NON_POLITICAL China Coronavirus THREAD

[s0me0nesmind1]

@zinfamous you are smart with this stuff.
I had a small bottle of hand sanitizer I used up months ago when it was impossible to find hand sanitizer, the smell was very strong and very gag inducing.

Are people getting poisoned from the methanol by drinking it?
Seems like something that isn’t very skin permeable.

Edit: forgot to quote, see above

Media has definitely been reporting that it is absorbed through the skin.

 

[PingSpike]

FDA Says Reports of Methanol Poisoning From Hand Sanitizers Are Rising

Consumers were advised Monday to take care when shopping for and using hand sanitizer, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning that reports of methanol poisoning from such products have continued to rise nationwide. A statement by the regulatory agency highlighted efforts to recall...

www.nbclosangeles.com

Well its not on the list. Still not that sure about it.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Media has definitely been reporting that it is absorbed through the skin.

Yeah I’ve seen that just seems like it would dry quickly and not be enough to poison you but maybe I’m wrong.
I’m wondering if those being poisoned are doing something weird with it like super over applying it or drinking it or god knows what.

IMPORTANT: above isn’t saying methanol should be used

 

[CZroe]

Ethyl (grain) alcohol already stinks compared to the isopropyl alcohol normally used in hand sanitizers but it's significantly worse after they "denature" it to keep people from drinking it. It has more to do with regulating alcohol for consumption (taxes!) than keeping people from hurting themselves, since buying the gallons at home improvement stores or whatever would be an end-around their attempts to regulate and control alcohol consumption.

Can't have people buying a gallon of glass cleaner/stove fuel to spike their own beverages at home.

Anyway, the bad smell doesn't mean it's the dangerous kind with methanol that gets absorbed through the skin. There are many things you can add to denature ethyl alcohol and methanol is one. That's fine when you aren't selling the denatured alcohol as a hand sanitizer intended to be used directly on your skin and it has warnings not to. Unfortunately, there is no standard way to denature it so one batch of sanitizer could be fine and another could be dangerous just because they switched Ethanol sources and their new supplier does something else to denature it.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Well its not on the list. Still not that sure about it.

I recently tossed a 8oz bottle of sanitizer because like the small bottle it smelled undesirably bad, chemical/earthy kind of smell. I was too freaked out by it.
I’m no longer buying sanitizer from Mexico my China ban is back in effect since I can now buy it from more reputable sources.

 

[K1052]

It's widely reported that an aggressive and coordinated response is exactly what they did; whether outsiders believe the outcome is up for some debate. But it's extreme hubris to think that because America fucked things up so badly, a poor country couldn't possibly have done so well and must be lying.

As an aside and recently reported by NYT, Thailand had one of the original COVID-19 cases that came from Wuhan. If their official numbers are accurate (keep in mind infections in all countries are massively underreported), then they've also done quite well at controlling outbreaks. But this story is far from over; many countries are dealing with new outbreaks and earlier success stories such as Australia have a mess on their hands currently.

Turns out it's less about the money than the will to act rationally, decisively, and quickly.

Australia has got an outbreak in Victoria that's a problem. HK is tightening again after unwisely creating a bunch of exceptions for travelers. SK has issues with imports. Even places that suppressed the virus have to keep on it until there is a vaccine with sound continuing policies.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I recently tossed a 8oz bottle of sanitizer because like the small bottle it smelled undesirably bad, chemical/earthy kind of smell. I was too freaked out by it.
I’m no longer buying sanitizer from Mexico my China ban is back in effect since I can now buy it from more reputable sources.

I'm pretty thankful that I had a big near half-gallon size of hand-sanitzer from the standard "safe" brands that you typically saw prior to the whole outbreak. We haven't even come anywhere close to emptying it.

Ultimately I think people are DRASTICALLY over-using this shit. Even a small bottle should be lasting you months.

 

[CZroe]

I'm pretty thankful that I had a big near half-gallon size of hand-sanitzer from the standard "safe" brands that you typically saw prior to the whole outbreak. We haven't even come anywhere close to emptying it.

Ultimately I think people are DRASTICALLY over-using this shit. Even a small bottle should be lasting you months.

Are you using it enough?

Touched the employee door and the time clock? Sanitizer and sanitizer.

Cashier hands you your card back? Sanitizer... might even want some on the card before it goes back in your wallet.

Person hands your your food at the drive thru? Sanitizer again... even if you just did it at the payment window (can't contaminate the wheel and shift knob).

Pumped gas? Sanitizer.

