Photo by Felix Mittermeier from Pexels

Welcome to South King Media’s ‘Cabin Fever Chronicles’ page.

Here we’ll be sharing stories and thoughts from our Readers and others about how we’re coping with the COVID-19 coronavirus quarantine.

This page will be updated frequently, with the most recent posts showing at the top.

If you’d like to share your thoughts with us, please email text and photos to scott@southkingmedia.com.

Please note that we do accept anonymous submissions, but will carefully review each before posting.


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Certified young person Paul Rudd wants you to wear a mask. Listen up:








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A message – and video of getting tested – from Sili Savusa of the White Center Community Development Association:


Steel Magic Northwest, a local community youth steel band program, has released a music video with an upbeat and timely message about wearing masks during the COVID-19 crisis – “De Smile Behind de Mask” was composed and performed by founder and Executive & Artistic Director Gary Gibson, with video contributions by numerous members of the organizations seven steel bands:











How Well Do Masks Work? (Schlieren Imaging In Slow Motion!)








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Only true Star Trek fans will get this visual gag…





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Who’s ready for a game of 2020 Bingo?



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Please verify all claims and rumors before sharing things like this:


 




What’s your home workout look like? Here’s Jack Black’s:




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Think we’ll see ‘bumper tables’ in our area?




BBC sports commentator holds hilarious Zoom meeting with his dogs:

https://youtu.be/NensL4USbQM


 









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Enjoy this live camera feed of birds and squirrels (turn up your volume!) that visit a back deck feeding station at a home in SeaTac:



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Two new music videos from Discover Burien showcase our great local businesses:

More info at https://www.facebook.com/groups/burienstrong.


New original music from Burien’s Ryan Burns – ‘Boogaloo Bird’ – with all tracks recorded remotely during quarantine:

Organ trio 5/4 blues. This original composition was also featured as a solo piano piece on the CD Ryan Burns Song Book – Piano Compositions released Dec 2019. www.ryanburnsmusic.com

Released Friday, May 1, 2020

    • Ryan Burns, hammond organ, fender bass
    • Cole Schuster, guitar
    • Max Holmberg, drums

Recorded in each other’s houses during quarantine.

Produced and Mixed by Ryan Burns

Mastered at CloudBounce

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Some great tips for those who do Zoom/Webinar video meetings from StoryGuide guru Drew Keller:

One of the challenges of the “new normal” is adjusting to online meetings. Unfortunately, learning how to look your best in this new environment can be overwhelming. Understanding where to put your camera and where to put you, how to get the best from your available lighting and what will share your voice clearly isn’t difficult once you understand the tools. With this new reliance on internet-based virtual meeting apps like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype, Blujeans, and more, ensuring the audience gets the highest quality video is critical to effective communication. Drew Keller walks your through how to look your best in virtual meetings while working from your home. It is possible to communicate more effectively through the gridlike haze of video chats and virtual meetings.


NEW – the official video for Living In A Ghost Town by The Rolling Stones:

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PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU HEAR MEDICAL ADVICE FROM UNQUALIFIED LEADERS – THIS STATEMENT WAS RELEASED BY THE MAKERS OF LYSOL ON FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020:

Improper use of Disinfectants

Due to recent speculation and social media activity, RB (the makers of Lysol and Dettol) has been asked whether internal administration of disinfectants may be appropriate for investigation or use as a treatment for coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

As a global leader in health and hygiene products, we must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route).  As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines. Please read the label and safety information.

We have a responsibility in providing consumers with access to accurate, up-to-date information as advised by leading public health experts. For this and other myth-busting facts, please visit Covid-19facts.com.

For more information on our response to COVID-19, visit this link: Coronavirus information


Penguins! LIVE!





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Have you cut anyone’s hair at home yet?


