COVID 19 How is everyone holding up?

[sniksnak]

Thank you, thank you, Lindsay. Your sentiments are deeply appreciated. My state needs plenty of prayers. We, of course are still under stay at home orders and it is strongly suggested that we wear face masks whenever we venture outdoors. Even our sheriff's deputies in my parish are wearing masks.

Today's stats as of noon are even worse.

Positive 21,518
Deaths 1,013
Deaths in my parish of Caddo 56, jumping from 39 for 4 straight days

[asolitaryblue]

I'm so sorry to hear that, on top of covid-19, parts of the US are also being battered by tornadoes. That's all the country needs.

SRI LANKA as at 16/04/2020
5 new cases within the last 24 hours
238 total confirmed cases
168 active cases
144 under observation in hospital
63 recovered and discharged
7 deaths

We are still under curfew but the government has announced that schools will re-open on May 11th. I know the country can't stay under curfew forever but just yesterday they closed down and isolated an entire neighborhood because they found one positive person had basically gone walkabouts all over the place. She had had direct contact with 133 of her neighbors!! (Who does that? I can't say I've spoken to 133 of my neighbors, let alone had direct contact with them...)

I wonder how many more cases are out there. If you look at our graph, we haven't even peaked yet, let alone flattened the curve. Numbers are small relative to other countries but I'm wondering if it's just because our testing is so limited. Also. we only have about 500 ICU beds in the country so an increase in cases in the range that other countries are seeing would absolutely cripple us.

On the other hand, our currency keeps depreciating and pretty soon it's not going to be worth the paper it's printed on. 2 million out of our 8 million workers are daily wage earners who have not earned any money for almost a month. The curfew is just not sustainable.

[siberian202angel]

Suse, I felt so scared when I heard the news of Tornadoes hitting the area. As if Corona wasn't enough... It must be devastating for all those people who have lost everything amid the already terrifying situation. Thankfully neither you nor your pets were hurt. Keep us updated, please?

As for Germany, we have 134,753 confirmed cases and 3,804 deaths ... the number is still rising, even though not as steep a curve as before. My state has 634 cases (+10 to the previous day) and 13 deaths (+2 to the previous day).
However, government decided to loosen the restrictions. Secondary schools and up will re-open on May 4th, while elementary schools and kindergartens remain closed. Stores of up to 800 m² of sales floors are allowed to open as well. Big events are even banned until August 30th ... which, admittedly, makes me a bit sad because I had tickets to several concerts and theater screenings this summer.

I am not entirely sure easing up on the restrictions already is the right step. Of course, economically, I do understand that it's necessary for so many people ... but I sure hope we weren't just lulled into a false sense of security, with the situation ready to flare up again.

I'm gonna keep praying for all those who have it so much worse and for those who have to content with natural disasters on top of everything. Stay safe, people!

[sniksnak]

Thanks, [mention]siberian202angel[/mention]. As I mentioned, this was one time that I was truly frightened. I don't know if I was feeding off the huge fright my furkids were experiencing or what. In my nearly 69 years, I've been through countless tornadoes and hurricanes, but never was my anxiety that high. I was hunkered down in one of my bathtubs with my rosary and daily missal holding my two inside cats and one dog as close to me as possible. I was praying hard for my feral cats in their house and my elderly large dog who wouldn't come inside - I think she was that terrified and confused. When I tried to pick her up to carry her inside, she set up this horrible howl. I figured I was stressing her even more. She's nearly deaf, but she stayed pressed up against the kitchen door on the back porch the entire time I was in the bathroom with the other 3 furkids. She didn't calm down until that wind stopped. It seemed like forever, but it was less than 10 minutes we were hearing that awful roaring of the wind. She licked my hands and face over and over when I checked on her after I got out of the tub. She still didn't want to come in, but her little heart wasn't pounding so hard in her chest as it was before. Thanks for the concern and prayers.

Yesterday's Covid figures came in at noon, still on the rise with the exception of the deaths reported in my parish of Caddo. It was erroneously reported as 57, but 2 deaths were actually pulmonary, not Covid related.

The figures for Louisiana are:

Tests taken 120,618
Positive 22,532
Deaths 1,156
Deaths in my parish 55

The governor closed K-12 public schools also yesterday. Students are to continue with remote schooling until the end of the actual school term next month.

My drivers license and state inspection sticker on my car expire this month. Late fees for driver’s license which expire between March 9, 2020 through May 10, 2020, are suspended until May 20, 2020. State inspection stations are closed until further notice.

