No one is safe from Covid-19 in Daydreaming on the Porch
- July 15, 2020, 6:19 a.m.
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- Public
…Worst of all, too many Americans seem not to understand that the novel coronavirus is still very much with the U.S. - and people are dying every day because too many people are ignoring the simple steps we can all take to help protect one another. It begs the question, if the pandemic is so serious and deadly, why are people still crowding beaches, bars, and parties during it
From Psych Central
We all know the cliche. The young think they’re invincible. They think the coronavirus only kills old people. And, very dangerously and stupidly, they think it’s ok to go to bars and restaurants or indoor parties and gatherings with more than 5-10 people. It’s not. Crowded bars are about the highest risk places you can be in.
I recently read about the family of five who contracted the virus when the 21-year-old son made a costly mistake by getting together with friends and dropping precautions, as it’s so easy to do. After a while, with the mood lightening over food and drinks, he let his guard down and took off his mask and wasn’t keeping a safe distance from others. Two weeks later he developed flu-like symptoms, but he didn’t tell his mother or dad because he didn’t feel that bad. He had the virus. Shorty afterward the entire family tested positive. The 42-year-old father developed the severest case, and is now on a ventilator fighting for his life. His wife and the mother of the 21-year was on CNN imploring other young people, in particular, to practice the basic safety protocols for preventing or reducing the spread of this deadly virus.
Now we’re learning, as if it wasn’t obvious before, that the virus can spread by transmission in the air from small particles in aerosol form. Breathing these aerosols can result in getting infected. So face coverings are essential, but it’s really scary knowing that only the N-95 masks are the most highly protective against aerosol transmission. Those are still in short supply and its difficult to breathe when wearing one. But if everyone wore any kind of face covering when in public spaces or not able to keep at least six feet away from others, the spread of the disease would be greatly reduced.
Also we’re rapidly discovering that the reason 20-year-olds and anyone of any age can have heart attacks from clots is that the disease is only initially a respiratory infection, but later spreads to the epithelial cells which are in the blood vessels. The virus can then attach to these and destabilize plaque and be transported to other organs, including the kidney and liver. Even in supposedly “mild” cases this can lead to serious health consequences for months and years after the initial infection.
140,000 are dead in the U S and millions more face a lifetime of health problems from this horrible and devastating disease. People around the world are dumbfounded that the US has had such a tragic and unprepared response to this pandemic. Any sane person here or abroad is shocked and stunned that there are many still in this country who think Covid is a hoax or “fake news.” America — Land of Imbeciles. We are now barred from visiting other countries.
I’ve been gathering quotes from and about young people and college students about the pandemic. Here is some of what I’ve found:
Geoff Beere, a student at the University of Miami and a club promoter, said that when bars in Florida reopened in June, they were quickly packed — even those that tried to enforce social distancing. He said students were tired of being cooped up during the statewide stay-at-home order.
College kids are gonna be a little bit more stupid about things than older people, maybe a little more reckless,” he said.
Triitico Saranathan, a charge nurse on one of Houston Methodist’s virus wards, said she had noticed that patients were younger than those first hit by the coronavirus several months ago. “We’re seeing a lot of people in their 30s — they’re out there partying and not wearing their masks,” she said. “As soon as the city opened up, they were very eager to go to the bars, to the clubs, to the restaurants, just to hang out in groups. And no one was social distancing or wearing a mask.”
“What I’m seeing is that they’re pretty sick — the younger ones are pretty sick,” she said. “They’re struggling a lot with respiratory issues. They’re having a hard time breathing,” she added, “just feeling like death.”
And this from a 30-year-old:
…He said he feared that people his age were not taking the illness seriously enough, as he himself had not. “I thought younger folks are not going to get symptoms; if I do get it, it’s not going to be a big deal,” he said.
That was not true in his case. “It hit me like a truck,” he said. “Even if you are young and not at risk, it’s pretty scary.”
Two recommended articles:
https://psychcentral.com/blog/why-people-are-crowding-beaches-bars-parties-during-a-pandemic/
Last updated July 15, 2020
Catleesi ⋅ July 15, 2020
We have low numbers where I live in Canada and I'm finding that there is definitely a false sense of security, not specifically by an age just everyone. With the rate that this can travel through people, I agree, everyone needs to be vigilant.
