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Being the calm and relaxed spirit that I am, I tend to miss the occasional piece of news. Naturally, I am acutely aware that we're currently under siege by a new virus. Still, I recently stared in disbelief at the empty shelves that used to carry loads of toilet paper and cooled my heels for a total of 40 minutes in the lengthy line at the checkout. The air was tense and conversations brief. I almost felt tempted to ask whether we were at war again. No doubt, the corona virus has found its way into our parts. As a company, we're supposed to keep our cool and that is reflected in our systematic and prudent preparations. Let's take a quick look at Ashampoo, our strategies in dealing with Corona and how we feel about it.
Sensationalism is rampant in today's journalism. All the more reason to keep a level head and be smart. Naturally, we can't just shut down the company indefinitely in case one of us catches COVID-19 and everyone who came in contact with them is put under quarantine. But we may consider temporarily closing up shop once we have reasonable suspicion. We can do that because our laptop computers are portable by design and our network infrastructure fully supports homeworking, thanks to VPN and video conferencing (which would finally give me the chance to honor my coworkers with my presence dressed in t-shirt and sweatpants). With the exception of accounting and human resources, who still rely on paper to some extent, everything's already digital. Programmers, editors, marketers and supporters: All of them are perfectly able to work from anywhere—a fact which some of them may secretly rue!
Aside from the new 30-second handwashing routine (the same time it takes me to somberly hum "God Save The Queen"), fully-automatic and contactless hand sanitizer stations have been present in our hallways for some time now. I find the ever-present scent of alcohol eerily reminiscent of my college years! Even if you're not closely following popular media outlets, many of which are trying to pass this off as the next Spanish flu (which killed up to 50 million people), these measures make sense to me. Personally, I find it excruciatingly hard not to touch my face any more. I never noticed how often I do that each day! I put my reading glasses on—and briefly touch the base of my nose: a recipe for disaster! I ponder a clever wording and stroke my beard: I'm in the danger zone! I feel like an old circus horse barred from showing its tricks.
And have you ever sneezed into the crook of your arm? Being allergic to various substances, I'm no stranger to forceful sneezing. Now, I have to retrain myself to hit my arm—and my first attempt almost led to a strained neck. I guess I need further practice to avoid making a complete fool of myself in public. In general, hygiene-related advice is difficult in office life. You're supposed to keep your distance to others, I get that, but what if you're discussing details as a team in front of a single screen? Our first attempts looked like two Siamese twins that were having an intense argument. Am I supposed to take cover whenever someone's about to cough or sneeze now? To my right, there's Axel, our video guy. Diagonally across from me sits Manuel, my translator. Our desks are wide and deep but is this distance enough in case one of us gets sick? Questions upon questions!
Currently not en vogue: physical contact
Definitely the hardest part for me is to stop shaking my, thoroughly sanitized, hands and to skip hugs. Some bump their elbows but, to me, that looks more like a shy gesture at prom. And what about birthday kids? Shout "Happy Birthday" from a few meters away as if one only had a bowing acquaintance? Feels weird but seems to be the most practicable way. Luckily, we North Germans are said to be a little unfeeling anyway so group hugs are a rarity. What is indeed unusual is the order to skip work altogether, if we're feeling unwell. Granted, nobody who felt sick as a dog showed up for work in the past anyway but we're certainly not among the faint of heart. Still, we're being cautioned to stay at home at the first sight of possible symptoms, no exceptions! Having a scratchy throat as a reason to stay away from the office will take some getting used to.
All in all, these are fairly mild requirements and strategies—and yet I find myself constantly observing my every move and chiding myself for possible misbehavior. What a stubborn creature of habit I am! In addition, I fear I may appear foolish by following the recommendations of our health department to the letter. But let's be realistic: Even without a proclivity for drama, adding a few new rules to your daily routine seems like a prudent course of action, even though you may feel awkward following them. At worst, you're being too cautious and may laugh about yourself later. I for one wish you all good health. Take care and stay safe!
What I would like to know: Has COVID-19 had any impact on your life? Are you avoiding specific places or crowds or is your daily life unchanged?
Well as a resident of Spain we are in total lock down for next 15 days. Fortunately I am retired so do not have to concern myself about work. The population has followed the rest of Europe in bagging all the loo rolls in sight and over the last two days have emptied the shelves of the supermarkets. Early this morning more queues have been forming and the punters are taking goods from the shelf stackers before they can place them onto the shelves. All Bars and Restaurants and shops except chemists, food stores are to remain closed for the 15 day period. Flights into Spain from the UK have been cancelled as from today, I am not sure if other flights into Spain from European destinations are also effected. The object is to try and stop additional infections by quarantining the population.
