COVID Buddy-check thread

Blind Owl

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My father is on paid leave for 2 weeks i just found out as i forced it out of him the other day.... after that its up in the air as of now after 2 weeks he wont be getting paid anymore I told him i would back him up even though right now im not super rich i swear he better call me if hes in trouble and not wait till the last minute when hes out on the street...
I feel ya man. My parents are my worry as well. I just pray that companies, government, and people can come together to support one another through all this. We're already seeing things like hockey players helping people out in their hometowns and private companies making masks and other medical supplies for hospitals. Hell, there's even a brewery out here making sanitizer for the hospitals.
Yeah buddy. My partner's at Royal Columbian in New Westminster, BC. They're not the hardest hit at the moment. I believe the North Shore hospitals are the one's hardest hit. It's there where the first deaths were recorded, all at the same nursing home.
Royal Columbian. Very familiar with it. My brother was born there. I used to live just up North Rd at Lougheed Mall on the Burnaby side of the highway. Spent a LOT of time in NW. Also, lived in Lynn Valley and went to Sutherland Secondary in the 90's. My mom was a nurse at one of those care homes back then. Scary when it starts hitting that close to home.
Yeah not much I can do but support her. I wish I could do more, feel so powerless. I should have joined the Army Reserves or something. At least if they get deployed, they're contributing.
Man, the support we give them, the little things like lunches made, coffee ready in the morning, and listening to them vent at the end of the day: that shit means the world. You're doing it right brother. As for the reserves: I am full time military, and right now we are almost all at home, self isolating. We are prohibited from social gatherings, public transit (trains, planes, buses, cabs, etc), and must all remain with 250 km of our home bases. We're not doing much except preparing.
 

Talonsbane

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Thanks for the thoughtful thread brother @Blind Owl . So far the GF & I have been doing alright, but she's clearly getting cabin fever more than I am. When I have to go out for supplies, I usually leave for the stores several min to an hour before they open to enjoy the air while I patiently wait to see if I'm in luck. Which also has limited the amount of competition for supplies & thus less contact with others. Unfortunately, my younger sister that has 7 kids (6 are adopted pairs of biological siblings) chose to become an EMT down near the Houston area & I was told has been confirmed to be in need of some lime wedges to help with her case of Corona. So I've mostly been spending my spare time praying for those that I know are infected, those that are being the most effected & for this all to pass as quickly as possible while also binging on various shows & movies with the periodic post here.
 

maynard

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God bless our big-hearted Owl

as long as the Post Office and UPS keep delivering I will only need to encounter other humans once a week or so to pick up fresh food and prescription meds

my entire extended family has been great about getting together online for mutual support

I will miss Major League Baseball, and traveling to see my peeps this year, but we'll get through this
 

Starscribe

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Lovely idea for a thread.

Much of my close family is at risk, so we're self isolating in my home within striking distance of Brighton (UK) and have been for a while. It's a bit surreal.

My wife Hazel has MS. She's on industrial grade medication. Normal flu can put her in hospital, as it triggers a relapse and hits her 4x worse than other people. My mum is staying with us because she's battling stage 4 cancer, and is 88 years young, and receiving treatment. And big burly bearded rugby-playing type though I am, I'm diabetic so more at risk.

Fortunately, I'm a journalist so can work from home, and Hazel can do file reviews here too (she's a government lawyer). We've been told neither of us is expected back into work for 12 weeks (!) by our respective bosses.

Daughter and internet are giving us all that we need. And being cooped up with the Mrs has reminded me, not that I needed reminding, that I married the right woman.

My mum is used to living in the foothills of the Himalayas and is coping less well with her incarceration. The pic here shows why, this is the view she's used to. This is me taken outside her old house. That mountain range in the background stretches as far as the eye can see in both directions... now none of us go much past the front door! For the moment. When this all blows over a trip back to the foothills is calling!

India.jpg
 
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ThomSirveaux

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My SIL is an ICU nurse at a hospital treating COVID-19 patients and, while having dinner with them on Saturday, we found out that one of her coworkers has been exposed through their parent. So I went from a part-time WFH arrangement to a full-time WFH while I'm shut off from the outside world.

Good thing I bought beer and steaks on Friday.
 

Sraika

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I've been staying with my parents, helping them out. That'll probly continue for a while.
My college has made all classes online for the rest of the semester, which means i suddenly have a ton of free time.
I've been playing about double the amount of games i usually do lol
 

Drykhan

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as my work is considered Essential i'm at work. most of the stores are closed around my area. and the ones that are open are out of TP. (yes looking in to a butt washer) over 1/2 my office is now working from home. with more getting ready to work from home.
 