Please stay safe, Gang. With many prayers going out to all, Suse

[siberian202angel]

Thanks, @siberian202angel. As I mentioned, this was one time that I was truly frightened. I don't know if I was feeding off the huge fright my furkids were experiencing or what. In my nearly 69 years, I've been through countless tornadoes and hurricanes, but never was my anxiety that high. I was hunkered down in one of my bathtubs with my rosary and daily missal holding my two inside cats and one dog as close to me as possible. I was praying hard for my feral cats in their house and my elderly large dog who wouldn't come inside - I think she was that terrified and confused. When I tried to pick her up to carry her inside, she set up this horrible howl. I figured I was stressing her even more. She's nearly deaf, but she stayed pressed up against the kitchen door on the back porch the entire time I was in the bathroom with the other 3 furkids. She didn't calm down until that wind stopped. It seemed like forever, but it was less than 10 minutes we were hearing that awful roaring of the wind. She licked my hands and face over and over when I checked on her after I got out of the tub. She still didn't want to come in, but her little heart wasn't pounding so hard in her chest as it was before. Thanks for the concern and prayers.

Sweet Jesus, that gave me serious chills... I think, most people who don't live in a twister-prone area, they can't truly imagine what it's like ... all we see are the news and obliterated houses. So glad you and your furballs are safe!

Covid in Germany: As of this morning, we have 143,724 cases of infections and a count of 4,538 deaths, so it's still rising. My state has 651 cases, of which 91 have been hospitalized, 16 in ICU. We have a death toll of 15.
One one hand, the government intents to slowly start back to normalcy ... on the others, a few of the 16 states have their own agendas. For example, my state declared a obligation to wear protective masks in public transportation and while shopping. I do think it's a good decision because other cities who have introduced that rule earlier, haven't had new infections in a while. However, it presents me with a problem: I am hard of hearing and rely heavily on reading off the lips in order to understand anything - which is impossible with mouths completely covered. So I hope we won't have to stick to that rule for too long. Also, my state and two others closed its beaches in the north to all who don't live in the adjoining municipalities.
We'll see what the new weeks brings ... stay safe and healthy, people!

[Sami]

Wishing the community well! I am stuck here in NYC trying to find distractions in books. Thank God for books.

Be well and safe,
Sami

[sniksnak]

No one has any updates about their situation in their state, province or country?

Yesterday Governor John Bel Edwards announced he will extend Louisiana’s Stay at Home order until May 15th to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19. Louisiana doesn't currently meet the White House criteria for entering Phase One of reopening.

While Louisiana has seen positive, improving trends statewide in terms of new case growth and new hospitalizations, in several regions across the state, new cases and hospitalizations continue to increase or to plateau, according to data from the Louisiana Department of Health. The White House criteria calls for declining numbers of new cases and hospitalizations, among other things.

Businesses that previously were directed to be closed will remain closed, including salons, barber shops, bars and casinos, among other things. Businesses that are deemed essential under the third phase of federal CISA guidance may still be open. Non-essential retail businesses in Louisiana continue to be able to open with fewer than 10 people total inside.

Malls will remain closed to the public, but stores may open for curbside delivery. Restaurants will be allowed to open their outside areas for patrons to eat meals only, without tableside service. All employees of a business who have contact with the public must wear a mask. Additionally, both the CDC and the Louisiana Department of Health strongly urge everyone to wear masks when in public.

Hopefully, Louisiana will meet the White House criteria and move to Phase 1 on May 15th, provided symptoms, new case counts and hospitalizations decrease and the state continues to surge testing and contact tracing capacity. Phase 1 lifts the Stay at Home order and eases restrictions on some public spaces like houses of worship and restaurants and opens other businesses that have been closed such as barber shops and salons, but with restrictions on occupancy and strict requirements for personal distancing and masks to keep everyone safe. Phase One occupancy for these businesses will be limited to 25 percent.

Louisiana's stats as of noon yesterday:

Positive cases 27,660
Deaths 1.802
Tested 148,885
Total deaths in my parish of Caddo 106

Stay safe, Gang.

[Tooterkins]

I live in Charlottesville VA and below are the statistics for my area of the world. We've been blessed with low numbers which is surprising considering our proximity to Washington D.C. where the numbers are high. We're still under stay-at-home orders and our governor has made it clear that it will not be lifted in the near future.

COVID-19 Cases in Virginia

Number of people tested: 85,307
Total cases: 14,961
Total hospitalizations: 2259
Total Deaths: 522

Charlottesville VA:
Total Cases: 52
Total hospitalizations: 13
Total deaths: 2

[Booklover]

In Belgium, things are slightly improving.

Starting May 11, certain shops will reopen. One week later, schools will partially reopen. Only the first, fourth and sixth year of secondary school and the first, second and sixth year of primary school can open.

The classrooms need to be big: 4m2 for each student and 8m2 for each teacher. Maximum 14 students can follow the lessons at the same time, in the same classroom. If you are teaching a class of 28 students, that group will be split-up.
All teachers and pupils older than 12 need to wear facemasks.

