The Coronavirus Maze-How are we navigating it today?

[Mike Dee]

My campus just BANNED student workers from working. Also, those without a legit reason will NOT be allowed to come back after spring break, and everything will be online. I don't have another home in the US aside from my dorm so I will be staying. But honestly, I am starting to wonder how effective this online stuff will be. I really prefer getting help with math, physics and the occasional electrical engineering question all in person. I am pretty sure most other students also work best with IRL help. Add to that the stress of the whole situation now and I honestly don't know how they expect us to do school work effectively under these conditions. I think I will just capitulate and say they should just grade our ungraded assignments ASAP, give us the chance to somehow get some extra credit on a class we are struggling in and have a grade we don't like (most of my grades are amazing aside from one low credit class, and others have the same issue), and shut class down until next semester.

Online learning is very effective and you can usually communicate with instructors and other students. Just make the best of the situation and treat it as a life lesson. When you get into the real world with a job in engineering things will go wrong that are beyond your control and you will have to adjust accordingly.

 

[anon(10181084)]

At this point, I hate to say it, but you are on your own as far as learning. Online does present some difficulties but is doable. We have been moving that direction for a few years now. Take this opportunity to read all you can. Get in online chats with people in your curriculum. It’s about all you can do at this point. This is not the fault of education but a worldwide problem that is affecting everyone in some way. You are not alone and we have to help each other to get through this. You can do it!

I am not blaming the education system, but yeah I will have to adapt. I hope that whatever help system they have is effective.

 

[belodion]

“We are in this together.
Help flatten the curve”

In the UK, where I am - and probably elsewhere - many people are not doing so, incurring the anger of those who are trying.

Also, at this most difficult time worldwide, spammers continue to post on the forums. You'd think that they'd at least stop for a while, except that, I suppose, you wouldn't really think that.

 

[Morty2264]

In the UK, where I am - and probably elsewhere - many people are not doing so, incurring the anger of those who are trying.

Also, at this most difficult time worldwide, spammers continue to post on the forums. You'd think that they'd at least stop for a while, except that, I suppose, you wouldn't really think that.

It is indeed very frustrating. We went for a walk yesterday to the park and saw so many people - we practiced 6-10 feet of distance and took foot trails, but it was still a little scary. Next time, we'll go earlier in the morning or in the evening.

But one thing that we haven't compromised on is actually not visiting people. We talked to my mom and brother through the door while dropping off groceries. It's so imperative to keep your distance... It's so scary that you can be asymptomatic for weeks and yet still pass on the virus to loved ones. I don't get why people aren't more concerned about that.

 

[anon(10181084)]

It is indeed very frustrating. We went for a walk yesterday to the park and saw so many people - we practiced 6-10 feet of distance and took foot trails, but it was still a little scary. Next time, we'll go earlier in the morning or in the evening.

But one thing that we haven't compromised on is actually not visiting people. We talked to my mom and brother through the door while dropping off groceries. It's so imperative to keep your distance... It's so scary that you can be asymptomatic for weeks and yet still pass on the virus to loved ones. I don't get why people aren't more concerned about that.

If you need a place with lots of empty space go to a near-emptied College campus for a walk

 

[anon(50597)]

If you need a place with lots of empty space go to a near-emptied College campus for a walk

You may be the safest person here!

 

[anon(10181084)]

You may be the safest person here!

Might also be the reason why I am not panicking enough

 

[J Dubbs]

Unfortunately the coronavirus is being incredibly underreported.... the extremely limited testing isn't giving us any real idea of any kind on how widespread it really is. But most everyone in the know about it, including the infectious disease doctors and even the governors of most states are warning us about what's already been mentioned multiple times here.... the majority of the population of the U.S. is going to get it.

