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    #16
    I am in the county right next to the 7 counties in the San Francisco Bay Area that are now in shelter in place. All non-essential businesses are closed such as gyms, bars and sit down restaurants. Only to-go food or delivery is available right now. My wife went to the grocery store Sunday and most of the shelves were empty. Even in my county all non emergency medical appointments have been cancelled and all of the schools are closed. The normally busy street in front of my house has had very few cars on it this week. It is very erie and it is likely to get worse before it gets better. My daughter in Italy said that if you are going to get groceries or medicine, the only places open, that no more than 2 people can be in the car, 1 in the front seat and 1 in the back. We haven't gone to that extreme yet but we may before this is over.

    I am teleworking from home now and today I didn't move nearly as much as I would if I had gone into the office. Tomorrow I will have to try and get up more to stretch and maybe take a short walk to get the blood moving. I sure hope this doesn't last that long as it is going to be devastating to the economy already as it is!

    Comment


      #17
      Hi,
      I haven't posted on this forum in forever, when I read my bio, it seems like a lifetime ago. Like many of you, I'm hunkered down at home trying not to go stir crazy. I live with my elderly mother who has 1 lung and COPD, so we have been sheltering in place or self imposed quarantine since last Wednesday 3/11. Due to Mom's high risk, I went out and did the shopping Wednesday and stocked up. I'm very concerned about her catching the virus. I have some prescriptions at the pharmacy that I will need to pick up soon. I tried calling because I wanted to have them delivered and left on my porch, but the call just went straight to hold and I waited a while. I don't think the delivery is going to be feasible, so I guess I'll go over and use the drive thru to try to avoid people.

      I came on to play some games in the arcade and then just took a look at the forums and thought I'd say hi and commiserate with everyone else who is stuck at home and waiting this craziness out.
      Dx'd : 10/30/2002
      Started Copaxone 12/16/2002
      Currently on Rituxan

      Comment


        #18
        Originally posted by Lynnada View Post
        Hi,
        I haven't posted on this forum in forever, when I read my bio, it seems like a lifetime ago. Like many of you, I'm hunkered down at home trying not to go stir crazy. ...

        I came on to play some games in the arcade and then just took a look at the forums and thought I'd say hi and commiserate with everyone else who is stuck at home and waiting this craziness out.
        I'm glad your mom has you for support.

        Thanks for checking in with us. We all need to stick together.
        ~ Faith
        MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
        (now a Mimibug)

        Symptoms began in JAN02
        - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
        - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08
        .

        - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
        - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

        Comment


          #19
          Originally posted by Lynnada View Post
          Hi,
          I haven't posted on this forum in forever, when I read my bio, it seems like a lifetime ago. Like many of you, I'm hunkered down at home trying not to go stir crazy. I live with my elderly mother who has 1 lung and COPD, so we have been sheltering in place or self imposed quarantine since last Wednesday 3/11. Due to Mom's high risk, I went out and did the shopping Wednesday and stocked up. I'm very concerned about her catching the virus. I have some prescriptions at the pharmacy that I will need to pick up soon. I tried calling because I wanted to have them delivered and left on my porch, but the call just went straight to hold and I waited a while. I don't think the delivery is going to be feasible, so I guess I'll go over and use the drive thru to try to avoid people.

          I came on to play some games in the arcade and then just took a look at the forums and thought I'd say hi and commiserate with everyone else who is stuck at home and waiting this craziness out.
          Hi Lynnada

          Glad you stopped by to say hi, and to let us know what's going on with you.

          Hope you will stay in touch.

          Wishing you and your Mom all the best.
          PPMS for 26 years (dx 1998)
          ~ Worrying will not take away tomorrow's troubles ~ But it will take away today's peace. ~

          Comment


            #20
            I haven't been on the forum in awhile, and thought I'd check in and see how folks were faring.

            I'm pretty much on round the clock self distancing because the only time I go out of the house is for doctor appointments a family function. I'm on o2 pretty much 24/7, and we do have another portable o2 generator that I take to doctor appointments. MS has worked it's "magic" on my lungs and they are weak, and the neuromuscular scoliosis just compounds the low oxygen stats.

