Coronavirus surge...

[Ryster]

Well, it looks like the coronavirus surge has started to show up at the bowling center. A bowler on my team is out for the next 2 weeks after getting it, and there are bowlers on several other leagues now out as well with the virus. We also found out that there had previously been bowlers with it who also took themselves out for a couple of weeks, but the bowling center never announced to anyone that there were cases. They are leaving it up to individuals to both find out and then decide how to handle it.

For example, I was not informed of our teammate having it until I arrived at the center and another teammate said "We have a sub for the next 2 weeks because so-and-so is out with coronavirus. They think they got it from someone on one of their other leagues here." Our bowling center and league does not have a formal plan for how these types of situations should be handled, and casually told us we should do what we feel is best. Technically the entire team should be sitting out the next 10-14 days, and I would also think the whole league should take a 2 week break because the infected bowler on our team also plays the league card game which means the cards go in the deck and are reused each game. That is a possible exposure point for others.

Instead, we are continuing to bowl and just watching ourselves for symptoms. I have been checking my temperature regularly and basically just staying at home. It has been 10 total days since my last exposure to the teammate, and I have had absolutely no symptoms so I think I am OK. One of our other teammates is thinking of getting tested since he still has to go to an office for work, so if he comes back positive then I will have to go get a test (which around here is easier said then done.)

It is a little disappointing that the bowling center remained quiet about it, and then also did not shut down and do a cleansing/sterilization of the entire facility as mandated by the state. I get that they are in business to make money and don't want to alarm people, but they also have an obligation to keep their employees and customers as safe as possible. At the very least an announcement at the beginning of leagues such as "Some leagues may be seeing some members out due to direct exposure to, and possible contraction of, the coronavirus. Please keep this in mind and be mindful of mitigation efforts to remain as safe as possible."

[boatman37]

We have league tonight but won't be surprised if we get shut down again. So far we had 1 league member that i know of that got it. May be others but thats all I have heard of. But he came back a few weeks ago

[Ryster]

I agree that it is just a matter of time before PA Governor Wolf halts all indoor recreational sports, gyms, etc. He kind of alluded to more restrictive measures coming when he spoke yesterday. If the infection rate doesn't go down, he said he will be forced do something. Based on what has been said by the management at our center, they are either going to ignore any future closure order and remain open (and take their chances) or simply close permanently if they are forced to shut down. There will be no in-between for them.

[Ryster]

And just like that, literally just found out that a few more people on our league have tested positive for coronavirus...:(

[boatman37]

ugh. i won't hear anything until i go in tonight but the one team has been short-handed the last few weeks. the one week 2 member pre-bowled and the other 3 didn't show up so they had to forfeit anyway

[Ryster]

At this point, I fully expect Gov. Wolf to announce new restrictions right before the Christmas and New Years holidays to discourage get-togethers, holiday parties, etc. My guess is we have maybe 2 more weeks. I will be surprised if indoor sports and other types of activities are permitted to continue that much longer.

[J Anderson]

Well, it looks like the coronavirus surge has started to show up at the bowling center. A bowler on my team is out for the next 2 weeks after getting it, and there are bowlers on several other leagues now out as well with the virus. We also found out that there had previously been bowlers with it who also took themselves out for a couple of weeks, but the bowling center never announced to anyone that there were cases. They are leaving it up to individuals to both find out and then decide how to handle it.

For example, I was not informed of our teammate having it until I arrived at the center and another teammate said "We have a sub for the next 2 weeks because so-and-so is out with coronavirus. They think they got it from someone on one of their other leagues here." Our bowling center and league does not have a formal plan for how these types of situations should be handled, and casually told us we should do what we feel is best. Technically the entire team should be sitting out the next 10-14 days, and I would also think the whole league should take a 2 week break because the infected bowler on our team also plays the league card game which means the cards go in the deck and are reused each game. That is a possible exposure point for others.

Instead, we are continuing to bowl and just watching ourselves for symptoms. I have been checking my temperature regularly and basically just staying at home. It has been 10 total days since my last exposure to the teammate, and I have had absolutely no symptoms so I think I am OK. One of our other teammates is thinking of getting tested since he still has to go to an office for work, so if he comes back positive then I will have to go get a test (which around here is easier said then done.)

It is a little disappointing that the bowling center remained quiet about it, and then also did not shut down and do a cleansing/sterilization of the entire facility as mandated by the state. I get that they are in business to make money and don't want to alarm people, but they also have an obligation to keep their employees and customers as safe as possible. At the very least an announcement at the beginning of leagues such as "Some leagues may be seeing some members out due to direct exposure to, and possible contraction of, the coronavirus. Please keep this in mind and be mindful of mitigation efforts to remain as safe as possible."

The center where I bowl has been doing a very good job dealing with this mess. When one of the families in our youth league tested positive the center contacted every one who had bowled with the child the previous Saturday. The father, who definitely had it, was told he needed a negative test result before he could return to his leagues, even though he had quarantined for 20 days. They are very good about enforcing mask wearing in the concourse area and leaving enough room for bowlers to distance themselves. They have chosen not to hassle their customers about wearing masks in the settee areas but they are trying to encourage bowlers to stay right near their lanes. The massive league wide card games are out as well as brackets.

[Ryster]

Don't get me started on the whole masks must be worn in the concourse area, but are optional in the settee area issue. It makes absolutely no sense. They should be worn by everyone, at all times, even while bowling. When you are sitting/standing/talking in the settee area with people not from your household for 2-3 hours at a time is when you should most certainly have it on.

But I digress...sounds like your center is doing it right!

[GrumpyCatFace]

Sigh.

[Ryster]

Sounds like Gov. Wolf might be announcing new restrictions tomorrow or Thursday. They would take effect this weekend and go through New Years. Should be interesting.

[boatman37]

Yeah heard he will be making an announcement at 2:00 tomorrow. I heard many small businesses in this area will permanently shut down if he closes them again. Said they can't go through it again and survive. From what I heard if we get shut down then our league will be cancelled for the rest of this year. We are the only center in our area (probably 30 or so mile radius) so if it closes I'm probably done. Not gonna drive 45 minutes for league. I have no idea what our center will do as far as their ability to open back up.

My buddy/teammate works for the town we live in and he said tonight that they were told about 1/2 of our police department has it and they are closing the municipal building for 2 weeks. He said they will probably have an issue with the IRS because he is in charge of accounting for the town an he can't get W2's done if he isn't in the building and he can't work from home.

[Ryster]

It is surprising that the town doesn't have their essential workers set up to work remotely, especially the accounting department.

If the Governor does shut down indoor sports and events, hopefully it will only be for 2-3 weeks and it doesn't stretch in to 2-3 months. If that happens, it will just be more devastation piled on top of what has already been devastating for so many businesses, people, and families.

[boatman37]

It is surprising that the town doesn't have their essential workers set up to work remotely, especially the accounting department.