Sayora

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I work for a bank, but not on the front lines so I get to work from home pretty easily which I am grateful for. And my fiances older parents live with us, which makes it easier to keep them home and get everything they need! I feel pretty lucky overall especially here in New York where it's pretty bad. I have work, family, cooking, and SC to keep me busy!

Stay Safe everyone!
 

Blind Owl

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Unfortunately, my younger sister that has 7 kids (6 are adopted pairs of biological siblings) chose to become an EMT down near the Houston area & I was told has been confirmed to be in need of some lime wedges to help with her case of Corona.
Jesus Murphy. While I have every confidence she'll be ok, I do not begrudge you and your family the turmoil you must be in. Keep us posted my friend. Let us know if we can help.
as long as the Post Office and UPS keep delivering I will only need to encounter other humans once a week or so to pick up fresh food and prescription meds
Thank God for deliveries eh? Our local breweries are starting to deliver beer. Also, they're making hand sanitizer. Stay safe Maynard. Keep the K-pop coming.
Much of my close family is at risk, so we're self isolating in my home within striking distance of Brighton (UK) and have been for a while. It's a bit surreal.

My wife Hazel has MS. She's on industrial grade medication. Normal flu can put her in hospital, as it triggers a relapse and hits her 4x worse than other people. My mum is staying with us because she's battling stage 4 cancer, and is 88 years young, and receiving treatment. And big burly bearded rugby-playing type though I am, I'm diabetic so more at risk.
Glad to hear you're keeping them safe, mitigating the risks. Really glad. Keep that up.
Daughter and internet are giving us all that we need. And being cooped up with the Mrs has reminded me, not that I needed reminding, that I married the right woman.
Ha, you and me both my friend.
My mum is used to living in the foothills of the Himalayas and is coping less well with her incarceration. The pic here shows why, this is the view she's used to. This is me taken outside her old house. That mountain range in the background stretches as far as the eye can see in both directions... now none of us go much past the front door! For the moment. When this all blows over a trip back to the foothills is calling!
Jesus, poor woman. I imagine she's going nuts.
My SIL is an ICU nurse at a hospital treating COVID-19 patients and, while having dinner with them on Saturday, we found out that one of her coworkers has been exposed through their parent. So I went from a part-time WFH arrangement to a full-time WFH while I'm shut off from the outside world.

Good thing I bought beer and steaks on Friday.
Man, that shit is happening far more frequently then I'd like to hear. There's a hospital here in Ontario that has a potential 50 healthcare workers exposed. Stay as safe as you can.
I've been staying with my parents, helping them out. That'll probly continue for a while.
My college has made all classes online for the rest of the semester, which means i suddenly have a ton of free time.
I've been playing about double the amount of games i usually do lol
Kudos to you for that. Both for taking care of your 'rents and for the extra gametime.
as my work is considered Essential i'm at work. most of the stores are closed around my area. and the ones that are open are out of TP. (yes looking in to a butt washer) over 1/2 my office is now working from home. with more getting ready to work from home.
Dunno where you are, but I found asswipe online. Staples.ca. Sorry to hear they still have you at work. Do they at least have social distancing measures in place?
I work for a bank, but not on the front lines so I get to work from home pretty easily which I am grateful for. And my fiances older parents live with us, which makes it easier to keep them home and get everything they need! I feel pretty lucky overall especially here in New York where it's pretty bad. I have work, family, cooking, and SC to keep me busy!

Stay Safe everyone
Glad to hear it. Good on ya! I'm doing relatively the same, except add in a 4 year old to occupy, haha.
clean and clear, so far
Sweet! Lets pray you can keep it that way.
 

Vashpede

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My mom is over 60 and is a teacher so she has been home due to schools closing with my brother who is looking after her as he is a nurse at a local hospital. My dad is also with them but is still working as he is a graphics designer and his company has been hired to create signs, notes, and notices for COVID-19 citywide. I live in Grand Rapids so pretty big city that needs a lot of these types of things printed.

