Hunker Down

[416Ford]

Doesn't sound like anything I want. Take it off my Christmas list.. Glad your feeling better Beck

[WZ JUNK]

The Center for Disease Control estimates that there were approximately 34,000 deaths from flu last year in a 12 month period.  We are presently on course to exceed 300,000 deaths in the 12 months that this virus has been active.  That means that there will be 9 to 10 times as many people die from this virus, in a 12 month span, than from our normal flu virus.  Those 30,000 or more will die this year on top of the ones the Covid virus kills.  I do not have the figures for the amount of people who catch the flu, but do not die, to compare with the number who catch the virus, and survive.  I will try to look into that today.

I spend a lot of time looking at the numbers and who is suppling the numbers.  I read information from the larger medical schools, the government, and hospitals.  I do not make medical decisions on information I get at a coffee shop, what some politician says,  or the book of faces.

After all this ends, (and it will end), there will be lots of data to look at, and many books will be written about what we should have done.

I do not want business to close or people to be out of work.  I would be happy if most people would just do the common sense recommendations that have proven to help limit the spread.

This may not be the appropriate place to discuss this topic.  Although it is something that is in our lives, and we are changed by it everyday.  It does not directly relate to building a hot rod.

I can not help it, I feel very strong about the way this disease has affected our lives.  I do want to respect the feelings and thoughts  of others also.   If I step on someones toes, I apologizes in advance, I am not the enemy.

My random thoughts for this morning.

[Beck]

WZ JUNK,  Not that I am a very regular poster any longer, and no decisions of this forum are mine, but it appears with 13 pages of comments here that other car people are following this thread with interest. I think your fine posting here with it.

A 70ish couple 3 houses away caught Covid19. She had COPD pretty badly and was on oxygen before contracting it. He survived it without much problem. She didn't survive. It is hitting close to home. My little subdivision seems to have a much higher than normal contraction rate. A lot of my neighbors have had it. The most common exposure in the subdivision is from immediate family. It is really hard not seeing your children, grandchildren, and parents. My 93 yr old mother lives just up the street. I still check on her nearly daily. Lucky I didn't expose her when I had it. As I said earlier, I caught it from my son-in-law. He started showing symptoms the night I was exposed. I immediately went on a 14 day quarantine, but started showing symptoms on about day 6.

[Beck]

If I am to believe it the Drs. say I'm one of the safest (regarding Covid19) people around. I've had it and am over it so I am not contagious. I have the antibodies in my blood stopping me from catching it again. I have been forewarned that I will be getting numerous calls from the Red Cross wanting me to give blood. They want the good stuff to treat current patients.

[Charlie Chops 1940]

Sharon and I went out this morning for the next 2 weeks of supplies, so we are good to go there. She doesn't go out much otherwise. We wear masks in everywhere we go and don't mingle with people otherwise. No family gatherings on the horizon. Doing what makes sense to us to do. In good health otherwise.

[idrivejunk]

My employer is having our Christmas party at his home in a couple hours. I'll show up then follow instinct. The idea is to get whole employee families fed free, gifts for kids, and to give thanks, and be appreciated and an opportunity to get to know one another off clock. The bonus I got tells me the shop had an outstanding year.

But kids have never been part of my life and a chunk of my earnings have always supported those of others. Do I wish to go amongst them now? No. Can I eat through a mask? No. Boss likes to host and for that I'll take a little risk. But ugh. I'd just as soon skip it but its expected that I attend. If they are bold enough to host us at their home I am bold enough to go. Warily.

In previous years, the tradition was annual shindig at boss home in prime weather and a Christmastime meet-n-eat also for families at a good restaurant / bar. So I feel a need to show. We missed one get together already. But now its cold so this will be all indoors.

Kind of hoping to see divided areas for those masked and those distancing only, like at my folks' church. That sounds reasonable-ish? I digress, I am a bit anxious and would rather just feed myself today. But if everybody just laid down and said wake me when its over, things would be worse than they are I suppose. :?

Called to update my healthcare marketplace application yesterday... gov't pays part of my premium that way, a chunk larger than my mortgage. Used the insurance once, while it was mandatory under Obama. But this year I find that the application was auto updated somehow in October and no action is required. Monthly bill two bucks less next year.