If the Governor does shut down indoor sports and events, hopefully it will only be for 2-3 weeks and it doesn't stretch in to 2-3 months. If that happens, it will just be more devastation piled on top of what has already been devastating for so many businesses, people, and families.

lol. our town doesn't even have an IT guy. My buddy used to call me to ask for help when they had issues. But of the 9 police officers i'd say 5 or 6 are making 6 figures with one making $170,000 and our population is only about 9000. My step-son is a detective (corporal) in the county seat with about 40 officers and a population of about 40,000 and he only makes $80,000

[Ryster]

Gov. Wolf didn't announce any restrictions yet...but he DID just announce that he has tested positive for coronavirus and is isolating at home. Either that will keep him quiet for a while, or he will be even more eager to issue restrictions now that he is personally affected.

[boatman37]

Gov. Wolf didn't announce any restrictions yet...but he DID just announce that he has tested positive for coronavirus and is isolating at home. Either that will keep him quiet for a while, or he will be even more eager to issue restrictions now that he is personally affected.

I don't want to joke about COVID but for 8 months he has been telling everyone they are safe if they wear their mask. Even made it mandatory to wear it. He claims to always wear his.

[Ryster]

His statement is classic:


“As this virus rages, my positive test is a reminder that no one is immune from COVID, that following all precautions as I have done is not a guarantee, but it is what we know to be vital to stopping the spread of the disease and so I ask all Pennsylvanians to wear a mask, stay home as much as possible, socially distance yourself from those not in your household, and, most of all, take care of each other and stay safe.”

So, following precautions is not a guarantee [I agree with this] but is what is needed to stop the spread [yeah, obviously not]. Contact tracers are probably working overtime to figure out where he picked it up and who he has exposed as well.

[boatman37]

His statement is classic:


“As this virus rages, my positive test is a reminder that no one is immune from COVID, that following all precautions as I have done is not a guarantee, but it is what we know to be vital to stopping the spread of the disease and so I ask all Pennsylvanians to wear a mask, stay home as much as possible, socially distance yourself from those not in your household, and, most of all, take care of each other and stay safe.”

So, following precautions is not a guarantee [I agree with this] but is what is needed to stop the spread [yeah, obviously not]. Contact tracers are probably working overtime to figure out where he picked it up and who he has exposed as well.

Wife said she heard it mentioned that his positive tests lines up pretty well with a Thanksgiving gathering he told all of us we weren't allowed to have. Speculation here and possible irony but you get the point

[Ryster]

Wife said she heard it mentioned that his positive tests lines up pretty well with a Thanksgiving gathering he told all of us we weren't allowed to have. Speculation here and possible irony but you get the point

His security team is also apparently being impacted by the virus.

The Philly network news affiliates out here are all buzzing this morning about restrictions coming out, possibly today. Area county commissioners have also confirmed there have been "discussions" with the state about new restrictions.

It is just a matter of time at this point. I fear that all "indoor gatherings" such as indoor dining, gyms, recreational activities, bowling alleys, etc. will be ordered closed until January. The question becomes how many will actually abide by it at this point, or simply defy the order? I wouldn't blame any of the businesses if they took that route. Is it the safest thing to do for employees and customers...probably not. However, people need to be able to earn a living and business owners need to be able to stay in business. It is a really tough situation.

[boatman37]

His security team is also apparently being impacted by the virus.

The Philly network news affiliates out here are all buzzing this morning about restrictions coming out, possibly today. Area county commissioners have also confirmed there have been "discussions" with the state about new restrictions.

It is just a matter of time at this point. I fear that all "indoor gatherings" such as indoor dining, gyms, recreational activities, bowling alleys, etc. will be ordered closed until January. The question becomes how many will actually abide by it at this point, or simply defy the order? I wouldn't blame any of the businesses if they took that route. Is it the safest thing to do for employees and customers...probably not. However, people need to be able to earn a living and business owners need to be able to stay in business. It is a really tough situation.

Yep. Remember what happened when Wolf wouldn't re-open Beaver County this year? He opened all surrounding counties except them and in my opinion it was a form of punishment for them threatening to stay open then he threatened to take away all state funding (schools included which would affect children obviously) if they did not comply to his rule. So yeah I think a bunch will remain open but what will the repercussions be? He has already threatened to pull any state licenses from businesses that violate it. This would include liquor licenses which most alleys have and wouldn't risk losing.

[Ryster]

Yep. Remember what happened when Wolf wouldn't re-open Beaver County this year? He opened all surrounding counties except them and in my opinion it was a form of punishment for them threatening to stay open then he threatened to take away all state funding (schools included which would affect children obviously) if they did not comply to his rule. So yeah I think a bunch will remain open but what will the repercussions be? He has already threatened to pull any state licenses from businesses that violate it. This would include liquor licenses which most alleys have and wouldn't risk losing.

Our center has sort of been bending the rules a little when it comes to the serving of alcohol. They have started letting the "drinks only with a meal" rule sort of slide, and I believe they are also letting the bar serve after 10PM on certain nights. As you said, the liquor license is one of the key aspects of their business, and source of profits, so they do their best to protect it. At the same time, though, they push the boundaries of what is permitted by the guidelines.

Governor is speaking today at 4PM, so we will see what happens. This week may be the last time PA residents get to bowl for the foreseeable future.

[boatman37]

Our center has sort of been bending the rules a little when it comes to the serving of alcohol. They have started letting the "drinks only with a meal" rule sort of slide, and I believe they are also letting the bar serve after 10PM on certain nights. As you said, the liquor license is one of the key aspects of their business, and source of profits, so they do their best to protect it. At the same time, though, they push the boundaries of what is permitted by the guidelines.

Governor is speaking today at 4PM, so we will see what happens. This week may be the last time PA residents get to bowl for the foreseeable future.

Yeah I'm worried about that. His decision could seriously ruin alot of lives and families if they have to close their businesses again

[Ryster]

Yeah I'm worried about that. His decision could seriously ruin alot of lives and families if they have to close their businesses again

Well, PA bowling alleys are closed starting Saturday until January 4th. K-12 sports also canceled. Indoor dining banned. Indoor groups limited to 10 people, outdoor groups limited to 50. Casinos closed. Theaters closed. Gyms closed. Seems like we are back to square one.

I feel for all of these businesses and employees that will be impacted, especially for the holidays. Our bowling center has been taking reservations for New Years Eve parties, which were already reduced due to social distancing. They also had just started a whole series of very popular "theme" leagues and were making good traction. All of that now comes to a grinding halt. I am hoping they can weather this out for the 3 weeks, and also hope that the State does not decide to extend it because the cases are not falling down quickly enough to the level they want them at.

[boatman37]

Well, PA bowling alleys are closed starting Saturday until January 4th. K-12 sports also canceled. Indoor dining banned. Indoor groups limited to 10 people, outdoor groups limited to 50. Casinos closed. Theaters closed. Gyms closed. Seems like we are back to square one.

