Who else is scared to go anywhere?

[Maraya1969]

I kind of feel like there is a bomb about to explode and I need to hide. I did go shopping this weekend and yesterday I just went to the drug store but sometimes I would go to the local pub, (bar) here and get a beer around now and I don't want to be in that small space with people talking loud. All I can think of is dropped of spittle flying around!

I'm 62 and have asthma but I'm in good health. I also have plans to travel overseas in a couple weeks and I don't want to mess that up.

Who else is kind of freaking out about being around people?

[I_UndergroundPanther]

1. I am avoiding people

Trying to stay 6'away from people.

[Turin_C3PO]

2. I am.

I’m at very high risk, I have cystic fibrosis and only half my lung function is left. This virus would very likely kill me. They say it’s not in New Mexico yet but I’m not sure that’s true because our state doesn’t have many test kits.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. I have

Ankylosing Spondylitis - so I'm not afraid - just cautious. My seasonal cold turns into infections and hospital visits - so I'm just not standing close to people and being very careful with my hands.

[Celerity]

48. The Rev. William Barber II has that too. I wish you all the best!!

[Dawgman49]

4. Social distancing

I’ve practiced it for decades

[lagomorph777]

8. I know, right? Now it's cool to non-social.

I'm vindicated at last.

[MontanaMama]

5. I also did my shopping this weekend like normal.

Going forward, I'll try to do my shopping early mornings to avoid as many people as possible. My husband travels to Pittsburgh PA later this week. I'm very nervous about that. We have tickets to see Lewis Black next week in Portland, OR. My gut feeling is not to go but we're waiting until the first of next week to make a decision.

[Mme. Defarge]

36. Here in PDX

I’m paying attention to news updates and responsible advice. Don’t want to overreact, but thinking about limiting my exposure to the public, given my advanced age and ongoing treatment for hypertension. Otherwise, I am healthy and active, but wondering what to do about my season subscriptions to the Oregon Symphony and two other live performance groups. Ugh. Still, I count my blessings every day.

[MontanaMama]

41. Do you have a good resource

that you could recommend for updates on the situation in PDX?

[Mme. Defarge]

44. I suggest

downloading the KGW News app.

[MontanaMama]

45. Will do.

Thank you.

[Mme. Defarge]

46. Hope you enjoy your time with us.

And the food is good.

[MontanaMama]

49. Don't I know it.

I have a cousin who lives in PDX. I love going to see her...we eat great food and drink good wine.

[HotTeaBag]

6. I can't freak out about being around people, as I work in NYC.

I am not in a vulnerable group health-wise and part of me has resigned myself to the eventuality that I'm going to get it, as I think at least a third of the population of NYC will contract it (at least I think so anyhow).

All one can do is take every precaution and hope that if I catch it that I'm lucky enough to be in the percentage of those who don't get too sick.

Sucks, but I'm kind of a sitting duck.

[virgogal]

7. Not me,and several family members traveling by air,one outside the country.

[Maraya1969]

11. I can't wait to get out of this damn country. I'm traveling to Portugal for an extended

stay in about 2 weeks. I have to stay healthy to be able to get there.

[virgogal]

14. Lucky you,beautiful country.

[Ms. Toad]

9. I am more scared for my family.

I have developed practices over the years that do a good job of protecting me from the flu and colds. I've ramped them up - so I think I'll be fine. But both my spouse and my daughter both get the flu and multiple colds each year. (My spouse gets the flu shot and still gets it more frequently than I do by 3-4x; my daughter's illnesses are about comparable to my spouses's - but she is extremely vulnerable, with two autoimmune diseases.

[Shermann]

10. Inside is the new Outside

Fine by be. Netflix and chill.

[lagomorph777]

12. My industry is having its big convention here in town tomorrow.

Not too thrilled about all my co-workers going there and bringing stuff back to the office....

[In_The_Wind]

13. I just placed a frozen food order to pickup tomorrow.

I'm trying to avoid contact with as many surfaces and individuals as possible.

I'm 71.

