I've never been able to understand how hoarding toilet paper is going to benefit anyone.  As for safety from the disease, treat it like a serious flu event.  Wash one's hands regularly and avoid large crowds.  Like you, the wife and I are pretty much loners, although we do get together on Sundays with others at church that are in our "small group."  We meet in different one's homes instead of at the church building, which is where we have our morning services.

As an example, the wife and I have 7 full rolls of toilet paper in the cabinet.  That should last us for at least three weeks, if not longer.  And, other than an occasional trip to the grocery store, we don't do much "gathering" with a lot of folks.  We do get in our morning walks in a local shopping mall if it is cold or windy outside, but otherwise, we prefer to get our 3 mile walks outdoors.

Simple suggestion is to just take normal precautions and avoid crowds.  Some are saying that hotels and motels could be something to be concerned with, but we aren't too worried about that even.  When we go do the road surveying in Indiana again this year, we stay in the better hotels, so we probably should be OK there as well.

Terry

Yup, there is a map that shows cases all over the world with total confirmed numbers and recovered numbers. The recovered number the last time I looked at it was something like 72,000.
Interesting to see what states are hit hardest (Washington being probably the worse). And Washington is in our path this summer, well maybe I should say WAS LOL!!

Barb ... you probably know more about this than I do, but I have heard that “immunity” only lasts 4-5 months (similar to more common strains of the flu). This is why the flu shot is an annual event because immunity is only for a relatively short period of time. They don’t “know” but it is assumed that covid-19 will behave similarly and be seasonal.

I was reading on another forum where they were speculating that people were buying up things in the event that they had to "self-quarantine" themselves.  Thus the need for extra toilet paper.

I also read reports that some people were buying up hand sanitizer, extra cleaning wipes and such, and extra toilet paper.  (My oldest son told us that he saw on Farcebook where someone was trying to sell bundles of toilet paper for something like $40 a bundle.)  However, due to some news stories about the hoarders that were trying to profit off of their purchases, Amazon and other online "shopping sources" were shutting down accounts where the people were gouging the prices.

Terry

I am currently making my way across Texas, NM and AZ. I've been using Walmart grocery pickup to lessen my human exposure - the nice lady at Point Texas remarked the store is full of tired parents and kids on spring break. I have not noticed a shortage of RV T paper...shhh.
Checked into a KOA at Weatherford last evening. All the staff stayed at least six feet from me, the bill was prepaid, and they just sorta pointed to my camp spot. Headed for a state park today, will see what awaits.

My DW and I were full time for 3.5 years and neither of us was ever sick once. I attribute that to less contact with others. We were talking today about it. If we were still full time, we would take a few extra precautions like sanitizing shoes, extra care around dump stations, and maybe only one go in for groceries. Y’all stay safe and get lots of fresh air and sunshine.

PrairieRV wrote:

---

Like Terry, I assumed the runs on items like TP is that people want to have what they need in case the have to quarantine. But it makes it hard for those of us that just need to resupply.

So what about the ripple effect? I got the last packages of rv TP the Walmart last week. Now I’m wondering if there will be some on the shelf when that’s gone. When I have to resupply it j may not be available. So should I make sure I have extra now? You see how it may go.

I’m not very concerned by the virus, but with the public panic.

 

edit:  does anyone know how to modify the rv toilet fora bidet feature?

-- Edited by PrairieRV on Sunday 15th of March 2020 09:52:59 AM

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 Patti,

Do a search here on the forums and type in "bidet."  When I did it, I got a few different threads, at least two of which were related to bidets.

Here is one, and if I can do enough editing, I'll post one or two more links for you.

Best Modification Ever

EDIT: In looking at the four links that I saw with that search function, it appears that "The Bear" posted information on a bidet addition in each of three of them.  So, the link above is probably going to give you the information you need.  However, I would do a separate search for the bidet product as I've seen it at two different prices.

EDIT #2:  Probably better just search on the internet for such a product.  The links that "The Bear" posted seem to all indicate "Out of Stock" or "Unavailable."

EDIT #3:  I did some more searching and found the product listed above in other places.  I used "RV Toilet bidet" as my search function and found some at build.com.  Look at the link below, and also scroll down below the product that came up to see the similar (or maybe the same) product that "The Bear" posted about.  According to that source, they have some in stock.

Brondell FS10

Terry

Just as an FYI, for any of you that might be concerned about clicking on an unknown link, I can recommend the video link posted above by karoleks.

That video was just uploaded to YouTube yesterday by a RV couple and has an interview with a doctor in Tacoma, WA that is dealing with the Covid-19 virus.  The doctor just happens to be the sister of the gentleman of the RV couple posting the video.  I would say that while it is pretty long (roughly 19 minutes of the interview), it would be worth watching, and I might even say that it would be a benefit for folks that aren't RV'ers, so don't be afraid to send the link to friends and family.

The interview pretty much supports my own thoughts on the virus and how to avoid it.

