How exactly are you going to be sure you are exposed? Do you personally know someone with the virus?

That sounds suicidal. Why would you consider that? Just protect yourself, wash your hands, etc. You may not be exposed to it if you take precautions. We're not all doomed. I'm doing my best to avoid exposure. Just do your best.

And, you can be exposed to it and carry it for up to ten days. Imagine all the people who don't want it that you're going to be exposing it to.

Yeah, I understand the sentiment...sort of like chicken pox before the vaccine, get exposed and get it over with... but if you can avoid exposure at least until there's a vaccine or treatment developed, you'd certainly be better off. There is no "undo" button in medicine. Should you get sick and get deathly ill, you'll be really unhappy that you chose that path and there's no going back. At least if you are exposed against your will, you know you did what you could to stay well for as long as you could.

I'm viewing this time as an opportunity to be a homebody, and focusing on Mother Nature, spending time outdoors and in the natural world...sort of like thoreau and walden pond. Spring is here. The plants need me. I need the sunshine and the fresh air and the cathedral of the trees. This won't last forever, and the world will get OTT busy again before we know it, so we can appreciate this down time for what it is.

It's like when we used to lose electricity, and we'd turn to reading by candlelight or conversations or games to play together....or even catching up on much needed sleep. Then the lights would come on, it'd get bright and noisy and busy again, and part of me would be disappointed that the simpler, gentler way was over.

And the point of the social isolation isn't to stop the virus spread, but to slow it. We will be in much better shape if those who get infected with severe cases are able to get the proper medical care they need. So even if you get sick, in theory it's better if it happens later.

I don't know anyone with it, but if I exposed myself, I'd self-quarantine to flatten the curve.. I'm not evil. or suicidal. I just want to get on with living what life I've got left without hiding out in fear.

It's only been a few days. :)

Personally I'm trying not to panic as I felt myself coming down with something on Friday and today I'm developing a minor fever. No cough so I think that's good. Regardless I haven't left my house since Friday and have no plans to. I'm hoping it's just a bug from being too close to all the crazy shoppers last week. Can you get a fever with a cold??

It's time to get some new hobbies. We're all used to being entertained by others. It's time to learn to entertain ourselves. What is something that you have always wanted to do that doesn't rely on others?

The problem too is that it's not clear how much immunity you get from having the disease or how long it lasts and whether or not you can get re-infected. It's also not clear that once you're over the disease, you're well. With other infectious diseases, some people have suffered permanent injury....not something you'd volunteer for, I'm sure. With all the focus on death rates with this one, no one is talking about whether or not people with severe cases have permanent lung damage or not.

Actually, I believe some doctors in China believe that some recovered cases have a permanent reduction in lung capacity. I can't link the article, but there was one in the NYTimes and another in Business Insider.

I agree with Annie, there is no evidence that you grow immunity with exposure. Plus, if you get the virus when you potentially could have prevented it and become seriously ill, you'll likely be filling a bed, using a ventilator that could be needed by someone who's on the front lines and comes down with the virus: doctors, nurses, other health care workers, store employees who are working to keep food available for us, etc. They are all seriously exposed and are now becoming ill.

Stay home and leave the resources for those who really need them.

And this isn't going to last forever. It's not going to be a permanent way of life. I'm focusing on some things around home that I always say I'll get around to. And I'm reading more. And walking around my neighborhood and keeping the safe distance from anyone else. You can still get out for a drive.

I don't fear the virus. Of course I would not like to get it but I don't fear it. I fear the hysteria. I fear the politics behind it. I'm about to turn 69. Instead of telling us how many older people have died ,conveniently neglecting to state that most were already in nursing homes and in frail health, the media etc. should be focusing on the how the numbers of those infected are most much greater than known and most people will survive the virus just fine.

I guess since everything will be closed I will be spending a lot more time at the two ranches I ride at. One has to move all the horses out by the end of April. A lot of horses to find new homes for. Most of us are older woman. The county is doing another greedy land grab for the more hiking trails for the snowflakes that fear sharing the trails with nature's fertilizer. I will maybe get busy with helping out if I can.

Here's the bullet points from the Business Insider article Fun referenced:

Chi yes one can have a fever with a sore throat caused by an infection. I am experiencing that now and am trying to remain positive and calm. Easier said than done

You might find this chart helpful.

If you have fever and start getting breathless, I'd definitely call the doc but don't go into the office...do it over the phone.

Thanks Annie, that makes me feel better. It sounds like I have a cold or allergies. Very slight fever seems to come and go, and I wonder how much my stress is impacting it.

