Goddammit

[ismnotwasm]

I am at work. A big hospital with some of the sickest patients in the country. Tons of different infections that require isolation. My unit is a unit with a large immunosuppressive population. On my days off, the decision was made to pull all the hand sanitizer out of the halls and rooms

Because PEOPLE WERE STEALING THEM.

Also, there is a shortage

So, kicking it old school and washing my hands. A lot.

[dewsgirl]

1. Yikes😳 I hope you stay well.

[LaurenOlimina]

2. Wow.

Stay safe.

[Leghorn21]

3. Goddammit

[MelissaB]

4. Holy shit!

[Haggis for Breakfast]

42. Frightened people will react in fear when they are not given valid, factual information.

Currently, people understand that that fat incompetent fuck in the WH is lying to all of us about this virus. So, they don't know what to do/what not to do to protect themselves and their families.

Example: trumpie said that people should go to work, right after Dr. Fauci said that folks should work from home if possible and avoid congregating in large masses.

Example: Fauci gave hard and fast numbers, then trumpie turned around and said that (on a hunch) he didn't believe the medical experts knew what they were talking about, sowing more confusion and unrest. Then he claimed that he understood medicine so well that the doctors were impressed at the scope of his knowledge . . . .

Dr. Anthony Fauci has headed up NIAID since 1984, is one of the most recognized (internationally) experts in the area of infectious diseases, is a man of impeccable credentials and the highest caliber of intefrity. He has won every award in his field except the Nobel for Medicine (so far) but trumpie knows more than all the doctors.

Right now the American people want the truth and they seek to be comforted by someone who knows what's going on. They want LEADERSHIP. And trumpie has no integrity nor credibility left.

It's a sad indictment on the current administration that people are so panicked that they are stealing hand-sanitizer, gloves, masks, but that is what fearful people do when there is no leadership to guide them to comfort and truth.

[ismnotwasm]

5. My nurse manager just informed me a third reason

Apparently we are being frugal for the future as well so we don’t run out.

Crazy. I’ll get updated PPE (personal protection equipment) related to the Corona virus later. We currently have no confirmed cases

[eilen]

87. OK that is effing ridiculous.

Are they going to ration the yellow gowns next?
If they want those call lights answered on the regular, they will stock the shit you need to be safe.
OK, it's not the call lights they are concerned about, it's the surveys....

[SWBTATTReg]

6. Yikes. Ridiculous. People should have been prepared better. I keep Hand S. around all of the...

time and also, know where other medical supplies are at (guages, etc.) here at home.

Thank goodness I don't have to go rushing out to buy medical stuff because we already have what we need (and more than likely, no body is going to have any more of it).

Makes me kind of concerned that when there wasn't a CV crisis around, just how unprepared people are when a more minor injury occurs at a place of work or at home?

[Brainfodder]

7. Good luck to you and everyone in medical.

Humans have survived worse, but this has been politicized stupidly into some denying it's even real!?!

As usual, has to get ugly, before it gets better.

[barbtries]

8. jeez.

my hands are reptilian looking they're so dry and they get washed so much.

[Skittles]

40. I got a good tip from a coworker

Gold Bond hand cream for diabetics - works good on that reptilian feel, stays on nicely

[barbtries]

45. i have CeraVe

that was recommended by a dermatologist. it stays on too. but my puppy licks it like crazy when i use it! lol
i wondered yesterday whether the stuff that stays on in these lotions would also keep the virus on.

[Skittles]

46. ooh

I just cannot wash my hands diligently and use hand sanitizer without my hands suffering serious damage....I don't really have a choice

[Silver Gaia]

65. I have the same problem.

It's so difficult. I wear accelerant-free nitrile gloves for a lot of things. I've found I don't touch my face much when I wear them, too, because they help remind me. I've been wearing them when going out of the house and stripping them off before entering. I keep a Target bag on the porch to strip them into. I wear them around the house when working with harsh cleansers, too. I don't have to go to a job every day, though. Under the circumstances, I think I'd just wear them anyway.