I am working from home currently, I work for a company that manufactures some big brand names for battery powered lawn equipment and power tools. I have to talk to clients on a daily basis so now doing it from my apartment instead of the office. Been here for a little over a week now and it was nice at first but it kind of sucks being stuck at home all the time. Michigan goes into a state wide government stay-at-home order in about 7 minutes so only essential businesses and travel are allowed. So I will be even more stuck at home, but the good thing is I can play star citizen while talking to clients =)
 

Blind Owl

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My mom is over 60 and is a teacher so she has been home due to schools closing with my brother who is looking after her as he is a nurse at a local hospital. My dad is also with them but is still working as he is a graphics designer and his company has been hired to create signs, notes, and notices for COVID-19 citywide. I live in Grand Rapids so pretty big city that needs a lot of these types of things printed.

I am working from home currently, I work for a company that manufactures some big brand names for battery powered lawn equipment and power tools. I have to talk to clients on a daily basis so now doing it from my apartment instead of the office. Been here for a little over a week now and it was nice at first but it kind of sucks being stuck at home all the time. Michigan goes into a state wide government stay-at-home order in about 7 minutes so only essential businesses and travel are allowed. So I will be even more stuck at home, but the good thing is I can play star citizen while talking to clients =)
Glad to hear you have the capability to work from home. It may suck, but it'll keep you safe!
 

Jolly_Green_Giant

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The ringing in my ears is louder than usual. Trying to come to terms with a nebulous catastrophe still seems out of reach at the moment. Anxiety comes and goes but is tempered by reminding myself there's only so much I can do. It's the "you fucking idiot you need to think of everything or else you'll be cought off guard" that gets to me. I've been watching this for months now. I want to look away but can't.

I spend so much time in my head thinking about the craziest things, and this is just too real. It makes me reflect on my place in society and where I fit in. Its throwing me on a rollercoaster of stay calm things will be fine and dude this is going to be incomprehensibly bad. I'm having a hard time finding middle ground.

I'm thinking about the plans I had for school, I plan on being a cardiovascular technologist, and eventually a cardiac perfusionist. I hope that life is still waiting for me.

A more situational thing, my 84 year old aunt won't stay home and it's so frustrating. She's so hard headed and I've been arguing with her, however I end up just letting go because its hopeless to try to keep her home. I worry she's going to get sick. My grandparents are old as well, grandfather being in his 90s. They're all the family I have left excluding my little sister. She was a server and she got laid off. Thankfully her boyfriend has a government job and can support her.

I've done most of what I can do for the time being. I'm worried about not being able to refill my meds at some point though. Without tapering off them us have seizures. Without them completely brings other complications.

I worry about you all.

Being an EMT taught me a lot. The military disciplined me. Its throwing the reality of this in my face right now so hopefully I can handle the worst as it comes. Right now I needed to vent, so thabks

We are getting some good memes out of this though.


If music can paint an emotional picture, this melody is it for me right now.

 

Carlos Spicyweiner

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TscIVN3.jpg


But seriously, 6 days to score 4 rolls of toilet paper! Walked into the store and 25% of the shoppers are wearing N95 masks, nobody is coughing or sneezing, but the hospital 3 blocks away is begging for them! Out of work until at least 15 April(but Star Citizen seems like work now, I need to convince my creditors to take aUEC)there are 212 tiles on the kitchen floor, and now that I can afford gas, I can't go anywhere. Stay safe and well!
 

ThomSirveaux

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View attachment 15301

But seriously, 6 days to score 4 rolls of toilet paper! Walked into the store and 25% of the shoppers are wearing N95 masks, nobody is coughing or sneezing, but the hospital 3 blocks away is begging for them! Out of work until at least 15 April(but Star Citizen seems like work now, I need to convince my creditors to take aUEC)there are 212 tiles on the kitchen floor, and now that I can afford gas, I can't go anywhere. Stay safe and well!
I prefer this pic

90626150_10221979530816350_5917494378653286400_o.jpg
 

Lorddarthvik

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I've been reading through this thread and it's been a moving experience. I see a lot of you are working or has family working in heathcare, huge props to you and them! I truly hope you all get through this okay! Stay strong, stay healthy, and stay safe!
Thanks @Blind Owl for putting up this thread!



I'm a chronically worrying type, it runs in the family, also I"ve been told I'm slightly paranoid (I call it sensible precautions), so I need to vent a bit. It makes me feel better to write stuff down for some reason.