Nice work @Eric Jensen (we went to college together at EWU):

 

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Great messaging from our Real Estate Sponsor Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate:



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Every bookshelf tells a story…

– Courtesy Page2Books





 

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Looks easy enough…



Shot-by-shot recreation of Journey’s classic “Separate Ways” music video by a family in Maple Valley:

“Solitary confinement does strange things to the best of us and this quarantine was really having an effect. My wife texted me and said, “we need to remake a music video.” I thought that sounded like a lot of work, but her persistence paid off and here we are. Enjoy!”

Journey-Separate Ways (Quarantine Edition) Side by Side from RaisingHeller on Vimeo.

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SPONSORED:

Your Daily Dose of Natural Beauty, courtesy Advertiser Zenith Holland Nursery – Sunset over Vashon/Maury Islands highlights Puget Sound vista from Zenith:

Today’s image captures a view from the Zenith neighborhood of Des Moines. Once a town all its own, Zenith, WA was founded in 1906, named Zenith most likely because it sits on a hilltop. The neighborhood was once a place for the summer homes for well-to-do Seattleites after World War I. And before all that, it was the Duwamish and Muckleshoot people who traversed the hills to the beaches below harvesting shellfish and fishing the Puget Sound’s abundant waters.

In the left lower corner of the shot twinkle the lights of the Zenith Holland Nursery sign, which is almost as old as Zenith itself, proudly carrying a founding date of 1907, just one year later than the Zenith, WA founding. Now dubbed “Des Moines’ oldest business” Zenith Holland Nursery outlasted the town of Zenith which was annexed into Des Moines in 1980. That’s also the year that current owner Lyn Robinson went out on a limb and purchased the business thinking it to have great potential and an terrific history.

Still going strong after all these years, Zenith Holland Nursery and the Zenith neighborhood tells a wonderful rich story that we can all be part of.

Interested in more back-story? Enjoy this profile we found from KUOW.org with a surprise cameo appearance from Lyn herself: https://www.kuow.org/stories/what-happened-to-the-town-of-zenith-wa

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR
This “Daily Dose of Natural Beauty” is brought to you by Zenith Holland Nursery, thanking you and the South King County community for your continuing support.

As a designated “Essential Business” member of the Food and Agriculture sector, Zenith Holland Nursery is operating daily offering a broad selection of edibles including fruits and cool season vegetable starts that can be planted now. Owner /Operator Lyn Robinson and her husband are on site daily to assist customers with their horticultural needs, while other staff remain safely at home.

If you are one of the many folks who would like to seize your stay-at-home time to plant a Victory garden, Zenith Holland can help. They are a local resource for seeds, soil and fertilizer. While practicing social distancing measures on site, they can also answer questions or orders by phone.

Established in 1907, Zenith Holland Nursery is proud to be the oldest continually operating business in Des Moines. They specialize in growing and providing quality plants ranging from hardy perennials to culinary herbs, colorful annuals, sedums, ground covers and hanging baskets. The nursery sits on just over an acre of land with eleven greenhouses.

Zenith Holland is located just south of downtown Des Moines at 23260 Marine View Drive South (map below).

Their current hours are:

    • Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. so you can shop small, shop local, shop essential.

Zenith Holland Nursery
23260 Marine View Drive South
Des Moines, WA 98198

Phone: (206) 878-7002

Website: https://www.zenithholland.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZenithHollandGardens/


 


 

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Wow…great video showcasing a nearly-empty downtown Seattle during this COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak by Drew Keller, an old co-worker of Scott Schaefer’s from KING-TV, “Bill Nye the Science Guy” & others:


 


Read the full story here.




From local comedian Robert Pidde:

So if you all are bored here is my Comedy Underground Comedy Special where I did all the camera work, editing, and performing myself. I did this to hopefully raise some money for the people laid off and unable to work at the Comedy Underground.

With it is a Comedy Underground relief fund. If you’d like to donate you’d be the best person ever to me. Here is the link https://www.gofundme.com/f/comedy-underground-relief. I’m attempting to try to get 3 months worth of labor raised for those who worked at the Underground which is very lofty but even if it doesn’t end up reaching the goal it will be allocated in a percentage that you can view on the site. If you just want to enjoy myself alone in a room full of brooms with faces on them. That’s also pretty neat. Enjoy everyone!

