School and Other Closures to Control COVID-19 Pandemics

[Emergent]

Here in Washington state we are in crisis mode. The governor has shut down schools until the end of April. Our way of life is being totally changed. Gathering of large crowds over 250 people are banned. People are panicking.

I'm currently working as a coronavirus screener. The protocol is being thrown together quickly and doesn't seem to be adequate. It doesn't appear to be comprehensive in any way shape or form. There isn't coordination between Health Care entities. Actual testing is rare.

I agree that the virus is a severe threat, yet I have mixed feelings about these things. What are your thoughts?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

On 3/14/2020 at 3:24 AM, VivaLasViejas said:

I think we are having a massive overreaction

I think the general public is having an overreaction fed by media hype. The website of my local newspaper is about 90% Coronavirus and each article title is outlined by a big black box.

As for healthcare, I do see our resources being stretched impossibly thin. ICU beds and staff as well as vents and medications are going to be limited. Many of the big companies have their manufacturing in China- supplies are on allocation regardless of increased need and some things are simply unavailable with estimated availability being late Summer.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

On 3/14/2020 at 7:59 AM, Emergent said:

I disagree that this is just an election-year ploy. In fact, I think the current president under reacted initially.

In Italy the healthcare system is beyond capacity. Their ICUs are full. They are putting makeshift uospital units in warehouse type situations.

Covid 19 is far more virulent then influenza. Over 20 people died in one nursing home in Kirkland Washington. I don't think the ordinary flu ever had that big of an impact in one location.

ICUs in hospitals I've heard about here in Washington are already at full capacity even Spokane where the virus has not hit yet. The ICU at Deaconess there is full and and is offering travel contracts to many nurses. They are absolutely understaffed. They're trying to open up more beds that don't have the staff.

Another hospital in central Washington is at ICU capacity with no covid19 patients. These are the areas where covid 19 is just starting to spread.

Five workers have contracted covid19 that work for Boeing. This threatens the rest of the workforce. All of these big companies are instituting screening the workers. They obviously don't want their operations totally shut down.

We don't know a lot about this virus yet. The influenza is seasonal. We don't know if this is just going to naturally go away in the warm weather like the flu does. It's spreading here in Washington very rapidly and are testing capacity is low. The CDC refused the test kits offered by the World Health Organization. They said that we wanted to do develop our own. We haven't been able to do that rapidly therefore we have very little testing capacity at the moment.

Now we are shutting down large segments of the economy. Obviously, we in healthcare are going to be very busy and making lots of money as long as we stay healthy. But, so many segments of the economy are being shut down. Parents are scrambling to figure out how to care for their children who are now out of school. Restaurants and tourist activities are being deeply affected affecting the livelihood of many people. The travel industry it has been virtually shut down. All these people are going to be thrown into unemployment, burdening the system. This crisis might throw us into a huge recession.

Well I have been a semi-prepper for years and have enough freeze dried food, dehydrated veggies and fruits (most from my garden) I got into canning for a couple of years but the jars take up a lot of shelf space. I joked with a co-worker yesterday that there's always an alternative to toilet paper. I knew I was keeping that 150 volume set of encyclopedia Britannica around for some reason. Growing up on the farm we used phone books and newspaper (Though I wouldn't have a clue where to buy a newspaper these days). As for water my husband laughed when I purchased two 100 gallon PVC water barrels a year ago. Guess whose laughing now!

It takes a gallon of water a day to sustain a person for minimal hydration and sanitation so that flat of water from Walmart won't go very far and is certainly not worth your safety to go out after.

Time to put on a pot of Jewish Penicillin (Chicken Soup) and snuggle up by the fire and watch the entire 6 and half seasons of VIKINGS!

[pixierose, BSN, RN]

Not a massive overreaction. A massive under reaction by our President and his sycophants, who initially claimed it was a hoax yadda yadda yadda. But the general public? Hoarding that TP is the way to gain *some* control in the situation.

I mean, we just admitted our first official patient in our hospital two days ago. We have multiple cases of “unconfirmed” ... because we don’t have enough tests. We are running out of PPE where I am - that’s infuriating.

As a health care worker on the front lines and as someone with multiple sclerosis ... Yeah, the virus is a threat. Yesterday, I had 4 people in my assignment that fit the bill for COVID-19. No damn tests. Running out of space to put them. We are running out of PAPR (and I don’t have N95 masks that fit me properly, hence why I wear PAPR). Earlier in the week - no one. Just your flu ... which sucks too.

I’d like my cause of death by happiness ... in my 90s. Yeah, we only live once ... but I’m not letting some narcissistic xenophobic orifice in the big office kill me off so soon.

