Corona Virus Crisis News, Information, Advice & Help Thread

[Lowell]

Now more than ever...

[Pam]

Here's a tip- if you are going to get groceries delivered from Kroger.com allow several days. I just ordered and they aren't coming until Monday afternoon.

[Lowell]

From a friend...

DETROIT-WINDSOR & MICHIGAN & CANADA

• DPD officers to ‘relax’ arrest posture for certain misdemeanors, citations, impounds during crisis
• Wayne county weigh releasing some jail inmates
• Reports of empty meat shelves across MI
• Wayne county sheriff deputies test positive
• Movement postponed til Sept 11,12,13

THE REST OF THE WORLD

• Italy’s death toll surpasses China
• Italian army called in to carry away corpses as city’s crematorium is overwhelmed
• Coronavirus may have been in US since November
• Netflix throttles bandwidth in europe to ease stress on internet infrastructure
• London tube shuts down, UK considers lockdown
• 20k UK military personnel put on standby
• London hit by major water outage, up to 25,000 homes
• Water firms issue blockage warning as people use toilet paper alternatives
• Brazil shuts borders
• Italy considers lockdown
• Worlds fastest supercomputer identifies 77 chemicals that could prevent spread
• Madrid fears 80% infection rate
• Argentina declares total quarantine until March 31
• US Senate republicans propose bill for stimulus checks
• US preps for multiple waves
• One third of Californians told to shelter in place, effectively a lockdown... gov fears 56% will be infected
• G7 at camp david cancelled, moves to video meeting
• Africa sees ‘extremely rapid evolution of pandemic’, more countries close borders
• France Police Union threatens walkout
• Alexi Navalny, Kremlin Critic, urges boycott of vote pertaining to constitutional changes backed by Putin
• Masks in short supply, CDC resorts to telling doctors to consider scarves and bandannas
• Anti malaria drug shows promise against covid 19 when laird with a specific antibiotic; FDA approves as a treatment. Effectiveness TBD. [[hydroxychloronique)
• Bayer donates millions of chloronique tablets [[another malaria drug that has shown promise)
• IMF refuse emergency loan to venezuela
• France advises against the use of ibuprofen during pandemic, may open receptors that virus latches to; European medicine agency disagrees
• WHO to launch multinational trial to jumpstart search for drugs
• Rock festival with guns n roses goes ahead in mexico city
• Dolphins swarm the coast and canals of venice as boat traffic and pollution disappears
• China stages nighttime air exercises near Taiwan
• Young people, 20 44, aren’t as impervious as previously thought
• Meijer no longer 24 hour... 8am-10pm with 8am-7am senior only window.

[Lowell]

Taxpayers will have up to 90 days to pay any federal income taxes due, under some new rules in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

All individuals and non-corporate tax filers will be able to postpone paying up to $1 million in federal income taxes, including self-employment taxes.

The due date for paying the money moves from April 15 to July 15 - without any penalties or interest being due, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

Your tax return would still need to be filed by April 15.
^^UPDATE: TAX RETURN FILING DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JULY 15TH

For those who can't file by April 15, the Internal Revenue Service reminds individual taxpayers that everyone is eligible to request a six-month extension to file their return. To request a filing extension use Form 4868.

[248lurker]

I think part of the stimulus package should be to insure all Americans have internet connectivity.

Aren't the Federal and State Universal Service Fees that appear on our phone bills supposed to be earmarked in part for phone & internet service to rural and low-income areas? IIRC, those were stated as goals when the fees were first charged 20-some years ago.

Taxpayers will have up to 90 days to pay any federal income taxes due, under some new rules in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Also, anyone who has a first quarter federal estimate payment due April 15 [[paid with a 1040-ES voucher) also gets a three month reprieve until July 15.

Individuals wanting to take advantage of the extended deadlines for their 1040 returns who haven't yet filed them should either file Form 4868 ASAP or contact their preparer to have them [[e-)file it for them.

At present, I don't know if there is any payment relieve for Michigan 1040s or MI-1040ES estimates.

However, I did read that the state will waive late filing and late payment penalties for 30 days for businesses that need to file a February SUW [[sales, use, and withholding) Tax return that is normally due tomorrow [[March 20) -- extending the deadline to April 20. This doesn't apply to accelerated filers.

