Prudence or Panic?

[ARtraveler]

From post #5:

The moderators are just trying to make sure that no "bad" information gets posted concerning the virus. We have already had some complaints that we are allowing people to post information that may or may not be correct.

One has suggested that we kill all virus threads because of the possibility of mis-information.

We do not wish to do that...

We are treading a fine line here...so please bear with us.

And we would say, it is working across the board and on similar threads.

[Rogue Hawk]

To borrow a line from The Thirteenth Warrior, "Panic profits a man nothing."

Toilet paper panic profits the chili eater. - Me

[BajaRon]

Being retired from Cal-Fire (the agency in California largely responsible for preventing and suppressing wildland fires. Though we also have a great number of 'City' fire departments as well). I get a weekly 'Retired Members' update. Mostly obituaries of retirees who have passed. But it also contains other items of interest to life long firefighters and first responders in general. Here is an analogy that came in the latest edition which I feel worth repeating.

Analogy from a retired wildland firefighter regarding the Coronavirus

As a retired battalion chief from California who fought wildland fires for 34 years, I have some experience in rapidly escalating emergencies, and I would like to share an analogy with everyone that may help put things in perspective for those who are resisting or ignoring social distancing recommendations.

I think it would help to look at the Corona Virus as an invisible wildfire. Each and every one of us represent the fuel that this wildfire could potentially consume. This wildfire will not discriminate based on age, race, religion, social-economic status, sexuality, your sexual identity or political affiliation.

When an incident commander arrives on a fast moving wildfire and realizes it’s advancing faster than the initial response can handle, they order an incident management team. These are highly trained people, expert in specific areas of addressing an overwhelming emergency, { that would be the CDC in this analogy } . The first thing the team does is transition from initial attack mode, to planning on a much larger scale. The team will start looking at where the fire will be tomorrow, where will it be 2 days from now, 2 weeks from now, { or in this case, months from now }. By looking days or weeks ahead, they attempt to get ahead of the fire, not forced to simply react to what it is doing now. This, many times, means implementing a plan that removes fuel from the path of the fire. A fire, starved for fuel, is much easier to contain. Remember, WE, you and I, are the fuel in this wildfire analogy.

Social distancing is an effective way of removing the fuel from this advancing fire {virus}. Most people would not put themselves in front of an advancing wildfire. Nor, hopfully, would they ignore the advice of a trained professional trying to help them. Yet, some people still seem resistant to the idea of social distancing recommendations from the CDC. Reasons vary, and can include financial concerns, simply not liking to be told what to do, and some my not have accepted the potential severity of the fire {virus}. But if you and I do not work together and realize that we are the fuel in the path of this wildfire. We may well be adding to the problem rather than being a part of the solution.

I can tell you that as good as our emergency response teams are. They cannot do the job alone. They are not simply generating edicts from their high tower. They are on the ground with men and women, putting their lives on the line to make a difference. It takes, sometimes, thousands of firefighters, cooperating government and civilian organizations, and a public citizenry that is willing to work within the plan, to subdue some very difficult and sometimes deadly wildland fires. It is my hope that we all start listening to the CDC guidelines. The CDC is not perfect. And there are many unknowns, just as in a wildland fire. But together, we can beat this.

The numbers of Corona virus cases are growing daily, as well as the deaths from this 'wildfire'. We can't save those already lost. But we can go a long way towards protecting those who are not yet affected. We all need to step up and do the right thing. I know that we can.

[bikerbillone]

Wow, good one Ron, thanks much.

[TicketBait]

Please stop comparing this Coronavirus Pandemic to the seasonal flu, or Swine flu. There is a vaccine for one of the many strains of flu. None yet for Corvid 19. Let's keep discussing what the experts say. This expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, M.D., NIAID Director says this is 10 times more deadly. TEN Times!

Also this Virus is asymptomatic. Note the NBA players who tested positive but felt well enough to play. The Flu is 50%

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Being retired from Cal-Fire (the agency in California largely responsible for preventing and suppressing wildland fires. Though we also have a great number of 'City' fire departments as well). I get a weekly 'Retired Members' update. Mostly obituaries of retirees who have passed. But it also contains other items of interest to life long firefighters and first responders in general. Here is an analogy that came in the latest edition which I feel worth repeating.