It's not like you can just wash your hands out there and you've already cross-contaminated surfaces if you wait.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I'm pretty thankful that I had a big near half-gallon size of hand-sanitzer from the standard "safe" brands that you typically saw prior to the whole outbreak. We haven't even come anywhere close to emptying it.

Ultimately I think people are DRASTICALLY over-using this shit. Even a small bottle should be lasting you months.

Per some virus expert dude I heard on the radio, he claimed that since it’s new and not completely understood we all should apply enough sanitizer to have our hands wet. He described it as wet like you dipped your hands in a bucket of water.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Are you using it enough?

Touched the employee door and the time clock? Sanitizer and sanitizer.

Cashier hands you your card back? Sanitizer... might even want some on the card before it goes back in your wallet.

Person hands your your food at the drive thru? Sanitizer again... even if you just did it at the payment window (can't contaminate the wheel and shift knob).

Pumped gas? Sanitizer.

It's not like you can just wash your hands out there and you've already cross-contaminated surfaces if you wait.

Absolutely. When I "go out" in the rare instances that I actually have to go inside... say... I had to drop off a UPS package the other day at a UPS Store. I go inside, I do the exchange, I walk out, I go to my car, and I use 1 or 2 pumps on my hands.

But most people aside from essential workers shouldn't be going out.

I think I've pumped my gas once during this whole outbreak.

No one in my area takes my card. They had swipe or insert terminals forever.

I also just don't go shopping unless it's online. I use the grocery car pickup feature, etc...


Unless you're working - you shouldn't be going out day after day after day.... and if it's at work I would make the employer have that shit for everyone if they expected me to be present.

I think more folks just need to wash their damn hands more instead and stop using that shit like it's a lotion faucet.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Absolutely. When I "go out" in the rare instances that I actually have to go inside... say... I had to drop off a UPS package the other day at a UPS Store. I go inside, I do the exchange, I walk out, I go to my car, and I use 1 or 2 pumps on my hands.

But most people aside from essential workers shouldn't be going out.

I think I've pumped my gas once during this whole outbreak.

No one in my area takes my card. They had swipe or insert terminals forever.

I also just don't go shopping unless it's online. I use the grocery car pickup feature, etc...


Unless you're working - you shouldn't be going out day after day after day.... and if it's at work I would make the employer have that shit for everyone if they expected me to be present.

I think more folks just need to wash their damn hands more instead and stop using that shit like it's a lotion faucet.

I agree, radio guy said washing with any plain soap for 30 seconds is the gold standard.
He preferred bar soaps for some reason that I forgot.
Maybe fewer additives?

 

[Muse]

I pulled out the video URL, and it doesn't appear to be behind the paywall. YMMV.

https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000007227777/covid-19-global-response.html

I haven't watched this one yet, but previous general news articles have already reported that numerous people around the world are stupefied at how badly the U.S. has fumbled the coronavirus football since day 1.

I did watch that video and it sends that message, people around the world can hardly believe how badly we've fucked this up. They face time with quite a few not ignorant people, go over metrics, etc. I recommend watching it.

 

[Muse]

I agree, radio guy said washing with any plain soap for 30 seconds is the gold standard.
He preferred bar soaps for some reason that I forgot.
Maybe fewer additives?

I use that old fashioned 20 mule team borax abrasive-feeling powder stuff you used to find in dispensers in public "bathrooms." I bought a big box of it 20+ years ago and am still working on it. It just gets your hands cleaner & faster than bar soap. I think a bar soap with abrasive such as Lava would be similar, although not as convenient for me. I pour the Borax stuff in a dedicated plastic container with a hole burned in the top-cover. Is it good at killing SARS-CoV-2? Well, it is excellent are cleaning oily hands, so I think the answer is yes.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I use that old fashioned 20 mule team borax abrasive-feeling powder stuff you used to find in dispensers in public "bathrooms." I bought a big box of it 20+ years ago and am still working on it. It just gets your hands cleaner & faster than bar soap. I think a bar soap with abrasive such as Lava would be similar, although not as convenient for me. I pour the Borax stuff in a dedicated plastic container with a hole burned in the top-cover. Is it good at killing SARS-CoV-2? Well, it is excellent are cleaning oily hands, so I think the answer is yes.

I use borax for cleaning & laundry.
I’m no expert but to my understanding the lather is what encapsulates virus(es) then the water washes it away.
Borax doesn’t lather well. I’d go to a more standard soap.

 

[Muse]

I use borax for cleaning & laundry.
I’m no expert but to my understanding the lather is what encapsulates virus(es) then the water washes it away.
Borax doesn’t lather well. I’d go to a more standard soap.