[Lowell]

This Free Press article provides and extensive list of food distribution points.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...es/5056005002/

During the coronavirus crisis, students will no longer have access to in-school meals for the next several weeks. To alleviate hunger, emergency food resources by local businesses and school districts are stepping in to ensure families and individuals are fed.

We're compiling a running list of resources offering free food in metro Detroit.

Please email bhightower@freepress.com if you know of places offering free food as we support each other.

[Gistok]

A thought on the severity of the Italian outbreak [[as well as France and Spain). These countries have more of a touchy-feely outlook on life... they give the cheek to cheek kiss greetings... that surely must not be good.

Also, some of these countries are more into fresh food, and go to open air markets and buy their produce and other food items by rummaging thru the selection... and just helping to spread the virus.

[Gistok]

Things I do now at home... regularly use alcohol wipes on my mouse and keyboard. Use a bleach cleaner frequently on door knobs and light switches. Actually I've always been a hypochondriac, and often use an elbow to turn on/off light switches.

[Lowell]

As opposed to the date cited in my post it has just been announced that the Tax Filing deadline date has been moved from April 15 to July 15.

As noted any taxes due April 15 had already been extended to July 15 without any penalty.

This relief also includes estimated tax payments for tax year 2020 that are due on April 15, 2020.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/payment...o-july-15-2020

[Make me wonder how many will gamble that money in the volatile market in the meantime.]

[mikefmich]

Wonder if the upcoming "cash infusion" is subject to withholding or will it be tax free? Haven't found that information yet.

[313WX]

Wonder if the upcoming "cash infusion" is subject to withholding or will it be tax free? Haven't found that information yet.

I'm sure that isn't by accident.

[Richard]

I'm sure that isn't by accident.

They have not finished passing it through the house and senate yet,we are just hearing proposals.

When it passes house and senate then the president signs off then we will get the details.

[Lowell]

Makers of the popular brand DETROIT VS. EVERYBODY have released a new t-shirt.

It's Detroit vs. Everybody, but right now, it's everybody versus a pandemic.That's the message Tommey Walker, owner, founder and CEO of the Detroit retail brand Detroit Vs Everybody, wants to share about his newest merchandise.

The store is selling shirts and sweatshirts inscribed with the phrase “Everybody Vs. COVID-19” in an effort to increase sales and support other local businesses, said Walker.

Twenty percent of profits will go to the Detroit Small Business Stabilization Fund, developed in response to the pandemic by nonprofit business accelerator TechTown, Walker said.

“We wanted to do our part, not just to complain, but to contribute during this time,” he said.

The fund is offering $5,000 emergency-assistance grants to qualified Detroit businesses with 10 or fewer employees. It had raised $197,871 of its $250,000 goal, the fund website showed Thursday night

https://freep.mi.newsmemory.com/?publink=01361c292_13435a5

[Lowell]

DETROIT & MICHIGAN & CANADA

• Whitmer bans non essential Medical/Dental procedures.
• 5 DPD officers test positive, 152 more quarantined as result
• MI jobless claims up 1500%
• Whitmer won’t consider full lockdown until proper economic safety net in place
• Whitmer exempts churches from ban of gatherings greater than 50 people
• Whitmer suspends evictions via executive order
• Canadian, UK, US, world industry re tools for war with covid 19
• MetroTimes lays off staff, spare 2 writers on cut pay... editor stays on without pay

REST OF THE WORLD

• California declares lockdown; travel only permitted for food, meds, employment
• Illinois, New York follow California into lockdown with politely named ‘stay at home’ orders
• Columbia enters 19 day quarantine
• Britons fear triage as ventilator shortage looms
• Paris hospitals brace for surge peak in April
• Doctors in Russia accuse government of covering up outbreak numbers
• Chinese web vigilantes name and shame quarantine breakers
• Putin backs China in war of words with US over covid 19 origins
• Dutch health minister resigns after collapsing on camera due to exhaustion during briefing
• Italy, with the second highest average age and overburden health system, sees mortality rate surges to 18.4%
• Bulgaria enters lockdown, authorizes military to use force amid curbs.
• With lockdown looming, Germany plans to mobilize military reservists
• Italy calls on military to enforce lockdown
• Malaysia army to enforce lockdown
• UK is in talks to use phone location data to monitor COVID 19... seems to be stopping short of spying on individuals
• Corona self isolation needs to go on for 12 months, UK’s scientific advice says
• UK begs 65k former nurses and doctors to ‘come back’
• Youtube joins Netflix in throttling streaming quality in EU to lessen burden on internet infrastructure