The best we can do is to try and be considerate of other people, don't stockpile, and think of the people that are at higher risk. Most of us will be fine if we catch it, but it's nasty and can kill anyone. I myself have been quite sick for the last week and a half, so was my wife, I don't know what we had but we had all the symptoms of covid-19, so to protect other people we've stayed home for a week and a half and it'll be another few days before I trust myself to not be contagious. The last thing I want to do is infect any of your family members and possibly cost them their lives.

I would want the same respect for my elderly parents ;-)

 

[msm0511]

Unfortunately the coronavirus is being incredibly underreported.... the extremely limited testing isn't giving us any real idea of any kind on how widespread it really is.

To your point: I was just reading a story about a gentleman from my city that went in for testing. He was turned away b/c he "didn't fit the profile". 5 days later he was worse, and admitted into the hospital. When finally tested he was positive, and had 5 additional days that he was possibly spreading the virus b/c he didn't fit the profile for testing.

 

[Mooncatt]

Unfortunately the coronavirus is being incredibly underreported.... the extremely limited testing isn't giving us any real idea of any kind on how widespread it really is. But most everyone in the know about it, including the infectious disease doctors and even the governors of most states are warning us about what's already been mentioned multiple times here.... the majority of the population of the U.S. is going to get it.

I agree it's being under-reported, but that only means the rates of serious and fatal cases are lower than the stats suggest. From https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/

35,079 confirmed U.S. cases as of this writing
458 deaths (1.3% of total cases)
33,648 mild cases (98% of active cases)
795 serious/critical (2% of active cases)

The report I heard on the radio estimate actual number of cases could be 6-7 times the confirmed cases. These would be mild and not requiring treatment, thus not tested due to the limited number of tests available. If we go with the low end of that estimate, it would be about 210,000 likely cases. That would mean it's only about a 0.2% fatality rate. That's also not taking into account other risk factors such as age or compromised immune systems that have been attributed to most deaths.

I'm not saying to ignore the disease, but I do believe the panic and shutting down of the country is uncalled for. The media blasting this in our faces 24/7 is of no help either, contributing to the panic. It's also likely causing the lack of concern in some respects because people will just get annoyed with the constant doomsday reporting and tune out. How do I suggest handling it if you get sick? Only go in if it's a serious condition, but call ahead in case they have specific instructions for where to go and safety protocols.

If you start to get sick, just stay home. Chances are you won't be able to get tested unless it's a serious case (even that may be iffy). If you go to a hospital, you risk spreading it if you indeed have it, or risk catching it if you only had a common cold. For mild cases, they are sending you home to self quarantine anyway, so just stay put to begin with for the benefit of everyone.

 

[Morty2264]

To your point: I was just reading a story about a gentleman from my city that went in for testing. He was turned away b/c he "didn't fit the profile". 5 days later he was worse, and admitted into the hospital. When finally tested he was positive, and had 5 additional days that he was possibly spreading the virus b/c he didn't fit the profile for testing.

That's horrible! The gentleman was being responsible by going in for testing - that's also five days that he could have been in isolation and getting better. Poor guy!

 

[Mooncatt]

To your point: I was just reading a story about a gentleman from my city that went in for testing. He was turned away b/c he "didn't fit the profile". 5 days later he was worse, and admitted into the hospital. When finally tested he was positive, and had 5 additional days that he was possibly spreading the virus b/c he didn't fit the profile for testing.

Case in point to my comment above.

 

[Lee_Bo]

While I have made some changes in my daily routine, I refuse to live in fear. I'm still going along my daily routine which includes working since I'm in a support role and have to support essential customers that cannot shut down completely. Unfortunately there are a lot of us out there that don't have a work from home option.

 

[belodion]

In stores, a touch-sensitive stylus is useful - may in fact be a lifesaver - when using touch screens, and also PIN pads.

 

[anon(10181084)]

I've given up on applying for internships because nothing is certain with this Covid situation...

