Today starts my first day of being home from work, without pay. I made the decision to do this after talking with my doctor, and after a stupid person at work came in knowing they were sick. We are told that they have the stomach flu, but that came before any test results could have come back (based on what I’ve seen elsewhere). So, thank you stupid person.
On a more positive note, we are seeing an unprecedented response to the virus on multiple levels. The one I want to focus on is the easing of regulatory burdens to get things done fast and well. One good example is a distillery being approved to make hand sanitizer in hours, rather than weeks. There are many such stories, and I will try to list more in a future post.
This also shows that we have far too much regulation, and that such over-regulation is hurting us. That it can be safely done away with shows that we can, should, and NEED to get rid of it. This article in the New Yorker (hat tip, Instapundit) gets into a lot of what went wrong when bureaucracy ran amok.
There is a lot more I could get into this morning, but I’m going to skip it to begin two other sections for these updates. First, I’m going to put up a list of good sources for information on COVID-19. Second, I’m going to start a list of independent local (Indianapolis) restaurants, pubs, etc. that are doing carryout or otherwise trying hard to stay in business. I may expand it beyond that, but that is a start. We all need to support each other as best we can in this time of trial.
A quick reminder however: If you are sick, think you may be sick, STAY THE FRACK HOME!! CALL your doctor, then do what they say. Repeat, CALL them so as to avoid infecting others, particularly those at real risk, needlessly. One wonders what will turn up in a few weeks in regards liability of individuals and businesses… Meantime, I’m going to have no sympathy when I read of that person (we’ve all worked with one) who is so proud of never taking a sick day who comes in sick and gets a physical response from their co-workers… It’s coming, bet on it, given the panic right now. No, the stupid person at work has nothing to fear from me. Want that on the record — I’m just going to point out that they are stupid, and a liability under any circumstances. I really am more into mockery than physical.
If my posts are enjoyable, helpful, or otherwise a benefit, please consider hitting the tip jar. Any help is very much appreciated, especially as I’m now off without pay.
•My Amazon Wishlist
As always:
If you suspect you have COVID-19 or have been exposed: call your state health department and work with them so that you can be dealt with in a way that minimizes the chance of spreading the virus to those helping you and to the general public. Can’t get them? Call your local department or see if your health service has online/telemedicine screening set up; or see if one who has will let you use it even if you are not in their network. Do not go out in public, and don’t go to an ER or other facility without calling ahead. Be smart.
Use the interactive graphic to keep track of things. Is COVID19 an epidemic? Yes. Is it a Pandemic? Yes. Is there need for panic? NO. HELL NO. Should you be paying attention? Yes. Hell yes. Should you be preparing? Yes, better late than never. And good luck finding/getting stuff.
Want to avoid catching COVID19 here in the U.S.? Wash your flippin hands frequently, wash them thoroughly every time you use the bathroom, then follow with hand sanitizer after every washing, use hand sanitizer liberally when you can’t wash on a regular basis. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze, and stay away from those who don’t. Also, keep your bugger hooks out of/away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. Do NOT shake hands with anyone, and avoid touching or being touched by strangers. Or your strange friends.
Avoid travel if at all possible. Right now, there is no way I’m going to a trade show, major convention, etc. If you can telecommute, get that set up now. If you have to travel, use lots of hand sanitizer and go to full flu protocols. If you have to use a public restroom, take full precautions including using paper towels and such to handle faucets, doors,etc. Believe it or not, this was highly recommended before now, and major grocery chains have long told employees to use those practices to avoid getting or spreading colds, flu, etc. Not many actually do it, but…
If you own a business, make sure your employees know the above protocols. Have someone who refuses to wash their hands or otherwise follow the protocols? Talk to them, write them up, and if necessary fire them as they now pose a risk of infection to you and your customers. Extreme? Yes, but while the CDC and others are working to slow it down, odds are it is already here and could hit hard and fast. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
I want to reiterate that there is no need for panic, but there is a strong need to be alert, be informed, and be prepared.
Good Sources Of Information On COVID-19
Instapundit (no longer doing roundups, but great articles from Glenn and his team)
South China Morning Post (decent, some salt may be needed)
Business Insider (decent, even if they did fall for some lies about Trump)
New England Journal of Medicine
More to come
Local Independent Businesses That Need Your Support
Oaken Barrel (Twitter at @OakenBarrel)
More to come
Other COVID19/COVID-19/2019-nCoV articles:
COVID-19 13Mar20 The Game Of Loads And Vectors Gets Real For America
COVID-19 9Mar20 The Game Of Loads And Vectors
COVID-19 7Mar20 How To Do It Right If You Have/Have Been Exposed To COVID-19
Quick Additional Thoughts On The Bureaucracy
COVID-19 28Feb20 Reasons To Hope, Reasons To Fear
COVID-19 A Plea To The Politicians (And Media)
COVID19 The Situation In China Gets Even Weirder
COVID19 24Feb20 Raising DEFCON
COVID19 21Feb20: Just Look At The Blooms Dear
Update & Quick Thoughts On Preparedness
2 thoughts on “COVID-19 20Mar20”
Comments are closed.