I've found a cleanser made by Olay (Hungarian Water Essence, says its "calming" and it does seem to do that) that I can tolerate, but it's hard to find, and after years of experimenting, I've found that Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair unscented works really well to hydrate my skin.

[mercuryblues]

56. Try this

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51M80Z+C6eL._SX425_.jpg

Put it on at night only and put socks or gloves on your hands to keep the puppy away.

Amazon sells it for 3.17

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XKQ6GJ1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Vaseline will also work, applied the same way. I don't think it works as well.

[Skittles]

84. yeah

I have tried them, with limited success, mostly because I cannot STAND sleeping with anything on my hands or feet.....I don't know what is up with that

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. I am told soap & water more effective. Hand sanitizer more convenient. A few ruin it for th rest. nt

[True Blue American]

58. I have bacterial soap

A small hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes and use Hydrogen Peroxide. Also have alcohol

[Delmette2.0]

10. My daughter-in-law just start at our local hopspital.

She told me that at the mail entrance is a box of masks for people to put on so they don't infect patients. The boxes are being taken every day. So they will not be able to supple them to the general public.

I say keep all visitors out of hospitals. Period!!!

[Ferrets are Cool]

34. Are you suggesting "keep all visitors out of hospitals" that I can't visit

my wife who is being treated for Stage 4 Lymphoma?

[Delmette2.0]

38. My apologies.

I should have given more consideration for situations like yours.

[Ferrets are Cool]

39. Thank you. I am very paranoid when I enter her room...

she has no immune system because of all the chemo's. She is progressing well, but we still have a long way to go. Thank you for your thoughts.

[orleans]

44. sending both you and your wife a heartful of love

[Ferrets are Cool]

62. Thank you so much

[DFW]

88. Wishing you much courage and much luck in her battle. We've been there twice already

My wife has had two battles with cancer, one breast cancer in 2001, one with "the murderer" in 2016, and she beat them both. Usually, with "the murderer," diagnosis come too late to save the patient. We lost one of our best friends to it 2 years ago. My wife was that one case in a thousand that actually survived it. Almost no one does. But only almost. It CAN be done. Great treatment and greater luck are needed. Here's hoping you find ample doses of both.

[Ferrets are Cool]

91. So very glad to hear about your wife.

Yes, it is difficult, but we will beat this thing. She is at the half way point and doing well. Thank you again for your well wishes and thoughts.

[DFW]

92. Good to hear about the good news on your end as well

It's always good, so-so, bad, or worse. But never hopeless, even if they tell you it's hopeless.

[Skittles]

47. people are already anxious

but those who suffer from immune issues and their loved ones, it's just so much to take....wishing the best for you both

[Ferrets are Cool]

63. Thank you Skittles

[True Blue American]

59. Wishing your wife

Much good luck and best to both of you.

[Ferrets are Cool]

64. Thank you so much

[Chemisse]

54. Maybe they should be handed out at the info desk.

And monitored. So people can't steal them.

That seems better than banning visitors.

[Missiris]

11. Recipe for hand sanitizer

Per internet search:

3/4 cup isopropyl alchohol
1/4 cup aloe vera gel

But lots as hand washing as well. Tried five stores yesterday, all out, so looked it up.

[moonscape]

24. A pharmacist in this article says making

one's own and getting the proportions just right can be tricky:

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/why-you-shouldnt-make-your-own-hand-sanitizer/

[Stryst]

30. Word

Also, pay attention to the purity of the alcohol you're using. After dilution with your gel, you're aiming for 70% alcohol.

I've also heard it's safe to put a few drops of essential oils in for smell, but... I dunno. Some of them might be skin irritants, and mixed with the iso, might be worse than dirty hands.

[defacto7]

79. Yes, you have to get the 91 percent at the pharmacy

for it to be effective. Not the usual 70%.

[keithbvadu2]

12. +1

[Harker]

13. There are always some who would knock another

down to get a spot on the lifeboat.

[CaptYossarian]

14. Good luck. Next, it'll be the gloves.

[proud patriot]

15. remember lotion

constant washing chaps ..