[Gistok]

An interesting article about killing corona virus with 20 second hand washing... using ANY soap... and why it's even better than hand sanitizers...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/coron...cid=spartandhp

[jcole]

Hand sanitizer was never meant to REPLACE soap, it's meant to use when you are not near a sink and you have touched something "dirty"

An interesting article about killing corona virus with 20 second hand washing... using ANY soap... and why it's even better than hand sanitizers...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/coron...cid=spartandhp

[Lowell]

• 328k official cases worldwide, 14.4k deaths, 95.6k recoveries, ~218k open cases. Official case count subject to nation's’ transparency and testing bandwidth; wired UK reports hidden data, such as internet stress, reveals the true scale of the outbreak
• US surpasses Spain to become third highest number of cases
• Suspicion, paranoia builds as US politicians attempt to push legislation through amidst the chaos, including attacks on End to End encryption, surveillance permissions, habeas corpus suspension...
• New York state case count surpasses nations of France, South Korea
• American Airlines first cargo only flight in 35 years carries medical gear
• UK foreign secretary appointed as designated survivor if Boris Johnson catches covid19
• Johnson warns that Britain’s NHS could become overwhelmed like Italy
• Johnson faces Commons revolt over emergency coronavirus laws
• UK homeless face a race against time to self isolate as shelters deemed ‘ticking time bombs’
• Overworked healthcare workers are greeted by empty grocery stores after 48 hour shifts
• Hackers are targeting hospitals crippled by covid
• Military trucks transport Italian coronavirus victims, coffins to be cremated
• French police issue 39k lockdown violations
• Denmark freezes economy
• Germany bans public gatherings of more than two people
• Merkel, German Chancellor, in quarantine after contact with doctor who tests positive
• Germany’s low coronavirus death rate intrigues experts
• Spanish government extends state of alarm for 15 days
• Bogota Columbia prison riot leaves 2: dead and 83 injured
• Delhi enters lockdown until march 31
• Indias busiest rail network shuts down
• Iraq enters nationwide lockdown until march 28
• China scrambles to curb rise in imported covid19 cases... concerns about boomerang waves intensify
• Rand paul tests positive
• US hospitals prepare triage guidelines
• UK healthcare workers facing empty grocery shelves
• Five US states [[CA, NY, NJ, OR, IL) have entered lockdown. OH to initiate lockdown at midnight mon/tues [[march 24). PA orders shutdown of all “non-life-sustaining businesses”.

[Zacha341]

State of Michigan numbers by county:

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus...0743--,00.html

[Lowell]

I received this inter-staff memo for a hospital in the UK with some very interesting points.
UPDATE: Parts of this have subsequently to be refuted by later posts. Parts are true, but it should not be considered authoritative. The post is left here only because it is referenced below.
Virus Detection:

The simplest way to distinguish Coronavirus from a Common Cold is that the COVID-19 infection does not cause a cold nose or cough with cold, but it does create a dry and rough cough.

The virus is typically first installed in the throat causing inflammation and a feeling of dryness. This symptom can last between 3 and 4 days.

The virus typically then travels through the moisture present in the airways, goes down to the trachea and installs in the lungs, causing pneumonia that lasts about 5 or 6 days.

Pneumonia manifests with a high fever and difficulty breathing. The Common Cold is not accompanied, but there may be a choking sensation. In this case, the doctor should be called immediately.

Experts suggest doing this simple verification every morning: Breathe in deeply and hold your breath for 10 seconds. If this can be done without coughing, without difficulty, this shows that there is no fibrosis in the lungs, indicating the absence of infection. It is recommended to do this control every morning to help detect infection.
Note: This^ appears to be refuted-read post below

Prevention:

The virus hates heat and dies if it is exposed to temperatures greater than 80°F [[27°C). Therefore hot drinks such as infusions, broths or simply hot water should be consumed abundantly during the day. These hot liquids kill the virus and are easy to ingest.
Note: This^ appears to be refuted-read post #79 below.