            I do work from home about 6 hours a day and that keeps me busy. I've come to enjoy the quiet. My husband does the grocery or we get delivery. We have three stores within a mile of us that do delivery or pickup (Aldi, Walmart, and Publix.) That's really convenient, but my husband doesn't mind going , so he'll pop into a store once or twice a week and get us stocked up. I also use Prime Pantry on Amazon. If you have Prime, you only have to order $10 minimum to get the free shipping. We've found some things through the Pantry that we can't buy in our local groceries. I order everything else off Amazon. (I make a game of comparing prices between Walmart and Amazon to see who has the best deal on a product. I'm always surprised when Amazon sometimes beats Walmart as to lowest price of a product.)

            My grandkids, son and DIL only live about 15 minutes from us, but we're all self isolating for a week. My son's on telecommuting, so he's working from home, and starting tomorrow, my husband will be working from home as well.

            We live in a tourist town and yesterday's announcement about closing all bars/pubs for 30 days
            got my attention. Not that I'm a drinker or go to pubs , but when tourist towns are told to do
            that it has to be a serious threat. Restaurants can stay open, if they serve no alcohol, operate at only 1/2 capacity and position tables and chairs so no tables are less than 6 feet apart.

            I cancelled one non-urgent doctor appointment, and I make a regular 6 week visit to my GP. This time we're going to do it on FaceTime...they don't want already compromised people to come into the office where they might catch another "bug." As us MS people know, any illness can set off a pseudo-exacerbation, so staying away from the doctor's is a good thing.

            I read an article this morning and finally realized why the entire country is on alert. It's call "exponential growth." It's not the number of cases diagnosed, it's how fast they are doubled.
            Stats were not good for Florida. Yesterday there were about 200 people diagnosed, today there are another 100 and we're up to 300 diagnosed. If tomorrow we add another 100, we'll have doubled the growth of the virus in our state in 2 days...those aren't good statistics. Once it peaks, it definitely regresses. China now has a doubling of case diagnoses every 30 days, so things are really slowing down there.

            I homeschooled our son from 3rd grade on, and there weren't a lot of folks doing it (this was 25 years ago.) Now the state government is recommending homeschool to the entire state...we actually do have the program already in place via the internet, but not a lot of parents choose it. So to hear that the whole state is homeschooling made me smile. I went on Amazon and there are so many education videos free through Amazon Prime video, and flash cards and workbooks galore, the only problem is how does a single parent manage kids, schooling, and work? Or worse, no work.

            It is a difficult time for everyone.

            Comment


              #21
              So much is changing in such a short time, hard to take it all in.

              Husband working from home, and college is all on-line for my daughter. Hope internet servers can handle the increased volume.

              Our church suspended all activities last week. They set up a portal that includes resources for "church at home" experiences and Sunday video messages from our pastors.

              My husband does the shopping. He now orders our groceries on-line and picks order up at store, usually the following day. Unfortunately, still can't get everything ordered, but better than shopping in a mobbed store with empty shelves. Cost is $4 per order.

              In Michigan restaurants (other than carry out or delivery), bars, gyms, rec centers, theaters, casinos, zoo all ordered closed as of Monday afternoon, as well as mass gathering of 50+ people.

              Some malls closing, some have reduced hours. Same with retail stores.

              All health care facilities prohibiting visitors from entering their facilities unless necessary for providing medical care or supporting patient care activities, or visiting under exigent circumstances, such as grave illness or imminent death of a family member under care in the facility thru April 5.

              My appointment with my MS Specialist at a university hospital today was canceled Monday. Couldn't reschedule it until the third week of June.

              Confirmed cases in state rose to 110 today with 1st death, after first 2 confirmed cases just a week ago. As of yesterday, 10 in my county, 23 in an adjoining county which is just across the street from the subdivision where I live. Too close for comfort.

              Local hospitals now offer limited curb side coronovirus testing. Must have symptoms and risk factors to be tested. Wait for results takes days.
              State working with in state labs for faster results. Numbers will undoubtedly rise.

              A case was confirmed at a nursing home in the adjoining county Sunday, a second there yesterday. Set off alarms after what happened in Seattle. Residents in lockdown, meals left at door, all residents and staff being monitored for signs of the virus. Hoping not too late.

              Yesterday, it was learned 3 of the confirmed cases are workers from each of big 3 auto plants here. Two aren't far from me. The UAW wanted them all closed down. They were today. Won't be good for the economy. Husband's job is also tied into the automotive industry.

