Had a discussion on birdsite with a woman that thought (pretty validly) that I was downplaying the experiences of women and minorities on the internet. I'm not publicly out as bi, which makes it really hard to discuss this kind of thing. Not sure what the point is here, but I've been thinking about this a lot, and needed to post somewhere.
corona, advice, mutual aid
Thread: Some thoughts/advice on mutual aid and pandemics.
(Quick note, I am not a medical professional, but I do have emergency response training)
First things first, and this should go without saying - DON'T HOARD SUPPLIES. If you didn't already know, the professionals that need PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) are already finding it hard to get. Masks are literally being stolen from hospitals because people can be shits sometimes. So yeah, don't hoard. If you aren't sick, a mask isn't really helping anyone and if you are, you should be in quarantine in a hospital anyway. Unless you know how to professionally fit test a mask, the mask isn't going to help. Leave them where they are and to those that need them.
More on fit testing: https://twitter.com/leorahorwitzmd/status/1235018922023440385
More on people stealing masks:
https://www.businessinsider.com/people-stealing-masks-from-hospitals-and-research-facilities-2020-3
corona, advice, mutual aid
Now that you know what _not_ to do, let's talk about what you should do. First, send money to people that are affected. Even if you aren't hoarding supplies, other people are and that makes it all the harder for the people that need those supplies to get by. Many immunocompromised folks are finding it hard to get masks right now and are having to pay way more than normal for the basic things they need to survive. Send them some money.
Second, be a good citizen. Listen to the CDC, follow their guidelines. Wash your hands (for at least 20 seconds) often. If you think you might be sick, go to the hospital.
Finally, reassure and help the folks around you. This is not a time to withdraw and the situation is not as dire as it seems. We all need to stick together. Take precautions, but don't shut yourself off from the world around you.
corona, advice, mutual aid
Alright, part two - there is a concept in first aid that tells you that the _worst_ thing you can do is create another victim. If there are downed power lines and someone is unconscious near them, you shouldn't put yourself at risk to save them - you run the real risk of doubling the victim count, making it that much harder for prepared responders. Same goes for virus (and all first aid, really). Unless you are a medical professional tasked with doing so don't try to treat someone you think might have COVID-19. If you think you are near someone that might be sick, move at least 6 feet (~2 meters) away and be sure to wash your hands before you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
COVID-19 symptoms:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html
corona, advice, mutual aid
Thread: Some thoughts/advice on mutual aid and pandemics.
(Quick note, I am not a medical professional, but I do have emergency response training)
First things first, and this should go without saying - DON'T HOARD SUPPLIES. If you didn't already know, the professionals that need PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) are already finding it hard to get. Masks are literally being stolen from hospitals because people can be shits sometimes. So yeah, don't hoard. If you aren't sick, a mask isn't really helping anyone and if you are, you should be in quarantine in a hospital anyway. Unless you know how to professionally fit test a mask, the mask isn't going to help. Leave them where they are and to those that need them.
More on fit testing: https://twitter.com/leorahorwitzmd/status/1235018922023440385
More on people stealing masks:
https://www.businessinsider.com/people-stealing-masks-from-hospitals-and-research-facilities-2020-3
health/handwashing, birdsite, +
So apparently, soap is waaaay better for killing viruses (incl. coronaviruses) than hand sanitizers based on alcohol and so on. This is because the soap literally rips apart the lipid bilayer that coats/protects the virus.
Really good, if somewhat technical explanation here from a chemistry prof: https://twitter.com/PalliThordarson/status/1236549305189597189
#COVID19 #Viruses #Diseases #Health #Handwashing #Cleanliness
cc @dansup (since you mentioned hand sanitizer)
cc @sohkamyung
Mega Guillotine 2020, lets GOOOO
iran
I'm listening to Arlo and Woody Guthrie because of all this Iran stuff and I feel like this song could be an important instruction manual sometime soon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m57gzA2JCcM
practicing anti-racism β¨ bi π wobbly π lib-socialist ππΉ streamer π¬ has-been wizard π§ software engineer π»
he/him/his ππ»ββοΈ