going anywhere has got to be heaven tonight, 'cause staying here has got to be hell

(Keep in mind I captured this about a week ago, fully intending to edit and put it up the same day. Things have changed, but I still feel there's some value to what's said here.)

And now, for something completely different.

[20:09] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I am on my way to the grocery! Hopefully I will remember everything this time!
[20:09] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol Yes [Wxxxxxxxx]...
[20:09] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: *nods
[20:09] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: good luck :) I go tomorrow morning
[20:09] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Take Care [Dxxxxx]! :3
[20:09] Yxx Axxx: case of tp and bleach
[20:10] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: soap!
[20:10] Yxx Axxx: 3 mos of critter food
[20:10] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: or stuff to make soap lol

It is possible to make soap at home. I've done it. Friends have done it. For a while, along with a family member we had a very small soap business, even, and I was quite proud of our caffeine soap. (Exfoliating from the coffee grounds, and coffee and guarana added to the mix, plus--it floated in water! I loved that stuff.)

Granted, I never made enough to get good at it, but it can be done. The trick is the lye mixture that makes the oil mixture soap. Here's a pretty good article on why that's important. From there, you can make her olive-and-coconut oil listed at the bottom of the entry; this recipe's pretty basic, too. A good basic liquid soap I know is this, which uses no lye (it uses potassium hydroxide flakes instead, a slightly stabler form, also available via Amazon). This is a good coconut-oil-based one. If you'd rather work with soap bases (goat's milk base you can buy at a lot of hobby shops, and on Amazon), this is a pretty easy, basic one. If you like shea butter soaps better, then try this one out.

If you've made soap before, you can scale things up a bit with an activated charcoal soap--it's a little more involved, but again, in a pinch all the ingredients can be bought at health food stores or on Amazon.

And for what it's worth, the simplest hand sanitizer recipe I know isn't exactly functional, but it does work--mix 3 parts rubbing alcohol with 1 part aloe vera gel. Toss in scent or color if you want, but those two ingredients are the only essential ones. Be warned: the aloe will make the end product feel sticky; it's sort of unavoidable in home formulas. If you want to get past that, try this recipe (keeping in mind to not let your pets lick your hands; tea tree oil is incredibly toxic for cats), or if you prefer using witch hazel to alcohol, try this one and swapping out alcohol for the witch hazel (keeping in mind that it's the alcohol that actually sanitizes, witch hazel will not have the same effect, but is gentler on the skin).

[[Insert from the Editrix: While you can still hit the links and see how to DIY these things, I would inform that it's **REALLY** important to make sure that whatever is used in the hand sanitizer, it **NEEDS** to be 60% alcohol or higher. However, in the intervening time, Tito's Vodka has pledged to convert part of their manufacturing line to making hand sanitizer, and a few other liquor companies are going along. I'll get how-to-buy instructions up when they've released the first batches.]]

[20:10] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: all this craziness lately gives new definition to March Madness
[20:11] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: true...
[20:11] Yxx Axxx: no sports will be interesting on male ego

And some female egos; I know a lot of female sports fans, too.

[20:11] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: awe or whoever like sports I guess...
[20:11] Yxx Axxx: now they can do the honey do lists lol
[20:11] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: poor sports fans
[20:11] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: They will be ok :3
[20:12] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: They can play wii sports or whatever lol
[20:13] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: our local news station played the weather 3 times in a half hour! This is strange not having a sports report
[20:13] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'm sure there will be lots of video and online games played
[20:13] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oh yeah that's true, no sports means no sports news
[20:14] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: even our local racetrack ran races with no spectators this weekend, but yet they kept the casino open
[20:14] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Oh that's odd...
[20:14] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes our racetrack ran the horses with no spectators
[20:14] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: o.0
[20:14] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wow...
[20:15] Exxxx Dxxxxx: thats funny keep the casino open with many buttons to push and get something transfered from, oh well let gamblers get it lol
[20:15] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: IKR
[20:15] Yxx Axxx: expendables

[[Insert from the Editrix: Not the wisest decision, and most states at this point (at least in the US) have now issued closing orders for all non-essential businesses.]]