Oh, btw, there is a large area south of me with 98 cases tested positive.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that New York now has 142 cases of the new coronavirus, 98 of which are in Westchester County.
https://patch.com/new-york/midhudsonvalley/13-dutchess-county-residents-possibly-exposed-coronavirus?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_term=lifestyle&utm_campaign=alert

[jimlup]

15. I think today is over reaction day...

we all are facing this serious news but we need to get perspective. Take care yes, but it isn't the end of the world and sky isn't falling.

I will concede that it is disconcerting that the Chump clown is in charge however.

[HeartachesNhangovers]

16. Not me.

Today I went to the gym at the community center, then to the brand-new-just-opened-today bagel/coffee shop in the shopping center down the street. I have a car, but I hate to drive so yesterday I rode the bus to the Fedex to make copies of my tax returns, and my wife and I had lunch yesterday at the local pizza place.

I'm 58, had pneumonia 4 months ago, pneumonia about a year before that, and I don't have a very strong constitution, although I'm fit for my age. And yes, there has been a confirmed COVID case in my county (Clark Co, WA) and a bunch of cases (and deaths!) up in Seattle. Next month I'm flying to Reno for a family get-together in Lake Tahoe (unless everyone else cancels; we actually bought trip insurance for the first time just in case)

Everything seems normal around here and the Winco seemed to be normally stocked a few days ago when we went shopping, although I didn't check if there was hand sanitizer or masks or any of that stuff.

[mwooldri]

17. I gotta go places. It's my job. I drive a truck.

Was in Wichita Falls TX on Saturday, now near Tampa FL today, deliver in Venice tomorrow AM. This I have to be around some people some of the time but yeah social distancing and all that nice stuff. I'm probably more likely to get sick from something I pick up in a truck stop shower.

[Nonhlanhla]

18. I am terrified

I'm still recovering from 3 weeks of illness: fever, nausea, bronchitis, still a sore throat and tight chest. I have asthma, and my immune system is exhausted from these past 3 weeks, plus I've been on Prednisone, which suppresses the immune system. If I run into that virus, I'm likely to be in real trouble. I was able to get a note from the doctor that I should teach online this week, but I don't know what I'll be doing next week. I really need to isolate for at least several months.

[Maraya1969]

28. That's great that they are letting you teach from home. I hope they let you stay inside

for at least a few more weeks/months. I know having asthma makes all these illnesses more scary. I've ended up in the hospital several times because of a plain old cold!

EDIT: I started taking a generic of Emergen C . That supplement that is a powder with vitamin C and other things to help your immune system. I think these things really help. I even notice my skin is better when I take high doses of vitamin C.

[NRaleighLiberal]

19. not my wife and I.

[uponit7771]

43. What's your thinking in this? We're. Thinking about cancelling travel plans

[femmedem]

20. Me, and I wish Mr. Femmedem were more nervous about going out.

I'm doing the regular shopping--I did stock up on a two-weeks' supply of cat food and cat litter--but I'm not going to the movies or anywhere where I have to sit in tight quarters with large numbers of people.

I'm working on persuading the board of directors of the nonprofit where I work to cancel or postpone the annual meeting scheduled for late March.

I'm in Connecticut, where we've just had our first confirmed case and where the governor has just issued guidelines for state employees.
https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-coronavirus-connecticut-lamont-20200309-57virq3qebegpes2sjyblrx4dq-story.html

[Codeine]

21. I work in sales. In and out of grocery stores all day.

I’ve got zero chance of avoiding anything so I’ve just put it out of my mind. My immune system is pretty solid for a 50yr old anyway, so it doesn’t feel like I need to be overly concerned.

[dewsgirl]

22. Me, I'm living with my 8 months pregnant DIL and

6 yr old step granddaughter, while my son is deployed. She is highrisk and I hate to take the chance by leaving and going anywhere, then I worry about my granddaughter being in school, and my DIL has appointments weekly, some of which are at the hospital. We had one man die on Friday night and another confirmed in our area.

[durablend]

23. Not me.

Staying the hell away from people as much as possible but I'm not locking myself in the house.