Terry

The “swine flu” in 2009 took estimates of 170,000 to 550,000 lives, but there wasn’t the panic we are now seeing on this out break. I’m not trying to be cavalier about this virus, but while as one poster stated many of us “reside” in that “concerned” group I believe practicing good health habits such washing our hands and just being aware will go a long way in protecting ones self.

Here’s a question I ask myself and many others, do you know any family or friends (not a friend of a friend) that contacted the swine flu or has the coronavirus right now? I think it is an over hyped crisis that has created a panic that is needless. Should we be made aware or the situation, hell yeah. But to the extent they are going about it leads me to believe there are other reasons for the mass hysteria being created.

Rickl wrote:

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The “swine flu” in 2009 took estimates of 170,000 to 550,000 lives, but there wasn’t the panic we are now seeing on this out break. I’m not trying to be cavalier about this virus, but while as one poster stated many of us “reside” in that “concerned” group I believe practicing good health habits such washing our hands and just being aware will go a long way in protecting ones self.

Here’s a question I ask myself and many others, do you know any family or friends (not a friend of a friend) that contacted the swine flu or has the coronavirus right now? I think it is an over hyped crisis that has created a panic that is needless. Should we be made aware or the situation, hell yeah. But to the extent they are going about it leads me to believe there are other reasons for the mass hysteria being created.

---

 Embracing conspiracy theories can also lead to mass hysteria.

 

If someone is really interested in the current knowledge on COVID19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

-- Edited by olderthandirt on Wednesday 18th of March 2020 01:06:39 PM

I agree that if people use common sense everything will be okay, unfortunately there are plenty of people who don't use common sense and put everyone else in danger.

Glenn West wrote:

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Haven't seen any tolit tissuse in stores in 2 weeks. Getting low at home.

---

 I have seen some at the Dollar General Stores; but may have to search some there! The stores seem to get there early AM!

Someday people may learn to ween themselves from the media, so they are not worked into a frenzy at each new event. The media is almost mass mind control these days.

Rickl wrote:

---

The “swine flu” in 2009 took estimates of 170,000 to 550,000 lives, but there wasn’t the panic we are now seeing on this out break. I’m not trying to be cavalier about this virus, but while as one poster stated many of us “reside” in that “concerned” group I believe practicing good health habits such washing our hands and just being aware will go a long way in protecting ones self.

Here’s a question I ask myself and many others, do you know any family or friends (not a friend of a friend) that contacted the swine flu or has the coronavirus right now? I think it is an over hyped crisis that has created a panic that is needless. Should we be made aware or the situation, hell yeah. But to the extent they are going about it leads me to believe there are other reasons for the mass hysteria being created.

---

 1.  I got the vaccine for "Swine Flu" (H1N1) in 1975 because our daughter was a premie and with fragile lungs, she couldn't have handled any type of respiratory disease.  

2.    My cousin's husband (age 70) was just released from the hospital last week.  He is a Covid-19 survivor, and she is under 14 day isolation.  He contracted it from a fellow who was at a youth athletic even in Olympia, WA in February.  The guy flew back to Palm Springs and 3 days later was dead.     What makes this especially hard is that my cousin's mother (my aunt) is 96 and she's been taking meals to her house, etc.  They still do that, but limit any physical contact to just few minutes each day, so my poor aunt (who is very visually impaired and hard of hearing) is now very isolated.   Thank goodness for telephones.

3.   No, if you are ill, on a vent, it isn't being overhyped.  It is the speed of spread and the unknown that is so frightening.  Especially for those with underlying health concerns.   Yes, most people will not have a problem.  In fact, for a virus to be successful, it needs to be able to replicate (which leads to inflammation, build up of body fluids in the respiratory system with this virus) and then be passed along to the next host (which is the coughing and sneezing).  And it has to do it in a hurry because the body will develop anti-bodies, which render the viruses unable to duplicate and thus are passed out of the body and thus the strain 'dies' out.  If you have old cilia (the hairs in the lungs that move things up and out) or other underlying disease processed that impeded the body's cleaning mechanisms you get in trouble.  

BiggarView wrote:

---

 A lot of information being spread around, almost as fast as the virus. Some of it accurate and some of it not. Unless you're an expert in the medical field on epidemiology and viral science better to keep quiet and look like a fool than to open your mouth and prove it. Stick to what you know. Take prudent precautions, act like you already have the virus. Remain calm. You can only control what you do, nobody or anything else. JMHO

-- Edited by BiggarView on Tuesday 24th of March 2020 06:36:33 PM

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         I Attest!   And I have poor health; so I watch what the Medical Doctors and Researchers suggest!

Suchidog wrote: “But sometimes I feel there is a tendency to politicize things or "not let a crisis go to waste" regardless who's in charge”

The Arkansas Democrat reported today: “In early March, before First Assembly of God church in Greers Ferry, Ark., called off all of its activities to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, just like other churches across the country, dozens of participants gathered there for a children’s program.
Now, 34 people who attended that event have come down with the coronavirus, according to a deacon at this rural evangelical church 75 miles north of Little Rock, who spoke to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.”