Restaurants, bars, libraries, museums, pools, fitness centers, cinemas ... remain closed until at least June 8.

We are not allowed to visit our (grand)parents until that same day. We will be allowed to see two of our friends, but only outdoors. And you must hang around with the same friends all the time. So, if you invite friend A and B, you cannot invite friend C and D the next week.

[siberian202angel]

No one has any updates about their situation in their state, province or country?

Germany is moving comparatively rapid now.
Despite a total of 163,009 confirmed cases and 6,623 deaths (693 cases and 18 deaths in my state), the government is moving swiftly back towards normalcy, mostly because our reproduction rate is less than 0,8. As of Monday, most stores will re-open and school has begun for older kids. The kindergartens are a different matter, but they are currently working on solutions to relieve the parents and re-open those as well. Hairdressers are allowed to open from Monday on, barring the implementation of safety precautions, and they are expected to be booked out for months (I'll try to secure an appointment first thing Monday morning, as I am in dire need of a haircut). The travel ban has been extended until mid-June, but they are thinking of opening the borders between states for the summer. Cultural institutions such as cinemas or theaters remain closed and so do restaurants - but they hope to loosen the restrictions in this area within the next few weeks as well.

Masks are compulsory for public transportation and shopping in all states, and some states and cities have issued a duty to wear masks in public buildings as well. I've dealt well with everything else, but the mask issue now is my personal stressor: I am hard of hearing and rely heavily upon what I read off of lips - an insurmountable task with everyone wearing masks. Hearing disabled people are largely cut off from communication and it's something that the government has apparently never really thought about.

[sniksnak]

Louisiana is still suffering additional positive cases and deaths. As of today at noon:

Positive 29,340
Deaths 1,696
Deaths in my parish, Caddo 114
Tested 167,809

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay positive in your thoughts and spirit - I'm truly working hard on the latter. It's getting so tough, especially since I was in the hospital recovering from a heart attack before this became a crisis. Meaning I've been in isolation for 3 weeks longer than most Louisianans. I miss being with people.

Prayers and healing vibes to all, Suse

[asolitaryblue]

SRI LANKA as at 08/05/2020
11 new cases within the last 24 hours
835 total confirmed cases
586 active cases
135 under observation in hospital
249 recovered and discharged
9 deaths

After a very rapid increase in the number of new cases in the last couple of weeks and two new deaths, things seem to be slowing down. After more than 1.5 months under curfew, next Monday we will be loosening up a bit. The country is still under lockdown but some shops will be allowed to open and people will be able to go out to buy essentials and medicines one day of the week, based on the last digit of their ID. Also, all public and some private establishments will be opened and 1/3 employees will be asked to work. The fear of course is that letting people leave the house, even i limited, could result in a surge in new cases but the country just cannot sustain an extended lockdown. Our economy is dying. we just have to loosen up and be as cautious as possible. Seeing the second curve in countries which have loosened lockdown sends a chill down my spine but I believe the government can't do anything differently.

The numbers in the US are just staggering and I'm sending heartfelt prayers to all my friends there. Be safe everyone!

[Tooterkins]

This week's update on Virginia Covid-19 statistics:

Number of people tested: 143,220
Total cases: 22,342
Total hospitalizations: 3059
Total Deaths: 812

Charlottesville VA:
Total Cases: 66
Total hospitalizations: 13
Total deaths: 2

[sniksnak]

I wish I could say Louisiana is doing better, but the figures say otherwise. As of noon May 8:

Positive cases 30,855
Deaths 2,154
Tested 193,304
Deaths in my parish of Caddo 128

[siberian202angel]

Infected: 170,588 (722 in my state +4 to the previous day)
Deaths: 7,510 (19 in my state, no increase)

Experts somehow seem to think Germany is past the worst phase: Despite more than 1,000 new cases each day, most things are back to normal. There are restrictions and a high attention to hygiene protocols, but stores of all sizes are open and restaurants are allowed to open within the next few days.
The situation has gotten a bit complicated, as the chancellor has allotted the state prime ministers the freedom to do their own thing - which results in a bit of a chaotic patchwork rug, especially for those who live in border areas and have to know the current rules and regulations for both. They are watching the new cases of infections closely - if the number rises over 50 confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants, new lock-downs will be put in place, but only for that area.
As understandable and commendable most people have reacted in the first few weeks, this has apparently passed - acceptance of the measurements taken drops almost everywhere, people are antsy to return to how it was and to have their freedoms back. Some are even filing lawsuits.
I am one of the lucky ones in a secure job, but I do feel for those who have to make ends meet somehow. I can only pray that the situation won't get out of hand, again, gambling away any and all progress we've previously made with mass testing and close monitoring.