Page 1 of 1

COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2020 7:44 pm
by Rivergirl
Please feel free to discuss anything COVID-19 here

Thanks, Rivergirl

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2020 7:23 am
by hillybilly
Morning Robyn. Hope people are good, or at least not too bad :?

I’m into day 14 of social isolation. Came down with a nasty respiratory virus which has been with me for three weeks (fever, dry cough, fatigue). First week I behaved as normal, assuming zero chance it could be COVID - just an odd flu or cold. Then got mighty weird with shortness of breath coming on quickly. That’s been with me for 14 days, but is now definitely on the improve. At its worst was really struggling to breath, and ended up at hospital twice. Funny because you get the - “perhaps your just panic breathing”, “maybe your just scared” - I’m like, I’m not scared I’m sick, and I’d rather catch it now than in five weeks, and if I die don’t care because I won’t know ;) Clearly they are getting lots of people with slight coughs thinking they are soon to die :o

Didn’t meet the criteria for testing, because of lack of contact with a known carrier. Two sons got the same, including shortness of breath - something that is unheard of for kiddies without asthma in my experience. I’ll claim to be the first forum member contributing to herd immunity.

We did have an international traveller stay with us, who got very sick five days after coming to visit (with same symptoms).

If this is the virus - and I can’t think of anything else it could be - not something to take lightly. I have very good fitness “visiting” gym three times and week and doing the thousand steps (a 400m climb) every week. Would put my cardiovascular health at the level of a pretty typical 20 to 30 year old. Now might be the time to get fit if you aren’t already. Stay safe...

I do wonder how many people are like me. Hopefully not too many.

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2020 11:19 am
by Gordon
Wow, that sounds nasty HB :( . Disturbing they didn't test you??

Hope you're picking up now. I had some sniffles but figured with 3 CV cases in the Ballarat area (pop of about 120,000), the odds were in my favour.

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2020 12:24 pm
by hillybilly
Gordon wrote: Fri Mar 27, 2020 11:19 am Wow, that sounds nasty HB :( . Disturbing they didn't test you??

Hope you're picking up now. I had some sniffles but figured with 3 CV cases in the Ballarat area (pop of about 120,000), the odds were in my favour.
Yep, lack of testing worries me. I hope there aren't too many people like me out there... Community transmission appears to be low, but is it a case of not knowing what you don't know??? I tell myself the epidemiology is a very rigorous and complex science mixing maths, statistics and medicine. Do have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Feeling much better. Still not quite 100% but suspect will be there soon.

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2020 9:59 pm
by flyfisher
Oh my that's scary HB. Particular not being tested. But the symptoms sound really bad, I can imagine it would be like trying to breath at 6000 meters. Doing everything we can here to not get it - I am the only one leaving the house which is to go to work and when I am there I am in my office with the door closed all day. Many zoom meetings online, you do get tired of being in your office sitting down all day long.

Victoria positive tests have been dropping each day, so I hope it continues to zero and stays there long enough for everything to open back up by July. I know so many people who have lost their jobs with the financial toll being a risk to lives as well.

Stay safe and know this is only temporary - we will come out of this.

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2020 9:37 am
by Didjman
So far so good here, but we are basically home bodys anyway; only going out for shopping or work. I started work from home yesterday and noticed I was much happier. I put it down to not being exposed to the "herd gloom" psyche of the office. I have always been sensitive to the moods of others. Talking breathing in general, when stressed we tend to hold our diaphragms sub consciously (I do). Become aware of that and let yourself breathe normally. You will feel calmer. Also regular stretching promotes feeling more relaxed.
Stay safe and healthy!

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:46 pm
by occluded
That is scary stuff, HB - to me that is one of the more scary things, that it can be so indiscriminate with regards to symptoms and severity. We hear so many cases of people that have mild symptoms then cases of people such as yourself with good fitness getting hit hard. Personally I think the testing should be ramped up but there’s apparently been a shortage of test kits to-date, so I guess they need to target it in the right areas somehow e.g. our selfless healthcare workers who are or will be under the pump.