I feel for all of these businesses and employees that will be impacted, especially for the holidays. Our bowling center has been taking reservations for New Years Eve parties, which were already reduced due to social distancing. They also had just started a whole series of very popular "theme" leagues and were making good traction. All of that now comes to a grinding halt. I am hoping they can weather this out for the 3 weeks, and also hope that the State does not decide to extend it because the cases are not falling down quickly enough to the level they want them at.

Yep. Our center already posted closed until Jan 4. They asked if leagues could just extend the 3 or 4 weeks at the end of the year. I'm ok with that since I probably won't do summer league. But like you said, who knows if they extend this.

Did you see Wolf dodge the question about negative test results? He tested positive once then negative the next few tests. He was asked if the test results can't be relied on and he said 'well we hope everyone tests positive then eventually tests negative...lol. They asked him again and he dodged it the second time. Then he was asked about his comment he made Monday about helping restaurant owners then today closed them. They asked what about if they defy your order and stay open. He said we will fine them. So how is that helping them?

Oh well, I just don't like or trust the guy and thought it was funny that he got caught on a few of those questions

[Ryster]

The positive/negative test comment was crazy. He tested positive on Tuesday, then tested negative today. He either has the world's strongest immune system, or just doesn't want to admit testing is unreliable. His wife tested negative, so he probably never had the virus to begin with and experienced a false positive. Political theater, perhaps.

I am pretty sure our center is going to defy the order and remain open. It will be interesting to see how that plays out. I wonder if customers can get cited for being in a business that is supposed to be closed, or if only the business owner gets cited? Not sure I want to go there if it is supposed to be closed and I could be personally cited if the place gets raided or something. If authorities show up and just tell us to pack up and go home, then it might be worth the risk. It isn't like you can hide 40-50 cars parked in the parking lot. That's kind of an obvious clue the place is still open...

[SRB57]

Yep. Our center already posted closed until Jan 4. They asked if leagues could just extend the 3 or 4 weeks at the end of the year. I'm ok with that since I probably won't do summer league. But like you said, who knows if they extend this.

Did you see Wolf dodge the question about negative test results? He tested positive once then negative the next few tests. He was asked if the test results can't be relied on and he said 'well we hope everyone tests positive then eventually tests negative...lol. They asked him again and he dodged it the second time. Then he was asked about his comment he made Monday about helping restaurant owners then today closed them. They asked what about if they defy your order and stay open. He said we will fine them. So how is that helping them?

Oh well, I just don't like or trust the guy and thought it was funny that he got caught on a few of those questions

I am in upstate NY. I wonder how long before we close up. Our cases of covid are way up for a couple of weeks now. There are some new rules coming out today. Steve

[Ryster]

Several local centers are putting out the word that they are abiding by the PA Governor's order and will close for 3 weeks starting tonight at midnight.

Our local center is still hinting that they will defy the PA Governor and will not be closing and will continue business as usual. I am surprised they will take the risk, but perhaps they simply cannot afford to close and figure they will potentially go out of business either way so might as well risk it all and force the issue. Who knows. I think it is asking a lot of customers to bring them in for leagues knowing there is a shutdown order in place. It kind of puts customers in a pickle...pay league fees and take an absence/get a sub for you, or show up and bowl at your normal time as if nothing is happening. I guess I will go and bowl on my league despite the shutdown order, but it doesn't feel right at all.

[Timmyb]

Nothing here in Wisconsin. It's like nobody will acknowledge it even exists. Half the people bowling aren't wearing masks. Democrat gov, Republican senate and assembly. All dolts.

[boatman37]

Went past our center tonight. Not a single car or a single light. Looked weird

[Ryster]

Our bowling center is remaining open despite the closure order. Several local restaurants are also continuing indoor dining despite a ban on such activities. Business owners simply can't sustain closures any longer and aren't going to furlough or lay off employees during the holidays.

[boatman37]

Wife said a local guy just posted on FB that he just left a local bar and PA LCB (liquor control board) was sitting in a van across the street watching. Not sure how he knew they were LCB or whet-not but the parking lost across the street is an empty business and there are never any vehicles in that lot.

[J Anderson]

Our bowling center is remaining open despite the closure order. Several local restaurants are also continuing indoor dining despite a ban on such activities. Business owners simply can't sustain closures any longer and aren't going to furlough or lay off employees during the holidays.

Our governor is reluctant to shut everything down again. Even so when we went to pick up our Saturday night take-out yesterday it looked like there was only one booth occupied. Just a few weeks ago they would have had most of the outdoor tables full and and an equal number in use inside. It’s not just the government restrictions, it’s a breakdown of trust that our fellow humans are going to behave themselves.

[Ryster]

Our governor is reluctant to shut everything down again. Even so when we went to pick up our Saturday night take-out yesterday it looked like there was only one booth occupied. Just a few weeks ago they would have had most of the outdoor tables full and and an equal number in use inside. It’s not just the government restrictions, it’s a breakdown of trust that our fellow humans are going to behave themselves.

In this area, unfortunately, people are not behaving themselves. For example, large groups of unrelated kids are continuing to carpool and meet up at the bowling center on Friday nights and bowl together unmasked (after congregating in the parking lot in unmasked groups of 6-10 first.) People continue to pack the big box stores and do their holiday shopping. People are packing in to the enclosed outdoor dining setups that restaurants have installed (what is the difference between enclosed outdoor dining and standard indoor dining? As soon as you enclose the outdoor space, it is no safer than indoor dining...)

Despite bowling centers being ordered to close, ours remains open. While I understand the reasoning for remaining open, I question whether it is truly the responsible thing to do. To be ordered to close, yet remain open and then constantly remind customers to follow the guidelines is kind of hypocritical. It is basically saying "I am choosing not to follow the Governor's rules, but all of you customers need to keep following the Governor's rules." I will go and bowl my scheduled league just like 99% of other league bowlers have said they will do, however unlike numerous other bowlers I have no plans to go any other times during the "shutdown period". It also seems unfair to the other local centers that immediately closed when ordered to by the Governor. Yes they could also reopen and attempt to ignore the order, however they are acting responsibly and staying closed.

[RobLV1]

After finally being released last night after 7 days in the hospital fighting Covid, I will say that any business that decides to ignore an order to close or not mask up is acting in a totally irresponsible way. The seven days that I spent in the hospital were, without a doubt, the most terrifying time of my life. The bad thing is that I'm pretty sure that I was infected due to my bowling center's lack of interest in enforcing the rules. To make matters worse, when I asked them to please enforce the rules, I was called a trouble maker. Please guys, please please please take this seriously. Between my own experience where I was very lucking, though I have to lug oxygen around for the next two months, and the loss of a long-time bowling friend who as getting better when he suddenly crashed and died, I can tell you in all honesty, this virus cannot be taken too seriously... if you value your life and the lives of your loved ones.