[dewsgirl]

28. It certainly does, i always buy the Neutrogena intensive

hand cream, I went to buy some more yesterday and it is sold out.

[bullwinkle428]

35. Pro tip - try Eucerin Advanced Repair, mixed with Gold Bond Healing Foot Cream. I somehow

decided to blend those a couple of years ago, and it works beautifully!

[dewsgirl]

37. Thank you very much, if my store ever re stocks I will try it.

They have ran out of things, I wouldn't have predicted.

[FakeNoose]

57. Got a question about the Gold Bond creams

I'm having trouble finding the Gold Bond Healing Foot cream in my local store, but I see they have it on Amazon. They also have the Gold Bond Healing Hand Cream, so maybe if I got that I wouldn't need to mix it with Eucerin Advanced Repair?

Do you know if there's a difference, and have you ever tried the Gold Bond Hand Cream? I definitely use a lot of dry skin creams but lately I've been buying Suave or Oil of Olay. My local store has Eucerin Advance Repair and I'm going to get it the next time I'm out there.

Thanks for this tip!

[Claritie Pixie]

16. Hand washing is best - the outer envelope of the virus is oil based.

Soap dissolves it on contact.

That said, people are scared hence stealing hand sanitizer. We'll see more of this every man for himself behavior as this emerging COVID-19 pandemic (as far as I'm concerned it is) gets worse.

Thank you for all you do.

[Chemisse]

55. Wow! I love getting a new science tidbit about this! Ty. n/t

[Nature Man]

17. How does hand sanitizer affect

aerosolized droplets from people hacking and wheezing?

Does hand sanitizer keep your respiratory system from breathing in this shit?

[ismnotwasm]

18. Nope

We have reverse pressure rooms for that.

Actually We’ve moved all potentials to their own isolation unit.

This is more about caring for ALL my patients, none of whom have the Corona virus.

[McCamy Taylor]

20. Since the virus can lie dormant on a surface for up to 9 hours

hand sanitizer can cleanse off the virus that you picked up when you touched the door handle.

[Nature Man]

21. My OCD "prophylaxis"

(compulsive hand washing, using elbow or hip or coat sleeve or paper towel to touch door handles) probably won't be sufficient.

[moonscape]

74. I think you meant up to 9 days ... n/t

[McCamy Taylor]

19. People are evil!

[Skittles]

48. think about how MAGAts cannot empathize with children in cages

it's not much of stretch to see them behaving badly during a crisis

[gademocrat7]

22. We are unprepared for this pandemic.

The worst possible administration that denies science and the truth about the Coronavirus. No meaningful news briefings from doctors and scientists who aren’t muzzled by trump and his minions.

[Skittles]

49. AND knowing that the Senate had a chance to ditch his crazy ass

but COLLUDED with him instead

history will NOT be kind

[58Sunliner]

25. I was surprised to see the local VA had masks in boxes. I expect that will change too.

I bought a case of hydrogen peroxide, and 91% alcohol to make my own hand sanitizer.

[pecosbob]

26. Southern Nevada Health district recommended yesterday that all cash handlers wear gloves

I have been doing so for a few weeks already.

[Glimmer of Hope]

27. I am a cancer patient and my little travel sized bottle of sanitizer lasts for weeks.

Everyone needs to call down and buy some soap.

[moonscape]

75. I'm also a cancer patient on chemo and am concerned. I

don't need to calm down since I'm not hysterical, but live in a densely-populated area that has a smattering of cases all around me. Clearly the numbers are not accurate. Have surgery in a few weeks and though it's outpatient, am not looking forward to being in a hosp environment for half a day.

Unfortunately my hand sanitizer doesn't last nearly as long as yours, but fortunately I have an adequate supply

The concerns about the healthcare system being overburdened are real and concerning for those of us who use it a lot.

[Tipperary]

29. I have never cared for that sanitizer stuff.

I use the antibacterial hand wipes all the time that I am unable to wash my hands. But otherwise, I wash my hands all the time.