[Daisy4RN]

I am not sure why the mass hysteria. I totally get being prepared and already have some freeze dried foods etc. My son said he tried to buy some online and they already have a 3mo backlog. (I bite my tongue and didn't say told ya so bc I told him years ago to be prepared for emergencies). I also went to the grocery for normal shopping and when a lady passed me with 6 or 7 Clorox wipes in her arms it made me think, hmm, I better go get some TP, well of course I was too late. I also think this is driven by the media, I dont remember such hype for H1N1 even though there were more deaths. Since I am in a high risk group I am taking extra precautions. I had a trip to Europe planned and was considering canceling but now have. I feel bad for nurses who are working with or without proper PPE, stay safe!!

9 hours ago, Davey Do said:

Oops!

Sorry.

For what? I guess I missed something.

[Daisy4RN]

5 hours ago, Rose_Queen said:

I think the general public is having an overreaction fed by media hype. The website of my local newspaper is about 90% Coronavirus and each article title is outlined by a big black box.

As for healthcare, I do see our resources being stretched impossibly thin. ICU beds and staff as well as vents and medications are going to be limited. Many of the big companies have their manufacturing in China- supplies are on allocation regardless of increased need and some things are simply unavailable with estimated availability being late Summer.

I hope things change and we start manufacturing these supplies here in the US, we shouldn't be dependent on China for that.

[Wlaurie, RN]

I'm in the middle of the mitten in Michigan. Yes we have a lot of people hoarding here. No or extremely limited meat, eggs, milk, tp, water, canned goods in our stores. Schools are closed until after the first week of April. Many other stores/businesses are changing practices, cleaning more or only drive thru service. People seem to be losing their minds.

I'm of the opinion that if we separate for awhile and then people who have the virus will run its course and others will not be affected and the virus will die off. Sounds practical and it appears to be working in China. I just dont understand the panic and mass hysteria associated with these ideas.

[JKL33]

When numerous people decide they need something during the same time frame, this is what's going to happen hysteria or not.

Empty shelves where the hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes and facial tissues are stocked are also seen in my area during the week or two leading up to back-to-school. Every year. And don't try to do in-person shopping in the days leading up to the start of the new school year or you'll have to buy the super-expensive brand pencils and paper that no one else wanted, if you can get those--and if you can put up with the crowds.

Actual hysteria and accusations of hysteria are both unhelpful in the end. It just makes everyone way too worried about everyone else's actions and motivations.

I say this with due respect towards all who have replied.

[toomuchbaloney]

I dunno.

Are people panicking and behaving hysterically, or are a vast majority of Americans going to the store to get essentials on the cusp of a national health emergency? The sheer increase in volume of responsible preparation + some misguided purchasing has overwhelmed those retail capacities.

Now imagine how that same phenomenon is going to affect your local health systems and chains.

[pixierose, BSN, RN]

The federal government contributes to mass hysteria because it is causing significant confusion.

Is treatment for COVID-19 covered ... nope, that’s just the test...

Everyone can get tested! Nope? There’s not enough tests ...

People are always symptomatic ... oh, wait. That’s not entirely accurate either.

And that’s just this.past.week.

That’s not coming from the media. That’s coming directly from your president.

So, given that people naturally try to control what they can in confusing and stressful conditions ... is it no wonder TP is flying off the shelves?

I’m *not* seeing mass hysteria where I am. I’m just seeing regular people trying to navigate an already confusing situation.

I see responsible people self quarantining because COVID-19 Is already rampant in my state (and part of that is running to the store now as opposed to later)

... as someone with an autoimmune disorder (and who is undergoing chemo for ovarian cancer), I appreciate it. It’s not like I can stop treating patients in the ED; but it’ll decrease them.

[chare]

Quote

Illinois and Ohio announced on Sunday they would close all restaurants and bars in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic.

"We will be issuing an order closing all bars and restaurants in #Ohio beginning at 9:00 tonight," Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tweeted, while noting that establishments would be allowed to continue carry-out and delivery services.

[...]

Illinois, Ohio closing all bars, restaurants in response to coronavirus (https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/487684-illinois-ohio-closing-all-bars-restaurants-in-response-to-coronavirus)

[Wuzzie]

Smart moves because if my FB feed is accurate people aren’t getting what social distancing” and “stay home” mean. Seriously, people are having play-dates for their kids and posting from bars. SMDH.

[pediatricjody]

We haven’t had toilet paper or Kleenex in 2 weeks. Followed after first few days by baby wipes, diapers. Then food has disappeared. In the last couple days medicine has disappeared. The aforementioned disappears as fast as reshelved. Amazon can deliver in mid-April. We closed schools for about 90 miles out for next 2 weeks and maybe rest of semester. How are any of you staff screening? Oh, we have had no positives in our area and URI is on the decline.