Great as we have been inundated with Madrid holiday home owners into our area, one of the worst infected areas in Spain, so they can infect us as well!
Lets hope these measures have the desired effect,
Hi Gents!
I still wait for your new info about your products!
Kindest regards and best health!!!
Your Vladimir
Use surgical mask, surgical gloves, sanitiser lotion, take plastic bags to put tissues/hankies in if a selfish person sneezes on wipe off with above mentioned lotion, immediately, tell them off and enjoy life. It’s in Gods hand. PS always wash hands including thumbs.
Well this little menace has certainly changed my plans for the next few months. My visit to Munster to see my distanced relatives has had to be cancelled. My garden shed has had a new lease of life with a new paint job and a few jobs around the house have been completed. So has it had any major effects on me. Not really. My larder is three quarters full so should last me a week or so. I am refraining from my walks down to the town along the river, which I love. Thanks to modern TV I am catching up on a few things I missed. I suppose being retired helps as I am not committed to specific work tasks or travelling as a used to on a daily basis from the Midlands to London. I wish everyone the best and keep healthy
I'm 72 and knocked about a bit. Somehow .. primarily due to an untimely and disruptive Microsoft 10 update I encountered this morning. I came across one of Mum and Dad's wartime ration books in an old biscuit tin amongst the verbiage. This mickey-mouse storm in a teacup situation would be nothing to them. We don't know we are born...
You're all very lucky to be able to work from home. I'm a Tourist Guide in the Canary Islands, and we're facing weeks with no tourists and no work. Being as we're all self-employed that also means absolutely no income for who knows how long.
The only real difference I have seen is in church, that we are not currently able to receive communion from a chalice, and are told not to shake hands during the sign of peace.
Our situation, in country South Australia, is currently free of covid-19, and we still shake hands after our game of golf,
In Australia things are ramping up with Federal Government advising that non-essential events with greater than 500 attendees should not go ahead as from Monday 16.03.2020, in an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus.
There has been substantial 'panic' buying of things like toilet paper tissues and hand sanitizer. Major supermarkets are now preventing bulk buying of these and other commodities.
I noticed in the food-court at my local shopping center yesterday that people generally were imposing by choice a clear air buffer from others using the tables in the area.
I'm concerned, that by observation in the past, that a noticeable percentage of men using communal amenities do not wash their hands before leaving the facility - this will have to change rapidly in light of the impact this virus has already had globally.
I practice physical separation with door handles when exiting facilities like these, after hand washing and drying, by using clean dry tissue to prevent re-contamination of my hands. The paper is then discarded in the nearest rubbish bin.
This is no guarantee of avoiding infection but in my mind must give at least a better chance of not coming into contact with a contagion.
Even in light of the seasonal flu these should be basic practice - not just in a pandemic.
Has this altered how I live - yes? A point in case is that I probably won't attend the regional Easter convention this year as an example of avoiding crowds in confined places. But the event may even be called off, although at this stage that is unclear.
So far I have not heard of any conspiracy theories that maybe the virus escaped from a secret laboratory in China and it was being developed with cooperation from Russia. Maybe?
Sadly, the west had been misled by US media (especially
CNN) that claimed it is an Asia (China) thing and lost the
window of 2 mths to take precaution.
Thankfully I had been reading Chinese TV news and can offer
u some additional tips.
As Sven said, it is difficult not to touch one's face or nose,
it is okay if u do this at home, but absolutely not outside after
touching the lift button etc.
1. Avoid touching lift button, ATM keboard (use ball point pen
or some pointed object).
2. Wash your hands ASAP if u had no choice to touch any
such thinds. I wash the coins I received while shopping as soon
as I got hom..
3, I u had a UV lamp, use it to disinfact the currency notes
or dry things u bought (not food) for 30 min or more. But do NOT use a micrwave oven as some Chinese did and turned
the currency notes to ashes.
4. There are wide spread cases of infections after the Korea
church gathering, it now happends all over in Malaysia, Singapore and Indoesnia at religious gathering at churches and
mosques. So avoid large gathering and crowds.
5. Avoid hospitals and clinics unless u are ill. Do as I did - I got
4 mths' Hiblood ,medicine instead of the usual 2 mths,.