Oswego Catleesi ⋅ July 15, 2020
Yes. It’s highly contagious, and people tend to forget that. I certainly hope Canada stays at low numbers, but vigilance is vital.
Deleted user ⋅ July 15, 2020 (edited July 15, 2020)
Edited
If people don't believe the severity of the pandemic and say from the beginning ‘it is like a small flu’ they seldom change their mind. We experience the same here. However, in my family two persons died of the desease and one niece survived. She is 62. She cannot do her normal work after she recovered three months ago and she feels terribly tired after half an hour of doing some light household work. She has problems with concentration also. The doctors told her maybe it will pass after a year. They are not sure....still do not know all the long-term consequences of the infection. As long as people refuse to be careful and wear masks we will see new cases and new deaths. I like my home, my books, peace and walks in nature. It’s not too hard to stay home, away from the busy city center. But those who don’t care are those who like to party and they detest social distancing. Today a 18 year old girl in Brussels died of the infection. In April a 12 year old died of it. Yes, most people survive...but there are others and one cannot always predict the outcome.
Oswego Deleted user ⋅ July 15, 2020
It is indeed tragic that so many in this country do not recognize the danger. The virus has hit close to home for you. I hope your niece will have a full recovery, but so much is still unknown about long—term effects.
It is easy for me to stay in. I have plenty of books and projects, like you. Stay well and safe, my friend.
MageB ⋅ July 15, 2020
Yes, Yes, and Yes. You are not spreading fear, just reality. Here near the border, we all can see that the Mexican population has also been hit far harder than those with lighter skin. The only way to overcome this disease is to share knowledge of it.
Oswego MageB ⋅ July 15, 2020
Yes! Good, accurate knowledge is essential to be well informed. In this day and age knowledge is a more potent force in society than ever.
Marg ⋅ July 16, 2020
It's the long term health effects which scare the bejesus out of me the most - so little is known about it yet but we can take heart that we are in 2020 and science is so advanced - that's one thing we have on our side at least :)
Oswego Marg ⋅ July 16, 2020
You hit the nail on the head, Marg. This is what scares me the most, overall, when I think of the entire population. Most will survive it, but the odds get slimmer and slimmer after age 65. So if we older folks manage to survive the initial bout with the disease, what will be facing after that?
Marg Oswego ⋅ July 16, 2020
Do you know I hadn't even thought of it that way - I was thinking more about how many people will have long-term health effects and the effect that will have on everything globally but you're right - our chances at this age are going to be very slim of surviving everything. I've found it hard to find positives in my new life with chronic fatigue but actually maybe it's done me a favour because I've kind of had to get used to a lockdown life already with all the pacing I have to do. So maybe it's prepared me well for that! :)
Jinn ⋅ July 29, 2020
It amazes me how many people in my state, particularly my city ( which is the state capital ) are furious about being mandated to wear a mask in businesses and who claim the virus is a hoax . They believe it is a conspiracy to “ control” us . Dumber than a pile of rocks :-( They completely disregard the daily growing number of cases and deaths . They insist, “ This is no worse than the flu”. They would rather protest in the thousands to “ unmask” or for BLM , while they are not masked or social distancing . 🤦♀️. We are once again an “ At Risk” state although for several months our governor closed it all down and our numbers were low . The Conspiracy Idiots took him to court and forced opening ; now here we are . My brother in AZ caught it last March and almost died . Four cousins had it and recovered without hospitalization ; but were very ill. Last week my BIL , SIL , and my SIL’s very elderly Mother all tested positive . Her Mother is in the hospital now but seems to be recovering ( Thank Goodness). I know this virus is real . I am not willing to just stay home but We stay outside as much as possible, social distance and wear a mask when we must be around other people.
Oswego Jinn ⋅ July 29, 2020
It’s so weird how people can be so delusional about the dangers. And what’s really scary are reports that 40-60 percent or more of people who’ve had even “mild” cases have evidence of heart and other organ damage weeks or months after they “recover” from he initial illness.