Plastic is worrisome because it's ubiquitous in the modern world. I've read it's 72 hours for plastic and possibly 96 hours for glass.

There may be newer and more precise figures than these, which were based on SARS:

Maximum time SARS-coronavirus can live on various surfaces at room temperature
The novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19 is a close relative of SARS and likely has a similar lifespan on surfaces.

Surface Hours
Plastered wall 36
Formica (laminate material on counter tops) 36
Plastic 72
Stainless steel 72
Glass 96

https://qz.com/1810508/covid-19-can-likely-live-up-to-96-hours-on-your-phone/

Dr. Fauci said (initially at least) not to worry so much about mail because if there's virus on it, it would be attenuated or degraded by the time it gets to you, but he didn't account for what happens if your mail carrier or a sorter close to your house has it. I let everything coming into the house sit for a couple of days unless it's urgent.

I just purchased something called an "incentive spirometer" on the recommendation of two kind DUers, OhioChick and Tavernier, on this very important thread by Meadowlander about nursing yourself through pneumonia at home: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213134865#post7

This is a device that opens up the lungs and improves lung function.

On Amazon, they range in price from about $11 to $73. I settled on a unit that was around $39, not exactly knowing for sure what I'm getting, based on the reviews and the product description. There is a two week wait on the one I ordered, so others may be thinking about spirometers too.

It's a device you breathe through that challenges your lungs to work harder and open up. Most of them look small and are hand-held implements. Athletes use it and people with COPD, asthma, ex-smokers and others who want to improve lung function use a spirometer. It was recommended as a way to increase lung capacity and "open up" the airways within the lungs on the chance it might help prior to or during a bout of pneumonia. I don't know if having good or superior lung function can protect you against pneumonia. It is worth noting that several athletes have contracted the disease, but did they actually get pneumonia? I haven't seen any of the NBA stars hospitalized yet.

(Have any athletes diagnosed with COVID-19 been hospitalized?)

I'm posting this because I'd never heard of these before but they seem like a good way to prepare the lungs for a possible challenge, and one of the posters here said they can be used during a bout with pneumonia as well.

I'm NOT a doctor, just someone who is preparing mentally and physically to face the likely possibility I will get this thing. I'm also definitely not an expert on lungs, pulmonary medicine or anything like that. I'm just learning about this today. But maybe it could help somebody avoid or deal with this infection in the unfortunate event you get it and it tries to go for your lungs.

Here's a little bit more about spirometers:



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incentive_spirometer

I think by getting an incentive spirometer I purchased the right kind. The others measure lung function but don't seem to challenge or improve lung function.

Here's more than you probably want to know about the history of spirometers:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirometer#Types_of_spirometer

By all means, anyone with advice about or experience with spirometers please jump in and correct any mistakes I've made or add detail.

Also, check that DU thread above about living through pneumonia.

Everyone, good luck. We have to stick together and share any details or tips we come across. Some of them may be very valuable in the days ahead.

STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

with other people this hypothetical person is having, and then look at the region and see what the infection rate is. But there are all sorts of unknowns. But it seems to me like risk rises with the number of close encounters (within six feet) and I wouldn't even know how to factor in the airborne component. Is the person mostly inside or outside, riding trains or jogging alone on the beach.

It's an interesting question. I don't even think we know what the infection rates are in most states due to lack of testing. So it would be impossible to say "X people are infected for every Y people who aren't infected." Not every person, obviously, you encounter is infected, but that number is rising every single day. So it becomes more risky with time elapsed.

The people dying today might have been infected three weeks ago and felt great until five or seven days ago.

That's why I wish people wouldn't complain like babies that Governor Cuomo is "on TV too much." It's precisely his exposure that's the reason Trump has no choice but to respond. This morning Cuomo directly addressed Trump. His technique is working.

He's doing a lot of good for many of us, especially those of us who live in red states with dumb governors.

At least, according to Snopes, the veracity of this claim is "mixture"

Does Jared Kushner’s Brother Own a Company Involved in COVID-19 Testing?
Oscar, a digital health-insurance startup that recently set up a service for users to find COVID-19 testing centers, was co-founded by Joshua Kushner.



https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/kushner-oscar-covid/

Even though she never liked leaving the house to begin with, now that she has to stay home she's upset. I understand where she's coming from. She's having to eat canned food. She's watching a lot of TV. She's thirty years older than me, but I just reminded her about the sacrifices made by the WWII generation. She's borrowed many books from me about WWII and the Holocaust. I was trying to put things in perspective.

Our country was in the international news yesterday because we have people in this country calling police emergency numbers when they run out of toilet paper. There are pictures of Americans in Asian, European and Middle Eastern newspapers with shopping carts overflowing with toilet paper. I just think we need to dig down and remember who we are.

From the NYT:



https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/health/coronavirus-statistics-undetected.html

Here are two scanner channels for LA County EMS dispatch (North and South Division).

Maybe there will be some calls related to the virus (shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, "might have COVID", etc.), or some side chatter that might provide insight on the situation. For example, they might have discussions about diverting patients from overfilled facilities, etc.

North Division: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/18435
South Division: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/18556

No guarantees. It's just a thought.

I've been concerned about this too.

He said we shouldn't worry too much about the mail or packages because the virus doesn't live that long on paper and "by the time it gets to you it's" probably not an issue. He said, even if there is some virus on the package it is likely to be so degraded (I can't remember the exact phrase he used) that it's no longer communicable.

He did mention that it might be wise to wipe down objects inside the box but he didn't make it sound like a priority.

I'm leaving "non urgent" mail and packages to sit for a couple of days (I'll carefully open the packages, remove wrappings and set the items out and wash my hands). I'll probably wipe down anything made of plastic (I order a lot of nutritional supplements that come in plastic bottles) but not worry about things wrapped in paper boxes. I'll cut the mail open on the side instead of just ripping it open with my fingers.

But there's something he didn't address, which is if your postal delivery person is infected, because then the source and time is much closer to when it's delivered. We've already had cases (or one case) of a USPS worker being infected.