From our perspective, so far all ok. My employer was very proactive in announcing a company-wide work-from-home directive two weeks ago and as I already worked from home three or four days a week the adjustment has been relatively straightforward, now just getting used to the wife working from home as well as the kids being around but we each have our own (small) areas so we can mostly keep to ourselves while “at work” :)

Big adjustment for those not used to it though, especially those who like to be social at work and catch up over the water-cooler. As for those out of work due to the restrictions, just horrendous - completely unprecedented in modern times.

Otherwise just trying to stay fit and healthy, going out when we can for walks or bike rides in ones or twos although the mixed messages around essential trips can be confusing - exercise is “essential” but doesn’t seem to be mentioned prominently, perhaps I’ve just missed it?

A number of changes in my emergency-services role with face-to-face training cancelled, no unnecessary visits to the HQ, reduced numbers available for response and splitting team response to reduce the risk of infection. We still respond to anything that’s an emergency of course with increased vigilance and precautions around entering premises and so on.

Stay safe all!

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2020 12:27 am
by Rivergirl
Hi HB and all,

Wow you’ve been through a scary time. I’ve been keeping up with your Facebook page. Know how healthy you guys are doing the the 1,000 steps all the time. Glad you are getting better after the last couple of weeks

My sister arrived back in Sydney last week on Ovation of the Seas. Her cruise had been cut short because NZ closed the day they were supposed to dock there. They weren’t given health checks disembarking as they hadn’t been off the ship but someone must have brought it on when they sailed as over 40 people have tested positive and one has died. My sister was tested yesterday in Sydney. No result yet

My husband and I have self isolated for the last 15 days as he had part of his lung removed 3 weeks ago and with me having heart disease and diabetes we thought it best we stay home. Our son is now working from his home too as he has health problems so happy he could do that

Stay safe everyone.

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2020 11:36 am
by snowfall
Glad you're recovering HB. Sounds like it was an awful experience, especially having to be at the point of visiting the hospital. Hope your sister is OK too Rivergirl.

This is definitely not some kind of ordinary flu. The pandemic is moving so fast as well, so who knows where things will be in another week or two weeks. The situation in some countries, like Italy and Spain, is heart-breaking.

We've been isolating for the past two weeks, working at home, and only going out to buy food from the supermarket. We're fine, and aren't aware of having been in contact with people who are infected, but it's really about doing our bit to reduce the potential opportunities for transmission to protect everyone, especially as it can spread before showing symptoms. Terrible situation though for all those who have lost their jobs.

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:25 pm
by Rivergirl
Glad you're recovering HB. Sounds like it was an awful experience, especially having to be at the point of visiting the hospital. Hope your sister is OK too Rivergirl.
Thanks snowfall. Still waiting for results, over 60 people have it from her ship now. Look after yourself

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2020 6:59 am
by hillybilly
Rivergirl wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:25 pm
Glad you're recovering HB. Sounds like it was an awful experience, especially having to be at the point of visiting the hospital. Hope your sister is OK too Rivergirl.
Thanks snowfall. Still waiting for results, over 60 people have it from her ship now. Look after yourself
Any news Robyn? Hope all good.

I’m much better now. Perhaps a little shortness of breath, but quite slight and barely slowing me down when it comes to exercise. Pretty sure it was COVID talking to family who work in the medical field. Symptoms just so weird - so either a crazy virus doing its best to mimic COVID the likes of which I’ve never had before (and oldest has never seen before) or COVID.

Went out for a socially isolated bush walk on the weekend and much better than the week before. Lucky living in the Nongs as we can get out and avoid people easily :D

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2020 3:03 pm
by Rivergirl
Thanks HB. My sister tested negative. Thank goodness. That's great you are feeling better. You've been through so much in the last 3 weeks. I'm no medical expert but does sound like the virus to me with the symptoms you had. Had a friend in hospital recently who tested negative to virus. He was so sick that they kept him in for one and a half weeks. Apparently he had whooping cough.

Take care all

Re: COVID-19 Discussion and Information

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 3:22 pm
by Gordon
Rivergirl wrote: Tue Mar 31, 2020 3:03 pm Thanks HB. My sister tested negative. Thank goodness.
Really good to hear that Robyn, must have been a stressful wait.

Anyone hear from Macedonian? Not like them to be quiet this long during eventful weather.

If you read this Macedonian, hope you're okay?