I truly believe this saying:

You don't have to go to every fight you are invited to.

In this case, stay at home. Don't go out looking, and possibly spreading, trouble.

You never know the lasting effects to your health with this virus. I hear a certain percentage ends up with lung scarring. I'll do my best to avoid it, and spreading it. I'm in a vulnerable group because of pre-existing conditions and my father is in the older age bracket.

This probably sounds crazy, but I swear, my husband had this a couple of years ago! Is this really anything new or did they just realize it and begin to test for it in China because of their labs there that were studying this virus? Makes me wonder because he had all the symptoms of this...not like flu, cold or allergies at all. He recovered and is just fine now but it took him about a month before he had no more tightness in his chest. Unless they know of a virus and have tests for it...if you go to the doctor and they do their typical flu, strep tests, they would not have any way of knowing what you had if there had not been any test for it. It is possible that this virus could have been here already, long ago! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

So it takes ten to fifteen years for the average vaccine to be made available to the public. There is still no treatment for rhinovirus and for the flu only a treatment that can shorten the duration.

How long can we realistically hide in our homes?

@drewsmaga I can understand wanting to go about life as usual and not following the guidelines so strictly but it comes down to---it's not just you. I think we all have to get to the store at some point and that can't realistically be avoided. However, we can curtail the number of interactions we have.

If somehow you get exposed and are carrying it, you are then exposing it to so many others. And this, if it happens, will likely be before you are presenting with any symptoms.

As mentioned, this social distancing and isolation is not expected or intended to wipe it out, but to slow down the spread so that it might be more manageable.

I went looking and found that fever is defined as being 100.4 or higher...

I've also read that they suggest if you have a fever and any symptoms at all, assume that's what it is and stay home.

This is one of the most interesting and important threads I’ve read on KT.

Drewsmaga, I feel your hopelessness, but you’ve had some good thoughts and advice here. In protecting yourself, you are also protecting others.

No doubt most of us feel stunned after all the restrictions that came out yesterday. Personally I support the closures, etc. but worry about the people and businesses affected by these. Our communities are in for rough times ahead.

We need to continue to share here. I hope in time we can settle into this new normal.

Annie, your words are so wise, so positive....thank you. You lifted my spirits.

At the press conference yesterday, the doctor said that 99.8 is considered a fever indicating possible coronavirus. He said that adults don't spike high fevers like children do. So any fever should be checked out.

A few months ago we purchased paint, marble top, new hand towels, shower curtain, faucets, rugs, etc. The past few days we've spent redecorating a bathroom. I love home improvement!

We rarely have down time during normal life since our 3 grandchildren live .2 miles from us. My nurse daughter isolated us last Thursday and I have to say we're well rested and having some retired senior life fun. Yesterday we cooked a turkey and had a Thanksgiving Day meal, just the two of us.

Thank you socks.

Acting on those feelings would be a very bad idea. For yourself: if you roll the dice and need medical treatment, there is painful and unpleasant supportive care but NO CURE, and long term (probably rest of your life) unpleasant consequences if you survive a bad case. For your community: a) you spread it unknowingly with no control over your victims, b) thereby you cause more cases requiring painful medical treatment, thereby taking precious medical equipment from people whose life depends bearing that pain, c) you infect the medical community which the rest of us depend on for our health, d) do I really need to go on?

Plus, we'd miss your voice. We don't always agree but you are heard here. Don't roll the dice.

Respecting this virus is not the same as fearing it. We all need to avoid fear as well, because that leads to blind actions.

I understand what you're saying. I have said IF I'm going to get this, I'd rather get it now and get it over with (hopefully!). The unknown is unsettling. But with all that said, I'm still following every precaution I can. I don't want to get it, but if I do, then I'd like it sooner than later. If that makes sense to anyone other than myself! ; )

I'm going walking, but otherwise staying home. I like the adage "You don't have to go to every fight you are invited to." Yet......I do believe that if your knocked down you have to get back up....and get back up....and get back up! :0)

drewsmaga...don't you still live in Pueblo Colorado? So much beauty, so little time....

I recommend meditation which is not only a stress reducer, but has been scientifically proven to boost your immune system. Many on youtube you can follow. I like meditation oasis for beginners. Especially with spring here, I've been doing listening meditations outdoors and they are a wonderful "reset" button.

I would never purposely expose myself to any illness, ailment, disease....so like everyone else has said....bad idea. I am never sick. I just finished a complete physical and except for arthritis in my hands, which were mangled in accidents years ago, I have excellent health. I don't think I will get the virus. I think positive but try not to do anything foolish.

