Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Wednesday, not looking good here

     We have had a 50% death rate on the virus in our county.  We have 20 positive cases and 10 deaths.  Now why we ask?  Well because there are many, many cases but no test kits here.  Also our hospitals are not the best in this rural area.  People who have died are all above 50, but no other info will be released.

     Hubs and I decided last night if we show any signs of illness we will travel out to a larger Hospital area for better care.  Our eldest wants us to come there (Twin Falls), or we could go to Hubs folks in Nampa. We could also go 100 miles up to Spokane but our daughter although her house is huge and we could quarantine there, is also pregnant.  We have not made any decisions yet and don't want to jump the gun, but I am getting a little more scared.

     In the past 24 hours I have had several requests for masks, so I will start making those.  I am really upset as I thought this thing would be over, or I hoped it would be on the downswing in about 2 weeks to a month.  Our paper said to expect a real upswing in cases in the next two days as results come back. I am naive.

     So I have been doing almost nothing for three weeks and now I have things to do besides work in the yard.  I will make as many masks as I have elastic for, then try and make a style without I guess.

     I also have to take a meal into the missionary boys today but I will bring then take out food.

     I have plenty of material for this project, just have not gotten into the fray until I knew they would be used.

     My daughter (eldest) had a womans group make reusable hygiene pads for a place in Africa, and they went to great time and expense to make hundreds of these only to be told they did not meet  standards.  Daughter (an attorney) was furious, she is not stupid and as she said beggars cannot be choosers, and these were being used for what?  So I became a little leery of starting to make anything especially when our health district nurse said point blank hospitals would not use them.  Her exact words were, "They are cute , but not functional."

     Now it seems that people outside the community of health care need them, so I will do what I can.

 I know some of the bloggers have made masks?  How many of you are doing this?  Do any of you need masks?

Have a great and productive day staying positive while you are in the negative.

Kim

23 comments:

  1. Now, you have a mission! I need masks. I want masks. but, I will have to use a needle and thread to sew. I knew from January this would not be over in a minute. I was slowly buying things, now for over three months. I think your making masks is a great idea, but you might not give them away or sell them. How about collecting elastic as a means of payment? Barter or trade works. Of course, some people will not have elastic.

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    1. I will put out the all call of the church ladies for elastic.

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  2. Our health authority here in Canada has said you should wear them when out in public like a store. It will not protect you but protect others. The one I made has 3 layers to have more protection. I will wear it around my Mom when I get near her to protect her. Only the N95 masks will protect you. I am ok with protecting others. If everyone wore them the risk would be vastly reduced.

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    1. I know and we are wearing masks and have been for several weeks, but now it is a community thing, so I feel like I need to make these.

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  3. I know lots of people making masks. They use them for their jobs and many nurses working in nursing homes are requesting them. Grocery workers and l=those in the public are using.
    Many use a paper mask behind it or a coffee filter - anything is better than nothing.
    This isn't going to be over for quite a while I don't believe. I sure don't want to rush it.

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    1. I feel the same way and I am happy to make masks if people really need them and will wear them.

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  4. Kim, the best way to protect you and hubs is stay at HOME PLEASE.
    Wash hands
    Gloves protect no one unless you wash your hands with them on.
    Our shops here in Northern Ireland have very long queue as it's one in and one out.
    Police are monitoring people in cars. Only essentials.... Like going to get food or prescriptions
    Iv not been out in over 3 weeks and only person over our door is the district nurse for hubs.
    Family and friends leave my shopping on the doorstep.

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    1. This is Sylvia from Northern Ireland

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    2. Sylvia, we are staying home as much as possible. We take long walks every day and will drive by ourselves to the mountains tomorrow. Hubs and I were supposed to be in Ireland this May, but the trip was cancelled we will come some other time and would love to meet you! We just stay home and I visit Lil sis in the evening, who is also staying home. Take care my friend.