[20:15] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: they still want their money, lol

A sad truth of things.

[20:15] Yxx Axxx: online gaming exists
[20:16] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I don't wish it on even gambling addicts though,, :(
[20:16] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: noooo
[20:16] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but doesn't make sense to take chances that way to me
[20:16] Yxx Axxx: i worry for the homeless
[20:17] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and the prisoners :/

[[Insert from the Editrix: At this point, that worry seems well founded. It's spreading through the prison system.]]

[20:17] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I hope people stay as safe as possible and I am glad there is online activity nowadays or I would be SO bored lol
[20:17] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the people in the airports returning from abroad
[20:17] Yxx Axxx: madoff and epstien less so worried
[20:17] Sxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: well they can gamble online so they can stay home and lose their money
[20:17] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: *nods
[20:17] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and I thought the youtubers going to the stores just to record the empty shelves were stupid, but an open casino is just crazy!
[20:18] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yes...
[20:18] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: our casino closed but the track has online gambling
[20:19] Yxx Axxx: my home has never been cleaner
[20:19] Exxxx Dxxxxx: if i want to waist money ill get 400 rolls of toilet paper that you cant eat lol
[20:19] Sxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: lol i am betting a lot of people homes are like that especially the ones having to work from home
[20:19] Yxx Axxx: rivals sl home now lol
[20:20] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I don't like going to the store during cold and flu season much less now!
[20:20] EYxx Axxx: ebola sars mers zika now this so no reprieve

[[Insert from the Editrix: Prevailing theory is, there's a strong possibility that this will join recurrent diseases, like measles, chicken pox, and the various flus, only remain in this deadlier form.]]

[20:21] Exxxx Dxxxxx: i envy people that can work at home, the joy of my job Friday was setting up a new printer in our local covid testing site
[20:21] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I work in retail and recently was moved to a commssion based position
[20:22] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: 2 weeks ago being stuck at home with the company paying me would be ok. But now..I'm not sure how I'm going to pay my bills.
[20:22] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Gxxxx] that makes more sense at least
[20:22] Emilly Orr: Ouch, [Mxxxx].
[20:23] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yeah they are working with me to try and help me out, so I can claim "non selling hours" during the week when I do other stuff and they are not even checking to make sure I'm actually doing it and padding the hours . We had customeres on Saturday but I'm assuming it will be slower this week since they just closed all th schools
[20:24] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Hopefully if everyone follows directions by staying home except for groceries, washing their hands.... this virus will burn itself out soon

[[Insert from the Editrix: Well, no, on two grounds: first, a lot of people were idiots, and still went out to church services, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day celebrations, and spring break, which is why there are now cases in every single US state. Secondly, this will not 'burn itself out'. Immunity will reach enough mass through the population that the survivors likely won't get it again. But it will still be there, is the suspicion.]]

[20:24] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I have worked at home for nearly 4 years and I love it, so staying home will be nothing new for me
[20:24] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I chickened out on the groceries lol
[20:26] Sxxxxxx Exxxx: I am diabled myself, and caretaker to two elderly folks, so I have to be careful. Two grocery stores near me have where you can orderonline, and then go and pick the stuff up already ready to go. It's not delivery, but having that helped.
[20:26] Sxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: yeah i did that with walmart, the curbside delivery
[20:26] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: WB [Dxxxxx]!
[20:26] Axxxx Cxxxxx: I worry about what happens in say a month's time, when supplies and patience are running low
[20:26] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I agree, Gypsy, but unfortunately a lot of people just can't stay home, those who work in retail, etc., and the worst part of this to me is that it will probably kill a lot of small businesses like restaurants and boutique shops
[20:26] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Thank you!!
[20:26] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes grocery delivery helps, order early
[20:27] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I haven'[t seen my mom , she lives an hour a way but she's been sick a bunch that we agreed I shouldn't see her
[20:27] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and my boyfriend went to his brother's today but I stayed home. I did go to Wal Mart and tomorrow I'll go to work and get gas but that's as limited as I can get
[20:28] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: aw [Wxxx], you are right that some do have to go out and collectively we pray and think positive to keep them safe
[20:29] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: Stymied I am going to that right now, or figure out how to that at least! Thank you for reminding me!

