Are you worried about the Coronavirus?

[Arcadian]

I just got back from Trader Joe's, and the checker seemed rather hostile. She didn't say hi or smile once, and when I offered to bag my own things, she told me to have it, went straight for the hand sanitizer, and walked away. I hope it had nothing to do with my being Chinese.

Whoa! Trader Joes is not known for their rudeness. Maybe a bad day or whatever but thats just....cray.

 

[Arcadian]

I fly jetblue a lot going to DC, so this is quite welcome to see. My trips are always refundable anyway but of course they've been cancelled.

As the coronavirus situation evolves, the safety of our crewmembers and customers is paramount. We're working hard to do everything we can to be prepared and address your concerns.

We are:

Increasing the rigor of cleaning and sanitizing procedures on our aircraft.
Disinfecting common surfaces inside our airport terminals more frequently.
Making hand sanitizer available in our airports and disinfecting wipes available on board, upon request.
Temporarily suspending onboard hot towel service.

We have partnered with federal agencies and hired our own medical expert to ensure we implement best practices from U.S. and other global health authorities. This includes promoting handwashing and healthy hygiene practices among our community of crewmembers and customers.

We also want to ensure you can book new travel with confidence. As such, we're extending our temporary policy of no change or cancellation fees. This applies to bookings made 3/6-3/31 for travel through 9/8/20 across all fares (Blue, Blue Basic, Blue Plus, Blue Extra and Mint) and all JetBlue destinations. If you need to cancel your travel plans, we'll credit the full amount as a JetBlue travel credit that's valid for one year. Fare differences may apply for changes. Please visit our blog for more info.

Have questions about coronavirus? Visit the Centers for Disease Control website.

Thanks, as always, for your continued loyalty. We look forward to seeing you on board again soon.

Best regards,


Don Uselmann
Vice President, Loyalty

 

[voce]

@JPie I think I got the same treatment at Sprout's last night. Could've just been a bad night for the cashier, but I remember last time I was at his checkout months ago, before the virus scare, he was so chatty and cordial, and this time I said "have a good night" to him with no response other than a guarded look before he turned his back to chat with another employee!

I mean, it's either a bad day, some kind of discrimination based on how I look, or he's judging me by the 4 packages of grass-fed beef I bought. I'm sorry that I'm a meat eater, not vegan? When grass-fed beef is only $3.49/lb, can you blame me for stocking up?

 

[MamaBee]

Gotcha. Well then I’m glad he was able to share sound guidance. Sending good thoughts to you and hours in Cali. I think things are starting to feel scary for many people as more and more confirmed cases pop up across states.

We are seeing people coming to our ER from across state lines and part of me wonders if it’s because there are known cases in those states and none in ours.

It would make sense to not want to go to an emergency room in a state that has Coronavirus reports...

 

[JPie]

@Mamabean @Arcadian I'll never know if she was just having a bad day or not.

@voce about the beef! And what was his problem?!

 

[Arcadian]

@JPie I think I got the same treatment at Sprout's last night. Could've just been a bad night for the cashier, but I remember last time I was at his checkout months ago, before the virus scare, he was so chatty and cordial, and this time I said "have a good night" to him with no response other than a guarded look before he turned his back to chat with another employee!

I mean, it's either a bad day, some kind of discrimination based on how I look, or he's judging me by the 4 packages of grass-fed beef I bought. I'm sorry that I'm a meat eater, not vegan? When grass-fed beef is only $3.49/lb, can you blame me for stocking up?

3.49? OMG thats like awesome! Last time I bought ground beef (January?) it was 8.99/lb and that was at the farm stand. (my local farm stand sometimes has meat that they slaughter. not cheap but sure is good!

The reality is, unless we start eating rocks or sand or some craziness, we're all killers... they just happen to like the vegetables more .

 

[YadaYadaYada]

There is plenty everywhere in southwestern Connecticut. I have not bought any at all since the Coronavirus hit, and I have been stocking up on other things. A Stop and Shop in Norwalk even put cans of Lysol in a small display in the front of the store so that people could see them. The area which sold disinfectant wipes was rather depleted, but there were still some there. (Not wipes for one's hands, but wipes for surfaces.)

One can't find hand sanitizer or anti-baterial soap .Bottled water is available.