[Ryster]

After finally being released last night after 7 days in the hospital fighting Covid, I will say that any business that decides to ignore an order to close or not mask up is acting in a totally irresponsible way. The seven days that I spent in the hospital were, without a doubt, the most terrifying time of my life. The bad thing is that I'm pretty sure that I was infected due to my bowling center's lack of interest in enforcing the rules. To make matters worse, when I asked them to please enforce the rules, I was called a trouble maker. Please guys, please please please take this seriously. Between my own experience where I was very lucking, though I have to lug oxygen around for the next two months, and the loss of a long-time bowling friend who as getting better when he suddenly crashed and died, I can tell you in all honesty, this virus cannot be taken too seriously... if you value your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Best wishes to you and your recovery! Very sorry to hear about your friend as well. My condolences.

There is someone on our league that is currently in the hospital with Covid, and also has other very severe health problems. We are very concerned for them as they have been in the hospital now for almost 2 weeks. Other bowlers at our center have also tested positive and have quarantined accordingly. However, just like in your experience I also think that our center is not taking all of the steps they should be, especially during the current surge in the virus. If they insist on staying open during a closure order, I believe they should be screening ALL patrons prior to entry and check temperature with a touchless thermometer. In addition, I also believe they should be enforcing masks at all times and not just while walking on the concourse. No spectators or non-bowling family members should be permitted on league nights. There should be masks at all times, even while bowling. They should also restrict eating and drinking, increase the amount of sanitizing wipes and hand cleaners, and clean high touch surfaces every 30 minutes (not wait until they get around to it.) The arcade and billiards hall both need to be closed, without another thought. They should also be putting at least one lane between bowlers, which they are only doing on senior leagues and open bowling. Normal adult leagues are business as usual, 2 teams per pair, with no empty lanes in between and very little enforcement of social distancing.

[RobLV1]

If you don't mind, I would like to take a few minutes to tell you some of the the things that I learned during my seven days in the hospital. First off, THERE IS NO WAY TO TREAT COVID! Every doctor I saw when I was first admitted said the same thing, "Your goal for the first five days is not to get better. It is to not get worse!" Covid is so deadly because it targets our weaknesses. In the case of one of my nurses who was infected in June and is in his early thirties, he had asthma as a child. Five months later he is still fighting to totally recover.

So, anyway, when you are admitted, they give you a therapeutic "cocktail" of medicines. This includes five days worth of Rendisivir, one dose of antibody containing plasma, daily antibiotics to prevent lung infections, daily steroids to cut down on inflammation, twice daily injections of Lasix to prevent water retention in the lungs, and twice daily injections of blood thinners to prevent blood clots in the lungs. Despite all of these therapeutic preventative measures, many people crash anyway and leave by the back door rather than the front. On my second day in the hospital my admitting doctor told me candidly that when I was admitted he thought that I would be on a ventilator within two days. Thankfully, he was wrong. In other cases, I heard about others who were doing better than me, who suddenly crashed and died.

With all of this now behind me, and the prospect of lugging oxygen around for the next two month, I can tell you that once you have experienced this, BOWLING DOESN'T MEAN SQUAT!!!

[Ryster]

...BOWLING DOESN'T MEAN SQUAT!!!

Unless bowling and/or the bowling industry is your main job this is always the case even in "good times".

Thanks for sharing what you went through, and based on that experience working towards recovering is the most important thing.

[J Anderson]

With all of this now behind me, and the prospect of lugging oxygen around for the next two month, I can tell you that once you have experienced this, BOWLING DOESN'T MEAN SQUAT!!!

It’s a shame that we seem to need a disaster that touches us personally to realize what is really important. Maybe some of us will learn from your experience without either being hospitalized or watching while a loved one is taken there. Thanks.

[jaypeesmith]

If you don't mind, I would like to take a few minutes to tell you some of the the things that I learned during my seven days in the hospital. First off, THERE IS NO WAY TO TREAT COVID! Every doctor I saw when I was first admitted said the same thing, "Your goal for the first five days is not to get better. It is to not get worse!" Covid is so deadly because it targets our weaknesses. In the case of one of my nurses who was infected in June and is in his early thirties, he had asthma as a child. Five months later he is still fighting to totally recover.

So, anyway, when you are admitted, they give you a therapeutic "cocktail" of medicines. This includes five days worth of Rendisivir, one dose of antibody containing plasma, daily antibiotics to prevent lung infections, daily steroids to cut down on inflammation, twice daily injections of Lasix to prevent water retention in the lungs, and twice daily injections of blood thinners to prevent blood clots in the lungs. Despite all of these therapeutic preventative measures, many people crash anyway and leave by the back door rather than the front. On my second day in the hospital my admitting doctor told me candidly that when I was admitted he thought that I would be on a ventilator within two days. Thankfully, he was wrong. In other cases, I heard about others who were doing better than me, who suddenly crashed and died.

With all of this now behind me, and the prospect of lugging oxygen around for the next two month, I can tell you that once you have experienced this, BOWLING DOESN'T MEAN SQUAT!!!

First of all, it is good to hear you are on the mend. So far, I have known two people (both family friends of my wife) who have died of COVID-19. With that being said, your story resonates with me because there is one house that I bowled in for the first time this year and they were VERY lax with the masking. The league on which I bowl is a couple's league and, within two league nights (every other week) my wife said she was out. I was going to quit, too. The league's compromise is that anyone who doesn't feel safe can pre-bowl, which is what we'll be doing from here on out, on afternoons or evenings where they are not crowded.

The other league I bowl on has taken a good number of precautions but, because we have a number of bowlers who contracted COVID, we shut down for three weeks.

In short, I am in total agreement with you. Unless someone can show me otherwise, being alive is pretty much still a requirement for being able to bowl. I love this sport but I love my family and breathing a whole lot more.

[GrumpyCatFace]

Not to sound insensitive, but if you’re that worried about the risk from bowling, then don’t bowl.

Why does everyone demand that the rest of the world change for them?

[RobLV1]

Not to sound insensitive, but if you’re that worried about the risk from bowling, then don’t bowl.

Why does everyone demand that the rest of the world change for them?

I'm not asking that anyone change for me. I'm asking that you all change for YOU! You can say "Not to sound insensitive," but that is exactly how you are sounding. I really hope that you don't end up finding out the hard way.

[J Anderson]

Not to sound insensitive, but if you’re that worried about the risk from bowling, then don’t bowl.

Why does everyone demand that the rest of the world change for them?

Because we are all lazy selfish S.O.B.s.

Seriously, the reasoning behind the state shutdowns and executive orders is not to prevent people from dying. It is to prevent COVID 19 cases from overwhelming our health systems and preventing people from getting the medical treatment they need in a timely manner.