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BTB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer used to work with @DannyZuker on “The Arsenio Hall Show”:



Hat Tip to Maureen Hoffmann, who has spent a lot of time in Milan, Italy:


“Disinfecting, protecting staff and customers is a serious matter, however, Safeway fails. I have gone 3 times in past few weeks to both in Burien stores. One employee who job was to disinfect the handles in the frozen food aisles. She squirted the GLASS gave a couple swipes and move to the next. I asked her how what she was doing protected anyone, and she scurried to next aisle. When I went to check the cashier would not keep his distance. He kept getting in my face, and in the face of customers who were checking out behind him. He had a shield but wouldn’t stay behind it. No employee wore a mask. At the 1st Ave store the protective shield-protected only the cash register. If people don’t care about themselves…care about your grandma, parents, siblings, roommates, children, etc.”

– Anonymous Burien Shopper

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COVID-19 is spreading in King County. But together, we can slow it down, saving lives:


We’re all going to need these self-styling skills soon (thanks Salon Michelle in Des Moines!):

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Check out this video from local B-Town Rapper Travis Thompson, playing “Truth or Drink” with his Mom (WARNING: this may contain a few naughty words…):



SPONSORED:

Your Daily Dose of Natural Beauty – courtesy Advertiser Zenith Holland NurserySeeds Become Sustenance!

The magnificence of Mother Nature is in no greater display than the amazing transformation of seeds to delicious and healthful vegetables and fruits.

Today’s Daily Dose of Natural Beauty highlights just some of the delicious produce you can be planting now for later enjoyment and the fully stocked seed rack – which as Zenith Holland owner Lyn Robinson says – is “a thing of beauty” all on its own!

Instead of panic buying toilet paper, many folks are using this time to plant a Victory Garden, as a way to get outside while at home and enjoy the stress-reducing benefits of watching nature bring beauty to bloom.

To get this…

Start with this…

Here’s a great link to learn more about this simple process on Zenith Holland’s very own blog:

​Zenith Holland Recipe for Seed Gardening

Click here to support us

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR
This “Daily Dose of Natural Beauty” is brought to you by Zenith Holland Nursery, thanking you and the South King County community for your continuing support.

As a designated “Essential Business” member of the Food and Agriculture sector, Zenith Holland Nursery is operating daily offering a broad selection of edibles including fruits and cool season vegetable starts that can be planted now. Owner /Operator Lyn Robinson and her husband are on site daily to assist customers with their horticultural needs, while other staff remain safely at home.

If you are one of the many folks who would like to seize your stay-at-home time to plant a Victory garden, Zenith Holland can help. They are a local resource for seeds, soil and fertilizer. While practicing social distancing measures on site, they can also answer questions or orders by phone.

Established in 1907, Zenith Holland Nursery is proud to be the oldest continually operating business in Des Moines. They specialize in growing and providing quality plants ranging from hardy perennials to culinary herbs, colorful annuals, sedums, ground covers and hanging baskets. The nursery sits on just over an acre of land with eleven greenhouses.

Zenith Holland is located just south of downtown Des Moines at 23260 Marine View Drive South (map below).

Their current hours are:

    • Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. so you can shop small, shop local, shop essential.

Zenith Holland Nursery
23260 Marine View Drive South
Des Moines, WA 98198

Phone: (206) 878-7002

Website: https://www.zenithholland.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZenithHollandGardens/


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CLICK HERE TO HELP

 


– Photo Illustration by Scott Schaefer

 



During this unsure time, many are looking for a way to help their community and luckily, YOU can help through donating at Bloodworks Northwest.

As with most disasters, this viral outbreak has caused a domino effect and we’re now faced with another major health concern – a dangerously low blood supply.

    • Individuals are eligible to donate blood once every 56 days.
    • Each blood donation has the potential to save 3 lives.
    • It is a precious resources, but has a limited shelf life – only 5 days for platelets and 42 days for red blood cells.
    • It takes 800 donors a day to maintain the blood supply for the 90 hospitals Bloodworks supports in the Northwest.

