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Coronavirus discussion thread - NO POLITICS, or "POLITICS by PROXY"

#9,382
SoonerBill said:
I got a very interesting call this afternoon. I got tested a couple weeks ago for COVID antibodies. I was expecting a letter but got a call saying not only am I positive but the level is high enough that the Oklahoma Health Dept is asking me to donate plasma for research/treatment. Wow. I have an appointment to donate Monday. I’m thinking I had it the end of March. I knew I felt like crap for a week or so and have had “tightness” in my chest and wheezing spells off and on since but didn’t really think it could be COVID. Especially since I’m 61 and not in the best shape of my life by far. The screener seemed amazed that I could have such levels of antibodies and not have been very ill.
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Did they tell you they found coronavirus antibodies or did they specify that they were covid-19 antibodies ?

A week or so ago I was at my doctors office and he told me he could test me for antibodies but if I tested positive, that it would only prove I had a Coronavirus. Not specifically covid-19.

I'm not sure if the test his office was using is one that can't identify specific coronavirus types of if none of them can. I didn't ask him that.
 
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#9,383
Still, we're not required to don a mask. Had another outing today, on foot. My friendly pharmacist tells me they're in surplus here. An open box sits beckoning on the counter, chock full, prompting a little probe from me. Beautiful baby blue masks in abundance — the old gears start grinding away, smoke and steam begins to press against the relief valve somewhere in my addled head. I hit the kill switch and carry on.

Lovely people. We had a bit of a chuckle as I loaded up with various meds and potions and cacao nibs which they were noticeably down on; sesame seeds, nuts and such. I have a cunning plan, driven by a beard that's forcing my masking hand. Standard masks won't serve and I happen to like this old dog that's locked itself onto my chin. Thing is, I haven't been asked to implement this plan. I'm good and ready — it works like a charm — but I'm hoping like mad that there'll be no need for it. Not willing to bet on that yet, either way. Getting real's a bridge to far but I'm cool. Docility's not alien to me. I stand guard, await my orders.

Taming the anxiety is doable / done, most of the time, to the point where functioning begins. Working still to stay abreast of the story-at-hand — with its shifting, desert-like, sometimes blinding, sands — with very clean, cloistered hands, and only doing what's possible, or sensible. Holding my beliefs tentatively, keeping some energy in reserve. Steady as she goes. That's my remedy.

There are many pitfalls, none of them beyond mastery, as long as one can stave off the dreaded lurgy and its more unseemly effects, banish the bastard. If it hits, we'll cross that bridge. Measures taken in readiness. All is not lost. Fighting on. But being kind.
 
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#9,384
J_Bass said:
I have a persistent dry cough for years now.



Today, 77 cases related directly to this party.

Em direto/ Festa ilegal em Lagos. Há 77 casos confirmados de Covid-19
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That is definitely not very pleasant reading material. It has been years since I tried to read any Portuguese. Believe me, I'm not very good at it, either. However, many years ago I had some Brazilian friends that I was around a lot. I always preferred spoken European Portuguese to Brazilian Portuguese. I can't explain why. Both forms sound good. Not that it matters. I can't speak the language anyway whether it's from Portugal or Brazil. Reading simple sentences is about as far as I got.
 
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#9,385
J_Bass said:
Last weekend, a giant birthday party with around 200 people went through on Lagos, Algarve, the most popular tourist region of Portugal.

. . .

That region depends on tourism. It's the south of Portugal, the weather is warmer, the beaches are great and the water is warm, because it's the Mediterranean.
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I hate to go off topic on this most excellent thread. I've read every message from #1 and check in nearly every day to keep up. I thank both the stalwart commenters and the good mods for providing an island of sanity in our crazy world.

But here goes.

I looked on a map. No part of Portugal is on the Mediterranean assuming the Mediterranean starts at the strait of Gibraltar. I've heard great things about Portugal. I'd like to visit someday. Do you just say Mediterranean because the water and weather is warm? Growing up in Northern California, the idea of warm ocean water causes a cognitive disconnect especially when I note that Lisbon is at the same latitude as San Francisco.

Thanks!
 
