So sorry they got sick. Hope they recover rapidly and completely.

My sister was sick in the Houston area, she went to CVS for her test and it took over two weeks to come back that she was positive. By the time she got her results, she was fully recovered. Seems to me that taking two weeks for a result is pretty much pointless. I would assume that anyone that's sick right now just needs to assume they have it and stay home. I think masks are required pretty much everywhere now...right? In Ohio, we don't have a choice and I think the cases are going to begin going down now...or at least it is beginning to show a decrease. BUT, if it is taking places two weeks for results to come back, it would seem that the numbers are two weeks behind. Two weeks seems unacceptable to me!

Bengardening I'm so sorry. I hope all of your family members who are infected recover completely and have mild cases.

I am so sorry to see this....hoping that all recover without any lasting problems,

and quickly. Hugs to all. Please be safe.

So sorry, hope all recover quickly with no lasting effects

Ben & Raven...Hoping for a quick recovery and a FULL life ahead. I'm so sorry this happened.

Prayers for all who are having to deal with this insipid virus.

I just was talking to a co-worker (from a very safe distance & both masked) about the virus. He & his wife had it and have both recovered. Both of them are in their early 40's and both have underlying health issues. She is some kind of nurse for the state health dept, I'm pretty sure she got it first. Then her husband, and then their 4 teen aged kids. The kids recovered quickly and with not as bad of a case. But Co-worker & his wife were terribly ill. He said he "wouldn't wish it on his worst enemy."

This is real and this is frightening.

I hope everyone’s family members will be ok. I have a BIL who loves to ride a harley and document his rides on facebook. He’s not working and is some place new every day with his biker buddies. I hardly ever see him (or my teenage niece & nephew who go with him now and then) in a mask and it drives me nuts. My sister has Lupus and is at high risk, but they don’t seem to “get it”. Obviously, it’s just a matter of time before one of them gets it and shares it with her.

So sorry Raven! There is no reasoning with this virus. Distance and masking and more distance is the only answer to keep us all from getting it at once and our health system getting overwhelmed.

So glad for those who have had it and fully recovered! I hope it gives them some immunity but I wouldn't bet on it.

Praying for all who got the virus that they will all be ok. It is so scary.

Hearing/seeing "Covid positive" ... startling. My good thoughts & prayers for all involved. I'll do my part by wearing a mask with a smile, keeping a distance, and washing hands thoroughly, all as appropriate. Trying to set a good example.

I hope everyone is safe and recovers quickly. Why you can't get tested even if you have 0 symptoms is crazy! In Alberta (maybe all of Canada?) they encourage EVERYONE to get tested, symptoms or no symptoms as you can be asymptomatic and spread it without knowing you have the virus. Probably part of the reason our case numbers are so low.

Personally, I don't know anyone who has tested positive for it. Yet.

This is a stark reminder to review our behaviors. Do you and your loved ones always wear masks when out? Do you and they avoid crowds, bars, inside restaurants? Do you avoid large gatherings of unmasked people? As bad as COVID is, there are things we can do to protect ourselves. To not do so is simply foolish.

I just want to send out my best wishes to all of you who are affected by this. Frightening times. And I agree, taking two weeks to find out test results is almost useless.

So sorry, praying for a swift recovery

Forgot to add, we are at Pectola reservoir campground in SD, and it’s shocking to see so many people unmasked. Passing through Keystone on our way to Rushmore there was nary a mask in site, certainly none on their cycles enroute to Sturgis. That’s going to be a super spreader, for sure.

I am very sorry to hear this. I figured ND and SD would be safer since the population is not dense. A good reminder to all of,us not to relax about taking precautions. I do hope,they have a speedy and complete recovery.

I live in SD and am very careful, wearing a mask, staying home except for two days a week at work, but I see very few masks, schools, sports all starting as usual. So many fairs, the rally and other events it worries me.