[[Insert from the Editrix: Thankfully, at this point, most of the supply chain has reestablished itself, but with more and more of the country falling ill--our President having decided following Italy's plan was better than South Korea's--it's only a matter of time before we **DO** start seeing major shortages.]]

[20:30] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Dxxxxx], I just decided to name my lovebird Corona in honor of present times, but it's a happy name because a corona is a halo or crown effect like the saints had in those old Renaissance paintings :)
[20:30] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: AWwwwwwww!! That is really beautiful, [Wxxx]!
[20:30] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thanks :)
[20:30] Exxxx Dxxxxx: just remember social distancing and constant hand washing hygiene, even all us working in hospitals are not all getting sick

[[Insert from the Editrix: I'd highly recommend this suggestion be followed. Correct hand washing techniques--with soap, over all surfaces of the hand, between the fingers, and underneath the nails if possible, for at least 20 seconds--are proving to be better than hand sanitizer, masks, and most levels of protective gear. Barring hospitals--there, they truly do **NEED** the masks, the protective goggles, the gloves, the protective gowns--and they do **NOT** have enough of them. But keep hand washing in mind if you're just at home and not a hospital or care worker--it doesn't have to be hot or even warm water, in a pinch, it just has to be thorough and take at lease 20 seconds of time.]]

[20:32] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: excellent ideas :)
[20:32] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: corona viruses have been around for many years, but this one is new, thus the name novel, and our bodies have no immunity to it, so it spreads like wildfire
[20:34] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I was tyring to explain that to people at work [Wxxx] bc they kept saying it has been around since it's on the Lysol bottle itworks against coronoavirus
[20:34] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but they just ddin't believe me
[20:35] Emilly Orr: The thing about this is, yes, there are a lot of strains of coronavirus, it's pretty common, but MOST of the ones we've been hit with cause symptoms. This one...doesn't. You get it, you start to feel sick 2 to 14 days after exposure. Which is why it's dangerous--anyone can walk around, thinking they're well, and be a carrier.

[[Having had the days between when this was captured and now, we now know that for some carriers, they can show no symptoms for up to **FOUR** weeks, which seems insane, or carry so nominal symptoms as to seem like a standard mild allergy attack. We also know from doctors who have gotten it and detailed their symptoms online that when one **DOES** fall prey to this, respiratory failure is not the only concern. It's also accompanied by a consistent fever, for several days to weeks, that never lowers below 101 degrees for the afflicted. Add to that immense fatigue and severe joint pain, and this is **NOT** a bug anyone wants to get.]]

[20:35] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I saw a good post on FB today that explained the difference between this virus and the others, which brough tit all into perspective
[20:36] Exxxx Dxxxxx: True honey why get good information Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness thats like saying flu swine flu bird flu is many types
[20:36] hxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Thank you, [Wxxx] : )
[20:36] bxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: agh [Mxxxx] amd Emily - my sister is so much smarter than i'll ever be but she's saying those exact Facebook-y group type things that are just making me CRAZY
[20:37] Emilly Orr: Yeah, there's a LOT of misinformation out there, unfortunately.
[20:37] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: people keep saying the virus is just like the flu, but it's not
[20:37] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes! please check facts on the CDC website
[20:37] Emilly Orr: Flu can kill too. And has. Dismissing it as something that *also* kills people makes no sense.
[20:38] Wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: true, very true, Emily
[20:38] Exxxx Dxxxxx: pneumonia kills thats how they are similar