I got two grandparents still alive and doing really really well for their age, 90 and 93 respectively (93 still drives better than most 'muricans I've seen on youtube lol! j/k ofc).
I'm really worried about them as they are stubborn, and even though the whole family tells them to sit their ass down and stay at home, just ask and we will do whatever needs to be done, they still find an excuse to go out. Yesterday my granddad spent almost 2 hours waiting in line at the pharmacy cos he wanted to buy some meds, just for the apothecary to tell him that they don't carry that medicine. He could have phoned ahead or asked any of us but nope, he just went... We live 5 mins away by car ffs... This makes me mad, but what the heck can one do?
The rest of the family is either working from home or retired so that's a relief at least. Apart from my mother who works for the public health department and they don't let her work from home, although she has a desk job... Probably because it's bad for public image if workers even remotely associated with healthcare are taken off the front lines, and also they don't have the money and infrastructure to set up a freaking remote desktop. It's kinda infuriating but I wasn't expecting any better from our government...

A kinda interesting observation I made during my last trip outside is that it's mostly the elderly who don't take this seriously. They are the ones that don't wear any protective gear, don't keep distance and so on. They just live their lives like nothing is happening, furious that some of the items are out of stock, and mad at ppl wearing masks and gloves. The teenagers and ppl in their 20s are masked up and try to keep their distance. It's the internet culture vs old workers. The younger generations are either more informed or just taken by the herd mentality, while the older ones (50s-60s) refuse to accept anything that younger ppl tell them they should be doing. When you ask these older ppl they just rant: "you know nothing you young selfish spoiled twat, in my day we had such and such, and had to live like so, it was much worse..".
Ofcourse they won't accept any reasoning. They don't realize how much easier it was for them to just exist under the communists if they kept their little mouths shut and did what they were asked to do, because all the thinking and actually doing something was done by their parents for them... It boils my blood to see that their ego is way more important than their lives, and they have the audacity to think they are somehow above us "trash young ppl" just because they don't do what's necessary. It's their little revenge on all of us terrible folks who listen to loud music and dare to have fun sometimes. Meanwhile they endanger their whole family, but they're too dumb to understand that.
Anyways, I digress...

The missus seems to take it well enough, she is not the panicky type. She is more of the unbeliever type, and that can be annoying sometimes, but it's all good now.
Back when the first reports were coming in from China via youtube, I was telling her it was gonna get real, even here. She wanted to hear non of it, thought I was just lost in my little youtube bubble again and exaggerating and talking about irrelevant stuff as she was busy finding out what we should cook the next day and such everyday life stuff.
It took quiet a while, I guess she started to take it all in once Italy was getting buried in cases and the local news was full of stuff about the virus.
When she went out shopping about a month ago, I told her to grab some canned food and such, stuff we don't usully buy. She looked at me like I've finally gone totally mad lol, but she is smart enough to not waste any time arguing with me about petty things and so she did buy the stuff. A week later she went to the shops and half of the shelfs were empty, the things I asked her to buy the week before were gone. We got lucky on that one, it just shows how much faster news these these days even compared to 10-20 years ago, although it means sifting through the fake/trash/opinions pieces for the actual info.

Kid's got a cold so we got rough nights. I handle the nightshift mostly, as those are partly my working hours and I'm up anyways.

I work from home, been doing for about 5+ years now as a freelance VFX/CGi/3d artist. (I do movies, ads, packaging... If you bought a Nespresso machine in the last 3-4 years, there's a good chance that I made the machines on the box art).
I'm very very lucky, the movie/tv industry shutting down hasn't affected me yet, as I'm still finishing up a (probably terrible) locally made horror movie. The silver lining is that now that it won't release in a few weeks, I got plenty of time to work on it. I got another job lined up, which is a public event in Karlsruhe-Germany, and they haven't bailed yet as the event is set for late August. (it's the yearly lightshow, check it out on youtube, I worked on it before, it's pretty neat)
We are used to staying at home, the missus has been for 1.5 years now cos of the little one, and I've been working from home for years. We are used to doing our shopping once a week at max. Not much has changed, apart from not seeing any family members for a while and trying to go out even less fro shopping.

So all in all, it's all pretty good yet.

I was about to organize a video-bar-hopping event to practice distance-socializing with my ex-collegues cos we were postponing a proper bar visit for months and now it's not possible to do one. And I just realized I'm almost out of whiskey. Cos I just drank most of it.
F-s in the chat...
(I got a booz delivery service on speed dial so it won't be an issue for long though)

Also one of my lower back teeth exploded without warning (family trait, they do that sometimes), so yay, toothache for weeks to come as most of the local gvmnt. dentists are closed up (non-essential and ran by 60+year olds and now they are not allowed to work in direct contact with patients), and the private ones don't pick up the damn phone.
This is gonna suck...


Also also, here's to all of you finding TP and getting through this! Cheers!
🍻
 
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