6. Stock up on toilet papers (but this is easily solved as if one
run out, one can still se water hose to clean oneself at home.
Keep some frozen food and can food,enough for one/ two mths, not to overstock, but to assure your self if u got infected
and canot go out and buy food. Do stock some frozen mix
vegetable, as u cannot keep fresh veg for more than a few days. Canned beans and corns are alternatives. I know
canned food are not good for health, but if u are quatantined
at home and all shops are closed, u have no choice.
7. A good internet connection is vital to spend your time
if u are quarantied else u will go mad in no time, believe
me those in Wuhan are now suffering from mental stress.
8. Get some books, DVD, reocrds etc in advance to pass away
your time.
9. If u to to a restaurent or even taking bus/MRT, choose a
seat aay from others if possible and if some one is coughing
do move to another position at the risk of being impolite.
10. Stock up on Colorox or other cleaning agetn. It is vital to
keep your house clean. Carry some anti-bat wet tissues w/U
if u go out and use them if necessary (e.g. cleaning lift button
or ATM screen).
11. Do not travel to other countries, cruise ships and airplane
railway coshes etc are closed environments and virus can
live and spread easily.
12. Virus attck everyone, it is claimed the young has lower
risk, but there is sitll a percentage of youth that are affected
so dont be that small percentage.
I do think one's attitude to life is very important , not just
for this virus but for all else. Some one claimed if one is\
thankful for every thing we had and not grumble and jealous
of others, and always look at the bright side of things. half the
battle is won, The other half we have to leave it to the one
all mighty or fate. God bless u all.
Hi Sven,
Yep I feel for you and share your concerns. Luckily I am already fairly isolated in a rural area but still need to occassionaly got to the shops for supplies. I think we as animals are almost designed to spread virii and diseases as we have so many bad habits that are almost impossible to break as most are involuntary. We are lucky to live in a time where medicine and science has advanced and I already see many scientists working on vaccines and other drugs. The biggest issues with the Covid19 are that it is very contagious even while it is asymptomatic, it has a long incubation period (up to 14 days or more), it is spread through both large and fine air drops as well as surfaces (lasting up to 9 days). Of course the other issue is the attitude of some to just let the virus run its course by taking few precautions which I think is a big mistake as has been previous shown that an overwhelmed hospital system can be more dangerous than the virus! Taking the stoical attitude and applying as much common sense as we can muster we just have to accept what will happen will happen. Plan for the worst hope for the best.
All the best!
I am o.k. where I am so far, touch wood.
Dieter
You could always sing "Happy Birthday to you" twice while washing your hands if th enational anthem is getting a bit tedious.
Seriously this is affecting my work. I work in a relatively small office of c100 people and most of us are client facing. we now have to phone clients coming in and ask them a health questionnaire - you can guess the sort of thing. I was sat next to a colleague asking a client the questions - I could have been in a doctor's surgery while the receptionist decided whether a patient should dial 111 or 999!
Bizarrely, I was presenting at a breakfast seminar this morning for 30 or so business people. Virtually nobody offered to shake hands with anybody (or hug them) - lifetime habit broken overnight!completely
Sneezing into the crook of the arm, why not change it into a dance? The Dab Dance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dab_(dance)
O.K. so i'm 90 years old and in the very very dangerous band of those who will pop off if I get the bug.
BUT..... there are 60 million people in Britain (that we know about, that is) and 600 have the bug. The odds of it getting to me are slim if I take care of where I go and who I touch. I pay my bills on line and manage my accounts online, but what can I do about the adverts that come through my letter box or the normal mail. One postman with the virus can cause havoc. Lots of ways to catch it are out of our hands no matter what the advice we get.
While I am washing my hands I will have cross my fingers at the same time!!!! All the best to you
Great article. It re-enforced my view of just how selfish and self-centered the younger generation are, particularly here in Christchurch NZ. After the earthquakes trolleys were rapidly overfilled with bottled water, preventing others from getting their needs, let alone stock-piling. i saved a fortune by using a thing called a kettle! Funny thing about the earthquakes, though, you would think during the continual shaking for days on end, the demand for toilet rolls would be great, - it wasn't! Just how strange is that, I ask myself?
