FL this week, and flew back yesterday. I found a "Stop the Spread" testing site online that was open to 6 and headed over. It was in an open tent outside which was little chilly, but no big deal. I got a PCR test (swab up the nose but not deep into the sinuses) and had the results by 11AM today. Very nice because MA has mandatory quarantine rules and until getting the OK I was supposed to lock myself away pretty strictly.

Humidity reducing transmission would help explain why my brother who goes to bars in FL a lot hasn't caught it yet.