Nothing has changed. We are still in the throes of a deadly pandemic.

[Shanti Mama]

I wrote on Tuesday that my uncle had tested positive and was in the hospital. He's coming up on 90 in a month.

He deteriorated quickly on Saturday and then made a decision not to be intubated as the long term consequences of this, if he survived, were too awful. So, he is now saying his good byes by phone and, fortunately, his wife will be allowed in to hold his hand as he dies. This should happen soon. They have NO idea how he became infected.

People, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. This virus is still wildly contagious and it kills. There is NO reason to ease up. I can only imagine how totally pissed off are those who must expose themselves as healthcare workers and essential services providers.

I do not wish this virus on the ignorant idiots out there not practicing safe humanhood, but they need to learn and often experience is the best/only teacher.

[Tanuki]

1. I am so sorry for your uncle and for you and all of your family.

[dutch777]

2. Sad news but thank you for sharing and trying to educate/remind people

I am so sorry for your loss under these terrible circumstances. I am heartened that his wife can be with him.

You are absolutely right, really nothing has changed....its a vicious bug, there is no vaccine, no easy highly effective treatment and there is no herd immunity. Wishful thinking is nice but it won't stop this virus.

And your point about the healthcare workers that have to watch this day in, day out and be scared of taking the disease home or getting it themselves is the thing that so many people miss. They are human too and while they have the smarts and the training, this level of stress and pressure cannot be endured forever. And they must cringe at the stories on the news of bars and beaches packed with people knowing that in a couple of weeks an emergency room somewhere will be seeing some of them and the pressure will not be letting up any time soon. When the healthcare workers stop showing up, it will take this tragedy to a whole new level. It staggers me on the ineffectualness of our national and some of our state leadership. Sad for your family and the country.

[uppityperson]

3. I am so sorry and agree.

[DownriverDem]

4. So Sorry - Why they don't care

They don't care because 1) They don't know anyone who has/had it or died from it & 2) They act like it's a red v blue fight. Sorry for what your uncle and family are going through.

[iluvtennis]

5. So sorry for you and your family. Be strong.

[Karadeniz]

6. How did this happen? You have a courageous family. Deepest sympathy that you're being

Deprived of your uncle before his time.

[niyad]

7. I am so very sorry to hear about your uncle. It is good that his wife will be able to be with him.

I want to thank for "practicing safe human hood". What a lovely way of saying all that it encompasses.

[Canoe52]

8. So sorry for you and your family.

[BigmanPigman]

9. I just read that 66% of Covid patients STAYED AT HOME!

"How people who seem to be following sheltering guidelines can contract coronavirus remains a perplexing problem. A recent New York survey found that 66% of people with COVID-19 infection are sheltering in place."

"Cuomo offered possible reasons why. Maybe residents aren’t wearing masks as they should. Maybe they aren’t using hand sanitizer. Maybe younger people, who are at lesser risk, were being careless and spreading the virus to older friends, neighbors, and relatives. Even if they are wearing a mask, they’re not wearing an N-95 mask,” he said. “They’re wearing a mask that’s a bit less effective if they run across somebody shedding the virus, so there’s still a possibility they’re coming down with the disease.”

"There could be other reasons as well."

"For one, the novel coronavirus affects every person somewhat differently. “The problem is that we don’t have a perfect handle on this virus. This virus works differently in almost every person,” Dr. Davis said."

https://www.medicinenet.com/how_can_you_catch_covid-19_staying_home-news.htm

[Igel]

16. And ... ?

We don't have Chinese-style detention centers for those infected, nor do we want to hospitalize people for a low fever or sniffles. Or feeling okay.

[Marthe48]

10. Sorry about the sad news you shared

I'm glad he won't be alone.

[safeinOhio]

11. Good luck to your and your family.

I hope it will be peaceful for him, either way.

My love goes out to you.

[paleotn]

12. Slow burn, but burn it does...

It will flare here and there this summer where people meet in close proximity and share air. Particularly places where people do things like sing, cheer or breath heavily during indoor, physical exertion. There's a strong correlation between heavy and frequent breathing indoors by those infected and the likelihood of spreading the virus. A choir practice in Washington state comes to mind. But that's really no different than what we know as the common cold...

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6919e6.htm
https://www.livescience.com/covid-19-superspreader-singing.html

In the fall, as it turns cold once again, avoiding close contact and breathing other people's air becomes more difficult and the slow burn turns into a wide spread conflagration.

Covid-19 isn't doing anything weird. It's spreads just like any number of respiratory pathogens. This one just happens to be novel and deadly. It's our perceptions that make it seem weird or not that big a deal when it's in slow burn phase. But when it lays many of them on their backs this fall and winter and kills Aunt Gertrude, human perceptions will change.

[calimary]

13. So sorry to hear.

And NO. NOTHING has changed. This is NOT over.

Virtual hugs -

[uponit7771]

14. K&R, 90% of counties in the US are still spreading

[Shanti Mama]

15. He died within hours.

When he said no to the ventilator then there was nothing more to do. They removed the supplemental oxygen, began morphine, and he went in just a few hours. He was a class act and he went with class.

This could be anyone, ANYONE else. My heart is breaking.

[Laurelin]

17. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Your uncle sounds like such a decent man.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

18. He got the last word against the virus, at least.

I hope I would be as strong in choosing.

[Shanti Mama]

19. Great way to think about it

Thx