Why doesn't this administration declare whatever is necessary (War Powers Act?) to get N95 masks manufactured and made available to all at low or no cost? At least the White House could encourage people to employ the only sure fire method we have to curtail the virus...masks, not a proven-ineffective malarial drug the president has fixated on.

Why doesn't it do the same for tests? Get kits made and distributed? Hire lab staff to process tests with a 24 hour turn-around?

Why not stop denying responsibility, saying Covid-19 will 'just go away someday'.

DO something! If the goal is 'opening up', this would make it happen faster. Or...we can wait until hundreds of thousands more of us die/are health-compromised for life. That someday will come when 90% of us are infected or dead. (We're making a find start on that non-plan, with 1000 Covid-19 deaths daily.

I'm sorry to see this news.

Best wishes to your relatives, and Raven's too, for a full recovery. Same goes to anyone else who has family members who have come down with this dreaded illness.

https://www.manufacturing.net/supply-chain/news/21132326/3m-expanding-n95-mask-production-to-95m-per-month

May 07, 2020

ST. PAUL, MN — 3M has been awarded two contracts through the U.S. Department of Defense in recent weeks to further expand U.S. production of N95 respirators in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Beginning in January, 3M ramped up production of respirators and doubled its global output to 1.1 billion per year – including 35 million N95 respirators per month in the U.S.

These contracts, a collaboration made possible under the authority of the Defense Production Act, will allow 3M to make another 39 million respirators per month in the U.S. An additional investment already underway by 3M will add another 22 million respirators per month to that output, nearly tripling the company’s total production of N95 respirators to more than 95 million per month in the U.S...

https://www.honeywell.com/en-us/newsroom/news/2020/03/n95-mask-and-the-coronavirus-more-production-underway

To address growing demand of masks during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, Honeywell is quickly ramping up production and making millions of the N95 masks in the United States.

We are expanding manufacturing operations in a factory in Smithfield, Rhode Island, which also produces UVEX safety glasses.

“We are honored to support the U.S. government’s efforts to protect Americans with personal protective equipment made right here in the United States,” said Darius Adamczyk, Honeywell chairman and chief executive officer...

https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2215532/domestic-n95-mask-production-expected-to-exceed-1-billion-in-2021/

June 10, 2020

During a House Armed Services Committee hearing today, Stacy Cummings told lawmakers that nationally, the U.S. was consuming about 50 million N95 masks each year. During the COVID-19 crisis, demand for masks increased substantially to about 140 million during a 90-day peak-use period. DOD investments to help domestic industry ramp up production of those masks and other equipment will help ensure that in the future the U.S. will better be able to meet demand for personal protective equipment with domestic production, she said.

Based on the investments made by the department, Cummings told the House panel, an increase in production of 450 million masks a year will be attained by October, with a rate of more than 800 million masks per year by January.

"Starting in 2021, we anticipate our total domestic production to be in excess of a billion per year," Cummings said.

I hope everyone recovers with no lasting effects. These are scary times for sure. It's soon going on six months that I've been isolating. I go to the grocery store once a week and pick up library books. That's it. I hike every day on the Appalachian trail alone and see no one. The isolation is getting to me but I don't want to risk getting the virus.

WOW double downers here...for most people it isn't much more than a very bad flu experience. Lets assume the best instead of the worst. What does your son do bengardening? It is very difficult to find anyone who has it in SD--outside that factory incident. Truth is outside of Sioux Falls they do not seem to be aware there is a new virus in SD. My daughter is in a lab in SF working on a treatment/vaccine so I have head her often lamenting over the lack of serious care SD is taking. Rather ironic really. I will say I along with many am very disappointed Sturgis is planning to attract THOUSANDS of people to the state. Seems like a bad plan for those attending and those the attendees will bump into on the way home.

Good vibes to your family, bengardening. I agree this is a good reminder the virus can be anywhere.

Our DD has a friend who made an appointment to get tested. She still had to wait in a long line in her car. She got tired of waiting and left. Three days later she got a notice in the mail informing her she'd tested positive. Makes you wonder.