Approximately 60% of the community’s blood supply is collected at mobile drives located at schools, businesses and events. The stay at home order has caused these organizations to temporarily close and all Bloodworks mobile drives have been canceled. However, the donation centers located across Washington and Oregon are still open and take donations!  Please note, time slots are currently booked through mid-April. It is important to keep the blood donations coming in at a consistent rate for future needs and we’re asking donors to please book their future appointments now.

Bloodworks donation centers have extended their hours and are working hard to rebuild their blood supply, but time slots are limited due to resources and keeping the number of people in shared buildings to a minimum. It is not surprising that these donation centers are not able to collect as much blood as would be with the addition of mobile drives, however insuring that donations are coming in consistently for months to come will help keep the blood supply at a safe level.

Blood donations are an essential service. Please visit BloodworksNW.org for more information and to book your appointment. Appointments can be booked months in advance.

Bloodworks is compliant with FDA, CDC and other applicable recommendations related to COVID-19. Information addressing questions and concerns for blood donors can be found at bloodworksnw.org/coronavirus.

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6-year old celebrates a socially distant birthday party!



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SPONSORED:

Your Daily Dose of Natural Beauty – courtesy Advertiser Zenith Holland Nursery – Tulips and Daffodils brighten any space and mood!

A mixed bouquet is well known as a gift to cheer the receiver, but did you know that it has been scientifically proven to improve both mental health and physical healing?

According to Thrive Global:

“Park and Mattson conducted a study in 2008 and found that patients in hospital rooms decorated with flowers and potted plants needed less postoperative pain medication, had lower systolic blood pressure and pulse rates, were less anxious and tired, and generally were in a more positive psychological state than patients in rooms without flowers.”

In these uncertain times a bright cheery bouquet can help ease anxiety even if you are enjoying it from a safe social distance from the convenience of your screen…enjoy!

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR
This “Daily Dose of Natural Beauty” is brought to you by Zenith Holland Nursery, thanking you and the South King County community for your continuing support.

As a designated “Essential Business” member of the Food and Agriculture sector, Zenith Holland Nursery is operating daily offering a broad selection of edibles including fruits and cool season vegetable starts that can be planted now. Owner /Operator Lyn Robinson and her husband are on site daily to assist customers with their horticultural needs, while other staff remain safely at home.

If you are one of the many folks who would like to seize your stay-at-home time to plant a Victory garden, Zenith Holland can help. They are a local resource for seeds, soil and fertilizer. While practicing social distancing measures on site, they can also answer questions or orders by phone.

Established in 1907, Zenith Holland Nursery is proud to be the oldest continually operating business in Des Moines. They specialize in growing and providing quality plants ranging from hardy perennials to culinary herbs, colorful annuals, sedums, ground covers and hanging baskets. The nursery sits on just over an acre of land with eleven greenhouses.

Zenith Holland is located just south of downtown Des Moines at 23260 Marine View Drive South (map below).

Their current hours are:

    • Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. so you can shop small, shop local, shop essential.

Zenith Holland Nursery
23260 Marine View Drive South
Des Moines, WA 98198

Phone: (206) 878-7002

Website: https://www.zenithholland.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZenithHollandGardens/



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SPONSORED:

Today’s Daily Dose of Natural Beauty – courtesy Advertiser Zenith Holland Nursery – focuses on Orchids! – a delicate pink pleasure to indoor spaces that carries our thoughts away to more tropical climes.

Orchids

Sometimes considered “hard to grow,” the truth is, once you determine the type and species of your orchid, and those specific needs, orchids are fairly low maintenance and can grow indefinitely. They represent good value for money with that in mind.

Based on the fact that there are so very many different types and species, you can find varieties that need high-light, as well as those needing low-light, lots of humidity and others who like less. Experienced orchid growers will share that, taking the time to learn what they need is often the hardest part of the job. Now that you may have a little time on your hands why not bone up on some orchid basics right here on Zenith Holland Nursery’s own blog. In their post you will also find quick links to more info on orchids from Better Homes and Gardens as well as the American Orchid Society.

