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Post by gyatso on May 25, 2020 12:58:01 GMT -5
I used to post on the FACTS board a long, long time ago. Like between 2000 and, I dunno, 2006 or 2007. At the time I was living ina Buddhist monastery.
Now I'm living in Germany.
I see Gifthorse and Debutante are still here. And it looks like Bob Marks, and Russell are here. There used to ba Mikkel the Dane - did he morph into Mikkel the skilled poster?
Who else is still around?
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Hi.
May 25, 2020 14:28:19 GMT -5
Post by raybar on May 25, 2020 14:28:19 GMT -5
Hi, gyatso. Welcome back.
How are things in Germany with the Corvid-19 situation? It's not too bad in my area of Los Angeles, but we have only been out of the house for quick trips to buy food for 8 or 9 weeks now.
FACTS has been in decline for some years now, but a few people still post, and others drop in occasionally without posting. To see who has been online here recently, click "Members" on the menu strip at the top of the page, then click "Last Online" at the top of the member list.
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Post by gyatso on May 26, 2020 0:33:11 GMT -5
Hi raybar
I had a look at the members page - yeah, it does look a bit like a ghost town. But, hey, it's been 20 years, hasn't it?
We went into lock-down in mid-March. You could go out for essential shopping and exercise (although all playgrounds were closed). As long as you weren't congregating in groups, it didn't seem to matter how much time you spent outside your home. In addition to the people you lived with, you were allowed one other social contact. So the lock-down rules weren't as harsh as in Italy or China.
For the most part people here have followed the social distancing rules, including wearing masks, and, as a result, the curve has gone all the way back down to early March levels. In my county there hasn't been a new case in several days.
About three weeks ago, things started to open up - but with new rules. Stores limit the number of people allowed inside at a time, you have to stand 1.5 - 2 meters apart in the cashier's line, most people wear masks in grocery stores, hand purifiers are everywhere. No one (or only a very few) is behaving like their rights have been taken away from them.
Germany has partially reopened its borders with Switzerland, France, Austria and other EU countries (not sure if it reopened its border with Poland, where Cornoavirus is less under control).
The government had offered financial assistance to people who have been economically affected by the virus - but, on the other hand, there were already mechanisms built into the social infrastructure which had already been paid for that helped mitigate the economic affects. As is the case everywhere though, it is the people who earn less, who work in service positions, or who are self-employed or freelancing who are hurting the most.
If I were to judge on the basis of what I've seen and read about what is happening in parts of the US, I would say the situation here is much saner, and much more under control.
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Hi.
Aug 27, 2020 4:39:37 GMT -5
Post by Gifthorse on Aug 27, 2020 4:39:37 GMT -5
Hi Gyatso,
So sorry I missed your visit in May. I hope you are well and enjoying Germany, despite the pandemic. I rarely visit the forums, but think of you all fondly.
My husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma a couple years ago and went through a year of immunotherapy infusions at Texas Oncology. So far he's doing well with no new cancer areas detected since his treatment.
Since Covid arrived in our area, we spend our time keeping Quinn happy and learning while we visit my elderly parents during the week. We took Quinn off his job schedule at our local grocery for now since he's in a high risk catagory. He had lung surgery in the past year for a reoccuring collapsed lung. He's doing very well now, thank goodness.
We continue to enjoy Austin and are very thankful for our garden where we can safely enjoy the plants and critters of the Texas Hill Country.
Wishing you and all the Factoids the Best, Gifthorse
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Hi.
Aug 27, 2020 19:55:23 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by debutante on Aug 27, 2020 19:55:23 GMT -5
Dawn:
I wish I had known of your family's health issues -- I would have given you support. Those kinds of things tax what little strength reserves we have ledt after a lifelong battle with autism.
You know where to reach me if youjust need a friendly ear. Id you lost my number -- pm me -- and I'll give it to you again.
Love,
Debutante
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Hi.
Aug 27, 2020 21:11:19 GMT -5
Post by Gifthorse on Aug 27, 2020 21:11:19 GMT -5
Thank you for your kind offer, Deb.
We're doing pretty well. Quinn's spontaneous pneumothorax events were scary, but we hope that is fixed now with his last surgery. Keeping the three of us occupied when Q is off work since March has been interesting. Thank goodness for technology. Q uses Zoom to talk with his Game Night friends every Friday, so that has helped. And Q loves to text family and friends as well. Meanwhile, Brad is teaching him how to cook some of his favorite recipes, which is great. He has spaghetti and French toast down pat. 🙂
In other news, I was diagnosed with Adult Onset Still's Disease last year as well. I have a good rheumatologist, who's prescribed some meds that have helped a bit so far. Now if they can just create a steroid that doesn't cause me to gain weight.
Otherwise, just living the mostly quarantined life like the rest of the world right now. Our only outings are to my parents' who live about 40 minutes from us, as well as the grocery and pharmacy when needed.
I hope you and your family are staying healthy. I spoke with my step-sister on FaceTime on Sunday while she was walking her dog near the lake in Chicago. The water and sky were beautiful. Hope you're able to enjoy the great outdoors as well.
Cheers, Dawn
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Hi.
Aug 27, 2020 21:46:52 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by debutante on Aug 27, 2020 21:46:52 GMT -5
Dawn:
It's been a stressful year -- Cyril had a bypass in November. It came totally out of left field. A stroke of weird "good luck" I suppose that the problem was discovered due to my irritation with him dragging me to the doctor every single week since he retired.
One day -- I was so irritated -- I snapped, "Why am I always being dragged to the doctor? How come you never have to go?"
So the good doctor (who was so busy taking care of everyone else for so many years and never bothered with his own health) went for a check-up. Next thing, I knew he was getting a by-pass.
He had no symptoms of disease heart disease -- and the blockage was so bad he could have dropped dead at any minute. So it was just a stroke of luck that I blurted out that he should go to the doctor himself.
Jim is pretty much at the level he's always been. He is driving everyone crazy being cooped up with Covid-19 reatrictions -- Illinos is starting to open up but not enough to let him resume his usual activities.
Ali's probably got the most exposure to Covid-19 because quite a few of the patients in the clinic are either symptomatic or have already recovered. She comes home with some interesting stories though.
As for me -- well between my husband's illness and the death of my ex fiance (not sure what he died of -- either cancer or Covid-19) -- it has been a hell of a year. I wish I did know -- at least if it was cancer they'd have drugged him up and he'd have passed peacefully. But I've heard Covid-19 is a hard death and the thought that he may have suffered saddens me.
I brood about it probably more than I should but I'm attributing that to being locked up because of the quarantine. I'm sure once the world opens up again and we all begin living I'll have other things to occupy my mind than death.
--Debutante
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