Shaky, the news of Tom and Rita were also a reality check. But I also live in a college town that along with many in the state transitioned to virtual and online classes only. The pow wow was happening then it wasn't.
There is also the categories of those affected most to consider, I am in those lists of pre-existing conditions, as well as many of my family. We are full Native and our history of infectious disease is long and also genetic.
Because of this I am following many sources of information and updates.
Many people dread isolation while I fight to get out of the cycle. We could teach a class on it. 6 feet of separation? Yeah just set up my easel and paint. there goes most of any day.
Hugs and support.
J.

I woke up in Mexico this morning to frantic emails from coworkers in the States. My college has postponed opening again after Spring Break due to the coronavirus outbreak.

For those of us survivors of trauma, though, as you say here, shaky, we may already be prepared for this kind of crisis. I know I am. During the 6 years of the Tupamaro War I grew up in in Uruguay, we had the electricity cut out and used candles to do homework.

School was on, then it was off, then it was on again. There was a shortage of bread. Then a year without any meat in the supermarkets. There was a shortage of petro products, so no kerosene to heat the house with and no gas for the car. And on and on.

What's harder for me to deal with in this crisis is not those realities, because I have self confidence in my survival skills to get me through. What's harder instead is the panic from my superiors and coworkers at my college.

Coming here helps me stay grounded in reality rather than buying into apocalyptic scenarios being broadcast from my workplace. As the man once said, what we have to fear most is fear itself.

I do think that it's important to try and stop this ASAP..... I think it was Feb 23 or 25th that Italy had about 75 cases and in under 3 weeks it was over 9000 … That's significant

Education is important... Good handwashing or sanitizing … I think that there's been a lot shared about good technique

I'm glad that large events are being cancelled and countries are doing what they can to contain it

People shouldn't get paranoid but virus smart and pay attention to where to stay away from …..we shouldn't bury our heads IMHO

Hospitals in Milan are already deciding who they will let die, and doctors are not being tested anymore.

It's bad. Real bad.

I’ll take precautions I decided but if it happens, it happens. Only really worried about what would happen to my dog.

I just saw on the tv that our Home Affairs minister has returned from Washington DC and has tested positive and is in hospital. Another face and name that I’ve heard of.
Lots of jokes appearing about the run on ‘bog paper’. Typical Aussies, find the joke in everything.

I think the whole thing is hyped up. The flu virus kills people who have jeopardized immune systems. I think this is nothing more than a strain of flu virus. The thing to worry about is the next epidemic that might not be so sparing.
It just goes to show, we need to be prepared. I think the Hanks were right about telling the world they have the virus-they come in contact with numbers of people on a daily basis. We are lucky that we live in this county with top medical care. People in other countries-not so lucky.

This week, at least, it's not been as bad here in Mexico during my Spring Break vacation as I hear it's gotten back in the States. That's odd to me, but these are strange times. Wish me luck as I fly back tomorrow. Airplanes are one way this thing has spread this far so fast.

well celebrities are social beasts, already by necessity so prone to catch a virus out there. yes the best place to catch this virus is on a plane. .i even thought about the GYM...but then how far do we want to take it? the pool? well right now its been raining all week so not even motivated to go out. we californians feel rain is a deterrent to go out as if it were snow and sleet, avalanche and torrents weather extreme! but then californians drive so badly you have to be cautious....

Sorry Sage, new data shows Coronavirus is deadlier than the flu now. I’m still not panicking. We live in interesting times.

Actual death rate compared to common flu is probably still TBD. There are so many ever changing statistics and a lot of non scientific stuff floating around out there.

Grocery shopping today was a treat with the lunatic fringe stock piling everything from TP to Gatorade... Jesus.

Yesterday in the midst of all of this I heard the most positive thing--it's a New York Times podcast about Tom Hanks, the topic of this thread's heading, during this coronavirus outbreak. Check it out!

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/podcasts/the-daily/tom-hanks-coronavirus.html

On this special episode of “The Daily,” a magazine writer for The Times reflects on her experience interviewing Tom Hanks last fall — and on the generosity he showed her in a difficult personal moment. In this time of collective stress, we wanted to bring the story to you in audio as a reminder that “contagion is real, but it doesn’t just work for viruses,” our writer said. “It works for kind words and generous thoughts, and acts of selflessness and honesty.”

More Tom Hanks. He and his wife have spoken up from Australia about their coronavirus recovery.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/03/16/coronavirus-tom-hanks-offers-mr-rogers-inspired-quarantineupdate/5057075002/

Tom Hanks coronavirus update 3-21-20