Thanks for letting me know, I'm guessing that it will be much the same in central Connecticut, I don't normally buy hand sanitizer or Lysol wipes so no big loss there. Maybe the hysteria is yet to hit our state.

 

[TooPatient]

Ventured out to renew my driver's license (that expires today) and decided to stop and pick up a birthday cake for myself. The TP that was $6.99 last week (on sale for $4.99) is now going for $12.99. Glad I don't need more for awhile!

 

[voce]

3.49? OMG thats like awesome! Last time I bought ground beef (January?) it was 8.99/lb and that was at the farm stand. (my local farm stand sometimes has meat that they slaughter. not cheap but sure is good!

The reality is, unless we start eating rocks or sand or some craziness, we're all killers... they just happen to like the vegetables more .

Oh yeah, it was an awesome deal! The regular price is 6.99, so it was effectively 50% off. I think Sprouts is only in California, but they don't use preservatives in meat, and everything is fresh and reasonably priced. It's a bit out of the way and I don't cook that much anymore, so I don't shop there every week. More like once a month.

 

[Arkteia]

Whoa! Trader Joes is not known for their rudeness. Maybe a bad day or whatever but thats just....cray.

There is stupid prejudicial stuff going on. Today I was watching a meeting with the relatives of the residents of Life Care Center in Kirkland, the epicenter of the outbreak. Some people commented along the lines of blaming China and everything Chinese. And building walls all around the country (!). One of my acquaintances who owns a tofu business said his business took a hit. It is odd because as a 2nd generation immigrant, he’s never been to China, and tofu is not an animal product, but human paranoia knows no boundaries. It is not China’s fault that bats and civets are natural reservoirs for coronaviruses.

And about “them eating whatever”, as I have read and heard, too, as soon as I heard, “civets”, I remembered that expensive Indonesian coffee that we purchase and that comes from civet refuse, and thought, we humans are all eating and drinking something exotic or unusual, and no sense blaming someone else, all the more so that we really don’t know how the animal-to-human transmission started.

But it concerns me, because we are a tolerant state, home to huge Asian population, and we can’t afford being nasty to anyone, especially since China, essentially, suffers from this infection, and we have to be compassionate,

 

[TooPatient]

There is stupid prejudicial stuff going on. Today I was watching a meeting with the relatives of the residents of Life Care Center in Kirkland, the epicenter of the outbreak. Some people commented along the lines of blaming China and everything Chinese. And building walls all around the country (!). One of my acquaintances who owns a tofu business said his business took a hit. It is odd because as a 2nd generation immigrant, he’s never been to China, and tofu is not an animal product, but human paranoia knows no boundaries. It is not China’s fault that bats and civets are natural reservoirs for coronaviruses.

And about “them eating whatever”, as I have read and heard, too, as soon as I heard, “civets”, I remembered that expensive Indonesian coffee that we purchase and that comes from civet refuse, and thought, we humans are all eating and drinking something exotic or unusual, and no sense blaming someone else, all the more so that we really don’t know how the animal-to-human transmission started.

But it concerns me, because we are a tolerant state, home to huge Asian population, and we can’t afford being nasty to anyone, especially since China, essentially, suffers from this infection, and we have to be compassionate,

That is horrible to hear! I did avoid one person a couple of weeks ago who was coughing. They happened to be Asian. I felt horrible that they may think I was avoiding because they were Asian and almost wish I had taken the time to assure them that I had avoided half a dozen sick people that day from all sorts of different backgrounds. I hope that is the case for most people (sick is to be avoided not particular people), but hearing this leaves me worried.

 

[whitewave]

@Gussie one of them is with Rice University

Rice University staffer who tested positive for coronavirus is one of two Harris County cases

The Rice employee, the other Harris County patient and the Fort Bend County patient all traveled to Egypt in February.

www.khou.com

 

[Arkteia]

That is horrible to hear! I did avoid one person a couple of weeks ago who was coughing. They happened to be Asian. I felt horrible that they may think I was avoiding because they were Asian and almost wish I had taken the time to assure them that I had avoided half a dozen sick people that day from all sorts of different backgrounds. I hope that is the case for most people (sick is to be avoided not particular people), but hearing this leaves me worried.

On a positive note, ethnic groups that have themselves historically suffered from discrimination, show support.