[boatman37]

Glad to hear you are recovering Rob and hope you continue to get better. I remember you saying awhile back that you thought you had no chance if you got it so glad that wasn't the case. It's kind of eerie thinking back several months. I had read a poll asking if you knew anyone that had it, related to anyone that had it, or knew someone that knew someone that had it (or something like that). At the time I remember I had known about 4 or 5 people that had had it. Now that number is closer to probably 30-40. Thankfully all have survived and recovered I only know of 1 that had to be hospitalized because of it but even the ones that weren't said it wasn't fun.

[GrumpyCatFace]

I'm not asking that anyone change for me. I'm asking that you all change for YOU! You can say "Not to sound insensitive," but that is exactly how you are sounding. I really hope that you don't end up finding out the hard way.

Well, that’s a risk that I’m free to measure and take, as an adult.

[RobLV1]

Glad to hear you are recovering Rob and hope you continue to get better. I remember you saying awhile back that you thought you had no chance if you got it so glad that wasn't the case. It's kind of eerie thinking back several months. I had read a poll asking if you knew anyone that had it, related to anyone that had it, or knew someone that knew someone that had it (or something like that). At the time I remember I had known about 4 or 5 people that had had it. Now that number is closer to probably 30-40. Thankfully all have survived and recovered I only know of 1 that had to be hospitalized because of it but even the ones that weren't said it wasn't fun.

I honestly feel that if I had been infected back in March or April, I would not have survived. Thankfully, the therapeutic "cocktail" of medicine is working pretty well though, depending on individual underlying conditions, it's still far from 100%.

Last week, I lost a long-time bowling friend to this horrible disease. I first met Terry Leong more than a decade ago as he was just beginning a cashing streak on the PBA Senior Tour. I still remember the first tournament, a PBA Senior Regional event in Arizona, where I crossed near Terry. We were bowling on the old Scorpion condition that was known for the large area of "out of bounds" that often appeared. The OOB area was so big that day that any ball that got outside of 13 board anywhere on the lane would not make it back to the head pin. Any ball outside of 10 was in the gutter. Despite this very challenging condition and the fact that Terry never hooked the ball a lot, I watched him bowl the most impressive 279 game that I have ever seen. We began a long friendship as I wrote several articles about him and his bowling.

A few years ago, Terry invited me to join him and Norm Duke for dinner at the South Point. It was one of the highlights of my life. Terry was two years younger than me, had no underlying conditions to my knowledge and always kept himself in great shape. He could still hit a golf ball further than just about anyone I've seen. When he succumb to this horrible, horrible disease, the bowling community was devastated. Terry will be missed for a long, long time.

[djp1080]

Rob, I'm glad you survived the ordeal. I was sick for two weeks and stayed home. Survived okay. Got tested afterwards and got negative results. So I guess it was the flu or a bad cold. Body ached everywhere. Doing pretty well now though... Best to you!

[boatman37]

I wonder if I had it back in late March. I was sore for a few days and felt like I was burning up. Had a headache up the back of my neck. Lasted a few days. Had an odd feeling in my upper chest too. Not too bad. At the time I thought it was the flu but a few weeks later I started wondering

[Timmyb]

I wonder if I had it back in late March. I was sore for a few days and felt like I was burning up. Had a headache up the back of my neck. Lasted a few days. Had an odd feeling in my upper chest too. Not too bad. At the time I thought it was the flu but a few weeks later I started wondering

Sure as hell sounds like it. If you went and got tested now, you'd show negative.

[boatman37]

Sure as hell sounds like it. If you went and got tested now, you'd show negative.

Yeah but if I got hit by a truck tomorrow they'd say I died of COVID complications...lol

[RobLV1]

Yeah but if I got hit by a truck tomorrow they'd say I died of COVID complications...lol

Boy, it's good to know that the people down the hall from me in the hospital who were alive when I went to sleep at night and dead by morning really got hit by trucks in the hospital hallway. Please do me a favor... if you are going to bury your head in the sand, make sure that there is air down there for you to breathe. It's no fun trying to breathe and struggling to find enough air!

[boatman37]

Sorry Rob. Didn't mean to sound like I was making fun of it but the fact is there are people dying from other issues and they are being labeled as COVID related. My step-son is a detective and talks to the coroner a few times a week and that is the practice, at least around here. My best friends pastor is a healthcare administrator and told him they get $37,000 for every COVID patient no matter what the outcome is so when you dangle that carrot I'm sure there are some shady statistics there. Not saying COVID isn't real or shouldn't be respected just that the politics and windfalls from it has kind of made people numb to it

[J Anderson]

Sorry Rob. Didn't mean to sound like I was making fun of it but the fact is there are people dying from other issues and they are being labeled as COVID related. My step-son is a detective and talks to the coroner a few times a week and that is the practice, at least around here. My best friends pastor is a healthcare administrator and told him they get $37,000 for every COVID patient no matter what the outcome is so when you dangle that carrot I'm sure there are some shady statistics there. Not saying COVID isn't real or shouldn't be respected just that the politics and windfalls from it has kind of made people numb to it

My wife spent over 40 years in hospital accounting. She says that the penalties for deliberately putting the wrong diagnostic code for a patient are such that any administrator who encouraged such fraud would have to be either stupid or crazy.

[jaypeesmith]

My wife spent over 40 years in hospital accounting. She says that the penalties for deliberately putting the wrong diagnostic code for a patient are such that any administrator who encouraged such fraud would have to be either stupid or crazy.

Agreed. I've worked for healthcare systems, on the IT side, for over 16 years. I'm not on the clinical side but even I get training on the importance of correct coding for services. We are subject to oversight and audits, unlike many of the politicians who make these idiotic claims. I would encourage people to take the time to research what they hear.

[GrumpyCatFace]

I had the flu last year. It was pretty terrible. I hope you’ll consider donating to my personal charity fund.

[boatman37]

Agreed. I've worked for healthcare systems, on the IT side, for over 16 years. I'm not on the clinical side but even I get training on the importance of correct coding for services. We are subject to oversight and audits, unlike many of the politicians who make these idiotic claims. I would encourage people to take the time to research what they hear.

I guess I don't have as much faith as you. Our local hospital was shut down a few years ago after a scam involving Jim Biden (Joes brother). I don't remember the details but you can google it. Lots of people I know lost their jobs and worked the last couple of months with no pay. The IRS raided it right after it closed and took all computer systems. I can see the hospital from my living room window.

[jaypeesmith]

I guess I don't have as much faith as you. Our local hospital was shut down a few years ago after a scam involving Jim Biden (Joes brother). I don't remember the details but you can google it. Lots of people I know lost their jobs and worked the last couple of months with no pay. The IRS raided it right after it closed and took all computer systems. I can see the hospital from my living room window.

It's not about "faith". It's about what I've experienced and what I know. You mentioned one instance but there are thousands of hospitals around the country. Also, in regards to this incident, this was allegedly tied to loan money being diverted for personal use, not doctors misdiagnosing conditions for profit.

[boatman37]

It's not about "faith". It's about what I've experienced and what I know. You mentioned one instance but there are thousands of hospitals around the country. Also, in regards to this incident, this was allegedly tied to loan money being diverted for personal use, not doctors misdiagnosing conditions for profit.