That report isn’t political.

There is always hope. America will survive.

Glenn West wrote:

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Haven't seen any tolit tissuse in stores in 2 weeks. Getting low at home.

---

 Napkins…paper towels…newspapers…Sears catalog…then you'll have to (this is to the tune of the old Branded TV show starring Clint Eastwood back in the day)…Prove you're a man and wipe it with your hand.

 

Neil and Connie wrote:

---

Glenn West wrote:

---

Haven't seen any tolit tissuse in stores in 2 weeks. Getting low at home.

---

 Napkins…paper towels…newspapers…Sears catalog…then you'll have to (this is to the tune of the old Branded TV show starring Clint Eastwood back in the day)…Prove you're a man and wipe it with your hand.

 

---

 Haven't seen a newspaper or catalog in quite a while. 

Well about two weeks since last post, on this topic and a month since first. A Lot has changed since then, except TP, still none available.

I hope no one has fallen ill, or worse. For most of us income or going to a job is not an issue. We're already used to living together in about 400 sq ft


We were in FL, but had to go to NY ( our state of origin ) to see Drs. that we have long time relationships with and usually April and October visits suffice


Some will be by E-visit but we must be in NY for controlled substances and we have to enable location, one is for a treatment that requires a visit.

But I am posting to tell of our trek, all check ins were by phone. Didn't go into any offices. We came to find out VA had closed motels and campgrounds, we usually take a more inland route once in VA and go across southeast PA to our destination of Smithtown ( Long Island ) NY . We stopped in northern NC for 2 days and then drove 350 miles to south NJ stayed there 2 days. Going around DC and Baltimore, traffic was moving well. Yesterday Sat 4-11, was our final travel day crossing the GW bridge to Cross Bronx expressway Throgs neck bridge to Long Island Expressway. Even on a Sunday this route has much traffic, we went non stop. It was bizarre. The pot holes and rough roads were felt much more so.


We'll have to be here a few weeks, but our plan is to go out as little as possible and wear a mask. We are on Laurie's mother's driveway, but we won't even go in the house as she is 92. Fortuanatly she has a live in aide.


I'm sure others have altered their travel plans, or plan not to travel.

Best to all

Bill

That is ridiculous. I would think you are more prone to be infected or pass infection using hotels.  Great time to Boondock.  

Was good reading through everyone's comments. We are full-timers and were kicked out of a campground way back when this started. Basically we came to the conclusion we would have to react to changes due to the virus rather than to plan for them. In other words, set up our stops where we could stay long-term if necessary. Bought five pounds of rice and dried beans for our two week quarantine if that every happened.

Like others, we have spent weeks away from others for the most part and held up at two longer stays, one of which was a five week period where we had an entire 450 acre lake in a wooded campground with full hookups on a concrete pad. We stopped to think how lucky we were to have the spot where management said, we and the other three campers, could stay as long as needed. We could not have bought the view and experience for a million dollars. It was nice to see the various RV associations putting the word out to government to beware there are full-timers. That message got to at least one campsite who knocked on the door everyone needed to leave. But then granted an exception as this was our stay at home place. And that was a state run campground!

Beginning weeks ago we decided only full hookups for now to avoid public bathrooms. That is still the case for us until 6/11/20 when we are moving to our first without them. So far we have been in three states during all this news. We have been keeping up on press briefings by various Governors regarding their state we anticipated moving to at sometime during the summer. 

Just thought I'd pass along what we are doing in the near term. Be safe. We continue to do our best to live like it's still the first weeks of the virus, although I suspect it was running around the country weeks before we knew it was a problem.  

I'm finding comfort in reading about the history of pandemics as I try and guess what might happen during this one in the end. Apparently it's common that concern for pandemics to end when folks feel more comfortable and decide enough is enough, returning to a resemblance of life before the pandemic. That's happening now I suspect. 

My wife and I are going to stay reasonably vigilant. I'm hoping reoccurrences or flair-ups will be less concerning as we at least now know the virus is running around. Sure was a concerning time when we got the first knock on the door to move months ago. As a full-timer it's scary to wonder where you can go and live without tracking across the country. We are having no problem finding a home certainly between the 200 miles we like to travel a day.

-- Edited by mds1 on Wednesday 13th of May 2020 02:44:02 PM

at is going to perhaps get interesting is this fall during what is usually the flu season. When we start moving towards our winter locations and if the virus thing picks up again. Might force a decision do we stay north in the cold or go ahead and move south. We lived through changing plans when this thing first hit. Suppose we can live through it again if needed should it fire back up during the snowbird migration south.  Not sure yet what details I'll be watching to make the decision. Maybe if the kids are going to school and if so in which states. But more than likely I'll just base our moves off what we used moving north this year which was looking at Governors press briefings and if there were stay-at-home orders. 

-- Edited by mds1 on Thursday 14th of May 2020 09:50:59 AM

Wearing masks, social distancing, and proper sanitization really does protect you from getting infected with the virus. Unfortunately in our country, not everyone agrees to wear a face mask.