Expressing anxiety is better than suffering in silence.

This thread illustrates the tremendous value of the KT, in good times and in bad. We need *everyone* for this community to keep working!

Re: Fever. Check your temp without fever reducers like aspirin, Tylenol. (Then TAKE them!) Supposedly, today's 'normal' is no longer 98.6F. (Mine's been 97.8F for years.) I'd be reporting anything over 101.4F to my MD.

This virus is still largely 'unknown'. We've had forecasts that up to 60% of us will get it -- and that for many who do it is a minor problem. This is NOT to discount the damage and death it will mean for hundreds of thousands of our nearly 350 million.

If you're looking to build up immunity, wait for the shot!

Another vote for " bad idea" to try and expose yourself to the virus. My niece is a critical care RN downstate and she is begging people to take as many precautions as they can so hospitals don't get overloaded. I'm going on the second week of staying home but I have an appt. at the end of week for taxes so will try to keep that.

If I did all of the projects I would like to do, I could stay home for 6 months!! LOL.

My temp is back down to 98.7 (without medication) so I think that's normal enough not to worry. Worrying doesn't help anyway - it won't change my plans to stay home!

You don't have to go to every fight you are invited to.

My father who was very scrappy as a kid and young man, gave my brother and me the same advice.

A similar thought occurred to me, too, Drewsmaga. My theory for "getting it over with now" is based on what occurred during the 1918 pandemic. The second round of the disease, which came later in the year, was much more virulent than the first round. But I'm not going to do it.

Chi, if I may suggest, take your temp again in the later afternoon as that's when it's apt to go up. I'm glad you're feeling better--it's hard not to panic. In the evenings I have been feeling more tired than usual without reason and sometimes feel my chest tighten. But it's allergy season so I always hope that is the reason for the feeling.

Sadly this is exactly the sort of thoughts that spreads the virus faster. If you allow yourself to be exposed you are also allowing yourself to be a carrier and infect others. It doesn't surprise me. Americans have a mentality that NO ONE TELLS ME WHAT TO DO. Because of it HIV and STDs are running rampant. "oh well, it's part of the payment for my lifestyle". No one lives in a vacuum and the bad decision you make for yourself always impacts someone else!!

I'm envious of people that are retired. If you don't have to go out, DON'T. Pray for us healthcare workers who are on the front lines. 2 people are in my ER now being tested due to their symptoms.

A tale of caution about purposeful exposures to 'get it over with.' My kids were born prior to the chicken pox vaccine, so they all got it one Spring. But there were a number of families whose children had not caught chicken pox randomly, and some of them decided to hold those 'chicken pox parties' that were mentioned upthread.

Very sadly, our community learned that a 5 year old here, developed a complication of encephalitis from his chicken pox infection, and died. His mother had brought her completely healthy child to a chicken pox party, to expose him, so he wouldn't get it the following year in grade one, and have to miss any school. She pleaded on the news here, that people stop purposely exposing their children to chicken pox, because sometimes a seemingly innocuous infection can have lethal complications. Such a tragedy.

By Annies chart that's what I had in January - coronavirus - did I really? probably not. I had headaches which I never get, and tightness and shortness of breath when running which never ever happens (I've been running for 40 years and believe me this never happens) a light sore throat and a dry cough for 6 weeks. I know that I didn't have a cold but perhaps it was the flu. I'm not going to get bent out of shape about it.

But I sure wouldn't deliberately set out to get it because we don't know what the long term affects will be - especially for older people

I was just reading that people who contract Covid-19 and have a light case are then passing on a stronger version of the virus (because it's mutated a bit by living within a human being). Sneaky bug!

I don't want it. I'm sick enough without it. but I'm not living in fear of it. I don't go out much normally and I won't go out more now. but maybe not less either. I'll just keep on living as I have and go with what happens.

on the good side - there should be a lot less traffic (and crazies) out there when I do to out. I hate the traffic.

It was just a crazy thought and I'm continuing to self-distance for the social good. I don't know anyone who has it. I'm not afraid of getting it. The last time I had the flu was over 30 years ago. Daughter and her 7 and 8 yr. old kids, who I take care of for hours after school all got it one after the other this past winter (they each tested positive and had gotten flu shots earlier) and I didn't get it. I'd just as soon get exposure to this virus over with, because I think I'd have a mild case, if I even got it at ll. I'd just rather know sooner rather than later

nicole___ I've never lived in CO. I have 2 sons and their families south of Denver.