[smirkymonkey]

31. Couldn't you just wipe your hands down with Clorox wipes or use a diluted bleach solution?

Just a thought.

[ismnotwasm]

32. Washing hands is fine

I just went to a Corvid PPE mandatory training, it was only an hour. What they are saying is Corvid patients will NOT need a reverse flow room unless they are on some kind of aerosol. We will have a 2 person check off for proper PPEs if we get a Corvid patient..and some other stuff, but mostly going over what we do anyway for isolation.

Right now they are saying the virus is killed with normal washing of clothes, which is good

They also said this is rapidly evolving situation and there are changes every day.

[warmfeet]

33. This is just the beginning.

Please stay safe everyone.

[malaise]

36. Peroxide works

Use the 3%

[True Blue American]

60. I use Hydrogen Peroxide

For everything. Counter tops, bath, white clothes in washer. Picked up a brown spray bottle at the Dollar store.88 cents a bottle.

[malaise]

66. So did my mom

She insisted that we also use it with toothpaste once a week to ensure healthy gums.

[True Blue American]

67. I can not

Stand the smell of bleach or Lysol. Bought some Clorox wipes, trying to give them away.

[malaise]

68. We have always tried to stay away from bleach

I have many friends who had asthmatic kids and we always told them to stop using bleach for a week and observe. Asthma attacks went down big time.

[True Blue American]

69. No smell with peroxide.

I used to have light carpet. My carpet cleaner would spray down the dirty paths, Hall,stairs. I asked him if they had the spot remover they advertised. He went out, gave me a quart bottle.

4 parts water, one part peroxide.. a I when I gradually began to use it. No odor and you know how it works on cuts and gashes.

[malaise]

70. You know that we use peroxide for every scratch, as well as for splinters

and sticks from fish bones. It is truly a miracle worker.

Didn't know about the carpet cleaning powers. When you use four parts water to one part peroxide, what strength peroxide do you use. We use 6% for most things but 3% for the gums. Going to buy some big bottles later because they are rationing Lysol spray here.

[True Blue American]

71. 3%, 32 Oz bottle,88 cents.

Is what I use. Not sure what he used, but when I mixed my own for spots I diluted, other wise you have a real white spot.. now I have a more neutral carpet and wood.

[malaise]

72. Cool

[Lisa0825]

41. Boxes of masks were stolen at the hospital where I work. nt

[Skittles]

50. that is disgusting behavior

stealing from a HOSPITAL

[eilen]

89. People do that all the time.--Visitors think hospitals are community centers there to provide.

That is why we had to put the nutrition drinks behind locked doors and finally under the control of the kitchen. We can't keep crackers, juices and milk without having a locked door as well. They would walk right up and open the pantry refrigerator as if it were theirs at home. Also linen disappears (pj pants are popular).

People show up and demand meals-- "I'm diabetic, you must feed me." Seriously. I'm like,you didn't plan for that? I mean, I will give a tired family member a toothbrush, tooth paste, body wash and deoderant, a comb... and a bunch of linen so they can go wash up. I'll make coffee and bring it to them (as long as my patient care stuff is handled). But we don't have a mechanism for providing free meals to visitors. About the only time the hospital provides free food for family is if someone is dying.

We also used to have small hand sanitizer bottles to hand to family and patients. As a matter of course, I wipe down a pump, a bed's siderails and call light with toxic baby wipes as a routine because, well old men scratch their junk a lot. Plus people are always touching their face, sneezing, coughing, etc. and touch the side rails a lot. Staff touch the side rails a lot to adjust the beds as well as the IV pumps and the computer mouse/keyboards too. I like a bathroom mask/shield for emptying urinals & for flushing but I suppose the PTB will be hiding those.

[Skittles]

94. see this is why I could never do a job dealing with the public in person

I swear I would just.....kick their ass

[Under The Radar]

43. Y'all have some really good soap though

[beachbumbob]

51. the front line of healthcare workers entirely at risk and poses even greater danger

as hospitals run short staffed and incapable of providing needed services not INCLUDING what is needed for coronavirus patients.