Analogy from a retired wildland firefighter regarding the Coronavirus

You have shared a very good response to your own question in the first post. Thank you.

[Navydad]

I got this note from my son in law, Ryan, this morning. He is a nurse practitioner working in a small hospital where they are gearing up for the virus. Pretty much goes along with what we have been hearing from the experts. Just thought I would post it.

From Ryan on the front lines.


Some FYI for today. Our ER doc spoke with a doc that is over a COVID hospital in the US that has now handled hundreds of COVID patients. He says they have learned tons from studying the virus there. The primary mode of transmission in almost all cases is touching around your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching a contaminated surface. He says if we literally practice religious hand hygiene and never touch our face without thoroughly washing our hands right before, we won't get it. They've found that you can be in the same room breathing the same air as a COVID patient for up to 30 minutes before you get enough droplet load to contract the disease. An exception would be them coughing or sneezing directly at you of course. Our ER doc does not think we will get a tidal wave of cases in this region as predicted. Hope he's right, but we are prepping for the tidal wave nonetheless.

[BajaRon]

Preparing for a tidal wave that never comes is better than the other way around. Thanks for the update.

[canamjhb]

A lot of good information here and available elsewhere. We are surely in a changing world and I hope this is not a forever thing. Meanwhile, while I am social-distancing, I have discovered several different TV options through my streaming stuff. I am currently in the middle of watching some of the episodes of "Laugh-In". Pretty irreverent stuff for 50 years ago. And a lot of dead people who did guest appearances. Bringing some humor into the current situation is a good diversion. Stay well..... Jim

[Lew L]

double post.

[Lew L]

Preparing for a tidal wave that never comes is better than the other way around.

The country and the state governments certainly forgot about the many viral epidemics in the near past. Heard that there were many thousands of " out dated " masks in a warehouse in the mid west????


https://khn.org/morning-breakout/the...heyre-expired/

[bikerbillone]

When this thing is done, warehouses all over the country will be full of these masks' and whatever else we can no longer use.

[Gwolf]

“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown”
― H.P. Lovecraft

[bmccaffrey]

“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown”
― H.P. Lovecraft

[RapidSpyder]

When this thing is done, warehouses all over the country will be full of these masks' and whatever else we can no longer use.

And people will be dumping the shed full of tp that they had been hoarding.

[bikerbillone]

Oh yes, you mean those folks that were gonna re-sell at the big profit? I got a big chuckle when some of those folks were trying to return baskets full of TP to Cosco and they wouldn't accept it. :>) There's a moral to that story.

[oldgoat]

Oh yes, you mean those folks that were gonna re-sell at the big profit? I got a big chuckle when some of those folks were trying to return baskets full of TP to Cosco and they wouldn't accept it. :>) There's a moral to that story.

Keep it. For sure that is one item that will eventually get used up.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Keep it. For sure that is one item that will eventually get used up.

As long as the roof of the shed where the excess TP is stored doesn't spring a leak!

[bikerbillone]

Good one, MtnSpyder, and of course, if the store does not take the TP back then the only course of action is for the hoarder is to hoard the TP. End of my story.

[ARtraveler]

Don't you all just love Karma?

There is a person in MO that tried to snarf up all the hand sanitizer he could get his hands on. He thought he was going to get $70 per bottle.

He was issued a cease and desist order and is now stuck with it.

[trikermutha]

I think he gave away a bunch to the Fire Fighters and the what was left got seized by the Government.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I think he gave away a bunch to the Fire Fighters and the what was left got seized by the Government.

If true then ......... Personally I think what was worse was how all the Mainstream media ( not Fox news ) was trashing the " My Pillow " guy, for His religious comments when He was at a recent White House public briefing ( for being thanked for His Donation of MASKS ).... I am aware of His life story as a recovering DRUG Addict, who proclaims religion saved His life ....... just my prospective on that ...... stay safe .... Mike

[ARtraveler]

I think he gave away a bunch to the Fire Fighters and the what was left got seized by the Government.

I missed that update. Thank you

[TicketBait]

Not gonna comment on mr pillow guy as it is a waste of time. not fit for off topic Spyderlovers either. Jmo

[trikermutha]

I missed that update. Thank you

I am pretty sure he was forced to give away or the feds were going to confiscate it all.