Some rational from the CDC on the WHY of 20 seconds:
“Determining the optimal length of time for handwashing is difficult because few studies about the health impacts of altering handwashing times have been done. Of those that exist, nearly all have measured reductions in overall numbers of microbes, only a small proportion of which can cause illness, and have not measured impacts on health. Solely reducing numbers of microbes on hands is not necessarily linked to better health 16. The optimal length of time for handwashing is also likely to depend on many factors, including the type and amount of soil on the hands and the setting of the person washing hands. For example, surgeons are likely to come into contact with disease-causing germs and risk spreading serious infections to vulnerable patients, so they may need to wash hands longer than a woman before she prepares her own lunch at home. Nonetheless, evidence suggests that washing hands for about 15-30 seconds removes more germs from hands than washing for shorter periods”
I mean, why worry about saving 5 seconds here and there. Err on the side of caution and make your time with soap and water worthwhile.
Where did I see or read the suggestion of greeting each other with jazz hands? ?. Might have been Weekend Update on SNL??
I went to the store today. No hand sanitizer or Clorox wipes, but there were a few bottles of Clorox spray. A lot more TP and paper towels than the last time I went. More hand soap (though not a lot as well). I am trying to pick up a few extra things each trip. I think I am mostly in good shape now for cleaning supplies/paper goods (especially given our limited storage space).
I am still not noticing a slowing in restaurants or bars here, but we are in Florida, and it is high season.
Oh that panic buying. I don’t want to make it worse, but I don’t want to be left behind. We have more TP than usual on hand, but not a crazy amount. We do take daily printed newspapers—someone mentioned that above as an option. We will be okay.
A few years ago we had a panic-generated gas shortage here. A hurricane hit Houston and knocked out some refineries. A rumor of gas shortages started and became a reality just in my town. It was crazy. It fed on itself. I put air in my bike tires and got a bus schedule. That experience made me approach this one with an eye to what people could freak out about. I worry about my real needs and also the potential panic generated shortages.
I hear Costco is out of TP in SATX FWIW, but our regional supermarket chain has it. I suppose we are in a semi-panic.
We can manage without TP, but my cats can’t without their litter! Running out of litter and the special cat food for one cat who needs it would be a real natural disaster in this house! ?
We unintentionally have months worth of TP. We had a subscription on amazon and they kept sending it after we paused it. That plus dropping from 4 people living here to 2 made a big difference. We haven’t bought any since like October and we still have a shelf full that hasn’t been touched.
Update - the interviewer extended his hand so she shook it. Lots of hand sanitizer everywhere at this college so she used it after her interview (and I hope her interviewer did too).
She loves the college and thinks her interview went very well btw. I agree trying to foot bump probably would have been confusing.
At church yesterday hand shaking was optional - it was even stated this way in the Pastor’s greeting. Some did, some didn’t - and no one blinked an eye.
Everyone has to know their own risk assessment and comfort level. There shouldn’t be anyone judging on that.
To me, this goes beyond the new virus. Some folks (like those dealing with cancer themselves or caretakers) have to be more vigilant at all times and folks ought to be able to respect that without judging.
@Nhatrang - your daughter’s telling the truth, it’s very common to have guests (even ones of the opposite sex) sleep over. Even my uptight, Sheldon-like son regularly sleeps at other friends’ (girls and boys) dorms and has guests sleep in his room. I found out when he wanted me to send him our blow up mattress. His explanation - that he often had guests - surprised me. So if he’s doing this, I think most of them are.
No reported cases yet in Louisiana, and here in New Orleans every day life is unaffected so far. We had about 40 people over to the house yesterday for a birthday party, and an elderly couple wanted to elbow bump instead of shake hands and brought their own sanitizer. I go on a retreat with about 120 men later this week, where we will all be in the same meeting spaces, dining together etc… No mention of cancellation so far. The next week I have a convention in Dallas, which certainly could be cancelled. We’ll see.