[[Insert from the Editrix: The main thing that we're seeing now, that we didn't see at the time I put this together, is that it's not just a disease that will take out the elderly and the impaired. (And I am **STILL** highly irate with the guest at one of our dances that told me, **TO MY FACE,** that it's okay if I die because I'm "weak". Gosh, thanks for that, like I wasn't concerned enough. It wasn't like getting pneumonia sixteen times by age 20 was a **HOBBY**. No one **CHOOSES** that.) But at this point, we are seeing it going everywhere--through the aging population, yes, but also hitting the young, and that group of 24-to-40-year-olds that seemed to think they were invulnerable. Guess what, folks? You're not. Snap out of it.]]

[20:38] Emilly Orr: And hospitals are already dealing with people who've swallowed rubbing alcohol or bleach to 'kill' the virus. Please don't do that.

I'm not kidding. This video goes into two of the recent cases, and exactly why such treatments will not work. So play it safe and don't do it.

[20:38] wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Ohhhh NO!!!

Oh, yes, unfortunately. It's happening, because people don't check if something is true before doing it. Don't believe anything blindly.

[20:39] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: 0_o
[20:39] Sxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: everyone knows you drink purel for that

[20:39] Exxxx Dxxxxx: Virus

severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2)
[20:39] Exxxx Dxxxxx: Disease
coronavirus disease
(COVID-19)

[20:39] Exxxx Dxxxxx: two different things
[20:41] bxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxxx: we can't all afford to have to see a doctor at the same time and crash the system

[[Which is **EXACTLY** why social distancing is important. It won't **KILL* this thing, it won't stop it in its tracks, but the hope is we can space out the cases so none of our hospitals have to deal with a thousand new cases for a building that holds 300. I have seen pictures of Italy where there are patients in the halls, stacked six to a room, pushed into closets, and people are still dying because they don't have enough ventilators for all the afflicted.]]

[20:42] axxxxxxxxxxxxxx: plenty of people care for a older family member so make the effort for community health
[20:43] wxxxxxxxxxxxxxx: one recommendation I've seen is to call your doctor if you have symptoms, dont' just show up at the ER or urgent care, or use a telehealth system to speak to a doctor about your symptoms
[20:44] axxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: as mentined before cdc website is very informative
[20:45] Exxxx Dxxxxx: yes where you are you should have a health link number or on the news some number to call. going infecting all at regular hospital not a good idea.
[20:46] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes there is a checklist
[20:47] Exxxx Dxxxxx: even if call 911 you should let them know you have symptoms so they come prepared
[20:47] Exxxx Dxxxxx: if you do have they symptoms that is

That's not always helpful, though, at least in the US. While there is no earthly reason for any medical professional not to know these things by now, there was an incident where a fellow called in with mild symptoms (calling in to a nurse specifically so if he did have the virus, he wouldn't infect people in the hospital), and the nurse laughed. Told him to turn off the TV, and if he had coronavirus, he'd know it. Then hung up on him.

That's the thing, as I explained above. With an incubation period of 48 hours to two full weeks, it's not only possible to feel no symptoms and be infected, it's likely. I am hoping word starts getting around and reinforcing, but if we can't even trust our nurses and doctors, where do we go?

Thankfully, for most in the medical field, they are trustworthy, and they are willing to help. It's the outliers that paint the worst pictures of things.

[[Last insert from the Editrix: While I did want to mention that story, because it's appalling, I will say that everything I've seen since then paints doctors and nurses as brave, caring, fierce caregivers, and even those who've fallen ill are trying to track their symptms and pass them on so that might help others. I'm also hearing that several countries are now sending protective supplies to the countries hardest hit, Italy in specific, but others, with words of comfort and support. If nothing else, we can say that this horrible virus did help, for at least a while, to bring the world together. I just wish it had been something a little less fatal.]]