Best of luck to those with families and friends affected.

Just yesterday a local touristy family restaurant had a staff member test positive so they've shut down temporarily.

It seems that the younger age group 20-40 are getting affected in our area now. The vast majority wear masks, I seldom see people without one, but wearing them correctly is an issue. Both staff of retail stores and the average joe.

Debby a couple of weeks ago I went and got tested, I had a headache that lasted for days and just felt overall yucky. Because I had symptoms I got the deep cranial test. I saw my negative results online, a few days later.

I haven't had a headache since, maybe that twirling wand cleared something up! :-)

I hope everyone's family members recover quickly with no lasting health issues. Came to work tonight and on the drive in saw the 127 yardsale has begun. I expect more cases in the next couple of weeks because I doubt everyone will wear masks

ci_lantro -- Thanks for the links. Where ARE these masks -- only going to first responders? I *rarely* see an N95 in public; you? Even my oncologist has difficulty getting any. Your last link is about more manufacture coming in...October.

There are many stories in the news just today saying people nationwide can't get tests and/or can't get test results in under two weeks. One reason cited is that the 'gold standard' tests identify the unique genetic 'code' of Covid-19 and require more intensive lab work. A less accurate, but more instant 'spit test' is being put forward as a DIY option. IDK just how inaccurate it would have to be to be useless.

Ben, how is your son doing?

Raven, I'm sending positive thoughts for your sister and her husband.

And Jas....I'm so glad your test was negative.

So few I know personally have been tested. In our family, a BIL and very young nephew, both before medical procedures that required them. One SIL who had been to the dentist, woke up about 5 days later with a fever and became alarmed, went for a test. Negative, all three of them.

I was talking to our neighbor yesterday, a young retired doctor whose good friend had lost his mother to the virus that day in another state. He's very upset about the lack of testing and testing of only those showing particular symptoms. And he added, do not let your guard down yet - its too soon. Continue to mask, stay home when possible and wash, wash, wash hands!.

I hope your son, brother and his wife will all recover uneventfully! Here in Ontario, they urge anyone not feeling well, or having been exposed to anyone with possible symptoms, to get tested. My son has seasonal allergies, but when they were particularly bad, he got tested, to confirm that his red eyes, stuffy nose and inability to smell, was just his allergies, as usual. His negative results were online 14 hours later.

I also got tested, to rule out Covid, because I had cold symptoms, but didn't know where I could have picked it up. DH had no cold, and I hadn't been outside my home in several weeks, other than my own yard. I was told that if I was positive, I'd get a call within 24 hrs, otherwise, my negative results would appear online soon after. Thankfully, I was negative, but still have no idea how I caught my cold. It's not a great feeling to know that a negative test doesn't mean you won't be exposed to Covid any time afterward...so it's not over 'til it's over.

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/fighting-covid-seattle-company-outdoor-research-starts-producing-cdc-approved-medical-face-masks/RKJXL5TZBJHM3CE3A5J6R4IMAI/

August 04, 2020

...Anyone can buy their cloth masks with replaceable filters, but medical grade ones are sold directly to federal and state agencies, to be distributed to frontline workers....Washington State is currently the company’s largest buyer of medical masks.

Amicus, after all this time, I had no idea that you live in Ontario!

Our DS just found out yesterday that he had it yesterday. he just has a bad cough and sinus infection. He is quarantined at his uncles empty house for 14 days. We are so glad he found out because he was going to come down here today. Sorry I don't know very much about it yet.

Good thoughts and prayers for your family and for Raven's family. It's such scary news.

Jasdip, DH and I lived in different cities, but he moved to Toronto to go to U of T and I moved there after university for a job. When we were ready to buy a house, we bought just north of Toronto and commuted to work, to get a better bang for our buck. But our kids went to university in Toronto, and then never moved back to the suburbs, lol.