Humans are weird creatures. I am thinking, even from purely logical standpoint, China is taking the biggest hit now. It is hard to be there. But China is also getting the experience of dealing with this infection, so why not be friendly and supportive? We shall need their experience, and they are sharing protocols of treatment, through articles and in free press. Support goes a long way.

 

[Matata]

And about “them eating whatever”, as I have read and heard, too, as soon as I heard, “civets”, I remembered that expensive Indonesian coffee that we purchase and that comes from civet refuse, and thought, we humans are all eating and drinking something exotic or unusual, and no sense blaming someone else, all the more so that we really don’t know how the animal-to-human transmission started.

Not everyone eating and drinking something exotic or unusual has the potential to cause global pandemics. There are behaviors and practices that have the potential to cause pandemics and we've been aware of them for a long time. The challenge is trying to modify those behaviors and practices to lessen the threat and that is often difficult to do. It is also difficult for people to separate behaviors and practices from the people who engage in them especially when those behaviors and practices threaten others' health and livelihood. Not saying it's ok, just an aspect of human nature.

Why Do New Disease Outbreaks Always Seem to Start in China? | RealClearScience

The Asian Flu in 1956 killed between one and four million people worldwide. SARS in 2002 infected 8,098 and killed 774 in seventeen counties. H7N9 emerged ten years later to strike at least 1,223...

www.realclearscience.com

 

[Arkteia]

Mike Pence just arrived in WA state to meet with Inslee. Another side - lots of rude comments on live news. I am not in awe of Pence, but...he came. And in the US, we are the epicenter of infection.
I am shocked at how unenergetic Inslee is. Also, I do question the decision to leave schools open. It is true that young kids very seldom get coronaviruses, but there are teachers, paraeducators. They are adults. I am also surprised that Comic Con is still going to happen. Not smart.

This startup from a small city in Oregon wants to revolutionize the metal processing industry

Disruptive technology is embraced in sectors where customers are eager to tear up and replace old models for doing business. That's not so much the case

www.geekwire.com

 

[TooPatient]

Mike Pence just arrived in WA state to meet with Inslee. Another side - lots of rude comments on live news. I am not in awe of Pence, but...he came. And in the US, we are the epicenter of infection.
I am shocked at how unenergetic Inslee is. Also, I do question the decision to leave schools open. It is true that young kids very seldom get coronaviruses, but there are teachers, paraeducators. They are adults. I am also surprised that Comic Con is still going to happen. Not smart.

This startup from a small city in Oregon wants to revolutionize the metal processing industry

Disruptive technology is embraced in sectors where customers are eager to tear up and replace old models for doing business. That's not so much the case

www.geekwire.com

I agree about the schools! There are already two high school kids tested positive. They can also carry it he to family and through the community even if they don't get symptoms.

 

[Arcadian]

I still don't know why folks are buying all the hand soap. BECAUSE ANY SOAP WILL DO. Hell I use dawn and have so much of it its almost embarrassing.

 

[Gussie]

@Gussie one of them is with Rice University

Rice University staffer who tested positive for coronavirus is one of two Harris County cases

The Rice employee, the other Harris County patient and the Fort Bend County patient all traveled to Egypt in February.

www.khou.com

There are quite a few people from Rice quarantined now. A group traveled to Italy and South Korea. 2 people in Houston who traveled to Egypt also tested positive plus the guy in my county. It's here. We're leaving tomorrow for spring break.

 

[telephone89]

*ahem*

 

[TooPatient]

After a week of panicked buying, things are slowing some here. The stores are mostly stocked. Still no hand sanitizer. Smaller supply of TP, paper towels, soap, cleaners, and some canned stuff. My favorite cashier says that people are still in a panic, but it is easing up.

 

[Arcadian]

*ahem*

as soon as I feel better, I do plan on getting some wine ...just sayin. course the liquor store gets cleaned out during hurricane season....lol

 

[Arkteia]

Not everyone eating and drinking something exotic or unusual has the potential to cause global pandemics. There are behaviors and practices that have the potential to cause pandemics and we've been aware of them for a long time. The challenge is trying to modify those behaviors and practices to lessen the threat and that is often difficult to do. It is also difficult for people to separate behaviors and practices from the people who engage in them especially when those behaviors and practices threaten others' health and livelihood. Not saying it's ok, just an aspect of human nature.