              Son came home late Saturday evening from for his college break (from western NY) this week. Had to be back by next Monday morning because also a teaching assistant there. Announcement made last Wednesday university was canceling all face-to-face classes thru the end of the semester. Transitioning to on-line learning.

              First confirmed case in western NY last Thursday, about an hour an half from his school. As of Monday, there were 7 more - all in his county. One in his school's city. That person shopped at grocery store he goes to. None were senior aged; all in 20's, 30's, and 40's.

              Monday he went back. He didn't want to risk his schooling, DoD internship this summer, and job offered with them after he graduates if he got stuck here. He said his emails were blowing up Monday from professors and the administration at the university. Stressors at school not only from the virus, but also changes with teaching.

              He drives through Canada because that route is hours shorter traveling from Michigan. He was worried Canada might close it borders. Early Monday evening closed to everyone except USA. Today all borders were closed between USA and Canada for nonessential travel.

              He received an email from DoD today that internships might be called off. He's already has a place booked and paid for 3 months. It's in a resort area, so needed to find a place before they filled up. No doubt many will be changing those summer plans. Hope he doesn't loose this opportunity.

              Can't help but worry about him.

              My daughter's friends are mostly staying away, trying to not to expose me if they had it but didn't know. Nice of them to be thinking of me. Stopped their get togethers to play Dungeons and Dragons will be skyping instead.

              Our parents, in 80's and 90's, are finally starting to understand the concerns with this virus. Took them awhile, though.

              It's unusually quiet, especially at night. Don't realize the sounds you mute out until you don't hear them. Eerily reminiscent of 9/11.

              Will be hunkering down at home until this passes. Don't do well with fevers because of my heat intolerance, can't cough like need to, and MS symptoms get worse when sick. Had the flu with my family earlier this year and that was more than enough. On Ocrevus so concerned would be riskier if I were to get really sick.

              Thanks for reading. Somehow feels better to be able to share.

              Who would've thought this would be our reality just days ago? Wishing everyone well as we go through this.
              Kimba

              “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ― Max Planck

              Comment


                #22
                Originally posted by Kimba22 View Post
                Thanks for reading. Somehow feels better to be able to share.

                Who would've thought this would be our reality just days ago? Wishing everyone well as we go through this.
                Yes; it does feel good to share.

                And, you were correct. Canada and the US closed their borders to each other for non-essential travel. My daughter and her family had been scheduled to visit from Canada March 22-28. They already changed their plans about a week ago. But, we are all very disappointed. We generally see each other 4x a year (we go there twice; they come here twice), but we hadn't seen each other since October so it's been a long stretch and we don't know how much longer it will be.
                ~ Faith
                MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
                (now a Mimibug)

                Symptoms began in JAN02
                - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
                - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08
                .

                - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
                - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

                Comment


                  #23
                  Thanks to all for sharing.

                  Kimba yes!
                  Somehow feels better to be able to share.
                  My son and family live in Buenos Aries right now and he just told me they have closed their borders to non-residents. They are paying close attention to what is happening world wide.

                  My daughter and spouse are still working and both of us grandmas babysit for our granddaughter on days she is not in preschool. My husband wants me to stop going there and I am totally heartbroken . Other grandma is my age and don't know what she will do right now.

                  Am wondering what other grandparents are doing right now? Kids seems safe, but they can still be carriers?

                  I also heard yesterday our local food banks are closing down as social distancing isn't being followed as it should be. My heart feels heavy about this.
                  1st sx '89 Dx '99 w/RRMS - SP since 2010
                  Administrator Message Boards/Moderator

                  Comment


                    #24
                    mamabug and seasha - I can only imagine how difficult it is to not be able to have your family visit. Fortunate that with today's technology, you can see your lived ones. But it is not the same being physically with them.

                    Even families local are having to make that decision. My sister-in-law babysits her grandkids too, but her daughter thinks it is too risky and looking for another solution. She is 73 and has had heart surgery. They are also thinking about cancelling the weekly family dinner.

                    These are days filled with so much unknown.
                    Kathy
                    DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

                    Comment


                      #25
                      Originally posted by pennstater View Post
                      mamabug and seasha - I can only imagine how difficult it is to not be able to have your family visit.


                      Fortunate that with today's technology, you can see your lived ones. But it is not the same being physically with them.
                      Yes; thanks for thinking of us.