You might be right. I am not completely familiar with the incident but I'd still bet there are some doing it. Maybe not a large scale but getting $37,000 per patient seems pretty tempting. I mean it would be pretty hard to disprove down the road. But more to my point was if a person has a serious pre-existing condition then comes down with COVID then dies from the original pre-existing condition will it be labeled as COVID related even though COVID may have had nothing to do with it? There is probably no way to know that for sure so maybe 50% of those were triggered by COVID where 50% of them COVID played no part in it other than they had tested positive? I guess that was more of my point. So if that person would have died even if they didn't have COVID will it still be counted as a COVID statistic?

[Ryster]

I was reading that it costs 20% more to care for a covid patient. That is why there is a higher reimbursement for covid patients. As long as the hospital has in the patient record that the patient tested positive for covid, they can code it as such for billing. Otherwise, they shouldn't. The article also said there have been very few instances of hospitals improperly coding patients, and the insurance companies are carefully checking claims too.

I'm not saying there haven't been attempts by hospitals to try to max out their claims, but it would be risky for them to do it. If they do it, and don't have the proper documentation, they would have to reimburse the insurance companies if/when audited and they aren't going to want to get wrapped up in that.

[jaypeesmith]

I was reading that it costs 20% more to care for a covid patient. That is why there is a higher reimbursement for covid patients. As long as the hospital has in the patient record that the patient tested positive for covid, they can code it as such for billing. Otherwise, they shouldn't. The article also said there have been very few instances of hospitals improperly coding patients, and the insurance companies are carefully checking claims too.

I'm not saying there haven't been attempts by hospitals to try to max out their claims, but it would be risky for them to do it. If they do it, and don't have the proper documentation, they would have to reimburse the insurance companies if/when audited and they aren't going to want to get wrapped up in that.

Not to mention the fines that can come with it. Back in the late 90's, before Rick Scott became the Florida governor and, later a Senator, he was the CEO of Columbia/HCA, a healthcare system. They were found to have falsely coded diagnoses to increase their reimbursement, billed Medicaid/Medicare for unnecessary tests and billed the government for home care visits for patients who didn't qualify to receive them. Columbia/HCA ended up having to pay fines that totaled $1.7 billion, as well as having to admit to committing 14 felonies.

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2014/mar/03/florida-democratic-party/rick-scott-rick-scott-oversaw-largest-medicare-fra/
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/fl-op-col-rick-scott-medicare-fraud-20181002-story.html

So, it would not be the smartest move for hospitals to try to cheat the system on this.

[Aslan]

Well, I'm glad to hear Rob survived the ordeal. He's one of the first people I know personally that has had the disease. Actually, second...my ex-wife just got it...but she works in healthcare as a respiratory therapist...so I'm surprised she hasn't gotten it sooner.

Like my politics, I'm kinda "in the middle" on the Covid debate. I don't consider it a hoax or overblown...but I also am not terrified of it. The statistics show that 85% or more of the fatalities are involving people over the age of 85 or with underlying health conditions. Do I have enough of "underlying health conditions" where I should be concerned? I don't know. Honestly, I could stand to lose some weight...I've smoked some medicinal marijuana in my day...so maybe thats enough to make me vulnerable despite being well below the 85-year threshold. Maybe not.

But, ya know what...if it is...it is. We're all here for a certain amount of time...and then we're not. This isn't a permanent gig. My life sorta sucks anyways...so, if this is the end...so be it. I'd be more afraid if I just won the lotto or was on the verge of breaking into the PBA50 tour...ya know, just when things start going well...and then, "Boom"...here comes the shaft. But now? As George Burns said in his song, "I'm 3/4 home, from the start to the end..." so...whatever. God'll take me when he takes me. Would be nice to get that first 300-game in beforehand...but oh well.

Besides...have you watched the TV lately? It's not like this World is really making much of a case for itself. It's one terrible poop storm after another. Everyone hates everyone for all kinds of different reasons...we're gonna die of some hurricane or forest fire or nuclear holocaust. Riots in the streets, shooters taking out people at public gatherings, a national debt so high that I can't even figure out what the number even means anymore, college education out of control, healthcare unaffordable, open borders, inmates being let out of overcrowded prisons, statues of the founding fathers being torn down, etc... And Murder Hornets! For crying out loud! Murder Hornets! There's times I watch TV and think I want to lick somebody with Covid.

But hey, I bowled a 251 yesterday...so thats cool. That makes me less depressed. Was it worth the risk of contracting a potentially fatal disease? Weighing my risk factors...yes. :confused: Had I bowled a 147...no. :mad:

[Ryster]

The debate going on around here currently is around the businesses that are ignoring the shutdown order and staying open. One side is encouraging it, and vowing to only go to businesses defying the shutdown. The other side is saying those businesses are contributing to a health crisis and telling people to NOT support the businesses. It is the craziest thing. People moan and groan that everything is closing down, then businesses decide to stay open, and those same people are now saying it is wrong and the businesses should shut down. It makes my head hurt.

My bowling center is staying open during the shutdown. I go once a week and that's it. No unnecessary time spent *anywhere* until things settle down. That's my choice. Others are more comfortable going anywhere at anytime, for as long as they want. That is their choice as well. I personally know three people on my league that got covid. Two are in the hospital (for a few weeks now), the third person recovered and is back to work. There are also people on the league who have members of their own household that got covid. Some of those people continued to come to bowling while their family members were at home with covid (that was probably not smart, but whatever.)

Do I think the bowling center could do a better job following the guidelines and making their facility safer? Absolutely! However, that just means since they aren't doing much I just have to do what I need to do to stay as safe as possible while I am there. Mask at ALL times, don't touch too many surfaces, keep hands clean constantly, no eating/drinking, no high fiving, no touching my face/nose/eyes, all of that stuff.

[J Anderson]

Besides...have you watched the TV lately? It's not like this World is really making much of a case for itself. It's one terrible poop storm after another. Everyone hates everyone for all kinds of different reasons...we're gonna die of some hurricane or forest fire or nuclear holocaust. Riots in the streets, shooters taking out people at public gatherings, a national debt so high that I can't even figure out what the number even means anymore, college education out of control, healthcare unaffordable, open borders, inmates being let out of overcrowded prisons, statues of the founding fathers being torn down, etc... And Murder Hornets! For crying out loud! Murder Hornets! There's times I watch TV and think I want to lick somebody with Covid.

But hey, I bowled a 251 yesterday...so thats cool. That makes me less depressed. Was it worth the risk of contracting a potentially fatal disease? Weighing my risk factors...yes. :confused: Had I bowled a 147...no. :mad:

I used to work for a boss who had two sayings that I would hear almost every week. One was “ don’t get old”. The other was “I’m glad I’m on my way out”. I probably heard “don’t get old” when I worked for him in the summer of ‘79, the on my way one started around ‘82 or ‘83 when I was a full time employee.