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR
This “Daily Dose of Natural Beauty” is brought to you by Zenith Holland Nursery, thanking you and the South King County community for your continuing support.

As a designated “Essential Business” member of the Food and Agriculture sector, Zenith Holland Nursery is operating daily offering a broad selection of edibles including fruits and cool season vegetable starts that can be planted now. Owner /Operator Lyn Robinson and her husband are on site daily to assist customers with their horticultural needs, while other staff remain safely at home.

If you are one of the many folks who would like to seize your stay-at-home time to plant a Victory garden, Zenith Holland can help. They are a local resource for seeds, soil and fertilizer. While practicing social distancing measures on site, they can also answer questions or orders by phone.

Established in 1907, Zenith Holland Nursery is proud to be the oldest continually operating business in Des Moines. They specialize in growing and providing quality plants ranging from hardy perennials to culinary herbs, colorful annuals, sedums, ground covers and hanging baskets. The nursery sits on just over an acre of land with eleven greenhouses.

Zenith Holland is located just south of downtown Des Moines at 23260 Marine View Drive South (map below).

Their current hours are:

    • Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. so you can shop small, shop local, shop essential.

Zenith Holland Nursery
23260 Marine View Drive South
Des Moines, WA 98198

Phone: (206) 878-7002

Website: https://www.zenithholland.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZenithHollandGardens/




– Courtesy our friends at the Kent Downtown Partnership

 



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– Hat Tip to Vince Ynzunza

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FOR THURSDAY NIGHT, MAR. 26, 2020, starting at 8 p.m. SHARP:

From https://artbeat.seattle.gov/2020/03/26/seattle-comes-together-to-celebrate-people-on-the-front-lines-in-makeajoyfulnoise/:

The area’s cultural community –in association with the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (City of Seattle) – encourages residents to participate in a civic wide celebration of people on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic response on Thursday, Mar. 26, 2020, starting at 8 p.m. sharp!

“Starting 8 p.m. sharp Thursday evening, we’re asking Seattleites to join a movement that began in European countries, opening our windows, standing on our balconies, from our front yards, backyards and or anywhere you can to make a joyful noise letting the healthcare and front line workers know how much we appreciate them. People can clap their hands, raise their voices, bang some pots and pans to show solidarity and let the front line know how much they are appreciated.”

The message is simple #MakeAJoyfulNoise asks us to:

    • Applaud our healthcare workers
    • Celebrate those on the front lines
    • Make a joyful noise at 8 p.m. starting Thursday (26th of March)

“We are doing this to celebrate the front lines, which include grocery store workers, supply chain specialists, janitors, Fire, Police, nurses and doctors and health care workers, sanitary workers, and so many more. We’d also like to bring some cheer to these dreary days in Seattle.

“So please join us and plant a little joy in everyone’s life this spring. Take a picture, make a video and post #MakeAJoyfulNoise as well as #SeattleTogether”




PSA Safe Grocery Shopping in COVID-19 Pandemic:


 


 

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Tips like this would be greatly appreciated by the public who are working on the Frontlines of this epidemic:

    • If visiting a restaurant to put an order in for pickup CALL rather than walk-in to place the order and pay once you pickup. This eliminates at least one unnecessary contact.
    • When shopping, please limit the amount of people coming in. We don’t need every family member in your car to come in for ONE sale.
    • When in a store and picking items like produce or meat please limit how many items you touch. The public’s hands are the threat to our family and to their selves.
    • If going to a grocery store please try to buy at least three days supply. A total ring of three dollars on a daily business threatens everyone.

The public being promoted to visit those local businesses need to use some caution. If a cashier at Safeway is exposed to 500 people a day and only registers 200 sales, then we are more than doubling that person’s exposure. If said cashier contracts the illness and is now spreading it prior to feeling sick we expose them to 500 people again until they have symptoms that may remove them from the public.

One sale, one person, one time.

I’m not trying to be condescending, yet it is obvious very little thought has been made towards promoting behavior that while keeps money coming in greatly increases the amount of exposure this virus has to the public.