Northern New England. Small number of cases in my state, none in my county. Took my mother to a routine hematology appointment on hospital campus this morning.
Sign in elevator re COVID 19 along the lines of "if you have a cough or fever please ask for a mask."
Plenty of hand sanitizer around as usual.
Lobby area of the office had sanitizer and gloves, but mask compartment of the dispenser was empty.
Doctor did not shake hands, made the "forgive me for not shaking hands" statement that removed any ambiguity. Yay!
Longer than usual waiting period in the inner waiting room; understandable. He's an oncologist as well. I can't imagine how concerned many of the patients must be.
I received this regarding a smallish conference in Vegas I plan to attend next week. I thought it was excellent
• Spaced seating at all meetings allowing for at least one chair width between participants.
• Food buffets will be staffed by hotel servers who will be required to serve each attendee.
• GROUP (removing name) will not provide hard copy materials on-site. Instead all materials will be provided electronically in advance of the Exchange and there will be access to power strips for all attendees.
• The GROUP CLE/CE form will be emailed post conference instead of provided on-site.G. No pens or note pads will be at the tables. They will be available at the desk if desired.
• Individual Kleenex packets available if needed at the registration desk.
• We have requested extra room cleaning and to sanitize and bag the TV remotes in each guest room.
• We are trying to secure hand sanitizer pump bottles at each meeting table as well as the conference registration desk. As you may know, availability throughout the United States is very limited.
In addition, we also encourage alternatives to handshaking – a fist bump, elbow bump, bow, hearty hello, or whatever is comfortable for you
^^^That’s nice effort. I can’t believe how many planned conferences are being cancelled.
I do wish people would spend as much time educating/helping themselves, their families and their communities as they are spending on how to physically greet people! Why is this such a worry? I mean, so you don’t touch someone - is that going to make them think less of you so you have to offer your foot or elbow?!
Use your head - literally. Smile. Make eye contact. Greet with a friendly voice. Nod your head.
Over 60 and no reason or obligation to leave our home, a very nice situation to be in at present. International friends cancelled a visit for later this month. We have changed some plans and now have nothing on the calendar till a college graduation in May.
Others are stockpiling tp; This morning I went and got a haircut and mani/pedi. It seems trite, but I’m remembering all the small businesses that went under in 2008. I tipped double in case my next appointments are delayed. Hair salon was business as usual. The nail salon was empty but for me. They had lots of hand sanitizer out.
Several of you up-thread mentioned the food pantry. We give regularly at the register of our local co-op when we check out, but thanks to this thread, upped that donation since we are going to try to avoid going out the next couple of weeks. If we are needed to help out family, I want to be sure I’m not bringing any germs with me. There is no downside for me in staying home, just trying to be sure I’m not changing my local spending habits too dramatically.
I like the jazz hands greeting!! There is a danger that I might burst into full dancing as if I’m in a production of Chicago.
I don’t usually panic but trying to be mindful about touching public things, especially because I live in Seattle area.
I went to grocery shopping yesterday. Touched the cart handle without wiping it. Oops. Oh well, too late. Got the plastic bag to put some produce in. I couldn’t open it with my dry fingers. I got more and more frustrated and licked my finger to open it. Oops. Oh well, too late.
^I’m a bag licker, too. Can’t get them open otherwise. Lately I’m carrying wipes and small bottle of purel and using that to moisten finger to open bag.
I breathe hot air on my fingers like I’m trying to fog a mirror, and that usually does the trick. Failing that, I rub the top of the bag between my hands like a madman trying to start a fire which has the added benefit of working out my frustration at trying to get the darn bag open.
It’s so weird – my coffeeshop owner friend (one of the most popular cafes in town) says business is DEAD. She says her entire block – in a popular area of the city - is EMPTY. Business was also really bad last week. But Friday and the weekend were booming. I also went out Friday night and the streets/restaurants/bars were full and buzzing. So are people selectively panicking? Did they say, “screw this it’s Friday night/the weekend, I’m going out”? And come Monday they decide to be cautious again?