[RealityChik]

24. I live just west of the Seattle epicenter...

The husband is in a high risk group as well as both of us being over 60. I'm the one who does all the public-facing errands and shopping. The husband spent 25 years in the healthcare field in environmental/sanitation medicine so we know what to do. People looked at me funny as the only person wearing gloves into the grocery store and wiping down shopping baskets. I just smile and say, "My husband is in a high risk group." They understand.

To me, for all the forward-thinking innovations implemented by our local govt, starting from the amazing Jay Inslee, Governor of our state (aka "the snake" according to Trump), on down the chain of command, SeaTac Airport remains a huge concern as an unknown variable in the pandemic. They can disinfect everything 24/7, but if arrival passengers are not being screened and tested, it appears to be a gaping hole in the entire prevention effort.

I have a friend coming in from Frankfurt, Germany next week, but because of my husband's lung issue, she's going to be staying at another of our friends' house instead of mine. She lives in Portland, OR, so I will most likely visit her at her house at a later date.

Remember, the BEST you can do is ALL you can do. You will find the wisdom to make the right decisions when you need to. I have faith that you will do what's best for yourself.

Blessings--KR

[Quixote1818]

54. Have you seen this?

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/gates-funded-program-will-soon-offer-home-testing-kits-for-new-coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR3eJTlp3mY0i00hFY82DtuA7N_gn84Usk-vHIm--2GLY4h36l5VVTaR7x0

[Greybnk48]

25. I'm terrified!

My grandmother died of the Spanish flu at 25 years old. That's always haunted me. Now I think, wouldn't that be something if that's what did me in? Silly, I know.

[Maraya1969]

39. I wrote a post above about Vit C and how it helps the immune system. Now I remember

that you can just do a Google search for supplements that support the immune system.

I've really upped my supplement intake for a couple other reasons lately and it's nice to see that these things also help.

[Greybnk48]

55. I'm also taking vitamin D3.

I read it might help also.

[Bev54]

26. I would be more worried about travelling overseas

than continuing to do normal things around town, taking precautions of course. It is being stuck in an airplane and/or a ship that would scare me the most. I travelled to SE Asia during SARS and it was only the airplane that really bothered me.

[Maraya1969]

40. Except my state's legislature just emptied out because of the CPAC virus holder

and.........Matt Gaetz. I just feel like Florida is one of the bad places to be right now. And I'm going to a very isolated part of Portugal so there is the difference.

[lamp_shade]

27. Me. Thankfully I'm a retired hermit anyway.

[handmade34]

29. I live in a bubble

so I'm not concerned right now... will be mindful as I go out in the future but not much scares me

[ooky]

30. Me. I'm retired and can avoid most people. But

I have to take care of my granddaughter after school twice a week, and that scares me.

[Luciferous]

31. I don't like being around people in general

this doesn't freak me out but I'm relatively young and healthy.

[nancy1942]

32. I am to a degree.

I find myself considering the real possibility that other people are germ-ridden and I'd prefer to just stay
at home....I tend to avoid people anyway so this is no big deal for me. I'm 78 and have an immune problem so I am somewhat paranoid about all this. What really terrifies me is the flailing lunatic in the White House who is stoking the fires of hysteria on an hourly basis.

[musette_sf]

33. We are to work from home through the month of March OR until further notice

[customerserviceguy]

34. We're isolating ourselves

but I wouldn't describe it as "freaking out". We have just simply loaded the refrigerator and freezer (the one on the fridge, we don't have a separate one in the garage or anything) with food, and will be living off of the stuff that was in our basement pantry that we finished hauling from NY to SC a few months ago. We did some supplemental shopping at Costco, and that stuff's on the bed in the guest room, we don't expect any visitors.

It may drive my lady crazy, she is an extremely social person, but most every time she gets a cold, it goes into bronchitis, and she needs inhalers. We get flu shots every year, and fortunately, we are both retired, so we don't get our co-workers' kids diseases like we used to.