Why Do New Disease Outbreaks Always Seem to Start in China? | RealClearScience

The Asian Flu in 1956 killed between one and four million people worldwide. SARS in 2002 infected 8,098 and killed 774 in seventeen counties. H7N9 emerged ten years later to strike at least 1,223...

www.realclearscience.com

I would disagree with the accents of this article.

Not new diseases. Usually, new strains of flu. And seldom, other viral infections.

It is complicated. I read about Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1920, killing millions worldwide. 1/4 of the population got it.

Among one of the theories was, that that strain, H1N1, originated in China. However, China itself had a very mild flu that year because they had better immunity (it as not a new strain to them).

I think every country has own zoonotic infections, we have Lyme disease, for example; it is just that some animals in China harbor viral strains.

As to huge population density. India is also overpopulated, with not so great hygiene. But they don’t have viral infections. They have severest forms of TB. Different conditions.

Chinese peasants go to own herbal doctors for a reason far different than what we see here. Here, I see some affluent college graduates favoring naturopathic doctors and struggling with the concept of vaccinations.

In China, it might be lack of funds that drives to “traditional” doctors, especially in rural areas.

People always lived in proximity to animals, and would share illnesses with them. In Russia, it used to be humans and cows. In China, poultry.

Possibly, “mad cow disease” originated in GB, when in the 80es processed bones of other animals, sheeps infested with scrapie, were added to the cow food. Scrapie affects sheeps and goats and has been endemic to the British isles.

 

[Maja]

OT, but I am so envious about that sale price for ground beef @voce !!! I started eating mostly beef and lamb since starting the carnivore diet a while back and sometimes the prices shock me or make me fume! Fortunately, DH shops as if he is made of $$$$ or we might go hungry, LOL. I don’t have a Sprouts near me, but there is a Roots two miles away!

 

[Matata]

I think every country has own zoonotic infections, we have Lyme disease, for example; it is just that some animals in China harbor viral strains.

This an apples and oranges comparison and an oversimplification of the origins of viral disease from China, although I understand the point you're trying to make. Lyme disease isn't transmitted person-to-person. There are a whole lot of animals throughout the world carrying zoonoses capable of causing epidemics or pandemics, not just China.

As to huge population density. India is also overpopulated, with not so great hygiene. But they don’t have viral infections. They have severest forms of TB. Different conditions.

They do get viral infections, SARS from China and swine flu which the article below says originated in Mexico in 2009. I thought this was an interesting historic perspective. Note the number of illnesses that are mosquito and rodent borne. Those little beasties have been a scourge to humankind for eons. Aggressive measures to ease the disease potential from mosquitos and rodents are better developed simply due to experience with them than outbreaks that come from other wild populations of animals.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336061202_Epidemics_and_Pandemics_in_India_throughout_History_A_Review_Article

 

[Babyblue033]

@JPie @voce This week I find myself being self conscious when I'm out, steering clear of other people and feeling paranoid. The other day I went to Target to pick up some extra supplies and when I got to the cashier I noticed she put on latex gloves before she started ringing me up. Last week I wouldn't have given a second thought, in fact I probably wouldn't have even noticed, but I couldn't help but wonder if she did that on my account because I'm an Asian?

My 4 year old had a week long cold 2 weeks ago and still has occasional coughs, and I worry if people would treat him badly if he coughs in school. I hate myself for thinking the worst of people but then I read something like this...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/03/05/coronavirus-subway-discrimination-video/amp/

 

[voce]

Aww @Babyblue033 I hope your kid doesn't get treated meanly at school. I myself got bullied a lot in middle school as a first-gen immigrant, and if I had a kid I'd hate discrimination applied to my kid way worse than discrimination against me. A young child doesn't know how to process that stuff and can be emotionally vulnerable to the bullying.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

If any of you see a jovial woman behind a shopping cart full of chocolate, that's me, that's my idea of emergency stockpile!

 

[Matata]

If any of you see a jovial woman behind a shopping cart full of chocolate, that's me, that's my idea of emergency stockpile!

I'll have a few carts roped together -- a cart caravan -- one for chocolate, one for wine, and one for toilet paper which I'll need a lot of from subsisting on chocolate and wine

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@Matata, you are a hoot!

 

[Matata]

@Matata, you are a hoot!

Aaand all you have to do to get out of the store fast is sneeze on your way to the checkout line, viola (I can't figure out how to make the special character over the "a"), smooth sailing.