I'll consider it. But my lifestyle right now has me pretty unexposed. I wash my hands after handling the mail or packages. I have a bar of Ivory pure soap at the same location (kitchen sink), but use it for dish washing.

 

[Grey_Beard]

I did watch that video and it sends that message, people around the world can hardly believe how badly we've fucked this up. They face time with quite a few not ignorant people, go over metrics, etc. I recommend watching it.

The fact that they are emotional (crying and reacting) on these revelations is telling. It seems they are more upset about what is happening than the some of people it is happening to. It seems now we are the most pitied nation in the world. Amazing what four years can do.

 

[Muse]

I recently tossed a 8oz bottle of sanitizer because like the small bottle it smelled undesirably bad, chemical/earthy kind of smell. I was too freaked out by it.
I’m no longer buying sanitizer from Mexico my China ban is back in effect since I can now buy it from more reputable sources.

When hand sanitizer was AFAIK impossible to find 6-8 weeks ago? I ordered a small bottle of Aloe Vera off Amazon and mixed some with 90% rubbing alcohol that I've had for years. Have used it a time or two. It's pretty watery, don't know if that's to be expected.

A few weeks ago my shopper bought me a bottle of hand sanitizer at the local indy supermarket. I haven't opened it... it's sitting by my front door. I suppose I'll look at the ingredients list. I'd expect isopropyl alcohol.

 

[Grey_Beard]

I'll consider it. But my lifestyle right now has me pretty unexposed. I wash my hands after handling the mail or packages. I have a bar of Ivory pure soap at the same location (kitchen sink), but use it for dish washing.

I use borax for cleaning & laundry.
I’m no expert but to my understanding the lather is what encapsulates virus(es) then the water washes it away.
Borax doesn’t lather well. I’d go to a more standard soap.

These work well for oil and grease, since they are also good at removing a layer or two of skin given their abrasive ingredients. I would suggest that you put lotion on afterward to help with drying or cracking of your hands. The part of hand washing that works well for the virus and germs in general is friction. The friction of your hands does more than any soap in killing germs, bacteria and viruses. The reason for the 30 second washing is to allow the friction to build heat on your skin to kill the virus. Good hand washing technique is something that should be taught but is not. Do not forget about the back of your hands and under your finger nails.

Here is good video to check your technique.

 

[Muse]

Are you using it enough?

Touched the employee door and the time clock? Sanitizer and sanitizer.

Cashier hands you your card back? Sanitizer... might even want some on the card before it goes back in your wallet.

Person hands your your food at the drive thru? Sanitizer again... even if you just did it at the payment window (can't contaminate the wheel and shift knob).

Pumped gas? Sanitizer.

It's not like you can just wash your hands out there and you've already cross-contaminated surfaces if you wait.

I went to my local public library and got a couple DVDs 3 days ago. The card went on a tray and presumably was never touched but passed under a scanner (I had the barcode up!). But it went in my backpack with the DVDs and they are in my personal quarantine.

I pumped gas one time since Jan. 3, 2020. I'm pretty stay at home now. I'm actually getting more used to it. Never get cabin fever, never get the idea "I have to get out of here." I really have a ton of things to do here. I have 1/2 dozen great books literally at my elbow (and literally dozens more elsewhere), myriad movies, videos, etc. Music galore. The internet, TV news. My burgeoning workout studio, vegetable garden in the back yard, a friendly neighbor who shops my food. I have ups and downs, but mostly I'm pretty serene.

 

[Muse]

Took this in my doctor's office while waiting... before the pandemic. This is some serious technique for ultra hygiene.

 

[brianmanahan]

Took this in my doctor's office while waiting... before the pandemic. This is some serious technique for ultra hygiene.View attachment 26966

recite the following while washing hands to make sure you're doing it long enough:

 

[brainhulk]

Six distinct 'types' of COVID-19 identified

 

[Fanatical Meat]

recite the following while washing hands to make sure you're doing it long enough:

I’ve been into old school Metallica lately.
I sing 4:00 to 4:46 I skip the solo part.

 

[Muse]

recite the following while washing hands to make sure you're doing it long enough:

I can't remember all that stuff unless you put it to music. Make it better than happy birthday two times. When this is all over I want some 20 second hugs!

 

[Muse]

Six distinct 'types' of COVID-19 identified

Seems that they have identified 6 types of symptom clusters, not necessarily 6 different strains of the virus.

The analysis revealed six specific groupings of symptoms emerging at characteristic timepoints in the progression of the illness, representing six distinct ‘types’ of COVID-19. The algorithm was then tested by running it on a second independent dataset of 1,000 users in the UK, US and Sweden, who had logged their symptoms during May.