 

[Ry]

Unfortunately the coronavirus is being incredibly underreported.... the extremely limited testing isn't giving us any real idea of any kind on how widespread it really is. But most everyone in the know about it, including the infectious disease doctors and even the governors of most states are warning us about what's already been mentioned multiple times here.... the majority of the population of the U.S. is going to get it.

The best we can do is to try and be considerate of other people, don't stockpile, and think of the people that are at higher risk. Most of us will be fine if we catch it, but it's nasty and can kill anyone. I myself have been quite sick for the last week and a half, so was my wife, I don't know what we had but we had all the symptoms of covid-19, so to protect other people we've stayed home for a week and a half and it'll be another few days before I trust myself to not be contagious. The last thing I want to do is infect any of your family members and possibly cost them their lives.

I would want the same respect for my elderly parents ;-)

Yeah the numbers don't really mean much until as many people as possible can be tested.

 

[Golfdriver97]

My campus just BANNED student workers from working. Also, those without a legit reason will NOT be allowed to come back after spring break, and everything will be online. I don't have another home in the US aside from my dorm so I will be staying. But honestly, I am starting to wonder how effective this online stuff will be. I really prefer getting help with math, physics and the occasional electrical engineering question all in person. I am pretty sure most other students also work best with IRL help. Add to that the stress of the whole situation now and I honestly don't know how they expect us to do school work effectively under these conditions. I think I will just capitulate and say they should just grade our ungraded assignments ASAP, give us the chance to somehow get some extra credit on a class we are struggling in and have a grade we don't like (most of my grades are amazing aside from one low credit class, and others have the same issue), and shut class down until next semester.

Meant to reply when I saw this. Slipped my mind. Online isn't that bad. Between email and some kind of software like team viewer, you can get help that mirrors being in the classroom. One benefit from the virus is instructions have time to reply.

 

[Golfdriver97]

To add to my above post: Here are some pointers I learned so far...

1. The second you think you may be stuck, ask for help from your instructor. While you are waiting for a reply, keep searching for an answer.

2. Try to ask as many questions as you can while you have their attention. This is more for efficiency than anything else.

3. Ask if there are preferred sites to find information from your instructors. For instance, in coding, my instructors all have said to consult a certain list of sites. Make those bookmarks.

There will be a learning curve to all this; there always will be. Take advantage of any videos they link, reading material, etc. and watch/read twice. You always miss something the first time.

Edit: above all, if you get frustrated, walk away for minimum an hour. Do something else to refocus, and approach from a new perspective.

 

[anon(10181084)]

To add to my above post: Here are some pointers I learned so far...

1. The second you think you may be stuck, ask for help from your instructor. While you are waiting for a reply, keep searching for an answer.

2. Try to ask as many questions as you can while you have their attention. This is more for efficiency than anything else.

3. Ask if there are preferred sites to find information from your instructors. For instance, in coding, my instructors all have said to consult a certain list of sites. Make those bookmarks.

There will be a learning curve to all this; there always will be. Take advantage of any videos they link, reading material, etc. and watch/read twice. You always miss something the first time.

Edit: above all, if you get frustrated, walk away for minimum an hour. Do something else to refocus, and approach from a new perspective.

Thanks for the advice! College is stressful and this pandemic emergency situation doubles stress

 

[Mooncatt]

Here's a thought I've started hearing rumblings about and I'm pretty much in agreement with.

1. Isolate the elderly, immunocompromised, and otherwise high risk individuals.

2. Have medium risk individuals, such as those caring for high risk and other individuals, take extra precautions. Stay out of public as much as possible, social distancing, extra hand washing, etc.

3. Allow low risk individuals go about their days almost normally. Allow businesses to stay open and special interaction if people so choose.

The idea is similar to chicken pox parties. Mortality rates are only a concern with a small demographic, so we keep them safe and allow all the younger/healthier people to continue life and contract the illness. This would quickly create a herd immunity (that thing all the pro-vax crowd champions, only naturally and more effective), leaving the virus with limited hosts. It would result in fewer deaths and less impact on the economy.