I have a lot to said about this situation....but space and time is importat for that.I'm a Christian....I was aware long time ago that one day the humanity will have to face thing like this....and the bible mention all this...I'm afraid? yes...but at the same time I trust my lord... and put in his hand my life....and that all we can do...same to you..pray and wait for the day that Jesus return.... no country.....no presidents.....not politician... have the power by them self to control the world.Amen...By the way...thanks for all the software that you offer..I'm an old costumer and use a few of them. Thanks...Roland
Prudence, and consideration for others, should be key concepts. Frequent hand sanitizing or washing when in public areas will help to minimize the likelihood of picking up virus from surfaces. Prime surfaces for this would be door handles and other multi-contact surfaces, such as keyboards or phones used by others. We use a cleaning wipe on objects we bring home from supermarkets which may be handled by many people. Transmission by droplets is a major source, so coughing or sneezing into an elbow should always be routine, not just for this situation. Fecal-oral transmission has now been confirmed, so sanitation there should be obvious. Since crowds increase likely proximity to droplet transmission from others the avoidance of this source is also obvious. Air travel and cruise ships -again obvious. While true that most people will suffer few if any effects more that the common cold, the goal is equally to delay the rapid increase in case numbers, which will inevitably overload the health system's ability to provide care for the more severe cases. The explosive spread rate of infection spread gives ample support for the need for everyone to take the simple measures. Panic, no, consideration for others, definitely.
-My two cents.
Don Morrison, MD, MEng, FRCPC/
If you remember, we in England fought two world wars and we came out of that ok so I’m pretty sure we will do the same in this situation.
This Corona Virus has not affected me in any way at this point. Personally I feel that we have gone too far with it, closing schools, canceling sports events and Church Services. First thing we know there will be rash of bankruptcies, and people losing their homes. People are starting to panic with all the hype and spin being put on it. Empty shelves and big line ups, it is starting to look like Russia. More people contract the flue and die every year than what we have seen with this virus.
Harold.
So far it hasn't had much impact on my life. I am retired, after 50 years of working in the computer field, and I don't do a lot of out of home activity. I still meet with my friends every week for lunch and we sit at a 4 person square table so we are only a couple of feet apart. None of us are particularly worried about infecting each other. As many doctors have said, most people will not be severely sick from this virus. Only the elderly and those with existing health problems. So, I fail to see why all the panic. I went grocery shopping at the local Walmart Neighborhood Market today. It was a little busy but there weren't any long lines to check out. I went through the self checkout right away. Interestingly I noticed the shortage of some products. Toilet paper was all gone, only a few packages of baby wet wipes, very few cartons of eggs, not much shredded cheese, some frozen dinners were all gone. There was lots of distilled water for my CPAP. I didn't check for hand sanitizer or antibacterial soap but my guess is there probably wouldn't be any left. Other than that the shelves were well stocked.
What I don't understand is the rush on toilet paper. We've still got lots of trees to make paper from. I don't think they will shut down the factories that make paper products. I guess now would be a good time to have a bidet.
The panic about this virus does cause one to think about everyday things we are used to doing. On the way to the grocery store I stopped for gas. It is a self serve gas station. I didn't give it a second thought. I grabbed the pump and filled my truck. However, there weren't any wet wipes around and I didn't have any hand sanitizer but I touched my keys, opened my truck door, touched the gear shift and steering wheel. So I could have infected all those parts. But when I got to Walmart they had wet wipes to use for the carts and your hands. So I used a couple. Geez, to feel you are taking reasonable precaution you would have to carry hand sanitizer and/or wet wipes everywhere you go.
I wash my hands more often and use hand sanitizer but I am not going to get paranoid about this like many people are. If I get the virus, c'est la vie.
Shouldn't it be 'Heil Dir im Siegerkranz' (same tune LOL)
Nope, I’ll stick with the Queen. She’s much more pleasant. :)
I have had some canceled gigs, my shop is empty, schools are closed throughout the country, many super market shelves are empty... The economy is suffering and so we are going to be affected one way or another. Yes, it is wise to follow the authorities´ guidelines.
For the moment am carrying on as normal but making sure my hands are kept as clean as possible even using hand sanitizer when necessary, captain sensible here.
Last week, the New York Times recommended changing the name of COVID-19 to the "Trump Virus."
Left-wing media, which comprises about 99.9% of media outlets in the US, is whipping up as much of an emotional frenzy as it can.
My local Walmart is out of aspirin but still has toilet paper, and I haven't yet seen anyone sporting a face mask.
No one seems to be concerned about the 50,000 or so people in the US who will die this season from the flu
(650,000 flu deaths world-wide.)