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  5. When things open up, I think masks will be standard-in offices in stores etc. I doubt they will be required, but if they are even 10% effective at reducing spread, why not!

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    1. I agree, this thing will be around for a lot longer, than our economy will be shut down.

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  6. The principal of our elementary school yesterday told all employees that there is a 99% chance that masks will be required when the school opens back up (whenever that is). I haven't been anywhere except to take the kids on walks and to pick up their lunches at school all while maintaining the distance. We don't have any masks here and locally there is a huge waitlist for the 2 people that I know that are making them (they are telling people it will be a month or more before they can fulfill their orders). I guess I will do some online searching this weekend to see if I can find some to order; or I think I might be able to scrounge some up with hair ties and fabric as I can't sew for anything. These are indeed scary times we are living in. Hope you and your hubby stay healthy and safe. :)

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    1. from my son who is staff sgt... all military got this notice... no sewing required

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4&feature=emb_share&fbclid=IwAR2frJyW0k_7Rfi0fPZa3ls9pieYrK5cUzdXfNB_hlSkiq8XjTbR72_j1Wk

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    2. Rachel, If you need masks send me your address, to celtickim2at yahoo.come. I will mail some to you.

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    3. Chef Owings- thank you for the link. I will look at it this weekend. :)

      Kim- I sent you an email. :)

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  7. THe numbers you are seeing could already be a week old. Gov Dewine (OH) explained that due to lack of testing, and the amount of time it takes to get the numbers in (over a week) and the fact no one is giving numbers for those RECOVERED the numbers are not a true sense of what is happening NOW. SO take a breathe and calm down. YES the sky is falling (DR Amy our head medical for OH says she is chicken little) but it isn't going to crush you if you follow guidelines... DOes your governor have a daily update for you to be watching???

    DO NOT move in with someone else especially older people. If you get sick quarantine at HOME if mild, if you struggle to breath normal CALL the LOCAL hospital, do not just go. The big hospitals do NOT have any more supplies than the local small ones, more likely for you to get it from the larger one as they have MORE SICK PEOPLE. AND their staff is going to be shorthanded also

    IF you look at history as they have repeatedly said Spanish pandemic you will see 2 yrs ... All pandemics last at least 1 yrs... THere won't be a vaccine for 18 mos.

    You really should not be deliverying ANYTHING to anyone, I am surprised your governor hasn't put a halt on that. You should be wearing a mask anytime you are out.

    Masks are going to be required when ever out. Ohio has already said that was coming so prepare. Homemade masks are good for the general public, it's to protect others not yourself. IF everyone was wearing them , then things would slow down more... because you wouldn't be spreading it.We have several making them. Amish are making them for their own people. I am making some for the soldiers under my son when they are on the civilian side so they can keep the N95s for military side.

    even when we start back up, its going to be 6 ft distance, no large gatherings and masks. You will want to make some for your family... Ties are good also so it doesn't put strain on ears. I am making both. I replied to Rachel the style that has no sewing that my Army son was sent.

    My grandpa went through WW2, Daddy and Mother the Great Depression... We can go through this also.

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    1. We do wear masks if we have to be near anyone. I will be putting masks on my fence and people can pick them up. So no contact. That is my motto.

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  8. About the masks, medical facilities must use regular PPEs if they can get them so your local hospital must have them available. I'm sure it isn't your masks they don't want, they just don't want to be sued for using unapproved PPEs! Also, the death rate isn't actually 50% There could be thousands of people in your area who have the virus, if 10 of those thousands die, the actual death rate could be 1 or 2 percent which is about the death rate of the regular flu. Hang in there, this is stressful for everyone. Hopefully we will get past it soon!

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    1. We finally got better info today thank goodness.

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  9. I made one mask for my mother and that was it. We can't make the N95 masks they need, so I don't see the point in making them. I don't think they will use them.

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    1. I felt the same way, but is I make masks for the elderly that want them and it makes them feel better I will do it. But I agree I will not become a factory for something that people find useless.

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