[matt819]

35. Just going about my business (nt)

[MerryBlooms]

37. I'm a caregiver, so I'm still going to work.

I'm super careful when at the market or pharmacy. I disinfect my hands and face several times when I'm out and about. When I'm near soap and water, I wash my hands and face throughout the day. This is something I've always done. No large crowds, not shaking hands or hugging. I live with my two sisters who are high risk, plus my clients are high risk, so I am being very cautious and trying to protect them as best I can. I haven't been ill in years, and I have never passed anything onto them before, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my extra precautions this time, along with my usual care, will be adequate.

I'm not panicked, but I do have a bit of anxiety because I worry for those I love. They have long lists of health issues, and so I'm always concerned, but during cold/flu season more worried, and now of course.

[Baclava]

38. I'm naturally anti social, lol, i like my buffer, Im good, food shopping done for the month

Im not changing anything!

[smirkymonkey]

42. I'm pretty much business as usual, but I generally avoid crowded places and have most

things delivered to my apartment building. The only place that I am around a lot of people is at work and I live in a building with a lot of people so I guess I should be a little more careful about pressing elevator buttons, etc. Today I picked up some packages so I used a box to press the button since I had no free hands.

[Awsi Dooger]

47. I bought a double-door cat trap and am enjoying the heck out of it

Havahart 1045

I've got the entire side of our suburban block cheering me on. These feral cats are menacing and disgusting and all over the place. I have been picking them off one by one. I even have a lady down the street telling me which one to get rid of next. The damn things all seem to specialize in one yard or another.

I was exhilarated beyond belief when I nabbed my nemesis the other day, the one who has used my garden for 3+ years as his personal litter box, despite all my prior tame attempts with stuff like motion sensor sprinklers and cayenne pepper and citrus spray, etc.

He was very lucky I didn't torment him first, instead of merely driving down to Homestead and dumping him out in a vacant lot.

So far I have caught 3 cats. I take them to Homestead and aim the cage toward a prominent light, then open it. Sure enough they dash immediately toward the light.

This magnificent accomplishment and new hobby has partially offset the concern about the virus and stock market. I studied cat hours and found out they come out at 4 PM. So I've been setting the trap at 4, using half a can of cod and salmon premier cat food from Aldi...39 cents per can. Normally by 7 PM I have the cat.

But I have to take it inside if nothing bites by 10 PM. One night I left it out too long and accidentally caught a massive possum. He played possum for hours. Then I drove a few miles away and let him go. If the possum comes back I don't care. The hideous cats need to be gone forever.

I may start buying these for presents to the neighborhood. More than worth it.

[Maraya1969]

50. May I make a suggestion? Catch, neuter and return. That way the cats

can't reproduce and continue the problem somewhere else.


http://www.forallanimals.org/community-cats-and-trap-neuter-return-faqs/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0pfzBRCOARIsANi0g0u7lcCkfbPDui_ztbWQCtrbjqUmXUrvw14nZe641HdnT386j3P1KDwaAr10EALw_wcB




"What is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)?

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is an animal control management practice where community cats are humanely trapped, sterilized by a veterinarian, vaccinated against rabies, eartipped, and returned to the trapping location. An eartip refers to the small portion of the top of a cat’s ear that is removed during surgery (while the cat is under anesthesia) to indicate that the cat has been through the TNR process. Decades ago, TNR was performed mainly by caring individuals. Today, TNR is performed by individuals, shelter employees, veterinarians, and animal control officers alike."

[I_UndergroundPanther]

61. Why be

An asshole to the cats. They are doing what cats naturally do.

Take the kittens to shelters and do ntr to the others.

If you actually harm a cat I will never forgive.

[Tipperary]

69. This is one of the worst things I have ever read here.

Why not take them to the shelter?
And to say the cat “was lucky you didn’t torment it?’ What the ever loving fuck?

Animal cruelty is a crime. Those cats did not choose to be feral, but likely became so because of heartless humans who treated them like so much garbage.

Best be careful, the animals can carry the virus, you know.

[kentuck]

51. Will the fear of coronavirus affect the election turnout tomorrow?

How many will sit out tomorrow's election ?

[C_U_L8R]

52. Riding the subway, going to gym, shopping at the market.

And washing my hands like a mad person.