Avoid drinking ice water or drinks with ice cubes.
Note: This^ appears to be refuted-read post #79 below.

Ensure that your mouth and throat are always wet, never DRY. You should drink a sip of water at least every 15 minutes. WHY? Even when the virus enters water or other liquids through the mouth, it will get flushed through the oesophagus directly into the stomach where gastric acids destroy the virus. If there is not enough water, the virus can pass into the trachea and from there to the lungs, where it is very dangerous.
Note: This^ appears to be refuted-read post #71 below
For those who can, sunbathe. The Sun's UV rays kill the virus and the vitamin D is good for you.

The Coronavirus has a large size [[diameter of 400-500 nanometers) so face masks can stop it, no special face masks are needed in daily life.

If an infected person sneezes nearby, stay 10 feet [[3.3 meters) away to allow the virus fall to the ground and prevent it from falling on you.

When the virus is on hard surfaces, it survives about 12 hours, therefore when hard surfaces such as doors, appliances, railings, etc. are touched, hands should be washed thoroughly and/or disinfected with alcoholic gel The virus can live nested in clothes and tissues between 6 and 12 hours.
Note: This^ appears to be refuted-read post #71 below

Common detergents can kill it. Things that cannot be washed should be exposed to the Sun and the virus will die.

The transmission of the virus usually occurs by direct infection, touching fabrics, tissues or materials on which the virus is present.
Washing your hands is essential.

The virus survives on our hands for only about 10 minutes. In that time many things can happen, rubbing the eyes, touching the nose or lips. This allows the virus to enter your throat. Therefore, for your good and the good of all, wash your hands very often and disinfect them.

You can gargle with disinfectant solutions [[i.e. Listerine or Hydrogen Peroxide) that eliminate or minimize the amount of virus that can enter the throat. Doing so removes the virus before it goes down to the trachea and then to the lungs.
Note: This^ appears to be refuted-read post #72 below

Disinfect things touched often: mobile phone, keyboard, mouse, car steering wheel, door handles, etc ....

[Richard]

We have been over 80 degrees for the past couple of weeks,1007 cases verses you guys at 1,038,they are also saying cases drop in the summer months with virus in the past because people are outdoors more and not in closed spaces.

You would figure as cold as it is up there,the little germs would freeze when you exhale and drop to the ground.

They say social distancing but yet show long lines at the supermarket with everybody packed together.

[Burnsie]

At least two main points in the info Lowell relayed aren't accurate, so take the rest of it with a heap of salt. It can last much longer than 12 hours on some surfaces. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news...hours-surfaces in aerosols for up to three hours, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel."

The breath test isn't true. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/2891572001
"University of Maryland Chief Quality Officer and Chief of Infectious Diseases Dr. Faheem Younus tweeted on March 16: 'Wrong: Most young patients with coronavirus will be able to hold their breaths for much longer than 10 seconds. And many elderly without the virus won’t be able to do it.'”

[jcole]

That particular "message" has been making the rounds for a while now and has been debunked several times. I've seen it attributed to doctors, nurses, professors, etc from around the world. Just follow what the CDC and WHO have to say and you'll be safer.
Gargling or drinking water every 15 minutes does NOT wash the virus into your stomach acid and kill it or bypass the lungs.
Also, ingesting ANYTHING doesn't kill it; I have a friend that thinks colloidal silver will kill it; I told her that will either kill her, her kidneys or turn her blue but she will still be able to get the virus

At least two main points in the info Lowell relayed aren't accurate, so take the rest of it with a heap of salt. It can last much longer than 12 hours on some surfaces. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news...hours-surfaces in aerosols for up to three hours, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel."

The breath test isn't true. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/2891572001
"University of Maryland Chief Quality Officer and Chief of Infectious Diseases Dr. Faheem Younus tweeted on March 16: 'Wrong: Most young patients with coronavirus will be able to hold their breaths for much longer than 10 seconds. And many elderly without the virus won’t be able to do it.'”

[Danny]

Michigan is closed.

[Jimaz]

Michigan is closed.

[Bigb23]

Prevention:

The virus hates heat and dies if it is exposed to temperatures greater than 80°F [[27°C).

Shouldn't a body temperature of 98.6 degrees stop the virus ?????????