Re: General Chit Chat

by **GuardianAngel** Fri Mar 13, 2020 8:49 pm

I'm sure she can get back into Canada but there might be a lot of difficult questions especially coming from a state that has confirmed cases. She was smart to cancel.

Official Global Travel Advisory
Avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.

To limit the spread of COVID-19, many countries have put in place travel or border restrictions and other measures such as movement restrictions and quarantines. Airlines have cancelled flights. New restrictions may be imposed with little warning. Your travel plans may be severely disrupted and you may be forced to remain outside of Canada longer than expected.
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

Some encouraging news.

A team of researchers from Sunnybrook, McMaster University(opens in a new window) and the University of Toronto(opens in a new window) has isolated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent responsible for the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19.

Thanks to nimble collaboration, the team was able to culture the virus from two clinical specimens in a Level 3 containment facility.

“We need key tools to develop solutions to this pandemic. While the immediate response is crucial, longer-term solutions come from essential research into this novel virus,” said Dr. Samira Mubareka, microbiologist and infectious diseases physician at Sunnybrook.

The isolated virus will help researchers in Canada and across the world develop better diagnostic testing, treatments and vaccines, and gain a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 biology, evolution and clinical shedding....

Congratulations to the researchers from these three Canadian institutions: Dr. Samira Mubareka and Dr. Rob Kozak of Sunnybrook and University of Toronto; Dr. Arinjay Banerjee and Dr. Karen Mossman of McMaster University.

With gratitude to the CL3 team and Biosafety Officers.

https://sunnybrook.ca/research/media/item.asp?c=2&i=2069&f=covid-19-isolated-2020

by **Norcalgal** Fri Mar 13, 2020 9:45 pm

Some feel good news amidst all the chaos:
https://apple.news/AabZw-gN9Qj2hkxd_XDcdJg

by **Sprite** Fri Mar 13, 2020 10:14 pm

@GuardianAngel Try now. My Facebook is private but I put that one public.

by **GuardianAngel** Fri Mar 13, 2020 10:53 pm

@Norcalgal great story! Kindness wins!

@Sprite holy smokes, that's incredible to watch the figures rise then rise real quickly.

by **Sprite** Fri Mar 13, 2020 11:07 pm

The video I posted above stopped at March 10th. This is one from the BBC that is ongoing.

You have to scroll about half way down to see the changing graph. I wish they included all the countries that have reported the virus.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105

by **GuardianAngel** Fri Mar 13, 2020 11:38 pm

@Sprite it's unbelievable to see those numbers.

In many parts of Italy where the whole country is on lock down, they started playing music on their balconies. I've seen many tweets today but here are a couple.

pic.twitter.com/OUwYO5Nybz
— Mona Mour (@funkyoulow) March 13, 2020

https://t.co/XNLy2JmPCr
— (◕‿◕✿) (@Ehi_befree) March 13, 2020

by **GuardianAngel** Fri Mar 13, 2020 11:41 pm

Fantastici.
Napoli è l'ultima speranza per l'umanità. pic.twitter.com/dyISdaqef8
— ciro (@spank75) March 12, 2020

by veg_out Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:34 am

@GuardianAngel, thank you for sharing those moments of spontaneous levity amid the overwhelm of these recent days. The human spirit truly is indestructible. At moments like these, I'm always in awe of the incredible acts of kindness, love, hope, and creativity that emerge.

Stay well, everyone PINKHEART

by **GuardianAngel** Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:03 pm

Sending waves of #love and #care around the #world.
— Dori Anne (@DoriCreates) March 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/DoriCreates

by veg_out Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:43 pm

A few pick-me-ups hopefully PINKHEART

For parents/caregivers or for anyone really who enjoys a good storytime: Josh Gad (aka Olaf from Frozen!) is hosting 10-minute children's book readings on his Twitter:

Let’s read! https://t.co/dmHWtH6PAS
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) March 14, 2020

For anyone who loves opera or theater: The Met is streaming HD performances starting Monday.

General Manager Peter Gelb announced today that in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the cancellation of performances, the Met will offer a nightly series of free web streams that will bring opera to audiences while the house is dark—beginning March 16 at 7:30PM ET. pic.twitter.com/M6QkDSelON
— Metropolitan Opera (@MetOpera) March 13, 2020

For anyone who might need a soothing balm for the soul: Yo Yo Ma plays the violin:

In these days of anxiety, I wanted to find a way to continue to share some of the music that gives me comfort. The first of my #SongsOfComfort: Dvořák – "Going Home”

Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/S28w6OlXiZ
— Yo-Yo Ma (@YoYo_Ma) March 13, 2020

ETA: Just a note that these pick-me-ups were intended to ease the anxiety that may come from the necessary social distancing occurring, if our circumstances permit, for the good of each other. Stay well PINKHEART

by **GuardianAngel** Sun Mar 15, 2020 10:47 am

@veg_out great posts!

The following is not positive in any way but it's the reality of the world we live in. It is believed Italy finds itself in the situation they are in because originally when the outbreak started in the North, people wanted to go South to family, students in the North wanting to get home etc. This is now where they are at. So sad for Italy and the rest of the world. Every single person on earth needs to do their part and stop being so irresponsible shaking hands travelling returning from other hot spot countries and not self isolating.

A powerful video.
At the heart of Italy's Coronavirus outbreak, Giovanni Locatelli compares the obituaries page of local daily newspaper @webEcodiBergamo on February 9 and March 13. pic.twitter.com/DrnShYtrOF
— Naomi O'Leary (@NaomiOhReally) March 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/NaomiOhReally/status/1238868163208634371

The toilet paper crisis continues, although I have no idea why. It should be hand soap that is being hoarded.

Saw 2 guys at the wholesale club both reach for the last bulk pack of TP. Only one got it. The luckier (or faster) one told the other, “grab one of those cardboard boxes at the checkout. When we get outside you pay me for half of it and we’ll split this” #GoodJob @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/uz41DLRuvM
— Dave McKinley (@DaveMcKinley2) March 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/DaveMcKinley2

by HavaDrPepper Sun Mar 15, 2020 11:56 am

And, then we have BN people out partying it up in a very crowded bar in very close proximity to other people and when asked about it respond with "I don't have any symptoms so it's fine" (paraphrased). deadhorse

You want to celebrate St Pat's Day with friends, fine. Do it at someone's home. And, this same person is whining about a possible trip overseas being canceled.

On a personal note, I have a friend that did not cancel her trip to Australia. When I saw that she was on her flight there, I was shocked. She's no dummy and usually has common sense. She left Ohio on Thursday. deadhorse

which was after the restrictions about travel to Europe (yeah, I know Australia isn't Europe but...) And, now I hear Australia is starting to put travel restrictions in place. Not sure how they will affect visitors from other countries, but I guess if she does get to come home when scheduled, she will be in quarantine when she gets home.

sigh....

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