– Brandon Harper


Spotted at Three Tree Point – some beautiful, creative chalk work with a positive message:

– Photos by Scott Schaefer

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– Hat tip to Diane Rose Vincent!


– Hat tip to Maureen Hoffmann!


 


 

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Hat tip to Maureen Hoffmann:

Out for my afternoon keep-me-from-going-stir-crazy bike ride on this sunny evening… I happened upon a quiet cul-de-sac in Burien where the neighbors had pulled out their lawn chairs and drinks-of-choice and had gathered on the sunny pavement for companionship and conversation. Each family “pod” (spouses and kids) was 10 feet+ away from each other family pod. The pods were formed in a circle, folks in sunglasses and smiling.

On my rides each day this week—thankfully warming and sunny—I’ve seen so many more people out walking and biking, and we’ve all been free with our “hellos” and greetings.

(Details in the photo blurred for their privacy.)



My Dad served in World War II. He couldn’t wait to enlist after he heard about the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, but he was only 17 at the time.

As soon as he turned 18 – still just a kid for cryin’ out loud!  – he enlisted in the Navy, went to boot camp in San Diego, then was shipped off to the Philippines and New Guinea.

Thankfully he didn’t see any real action, and survived and returned home to West Seattle.

He married my Mom in 1951 and they then did the Baby Boomer thing with four of us kids, and remained married for over 50 years!

WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS!

– Scott Schaefer
B-Town Blog Founder/Publisher


 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP SEW MEDICAL MASKS
FOR THE ‘100 MILLION MASK CHALLENGE’!

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?HERE’S SOME GOOD NEWS?

? China has closed down its last coronavirus hospital. Not enough new cases to support them.

? Doctors in India have been successful in treating Coronavirus. Combination of drugs used: Lopinavir, Retonovir, Oseltamivir along with Chlorphenamine. They are going to suggest same medicine, globally.

? Researchers of the Erasmus Medical Center claim to have found an antibody against coronavirus.

? A 103-year-old Chinese grandmother has made a full recovery from COVID-19 after being treated for 6 days in Wuhan, China.

? Apple plans to reopen all 42 of its China stores.

? Cleveland Clinic developed a COVID-19 test that gives results in hours, not days.

? Good news from South Korea, where the number of new cases is declining.

? Italy is hit hard, experts say, only because they have the oldest population in Europe.

? 3 Maryland coronavirus patients fully recovered; able to return to everyday life.

? A network of Canadian scientists are making excellent progress in Covid-19 research.

? Tulsa County’s first positive COVID-19 case has recovered. This individual has had two negative tests, which is the indicator of recovery.

? All 7 patients who were getting treated for the virus at Safdarjung hospital in New Delhi have recovered.

? Plasma from newly recovered patients from Covid -19 can treat others infected by Covid-19.

?So it’s not ALL bad news friends. Let’s care for each other and stay focused on safety of those most vulnerable while continuing to make the best of our days! This too shall pass! ? I challenge you to spread the good news!?


Since all the hair salons are closed I would like to ask through the blog if anyone offers this at home in Burien.

Thanks,
Anne Ward -Ryan
puffinn@comcast.net


 


While I’m grumpy… ?

If you put some etiquette suggestions on your websites, can you tell people to keep their dog on a leash?!

I’m tired of idiots not keeping them under control and then getting too close to me as they come after them!

– Anonymous


I’m in self Quarantine like you are now…seems like the safest thing to do and I do have a bottle of Pandemic gin.

– Anonymous Man


My wife and I are 69 for me and 64 for her. She has had 3 operations in the last 2 years.

She stays home durning the work week. I stop at either Rite Aide or Fred Meyers to look for toilet paper. I have had bad luck at finding some. I have even tried Safeway.

We are down to our last 3 rolls.

Do we have to go Spartan and use a sponge on a stick?

I do not want my wife to do this.

What can we do?

We are our at our wits end.

We have money but do not want pity just toilet paper.

