CraigM
1948
See using the R0 number is… well it isn’t the only, or even the best measure. Its noisy, and not a directly measurable number (which isn’t to say without value)
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us
I’ve been closely watching the number of new cases per day, hospitilaziations, positive test %, etc. And by every single other measure Oregon is having far less issues than most other states, and certainly all other states without exceptional circumstance (geographically isolated or no major population centers).
Can that change? Sure. But cherrypicking R0 to make the case Oregon is doing poorly?
Now if you want to argue for more tests per capita? I’m all for that! I don’t know the logistics on testing capacity right now nationally, and if they are still constrained. But that we don’t have California levels of testing isn’t shocking given the scope of transmission in both states.
We simply have no idea what the scope of transmission is without sufficient testing. It might be much higher per-capita in OR.
I went to my periodontist a couple of weeks ago. While this was for a cleaning, with chronic periodontal disease and that’s not really an elective procedure.
One patient at a time, call from your car. Entry into a vestibule where they give you a questionnaire take temperature etc. Hygienist was in a full face shield of course. The craziest thing was this new device they called Mr Thirsty:
Which goes behind your molars and provides constant suction to reduce airborne particles. I wouldn’t exactly call it comfortable. Though for me it actually made the procedure easier, as I’m getting deep pocket cleanings with a motorized scaler; with my jaw wedged open I didn’t have to concentrate.
Oh great, they managed to make going to the dentist less pleasant.
I went to the periodontist two weeks ago. I had been putting it off since March, and I figured things are only going to get worse so best to get it done during the lull.
The dentist’s office was fine, I was the only patient that I saw. Air purifiers in every room of questionable value. The periodontist herself had double masks and face shield, which combined with the air purifiers made it difficult to hear her. No Mr. Thirsty here. I think there was a clear plastic liner in front of every room.
So after an hour of pain I’m done and I put my mask on and make my way to the desk behind reception to “check out.” I’m standing there in my mask while the woman behind the desk spends many minutes trying to find an open window for a follow-up appointment. This cannot possibly be that hard.
Then some guy gets up from the waiting area and joins me. Then I realize there’s an old woman standing uncomfortably close to me, and he was going to help her. Apparently his senile mother. Seems she lost her mask. Cool. There are three of us in close proximity in front of the desk.
But this area was actually a hallway. All of a sudden there is a buzz of activity as the dental employees start switching offices and I’m fucking surrounded by people with zero social distancing. I was not happy.
Anyway, I guess I didn’t get sick because it’s been 13 days. My follow-up is in September. I’m thinking of putting it off.
As mentioned above, I’ve wondered about this myself, but your story makes me wonder if waiting isn’t the right thing to do anyway. Things will almost certainly be worse, later, but perhaps people will also be taking all of this more seriously for that exact reason.
I’ve given myself four Covid haircuts since March, using electric clippers with a cutting guide. If you buy a clipper for hair you can certainly get a trim guide you can set to it to something approaching one inch. I’m using a beard trimmer so I have to make do with a bit shorter than that due to the limitations of the trim guides for beards. Also, if you’re going this route, more frequent haircuts is the way to go. You want hair that tends to stand up rather than lie flat for the trim guides to work.
Omg what did he do to his ear? And where is his other ear?
D:
I’m sure some of this is practice specific. At my periodontist the entire office area was closed to patients. They took my payment at the same time they were doing my temperature, and the hygienist scheduled the next appointment from the exam room.
I’m working on a rat tail and/or man-bun, myself. Maybe braid my sideburns like the Hasids.
RichVR
1959
Not braid. You canstantly twirl them around your index fingers until they become cute little curls.
Well shit, that looks easy!
RichVR
1961
Don’t forget the furry disc hat.
Honestly, I could just fluff up my glorious mane and I’d be pretty much there.
I have a dental cleaning scheduled for next week. I really need it, typically get cleaned 4 times a year due to periodontal problems. But I am not keen on going this time. And I sure as hell don’t want that new gadget shoved in my mouth–I gag badly just on bitewings during xrays.
Mr Thirsty is in your future @BennyProfane
Matt_W
1965
My hair is out of control. I usually wear it a bit long, but it’s below my collar now, which I hate. I can definitely make a pony tail, which means I need at least 2 inches off. I’ve threatened to just take a trimmer to it but my gf isn’t having it. Probably I’ll have to brave a salon very soon.
I would certainly wait, if it’s just a cleaning.
If it’s any consolation I also gag on bite wings but didn’t have any problem with good old Mr Thirsty. I wouldn’t exactly call it dignified though.
