The time to have begun serious preparations in the US was two months ago

[intrepidity]

Trump crows about his decision to halt flights from China. What that did was buy time.

THAT PRECIOUS TIME WAS SQUANDERED!!

Priority #1 should have been streamlining the testing -- from production (and QC for cripes sake!) to distribution to implementation. Tens of thousands--at least--should have already been tested. At this point, testing should have been routinely integrated.

Priority #2 should have been supply stockpiling. The time for ramping up PPE production/distribution was in January. And by supplies, I also mean things like anticipating the shortfall in critical medications that rely on China's supply chain. Figuring out workarounds.

There are myriad of ways the Trump administration should have been using that time, but didn't. He is fully culpable for that failing, and I hope the public and the media don't give him a pass on this one.

Buying time is only good if you actually DO something critical with that time!

I could go on and on about what could and should have been done. Anybody paying even the least bit of attention KNEW this was extremely serious when China took the drastic measures they did. The hand-wringing about how "oh we didn't know how bad it may be" or "we didn't expect it to come here" or "but the research wasn't in yet" is all BULLSHIT. The minute you saw what was happening in China, you (and by you I mean our public health apparatus), that was the moment to begin serious preparation.

But, "oh no, the stock market..."

GRRRRRRRR!

[brewens]

1. I'd like to hear from the pandemic response people that were shut down. What did they

usually do? What measures would they have taken once this virus started showing up?

I imagine they had contingency plans already. They probably would immediately do a threat assessment and take action. We spend a fortune on people doing exactly that for the military. I'd like to know just how big a difference getting rid of those people made.

[intrepidity]

2. All you have to look at what they are doing now

But should have started doing several weeks ago. No excuse whatsoever.

[Leghorn21]

3. Copy that loud and clear, i - even four to six weeks ago might have made a difference, but nooooooo

[abqtommy]

4. I'd say we should have started "serious preparations" four years ago, before tRUMP was

installed in the pRESIDENCY. We've been playing catch-up ever since, and losing.

[intrepidity]

5. Of course

But even things specific to this outbreak, eg, the testkits--no excuse whatsoever that it wasn't fully operational on a large scale.

[C_U_L8R]

6. Trump had fired everyone who could make preparations

What a douchenozzle.

[intrepidity]

7. Yes. And the media and public need to know this

And be reminded daily, loudly.

Enough letting this low-life scum bucket off the hook!

[Pachamama]

8. Unfortunately, you are correct. January was the time for preparation and containment

Now as we enter March, the time is for mitigation....entirely different scenario and response.

It doesn't mean you don't prepare, but now its harder. It doesn't mean you don't contain - you do, but its harder now.

We all have to practice good health measures now:

-Take good care of your immune system. Take Vitamin and health supplements. Avoid Alcohol. Sleep.

-Wash hands frequently.

- Wipe hard surfaces clean frequently.

- No handshaking, high fives, hugs when you greet people. "Namaste" hands held together is a good way to keep your hands from going to someones hand and a slight bow. My kids are doing "Bum bumps" to side in opposite direction or elbow bump if they need to "touch"

- Place a hand sanitizer (non-touch dispenser) or pump near the front door or entrance to your building. (Hopefully if you can find some hand sanitizer - there still are online supply places). If you can't, there are some formulas for making some that you can make a home made batch along with essential oils from Lavender and put in an empty pump dispenser. Encourage anyone coming near your home and entering or in your intermediate community to be sanitizing hands.

- Don't touch the railings, hand rails, door knobs etc. if you can avoid it. Wipe them down or put sanitizer on your hand after.

- Avoid going out or gatherings. Now is not the time to attend conferences, large meetings, sporting events, concert.

- Conduct more video meetings for work. Zoom and VSee are great. Skype Meetings and even Facetime.

- Its ok to NOT go to Church, synagogue, mosque now for next month. Your God will forgive you. (Even the Pope is suspected to have been infected).

- Self quarantine if you think there is a chance you are sick for at least a week - two weeks.

- Avoid and steer clear of anyone coughing or sneezing. Cough and sneeze into the crease of your elbow.

- Wear glasses and gloves if you can - it helps avoid aerosol spray into your eyes and gloves help you avoid touching your face - same for facemasks or scarfs.

- Thinking of a vacation or have one planned in next two months? Postpone it till at least May or June or later and see what is happening and determine then. Maybe instead take a week off in the next month and just stay home.

- Maybe start exercising and yoga at home and taking walks etc. Health Clubs and Yoga Studios might not be the best places to be going as people sweat and gather closely. If you do go, wipe things down before and after and try to be on outskirts away from people.

- Dating? Maybe now is time to have a dating diet and not meeting strangers for a date or even going out on date night or going to a bar and being in close proximity.

- Stock up on canned foods and juices and food that keeps and have at least a month supply for you and your family. Avoid going to the supermarket if you can and use delivery services if you need something. If you have to go to the store - go once a week max and wipe down the handle on the cart or basket and avoid touching surfaces. Don't bring your children to the store. Offer to help elderly neighbors to do shopping runs and bringing grocery goods back for them.

- Stock up on cleaning and sanitation supplies, OTC meds and prescription meds for at least 2-3 months.

- Identify in your home a room that would be where a person in your family who might be sick can self quarantine. Best option is a Master bedroom with its own bathroom. Ideally it would have even access from another means to getting in and out (i.e.. a balcony for fresh air or patio to outside and means for food, supplies to brought to them. Figure literally a way that you could care or be cared for at home and be prepared. In the event of mass pandemic, the last place you want to be going (and may not be able to go) is the hospital or emergency room. You want to keep the community safe and yourself.

There is much more....but these are the things we can do right now ourselves and need to do.

[BigmanPigman]

9. The health expert on Bill Maher last night

mentioned a lot of this and more. Very good info....

[Pachamama]

10. My daughter who is getting her degree in Public Health and works for an Epidemiologist at Berkeley

....is who shared this with me. Some of it is common sense things, but at this point, this is exactly what we all need and hopefully can do most of these things. I realize some people don't have the luxury of these things, but trying to do it all as much as we can can make all the difference to us staying healthy and those around us and even mitigating and containing the spread.

[BigmanPigman]

11. My friend's 89 year old mother is in

a retirement community residence and has her own room and is not sick but has severe dementia. I don't know how she could do anything other than wash hands, don't touch anything and stay in ber room as much as possible, or is going outside for fresh air a better idea?

[Pachamama]

12. Going outside for fresh air (or having her window open in her room) is always a good idea

But this is assuming that in the process of getting outside she doesn't have to touch too many surfaces or interact with too many people or visitors to the residential community visiting others there that she doesn't know.

Because she has dementia, this means she really is dependent on her caretakers and that they are in good health and practicing the things.

Sigh...

I know if I have to meet someone, I would rather be walking and talking outside than in a contained room.