How has COVID-19 affected you personally?

Okay - I'm youngish and relatively healthy - and if we're all going to get this damn thing at some time - perhaps it's better to get it early while there is still medical assistance available ... not that I wish it on anyone

 

This is my problem too.. I dropped into work yesterday and picked up a monitor (I usually use 2 + laptop).. Working from home using the dining table is so uncomfortable.. I’m tempted to go back and load up an office chair too, lol

 

Yes!

If we need to be at home for an extended period then I will try to bring my chair and foot rest to get a reasonably OK set up. The barrier will be the organisation being OK with that.

I wouldn’t mind buying the stuff (desk, chair etc) myself - but I don’t really have a place for it long term (and decent properly adjustable office chairs are pricey).

 

Just think of all of the WHS claims that will arise due to workers who are required to work from home suffering debilitating injuries from a poorly setup workspace.

 

The statistics aren't completely certain, but the mortality stats for her age group are rather scary. Not as bad as 80 +, but latest info I have indicates it is around the 10% mark. The idea of mum catching it and being at risk of 1 in 10 dying scares me a lot. There is progress being made on the research to lead to a vaccine. If we can keep it away for her in this first wave, there might be better odds there will be a vaccine that can reduce the risks for the older people.

And I am not sure if those stats factor in if cases escalate quickly and there are not enough ventilators to go round.

And to add to the worry, her lovely neighbour has very fragile health. If mum got it, and passed it on to her neighbour unaware, it would likely be a death sentence for the neighbour.

 

We were booked on a cruise leaving Sydney next Saturday (21st). A week or so ago we received an offer from Princess to cancel within 72 hours of sailing for a 100% future cruise credit.

Last Thursday our daughter-in-law’s father died suddenly (but he did have terminal cancer). They want us there. So cancelling the cruise became a no-brainer but we didn’t do anything as things were changing daily.

Friday we received notice our cruise was cancelled, offer of a 100% refund plus 100% future cruise credit which we will accept. Other offer was a 225% future cruise credit.

The irony is that we would have cancelled the cruise anyway, and would not have been able to claim on travel insurance. So instead of losing $9K, we stand to receive around $18K - a full refund plus a free cruise (travel before May 22).

We are driving to Melbourne, avoiding airports and planes. Will go the Newell and spread a bit of cash through regional areas doing it tough.

 

I highly doubt it. When this is over the economy will be in such a dire state that there will be nothing to tax. Tax cuts and major spending will be the only thing from turning this country into the Banana Republic.

 

I might try stacking the laptop and monitor up on a box and work in a standing position to save a numb backside..

 

Saw this on another site (USA), but just as relevant here!

“I’m an intensive care specialist in a small city.

Coronavirus isn’t just like the flu, but it’s only really very dangerous to the elderly or the already unwell. Quite a lot of people in their 80s will die, but most of the rest of us will probably be okay.

If you’re in your 70s and you get Coronavirus, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 60s and you have a heart attack, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 50s and need bowel cancer surgery, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 40s and have a bad car accident, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 30s and have terrible pre-eclampsia as a complication of pregnancy, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 20s and have a bad reaction to a party drug, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

I have 7 beds equipped with life support machines. We have a plan to increase to about 25. Getting more isn’t a matter or more equipment or more money, that bit is easy. There are not enough skilled staff, even if we all work double shifts every day for six months (and we probably will).

If 50% of my city gets infected, that’s 75,000 people. If 5% of them need life support (which is the estimate), that’s 3750 people. For 25 beds.

And then I might not have a bed for you.

So it’s up to you to flatten the curve. Wash your hands. Stay home.”

 

Received email from school. Assembly next week cancelled. Recess and lunch breaks to be staggered to reduce the amount of kids mixing.

 

Beats the alternative - redundancy or worse

 

I bought myself a great office chair for just over $300 21 years ago and it’s still going strong. I even used it at my last workplace as it was better than theirs! Worth every cent!

 

Half my teammates aren't planning to play volleyball in the comp this week, as it could spread Covid virus. Which may cause a forfeit. Which could skew comp results.

But they want the comp cancelled because:

"I think it’s not in fear of virus, I think it’s basic responsibility to minimize social activities. To help stopping the outbreak."

Which is a good way to see it.

 

I have this chair I bought from Kogan for $99. It's comfortable but it feels like it won't last particularly long

https://www.myer.com.au/p/artiss-ra...qUYy00tMjOy11MA9SSr1aSEYoiC6Y81hoCQUAQAvD_BwE

 

I'm preparing for the high likelihood that Easter school holidays will start on the 25th March and go to 27th April - ie start 2 weeks early and be a month long. After that the school has been preparing for online learning.

For the moment we still have a gymnastics competitiion for DD11 still happening on the 21st March as there are only 27 kids in her discipline. It's a qualifier for the Nationals in Sydney May 1st and State Championships on May 8th which I'm pretty sure will be cancelled.

 

Exactly! People don’t understand resources actually are limited...

 

Wow, that bad. Hope property prices hold up.

 

Mate I hope not. But not looking good already and we are still not at peak virus or peak panic. Though I think we are close.

 

Interesting question. Although I am in good health, at least according to the GP and my own vanity, I am however in the risk bracket of age and being diabetic but do not at this stage require insulin.

I'm not overly concerned for myself but I will say if I contract Covid-19 and should the worst occur I will be most annoyed when I recover.

While my social circle isn't large I haven't curtailed my activities to any great extent but I am cautious. And that's not only for my own well-being either.

I have nice neighbours though and one couple, who know a fair bit about me, were gracious to say my shopping will be taken care of should I want.

There are some odd attitudes around too as another neighbour, although pretty good person, is adamant it's all a media beat up. He's on so much medication, including insulin, he's a walking pharmacy.

 

We’re trying to avoid going anywhere we don’t have to. Arranged to do a postal vote for Council elections here on 28/4. Do grocery shopping early morning when it’s quiet and minimising how often we shop. So essentially isolating ourselves as much as possible. I’ve always had a bronchial weakness / occasional asthma so at 60 I’m being extra careful. Trying to eat better, continue exercising and have curtailed bad habits like alcohol etc.

If I’m still around the above changes should result in even more spare cash to invest.