Coronavirus

[Spiky Bugger]

I don’t know Sharon or Theresa...but this was a relatively public post that has been shared. So I’m sharing it again. I hope you find it informative.




Sharon Abramowitz
Yesterday at 8:03 AM ·

So, some of my friends are calling and asking about the new coronavirus. I'll tell you what I am telling them:
1. The virus started as a zoonotic virus that jumped from animals to humans. Early reports talked about pigs and chickens, now it‘s bats and snakes. Science is working on it, but the animal markets in China have long been expected to be a primary source for the next zoonotic virus jump and have been watched closely for this. So -
Lesson 1: If you don't have to, try not to be a pig or chicken farmer or trader in China.

2. This particular coronavirus is highly contagious, but the mechanism of human to human transmission is unclear (probably respiratory, via aerosolized virus or physical contact with the virus). So
Lesson 2: If it ever shows up here in a widespread way, you could get it.

3. As of right now, the case fatality rate for coronavirus appears to be relatively low, on par with the flu. Data is still being collected. So
Lesson 3: if you get it, you probably won't die.

4. The disease is in multiple countries, and it is likely to spread. There is a big push to put appropriate controls in place everywhere, from China, to Brookline Massachusetts schools. If you are a US resident, don't panic or change anything you are doing as part of your daily routine unless if you are told otherwise by an official. The US Centers for Disease Control is the best in the world, and our Massachusetts Public Health system ain't too shabby either. So
Lesson 4: Listen to your local authorities.

5. For people who worry about what happens when a pandemic hits, like a World Health Organization pro who sees this all the time, here are two good rules of thumb: keep your kids home from school when you are told to do so, and keep a six week supply of food in your home (and water or water catchment system) in case you ever have to live through a quarantine.
Lesson 5: If you're normal, ignore this message. If you're a little nuts, buy food and water. (FWIW in my house we usually have about 3 weeks supply, mainly dried beans and pulses, which need a lot of water, so keep that in mind).

6. This isn't likely to be the big one in your life. So
Lesson 6: GET YOUR KIDS VACCINATED AND KEEP UPDATED ON YOUR ADULT VACCINES, INCLUDING THE FLU VACCCINE.


Also: From Theresa O'Keefe: The only things I would add to this recommendation are two basic items -
(a) learn to wash your hands properly (20 sec with water and soap - long enough to sing Happy Birthday twice) and do it frequently (i.e. every time you enter your house) and
(b) learn to NEVER touch your eyes or nose with your bare hands (ALWAYS use a tissue or fabric) - viruses enter through your eyes and nose so prevent.

 

[JackieOnLine]

good info, thanks for sharing it.

my plan is not to worry about it, as much as that's possible with my anxiety. also, eat more garlic.

 

[southernlady]

While the coronavirus is concerning, I’m more worried about catching the flu.

At some point tho, there is gonna be a pandemic that will sweep thru the population.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

While the coronavirus is concerning, I’m more worried about catching the flu.

At some point tho, there is gonna be a pandemic that will sweep thru the population.

And it might not even be a virus. There are so many antibiotic-resistant bacteria, we could all die from the same stuff that killed folks pre-penicillin.

 

[Webmommy]

A three week supply of dried beans and pulses? What are pulses?

 

[JackieOnLine]

peas, think. I forget what else. yep, google says
Pulses, also known as grain legumes, are a group of 12 crops that includes dry beans, dry peas, chickpeas, and lentils.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

peas, think. I forget what else. yep, google says
Pulses, also known as grain legumes, are a group of 12 crops that includes dry beans, dry peas, chickpeas, and lentils.

Yup.

pulse2
/pəls/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: pulse; plural noun: pulses

1. the edible seeds of various leguminous plants, for example chickpeas, lentils, and beans.
   "use pulses such as peas and lentils to eke out meat dishes"
   • the plant or plants producing pulses.

 

[Webmommy]

Thank you! I was thinking it was something like ramps.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Thank you! I was thinking it was something like ramps.

She says: Oh! That’s right.
While she is thinking: Ramps?
And googling: ramp
And learning:

Ramps (which are sometimes called wild leeks or spring onions, adding to the confusion) look like scallions, but they're smaller and slightly more delicate, and have one or two flat, broad leaves. They taste stronger than a leek, which generally has a mild onion flavor, and are more pungently garlicky than a scallion.

(which she just shared, in case anyone else is equally uninformed...lol!)

 

[Webmommy]

A few years ago if someone had said they had pulses and ramps I would've thought they were talking about their heartbeat and something that was wheelchair accessible! Food would've never crossed my mind to even google.

 

[k9ophile]

A few years ago if someone had said they had pulses and ramps I would've thought they were talking about their heartbeat and something that was wheelchair accessible! Food would've never crossed my mind to even google.

You must not live in the south. I'm a Yankee transplant. I have acquired quite a few new words in my vocabular, including pulses and ramps..

 

[JackieOnLine]

I'd heard of pulses but ramps is new to me!

 

[southernlady]

I'd heard of pulses but ramps is new to me!

Ramps aren’t new to southerners. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium_tricoccum

 

[Sheanie]

This thread is hilarious. A lady in the ER once said she "fell out". We were clueless. She meant fainted.

 

[Webmommy]

Is Texas the south? I learned ramps from a cooking show a few years ago and more recently a YouTube channel that foraged for mushrooms and ramps.