Thats all I can think of to share thats semi relevant. Wish me luck dodging what I can't see... for the team. So we can play everything is OK.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

There is a company Christmas party this friday 12-11..  I have not decided if I will attend or not.  Most of the shop guys seem to act like the virus only happens to other people.  

[jaybee]

No Christmas party for my employer, and we'll be getting a coupon in the mail instead of a Christmas ham.

We also have a slug of new restrictions on activity as hospitals are nearly full here. No travel from Midnight to 5am except to, from, or for work. Mandatory masking outside as well as the existing inside mandate whenever people are closer than 6' from one another. Maximum size of gatherings reduced from 25 to 10. Existing bar closures, 50% occupancy in restaurants, 10pm restaurant closing times, and 25 spectator limits at sporting events are maintained.

[idrivejunk]

Our Governer is in town today, and delivering a prime time address to us. I live smack in the red hot middle of virus number central (poultry workers) and work / visit in an area where basically every woman I know has said to me "I'm not scared." and wanted their maskless hug anyhow. :?

Being single, I can tell stuff like that. Spooky observations.    :?:  

We had a customer pick up his repaired cool orange drag wagon t'other day. Man that thing sounds like a popcorn machine or bubble mower.... wild! But the thing got him. . Got word yesterday.  Dadgummit. RIP. I did not know or meet him but thats close enough.  

My brother hauls hospital linens to the next state. 500 lb carts of dirty horse pistol laundry up a ramp. Goes into 5 or so places 6 nights a week. We worry about him. That worry thing sure is rearing it's ugly head, and the population is polarizing but meanwhile, business as usual as possible.

[Charlie Chops 1940]

And in spite of almost draconian restrictions people are testing positive left and right. Are the positive and sick highly populated by those who insist their rights are being violated? I wonder?

[jaybee]

And in spite of almost draconian restrictions people are testing positive left and right. Are the positive and sick highly populated by those who insist their rights are being violated? I wonder?

I wonder about that myself. I'm very sad to hear healthcare workers say they have to convince some patients this thing is real even as they're dying. In AL a state legislator's last words were "we messed up."

I don't say that to get political. There are plenty examples from both parties of political leaders saying one thing and doing the opposite. It's hurting us bad, and we need to get smarter.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

I did not attend the company party or even attend work on friday.  Fridays are my usual day off work since I returned in July 2020

There a couple reasons I did not attend , including the virus concern.

The AZ governor did not have a press conference this week on the virus.  No changes in protocol on the virus.  The guy is taking some heat from all sides for tighter virus rules such as state wide mask mandate. There are TV Commercials PSA type stuff the governor telling people to: " mask up"

Months ago the AZ governor gave cities and all local governments the go ahead to put mask and other requirements in place as they deemed needed.

Hopefully the vaccine will help many people..  Thankfully it is not a suppository.

[kb426]

From what I have read, the antibodies left after an infection remain active for around 90 days. The Pfizer vaccine provides immunity for around 90 days. How can we possibly create enough immunity to make a widespread difference? My machine shop friend and I were discussing this the other day and he made the statement that this may go on until all the weak have passed away and the strong have survived. I sure hope that's not the case. I have read nothing about the other vaccines length of immunity, yet.

[WZ JUNK]

This morning, on the national news, they mentioned that the vaccine might be potent for a period of years.  You would not need to get a shot each year like the flu.  I have heard various projections on if you have immunity after you have been infected and if so for how long you have that immunity.  There seems to be a very low number of people who get reinfected, but I have no data to support that.

This whole situation is very fluid.  Everything about it is new and unique.  The data changes or is reinterpreted almost daily.  It is a lot like diagnosing an automotive problem on a new vehicle that there is no service information.

[idrivejunk]

My machine shop friend and I were discussing this the other day and he made the statement that this may go on until all the weak have passed away and the strong have survived. I sure hope that's not the case.

Good point. Nature goes about it's business with no regard for humanity and does not acknowledge pain of any kind. In my understanding, it is mighty presumptuous of us to think we can stand in it's way if culling is what it is doing.