[Quixote1818]

53. I have to work in different schools each day so I am kind of on the front lines

Been washing my hands literally every 30 minutes or more.

[VarryOn]

56. I'm. 50, boarding two flights to Jacksonville, FL for TPC...

I'm one of the ones who will not let a bug freeze up commerce! I will enjoy plenty of room on the flights, at the hotel, and on the course!

[Historic NY]

57. I'm heading to Florida sunday...

and to Disney for a few days at our time share.

[Beakybird]

58. I'm not even getting too close to the mirror. Afraid I'll get myself sick!

[chillfactor]

59. I am 80 years old and cannot get around

w/o a walker. I leave the house once a month to go to the food shelf and every 3 months to visit my doctor. Other then that, I am housebound. I have a caregiver 24/7 so my caregiver is the one who buys the groceries, pays my bills, does the laundry and cooking. So the only way I would be exposed to the coronavirus is if my caregiver brings it into the house from outside. I suppose that makes me safer then most senior citizens who are out and about.

[totodeinhere]

67. You caregiver needs to take extreme precautions.

I don't know how old they are. If they are younger they might not be at much risk but they could become a carrier and infect you.

[Jirel]

60. Not me.

Keeping my normal habits and schedule. Unless there is a massive outbreak in the area, there’s no reason to do otherwise.

[BlueTsunami2018]

62. I'm not. But I generally avoid people as a rule.

I work overnight so I only see two other people there. I go to the convenience store every other day and shopping once a week. I did go to comedy show Friday night which was sold out but I generally avoid large gatherings. I’m not too worried honestly. I also feel like I may have already had it last month. I was half sick for three weeks after a large house party with many of the symptoms of this virus but I threw it off.

I’m not too worried.

[captain queeg]

63. Not going to travel in public conveyances.

Limiting time out and about, may switch to shopping in the middle of the night when I need stuff.

[samplegirl]

64. I am!!! In 1978

I was just 20 years old and was hospitalized and nearly died! I contracted Guillain Barre and thank God I had a mother who worked at the hospital and a father who left his job to sit bedside with me.
Any flu makes me affraid!

[totodeinhere]

65. I think it's perfectly safe to drive around as long as you don't get out of your car.

I used to take my dog for walks at the local dog park. Now we just drive around but don't get out of the car. That's fine with him. He loves to ride around and look out the window.

[OhNo-Really]

66. Self isolated on March 1st

Don’t want to be a burden on anyone if possible

[Skittles]

68. not me

but I absolutely understand those who are and would never judge them......everyone needs to do what they think is best. And I have ALWAYS avoided crowds .... I feel anxious, claustrophobic in a crowd

[Tipperary]

70. Living life as usual.

I have always been an enthusiastic hand washer anyway.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

71. Not at all.

I'm currently on a cruise ship. I know, a lot of people think that all cruise ships are complete cesspools and everyone who gets on one gets sick. I'm half way through a two and a half week trip and having a wonderful time.

The extent to which the corona virus comes up, everyone seems to agree that there isn't a lot to be concerned about. And keep in mind that almost all the passengers are over 70.

I do understand that people with various health issues always need to be a lot more concerned about getting sick. And always need to be taking appropriate precautions.

I have a trip to Seattle planned next month, and I'll be pissed if the event I'm attending gets cancelled, especially as I probably won't be able to get refunds on hotels or plane tickets.

For a lot of people there is a lot of overreaction going on.

[lapfog_1]

72. I am not afraid... if I need to go someplace I will

and take the needed precautions... that said I haven't gone anyplace in 3 days and have no plans.

[Meowmee]

73. I teach and so

Far my college has not cancelled classes but they are talking about the possibility. I am still shopping etc. stocking up in case and using precautions. Today the reality got a little worse with the new statistics, our gov declared a state of emergency and some colleges are closing. But the jump in numbers tested positive and 2 cases in my county makes me realize it is probably already a lot worse than we realize due to no preparation and almost no testing etc. they are concealing how many tests they have done at the cdc website. I have no choice but to carry on and hope it will not be as bad as has been predicted.