I have two 'industrial' N95's that DS had left over from a sanding project. I'm hoping they are still effective, as I've only worn them a few times since March. It's the only way I can go out in public safely due to my treatment for multiple myeloma. I feel safe enough at the cancer clinic during infusions, as it's a 'clean zone', but I need more protection in a grocery or other public place. Perhaps if N95's were more available to the public, more places could 'open' safely -- not bars, etc. where people must unmask to participate.

For folks who have had Covid19 infections, it is possible to get it again, and the word is that the second infection is much, much worse.

Sheilajoyce while I think we absolutely cannot let our guards down and run amok I am hesitant to believe these kind of results right now.

I have read different results about reinfecting with covid-19. I appreciate the following article because it talks about the different types of testing done. I think it's inconclusive but I think there's still room for optimism.

One thing that keeps coming to mind for me is the people who thought they had recovered may not have fully recovered and the virus still in their body resurged.

Until there are enough good peer-reviewed studies with good testing and good lab work I don't think we can conclude that we will be re infected.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/07/22/can-you-get-coronavirus-twice/

I too have wondered about the possibility of people either not fully recovering or like some forms of TB lying dormant in the body. I have never read a good explanation about the TB but several of my husband's medicines had a warning about it happening. Another of my thoughts is that the strain of the virus is just different enough that the body activates its immune systems in a manner similar to several auto-immune problems and attacks the body where the virus is located. This is different than actually attacking the virus and can create destruction of tissues. Only time will tell however I am concerned if there is a second "infection" why not a third. I keep thinking about those old civilizations that seemed to have just disappeared.

In the Houston atea, there are many places to get free testing and get results within 24 hrs. My house mate was tested Wed. morning and had results by email by 11pm. I visit my daughter and grandkids often Have been doing so for months. No issues whatsoever. No one has tested positive and no one had the antibodies. We're not living in fear about this. We strengthen our immune systems with good supplements and good nutrition. We mask up only when we have to. I won't wear a mask to walk down the street. The saddest part of this bs is that I can't visit my 95year old dad in the retirement facility.

Prayers for a quick and complete recovery for all.

I thought I would update. My brother in law is finally out of the hospital and doing quite a bit better. His oxygen numbers are more normal. He has more strength. He lost quite a bit of weight. We are so thankful and happy. My sister is positive too and was finally able to get some medication that is helping her. She has not been in the hospital. Hopefully she will be able to handle it at home.

One of my high school classmates was in the same hospital as my brother in law. Unfortunately he didn't make it. He passed away a couple of days ago. He was a very nice guy, extremely giving, always willing to help anyone. We were good friends, we both lived out in the country near each other and we rode the same schoolbus for years. So unfortunate. He had made it through heart surgery a few years ago and he was doing great. I feel bad for his family.

Ravencajun, glad your bil is doing better. Very sorry to hear about your classmate. It's so sad so many are dying and so many others don't care and are being careless.

Raven, great news that your bil is doing better! And that your sister has gotten medication that's helping. I'm sorry about your friend.

I'm happy to read about your b-i-l--wonderful news. Alas, the worst of this virus hits indiscriminately, doesn't it? I'm sorry to read about your childhood friend.

Let's hope your son is one of the 40% who has mild cases.

Just curious.......what is the medication that helps with Covid?

Bengardening, hope your son is on the way to a speedy recovery.

My nephew in San Antonio died July 10, having been in intensive care since May 12. He was 56. My sister tells me that he died from the damage done by accompanying infections.

Oh no that's terrible. My deepest sympathy for you and your family. In many cases there's collateral damage that may be life long and in some cases deadly. It is a terrible disease.

I am very sorry for anyone testing positive, and definitely getting truly sick from this virus. I know two people IRL who ended up in the hospital on oxygen - fortunately no ventilators - and who knows what long term repercussions may be. Another good friend lost his aunt, and I've acquaintances who have also lost family members. I get tired beyond belief with people claiming this is Fake.

Very good news about your brother-in-law Raven!

So sad that your childhood friend lost the fight.

So sorry Sheila Joyce about your nephew. How heartbreaking for you and your family.