[snowybirdie]

52. Thank you for your efforts

Unbelievable people will steal from the very sick. I currently have a grandson in an ICU unit and pray he and his fellow patients can get through this crisis after already recovering from other terrible illness and injury. Stay well.

[True Blue American]

61. Best wishes

For your Grandson to get well!

[lapfog_1]

53. I made my own

you can't find hand sanitizer for love nor money here.

But you CAN find rubbing alcohol and sunburn medicine (pure aloe vera gel... not the cream).

I have a few old soft soap dispensers... so I make a mixture of 2/3rs alcohol (the good stuff, 99% pure) and 1/3rd gel and put it in the soft soap... I take one with me in my car and I keep one by the front door. Every time I get into the car or walk in the house, I first squirt some and rub my hands carefully.

then I have been washing much more frequently and more thoroughly with soap and water.

Last, after washing, I have been using some Vaseline Intensive Care because my hands are drying out more.

Don't know if this works or not, but I think it helps.

[Nitram]

73. Hand soap is just as effective as sanitizer with coronavirus,

From Twitter:

Eugene Gu, MD@eugenegu
The coronavirus is an enveloped virus—meaning it has an outer membrane made of oil and fat that it steals from our own cells by pinching off a piece of our cell membranes in a process called viral shedding. It allows the virus to evade our immune system but there’s a trade off.

All enveloped viruses like the coronavirus are extremely susceptible to simple soaps and detergents of any kind. That’s because soap literally explodes the outer membranes of these viruses. Without the envelope, they can’t invade our cells or cause any harm. They just simply die.

So while alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective at killing the coronavirus on our hands, and should be used at every opportunity, nothing can replace the gold standard of washing our hands with good old fashioned soap and water, which also physically removes dirt and debris.

[Squinch]

77. But for a nurse going from patient to patient at breakneck speed, it's a bit

cumbersome.

[defacto7]

80. Yep, maybe a little better.

[33taw]

76. Alcohol and Aloe Vera are the main components of hand sanitizer. I found 91% alcohol and

the aloe vera at Walgreens. Everywhere else was wiped out. Make some wipes at home and take them with you to work.

[defacto7]

81. Narcissism is a hell of a disease in itself.

[AllyCat]

82. hand sanitizer dispensers are "missing" from the walls at our hospital

Management is preparing for the spread of the virus by telling staff not to use PPE without a good reason.

Good grief we are screwed.

[mntleo2]

85. A easy recipe for homemade sanitizer

It is comprised of things that you MAY be able to find in the Dollar Store, Walmart, grocery stores, etc or you may have them at home already:

1/3 C of aloe vera gel
2/3 C of AT LEAST 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

Stir the solution and if it is a bit watery you can add a little more aloe. You can buy empty travel bottles at the Dollar Store.

You can add about 15 drops essential oils like lavender, chamomile etc, per bottle.

Shake each bottle well.

Just use a little to wash your hand like you would a sanitizer.

This recipe will leave more of these ingredients to make additional solutions

The CDC says to use AT LEAST 70-99% alcohol because any weaker will not work kill germs. It takes a minute or so to kill germs on your hands

The Aloe is to soften up your hands because alcohol will dry them out. It costs less than a dollar for each bottle

Hope this helps

Cat in Seattle

[Vinca]

90. That's what I did, but substituted a hand lotion I had in the house for the aloe vera gel.

It works fine.

[Aussie105]

86. Local supermarkets

have disinfectant trolley wipes for customers to use on trolley handles.

Caught an old lady taking a lot and putting them into a plastic bag for later use elsewhere.

I couldn't say anything, because that lady is my wife. Otherwise . . .

[Iggo]

93. That's what happens when there are shortages. You can't be surprised by that.

[Locrian]

95. absolutely

Count on it.

Fear and panic are amazing things ... they show how "fragile" our civilized customs are.
Put people in survival mode and it gets ugly real fast.

Behaving less selfishly only has a limited span - when we feel we're part of something, the system is working, trust, fairness, etc. Isolate people and make them fear/ panic and watch out.