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#9,386
knight of ni said:
Nobody is out of the woods even those who seemingly only had a copse to walk through : Germany reports largest COVID-19 outbreak since early May
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This is now a case for the German justice system. Here, Eastern European workers were employed via sub-sub-subcontractors at starvation wages and were crammed into pitiful accommodation like cattle. Unlimited greed without any responsibility ! In my opinion the responsible people should all be put in jail.
 
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#9,388
Colonel Barnes said:
I hate to go off topic on this most excellent thread. I've read every message from #1 and check in nearly every day to keep up. I thank both the stalwart commenters and the good mods for providing an island of sanity in our crazy world.

But here goes.

I looked on a map. No part of Portugal is on the Mediterranean assuming the Mediterranean starts at the strait of Gibraltar. I've heard great things about Portugal. I'd like to visit someday. Do you just say Mediterranean because the water and weather is warm? Growing up in Northern California, the idea of warm ocean water causes a cognitive disconnect especially when I note that Lisbon is at the same latitude as San Francisco.

Thanks!
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Yes, you are right, it's the Atlantic Ocean, I said mediterrean because it's the south coast of the country, but of course you're right, the Mediterranean Sea only starts after Gibraltar.


Ahah, yes, depends on the concept of warm! For us it's warm, comparing to our west coast, specially on the north, where I live, where you take a bath in the ocean and your bones hurt and your head might explode. But that doesn't stop us.

But comparing with the waters in the Caribbean sea, or Cape Verde, ours has ice cubes.
 
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#9,389
J_Bass said:
Ahah, yes, depends on the concept of warm! For us it's warm, comparing to our west coast, specially on the north, where I live, where you take a bath in the ocean and your bones hurt and your head might explode. But that doesn't stop us.
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When I was at the Algarve several times it was at least warm enough for me. But I like the atlantic climate in Lisboa and Porto much more. Definitely very nice places to visit and live. When in Porto don't miss a port winery tour.
 
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#9,390
TheBass said:
When I was at the Algarve several times it was at least warm enough for me. But I like the atlantic climate in Lisboa and Porto much more. Definitely very nice places to visit and live. When in Porto don't miss a port winery tour.
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Was in Portugal for five weeks last summer - it was wonderful. Certainly glad we didn’t put it off another year.
 
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#9,391
The UK has now moved into COVID alert level three which allows the easing of restrictions. Except that happened at level four which expressly indicates that no such easing of restrictions may occur.

I look forward to the brewery based celebrations for this event.

It's good news, but given the ordering it doesn't seem to have been the most organised process. Ditto PPE, testing, tracking, at least in England and Wales.
 
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#9,393
-Asdfgh- said:
The UK has now moved into COVID alert level three which allows the easing of restrictions. Except that happened at level four which expressly indicates that no such easing of restrictions may occur.

I look forward to the brewery based celebrations for this event.

It's good news, but given the ordering it doesn't seem to have been the most organised process. Ditto PPE, testing, tracking, at least in England and Wales.
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The ineptitude is astounding, and horrifying...
 
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#9,394
Gaolee said:
A couple more baseball training camps closed due to infections or related concerns. Other pro athletes from other sports have tested positive. My take is that the 2020 seasons for everything should just shut down now and get it over with.
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I just read where 23 Clemson football players tested positive. It's pretty much inevitable that contact sports are gonna keep having outbreaks.
 
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#9,396
gln1955 said:
I just read where 23 Clemson football players tested positive. It's pretty much inevitable that contact sports are gonna keep having outbreaks.
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Soccer is to restart here. I don't see how that works with social distancing as the players won't be wearing masks.

If anyone remembers "It's a Knockout" that's probably the closest we should be getting to contact sports.

(Games without Frontiers in Europe, referenced satirically by Peter Gabriel)
 
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#9,398
Gaolee said:
A couple more baseball training camps closed due to infections or related concerns. Other pro athletes from other sports have tested positive. My take is that the 2020 seasons for everything should just shut down now and get it over with.
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Maybe get them all playing some sort of video soccer game on Twitch /TV? And possibly against teams if gamers too. Perhaps some of the armchair soccer managers could manage the teams given they wouldn't really be moving clubs.
 

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