                      But you're right. Even local families have to make that decision.
                      ~ Faith
                      MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
                      (now a Mimibug)

                      Symptoms began in JAN02
                      - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
                      - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08
                      .

                      - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
                      - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

                      Comment


                        #26
                        Originally posted by pennstater View Post
                        mamabug and seasha - I can only imagine how difficult it is to not be able to have your family visit. Fortunate that with today's technology, you can see your lived ones. But it is not the same being physically with them.

                        Had to respond with this topic having come up lately personally.

                        I'm not a social person. Don't get the wrong idea. I have been blessed with the friends or maybe the ability to reach out to many of them and pick up a conversation as if the 5 months / years were last week.

                        There aren't many positives from this crisis but my closeness to these friends, this ability to converse readily, to comfort and receive comfort and understanding, has come to the forefront, almost daily these days. A blessing.

                        I know it isn't family. One's family isn't necessarily blood & being physically with them or close friends, can overpower the compassion required to really listen and respond.

                        I think shutting down outside interference, maybe even visual, and listening, sometimes to what isn't being said allows for a deepening closeness.

                        If anything other than preparedness comes out of this, I hope it is better relationships.

                        Comment


                          #27
                          Originally posted by 502E79 View Post
                          If anything other than preparedness comes out of this, I hope it is better relationships.
                          A beautiful thought. And here’s to the creation of quiet masterpieces

                          I have been in an area that turned out to be a “hot spot” for work (luckily I can isolate during this time) and when I get home, I will quarantine for 14 days to protect the community there. I know I will really appreciate being with my elderly family in person once that is done.
                          All the best, ~G

                          Comment


                            #28
                            I am currently working from home since the company I work for has the majority of us working from home now and starting next week everyone who has the capacity to will be working from home. I don’t leave my house unless I have to go to the grocery store. I was diagnosed with asthma several years ago (did not believe my doctor when diagnosed, but as soon as I stop taking my singulair I go right back to wheezing) and anytime I get a little cold it goes straight to my lungs and it takes forever to get rid of. If it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t be that worried at all.

                            Hope everyone stays healthy!



                            “Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows.”
                            ― Helen Keller

                            Comment


                              #29
                              It's kind of scary here in NJ now and I'm out in one of the more rural areas. NJ is one of the most, if not the most densely populated state, which is not good especially in this case. The covid-19 cases (that we know of) are almost doubling daily. Tuesday it was at 265, yesterday it was at 427, today it's up to 742 and a total of 9 people have died so far. Pennsylvania had it's first death, a man who's family is in NJ, before him, his sister died from it, after him his mother and today his brother. There are 3 or 4 more family members in critical condition.

                              Today I went and stocked up on our prescription medications, went through the CVS drive thru and wore gloves. I also ordered groceries online and they will be delivered on Sunday. For those who are not quite as in the thick of it yet, I tried calling CVS to find out about delivery, phone just rang and rang. Today there were a lot of cars in the parking lot, but only 2 ahead of me at the drive thru. Grocery stores are generally restocking overnight which is unfortunate for those who can't get there in the morning and need items that sell out quickly. Some stores are starting to implement times for elderly to shop, some even specifically include others at risk.

                              So far I'm holding it together, some days are better than others. I am having bouts of anxiety (who isn't) and some depression (well yeah), but at least I'm not alone in the house, I have mom, the dog and 3 cats. My BF has his own place and his workplace is small and they are continuing to go in so far. We haven't seen each other for almost 2 weeks. I was concerned since he is around coworkers and mom is at high risk and being on Rituxan puts me at and increased risk (Intermediate according to the chart on the other thread). So Good Luck everyone and hopefully we can all just ride this out.
                              Dx'd : 10/30/2002
                              Started Copaxone 12/16/2002
                              Currently on Rituxan

                              Comment


                                #30
                                In Italy, and under lock-down for two weeks. My husband and I have only gone out to the grocery store and he had to take our cat to the hospital for a check up after her surgery which was done during the lock down. When we went to the store yesterday there was an ambulance outside our building and a health department vehicle as well which means suspected virus. It turns out is wasn't anyone in our building but someone very close.

                                My son is also here but about an hour away from Rome. I am sick with worry for him being so far away and alone. We talk frequently during the day and he is doing OK as are my husband and I.

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