Remember that the media is a business whether they’re pulling for the right or pushing for the left. If it sounds horrific it will get eyeballs and that means money coming in. The only reason you get the occasional good news/ feel good story is to provide some contrast to make the rest even scarier.

[Aslan]

The problem is people have this weird internal battle between rational thought and emotional thought. Some are more rational, some more emotional. Neither is wrong...unless you get so far to one extreme that it causes problems.

With Covid, it's the perfect illustration of this. People that watch a lot of CNN think Covid is lurking outside their house...waiting to kill them. They think if they go outside, they WILL die...that every decision is a game of Russian roulette. There is no safe place. Our only hope, is to embrace the fear...stay inside...avoid all contact...wrap our faces in multiple layers of cloth and fibrous materials....and put some goggles on if we have some.

On the flip side, you have the more "conspiracy theorists". "Covid isn't real." "All those numbers are made up." "Most of those people died of something else." "It's all a conspiracy to elect Biden." Etc...

Like most things, the TRUTH...is somewhere in between. Yes, Covid is real. It IS like the flu...but more contagious and more lethal. And yes, you can take extra precautions to avoid getting it...wearing a mask "can" help (but it's not foolproof...a virus is small enough to go through fibers of cloth easily...the cloth just stops virus contained in moisture droplets)...limiting indoor gatherings can help...limiting travel can help...certainly.

BUT...everything has a cost. Every "ying" has a "yang". Complete economic shutdowns could mean complete financial collapse. Total lockdowns could mean a disruption in communications, energy, transportation, police, fire, food production, etc... So, we have to "meet in the middle". Some people are going to say it's too restrictive, some will say not restrictive enough. If it were ME...if I were President...I'd have used the stimulus money to buy everyone one of those suits from that "Outbreak" movie...that way everyone would be protected and could still go about their jobs. Granted, there wouldn't be 350 million of those suits available...but still...it would have been far cheaper than a trillion dollars.

For the people that are "too analytical"...it takes knowing somebody who gets the virus and dies from it. It takes that personal connection. And even though over 330,000 people have died...I know far too many people that say, "I don't even know anyone that had died from it." Without that connection, Covid is just one more thing the liberal news media wants to scare us with. And for those who are terrified of Covid...they need to take a step back and look at the actual numbers. I'm not talking about "talking points" about how Covid has killed more people than this war or that war...I mean that Covid has killed < 150 children. Or, that 85% of fatalities occur among the elderly. Or, that among the elderly, only about 10-15% of deaths are related to Covid-19. Those numbers are facts. They aren't emotional or don't have any agenda. They are simply math. If you are 25 or under, your chance of dying from Covid-19 is 2 in 1000. So, college kids...you should probably be in school. But, professors...you will need to wear protective gear until vaccinated...and if you're over the age of 65...you should be teaching virtually. See. How hard is that to use data to solve a problem?

Unfortunately, this pandemic has become a "debate" and each side has dug in. Those on the one side don't want to hear about the demographics...and those that think it's a bunch of malarkey aren't gonna care until they lose someone close to them.

[Ryster]

One of the people on our league is still in the hospital and really struggling. A few more people, including employees, have also tested positive and are experiencing some symptoms. Meanwhile, the bowling center remains open through the shutdown order and is gearing up for New Year's parties later this week.

The vaccination is not a "magic bullet" either. People seem to think they get jabbed and then all is right with the world. Very far from the truth. Even after getting the vaccine, you will still need to wear a mask, socially distance, blah blah blah. People that have been vaccinated can still carry and spread the virus...they may not get physically sick but they can still come in to contact with it and potentially carry/spread it before their vaccinated body fights it off. There is also virtually no data on how long the vaccine lasts. Could be as little as 3-4 months or could be up to a year or more. No one knows [yet].

Vaccine distribution is a whole other mess. First the "general population" was told it would be available spring 2021, then summer 2021, and now some are projecting maybe fall/winter 2021 before there will be enough vaccine in the channel to make it available to anyone who wants it. Meanwhile, some healthcare providers are getting in trouble for "diverting" vaccines to other locations, where they are then being administered to non-essential, non high-risk "regular" people. We all knew that was going to happen...people trying to jump the line.

It seems as though 2021 is going to be pretty much a repeat of 2020 unless some sort of miracle happens. On the news this morning they were already talking about the restrictions that are supposed to end on January 4th being extended because the infection rate and hospitals aren't getting better. Local businesses defying the shutdown orders are getting shutdown, losing their business licenses, etc. Just more of the same.

There was a show on recently about the 1912 pandemic and the similarities between what happened then and now 108 years later are striking. Same arguments, same fights, same challenges, same general thinking. It is sad that we haven't progressed all that much in 108 years. My favorite moment was when they were showing women seamstresses at the mask factory making layered face masks (out of gauze). The seamstresses were not wearing masks while making the masks. A couple of us in the room just laughed and said "yep...not much has changed at all!"

[J Anderson]

"Those numbers are facts. They aren't emotional or don't have any agenda. They are simply math.

This is why we're in deep trouble. 'Mericans don't like math, it's too much like work. Same with statistics. Most of us do not really understand probability, I know I don't and I majored in math back in the late 70s. The only thing I found useful from the statistics and probability course that I took was that you can define what a success is.

I think it was Stalin who said that one death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic. We are not motivated by statistics, but we are by stories. So one side focuses on overworked nurses in hospitals that don't have enough ICU beds while the other side talks about the family owned restaurant that went out of business because they couldn't break even on 50% seating capacity and take out.

Yeah the truth is somewhere in the middle. The trouble with those 17-25 year old college kids is they have grandparents over 65 or parents with diabetes or heart disease, and for some reason Mom, Dad, Nana, and Grandpa still want to see them.

[boomer]

But it's also politics.

Here in SoCal (Riverside, Corona, Norco) we are being told that we have zero beds left

- BUT -

We know for a fact that the Feds acquired the old Sears building (on Arlington and Brockton) and are holding it as a Covid ICU center. We used to use the parking lot to teach our kids to drive (it's HUGE) but it's entirely blocked off. It's been prepped (wife's ex is one of the EOC heads for RivCo) and ready to go but. . . NOBODY is in it. Why are we not counting those beds? They EXIST but are not counted.

We know for a fact that the old Riverside Juvenile Hall (RJH) has been acquired by the State as a Covid ICU center. It was decommissioned as a Juvenile Hall (the offenders were moved to other county facilities - wife is in RivCo Juvenile Probation and I'm a county commissioner for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention - say that 5x fast) and is ready to be used but NOBODY is in it. Why are we not counting those beds? They EXIST but are not counted.

We know for a fact that the Corona Fairgrounds are hosting a Covid ICU center in one of their huge exhibit halls. You know the ones - they're huge and yes, they are ready to go. However, NOBODY is in it and those beds EXIST but are not counted.