Much appreciation.

– JR & CR

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I’m doing fine but as you can see by the sign they sure are making it difficult to meet women.

– Anonymous Man



When you find yourself in a state of increased stress
over the next several weeks, look to your animals

Yesterday, on my last walk of the day, Lark and I went to our favorite beach. I frequent this beach daily, often more than once and always finding a comforting calm in its magnificent embrace. The past few days have brought an unmistakable sound of silence that has cloaked our city, then our state, our country and now, our world. I stood in the presence of my furry friend and found myself actively striving to absorb his carefree and unassuming mindset. I felt soothed as I studied him and took a few pictures. This was my favorite shot. It encapsulates the feeling of the moment. The waves crashing in the distance, the wind, quite brisk, blowing his coat as he stands sure-footed against the darkend sky looming above him. A punishing rain about to be unleashed that will wash away the cares of the day yet, his countenance is unwavering and at peace. As we walked towards the car, I felt profoundly grateful that, in this time of such great uncertainty and unprecedented restriction, I am surrounded by these grounded beings with whom I do not have to employ “social distancing” or create barriers in the love we share. I am one of the lucky ones. It is you all I have to thank for that.  So, when you find yourself in a state of increased stress over the next several weeks, look to your animals. Try to find peace and comfort in their presence. They are truly the best medicine and we will get through this together. ️

– Brittany Shelton


Life is going to be quietly different for awhile

I’m in my late 70s with a heart condition and am working my way through all of these situations.

My kids and grandkids are staying away from us deliberately so as to not expose us to the virus.

I have plenty to do here at home to keep busy – books, puzzles, movies, genealogy, a bit of gardening, telephone chats with friends. We have had our groceries delivered for years and are well provisioned.

I think we are prepared to slow down, become more introspective and go with the flow for a few months.

Life is going to be quietly different for awhile.

– Cyndi Upthegrove


As a community we can come together

I saw a post that you were interested in covid-19 stories. I don’t really have a story, but I am extremely troubled thinking about the tragedies that will unfold. There are so many elderly, economically and technologically challenged individuals and families in our community that cannot simply get online to order what they need.  Four-in-ten Americans cannot afford an additional $400 expense in their lives. 29% of Americans don’t have a credit card. 6% of people do not have access to the internet. I have heard some reports of foodbanks running low, blood banks at critical shortages, etc…. As this virus continues to take hold and tax our health, social and economic systems the need for help will continue to grow. I can donate money, food and blood but my small acts as an individual are not enough. I hope that as a community we can come together to create a network to lessen the impact covid19 will have on each other and especially the most vulnerable. The best thing we can do right now is help each (get the phone number of the vulnerable person you encounter & check in on them), donate where it is needed most and practice social distancing to not make this any worse.

– Emily  


Medical insider’s view

I work in a warehouse for a medical company. The way this virus has taken ahold of the country is scary, but please know this – if you are sick at all please stay home. When this virus first started it hit close to home as my 67-year old mother lives close to UC Davis in California before we had any cases here. As the week went on it was business as usual where I work (we have over 20 clinics around puget sound) when the Life Care Center news broke on Saturday it was surprising; on Monday we received notice that one of the patients that had dialysis at our clinic was pronounced dead. Everything from that moment changed. Dialysis techs were sent home to quarantine, our orders from our vendors were showing back orders for soap, sanitizers masks, etc…I have  been working 10-hour shifts to ensure we receive product in that will ensure our patients get the best care, but it is stressful at times. Please be patient with people as Americans we will get through this. Unite and win.

– Anonymous


SHARE YOUR STORIES

As we all go through this COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, South King Media is actively seeking local stories from Readers about how YOU are coping.

Please share your thoughts, observations, suggestions or photos! These could be anything from a very short blurb about coping with the quarantine, how to help local businesses, shopping madness, activities, fears, fighting the sickness, etc. or a diary-style story about this (hopefully short-lived) “new normal.”

Photos with captions are also encouraged.

If you have any ideas, please email scott@southkingmedia.com. Thanks!