We are being told that we are at zero ICU capacity - but I know, for a fact, that this is not true. The Feds, the State and the County all have capacity that they are not using.

I'm not saying this as a conspiracy theorist (I'm not) or as a nut (which I might be, but this is neither the time nor place) but as someone who has more than a glimpse inside and is seeing things that don't match up.

Unfortunately, Math sometimes comes up against Politics.

[J Anderson]

But it's also politics.

Here in SoCal (Riverside, Corona, Norco) we are being told that we have zero beds left

- BUT -

We know for a fact that the Feds acquired the old Sears building (on Arlington and Brockton) and are holding it as a Covid ICU center. We used to use the parking lot to teach our kids to drive (it's HUGE) but it's entirely blocked off. It's been prepped (wife's ex is one of the EOC heads for RivCo) and ready to go but. . . NOBODY is in it. Why are we not counting those beds? They EXIST but are not counted.

We know for a fact that the old Riverside Juvenile Hall (RJH) has been acquired by the State as a Covid ICU center. It was decommissioned as a Juvenile Hall (the offenders were moved to other county facilities - wife is in RivCo Juvenile Probation and I'm a county commissioner for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention - say that 5x fast) and is ready to be used but NOBODY is in it. Why are we not counting those beds? They EXIST but are not counted.

We know for a fact that the Corona Fairgrounds are hosting a Covid ICU center in one of their huge exhibit halls. You know the ones - they're huge and yes, they are ready to go. However, NOBODY is in it and those beds EXIST but are not counted.

We are being told that we are at zero ICU capacity - but I know, for a fact, that this is not true. The Feds, the State and the County all have capacity that they are not using.

I'm not saying this as a conspiracy theorist (I'm not) or as a nut (which I might be, but this is neither the time nor place) but as someone who has more than a glimpse inside and is seeing things that don't match up.

Unfortunately, Math sometimes comes up against Politics.

Politics is definitely involved. There are other factors besides the physical space. Even if you have the beds you still need the staff to cover them. I also know that in normal times my state, Connecticut, regulates how many beds a hospital can have. When the population of Bridgeport decreased, at least one of the hospitals in Bridgeport had to take beds out of service.

[RobLV1]

There are lots of factors involved in the whole hospital vacancy thing. From my own experience being hospitalized for Covid, I was released from the hospital by my Doctor on Saturday morning. I actually left my room at 4:00 on Sunday afternoon. The hold up was that it took two days for the hospital burocracy to obtain portable oxygen to go home with me. The story was that they only had one case worker for too many patients, and she was overwhelmed. The bottom line is that the hospitals are asking for, and getting, incredible work and dedication from nursing staffs that are clearly overwhelmed. At the same time, the "business" of the hospital will do nothing that will negatively affect their bottom line. The result was two days of my being totally pissed off in a room that was needed for someone else because the hospital administration couldn't get their act together.

[Ryster]

My regular doctor told me a few months ago to not even bother calling them if I thought I had acquired the virus. They said they were overwhelmed already and simply didn't have time to deal with it. The instructions were that if I thought I had it to get get tested. If it came back positive, stay at home unless I had severe symptoms at which point go to the hospital. But they were clear that I was not to even involve them. Pretty scary when your doctor tells you not to call them.

This pandemic has been such a nightmare for healthcare providers and their staff. Now we are even going back to what was happening a few months ago where elective and "routine" procedures are being postponed/canceled because hospitals simply do not have the space and/or the PPE needed to deal with virus sufferers and regular patients.

Oxygen shortages are starting to become a problem as well.

[boatman37]

Our Governor lifted the most restrictive restrictions effective Monday morning so we will be back to bowling Tuesday. Will see how it goes

[Ryster]

Good luck! Our center defied Wolf and remained open, but a lot of people still avoided the place just out of principle.

[boatman37]

Wolf is an idiot. Glad he will be out after this term

[GrumpyCatFace]

Canada leading the way in pointless home raids.
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/unmasked-canadian-police-bust-illegal-gathering-family-during-new-years

[Timmyb]

Wisconsin numbers have been lower, but still not great. Nothing here is closed, but most places are at limited capacity. Our house has 20 lanes, but the building is huge, so capacity gets based on square footage. We're pretty much the only team that wears masks all the time, and 3 of our guys have gotten it. One of them badly, but he's okay now. Of course, we have pharmacists ruining entire supplies of vaccine, for what reason we still don't know. Hard to know what to make of anything around here.

[boatman37]

Talked to one of my teammates last night and he and his family may have been exposed and have been tested. He obviously won't be there tomorrow. His daughter tested positive a few months ago but had no symptoms. Him and his wife and the same daughter were with friends this past weekend and those friends tested positive on Thursday. The friend and his wife and daughter have no symptoms but each got tested to be sure. Hopefully they come back negative but will be interesting if the daughter tests positive since she already had it before

[Ryster]

People who have been exposed really shouldn't get tested until 5-7 days after exposure. The tests only provide a snapshot of status at the time of the test. It takes 3-5 days for the virus to incubate, so if someone gets tested right away they may test negative even though they really are infected. Regardless, hopefully they escaped getting the virus! My teammate still hasn't bowled now almost 6 weeks after getting the virus. One of our other league members who was hospitalized at one point is now back to bowling. Another league member still in the hospital, and has been for a few weeks now. We had another league member recently return to bowling after testing positive and staying home for 2 weeks. They said, oddly enough, their spouse never caught it. Their only symptom during the 2 weeks was feeling extreme fatigue like they had never experienced before.

[boomer]

That's the case with nearly any sickness from a virus or bacteria - or even brewing beer! It takes some time for the virus or bacteria (or yeast) to propagate enough to affect the system (or to start fermentation stage) - before that it may not be detectable by a test.

I have a batch of pale ale in the fermenter right now - should be almost done. I can use a TASTE test on it right now. . . easy to test that. ;)

[Ryster]

Many people who get exposed immediately run and get a test the next day, and then breathe a sigh of relief when it comes out negative. Meanwhile, it took 3-4 days to get the results and by then they actually are sick but don't think they are. They continue their routine and unknowingly expose others. Then there are the people that test positive, but don't feel sick, so they decide to go out and about. We have had bowlers freely admit that they would not be able to stay "cooped up" at the house for 10-14 days and would still leave their house if they tested positive. :mad:

[boatman37]

Talked to him last night. They were tested 5 or 6 days after exposure but came back negative.

[Ryster]

That's good news!

Despite a growing number of customers and employees coming down with the virus, our bowling center is gradually shifting away from the "social distancing" measures and migrating back to normal levels. Especially on busy days. Previously they would leave one empty lane between bowlers. Now, when it is busy, they are packing the lanes instead of making people wait for a lane. They are also getting away from the "alcohol only with a meal" rule and basically just letting people order from the bar without food. I know we are all experiencing pandemic fatigue, but seriously...