CuriousByNature

I'm somewhat surprised when I hear about people of faith using extraordinary and invasive means to remain alive for the longest possible time. Particularly when most people of faith believe there is something more beyond this life. I've seen both sides - those who do everything possible to remain living, despite the pain and weakness of a terminal illness, and those who only request comfort care and accept that their existence in this realm is drawing to a close. Of course it is never a simple choice, as other people will no doubt be affected by the decision, one way or another. Im not sure how I would respond if the time comes for me to make that decision, but one elderly woman of profound faith once told me that death is nothing to fear because it is the one thing we know that each of us will one day experience. No exceptions. I thought there was some wisdom in those words, regardless of a person's religious belief or unbelief.

I have done a number of cruises on mid-range lines like Princess, Holland America, etc. My favourite line by far was Celebrity, particularly for the food. But I've only done one because of their exorbitant single supplement rates. While many lines have supplements of around 50% to 75%, I am usually quoted 125% to 150% by Celebrity. I dont understand how a line can justify charging more than 100% extra for a single traveler. It would be cheaper to pretend I'm traveling with someone when I book, and then just show up alone. And that, gentlemen, is my rant for the day.

I'm really sorry to hear that the landscaper did not make it - it is never easy breaking news like that in person, let alone by phone. Thank you, as always, for keeping us posted.

The only thing that ever happens when I ask where the Crisco is, is that I end up baking an apple pie.

Her mother looks good for 77, let alone 104.

Wow... I never thought it would have been made into a film. I read the book many years ago and was quite impressed. Strobel wrote a number of additional books, including 'The Case for Faith'. I'm not super big into apologetics, where the author tries to 'reason'people towards faith (since faith goes beyond the natural and what can be measured), but his book was good and I certainly recommend it. It addresses a number of matters people of non-faith often raise as to why they cannot believe that the resurrection happened.

That sort of makes me think of an autopsy table, like what you see in CSI ?

Unfortunately this is my reality, and wouldn't require any role-playing... ?. Ugh.

That's been my understanding as well... that the measures put in place are not to destroy the virus, but to control the spread. This, I believe, should lead to fewer deaths because the medical system will not be as swamped. A trickle of cases requiring hospital treatment is always easier to manage than a flood. My relatives in BC (pop 5 million) mentioned that even though the number of known infections is continuing to rise there, the hospitalization numbers have remained very manageable. I read today that there are only 94 people hospitalized in the entire province, with 46 in ICU. Testing is becoming more widespread, so I assume the number of known infections will keep rising, but I really think the best measure of how the protocols are working is the number of people being hospitalized. But, Im not in the medical field and could well be incorrect. But it seems to make sense to me. In any case, congratulations on your Pharmacy degree, and good luck with the future studies!

I suppose one question would be, what does she consider to be small?

Hey there... just a heads up that its always a good idea to post the link if you can ?. I'm thinking this may be the masseur you mean: https://rentmasseur.com/MassageByRon

Right, I forgot about that. Im sure thst made a difference to the numbers.

I havent had a chance to read through all the posts, so this may have been mentioned already. Given that different countries (and even states and provinces within the same country) have different rates of testing which might suggest different rates of infection, I've been looking at the number of hospitalizations rather than the number of infections. In parts of Canada, particularly Quebec, the numbers of hospitalizations and deaths are quite high compared to other regions. My relatives in BC noted there are about 120 people hospitalized in a province of 5 million inhabitants, and less than half of those are in ICU. Something like 75 deaths in BC, while about 5 times that number in Quebec, even though Quebec has less than 2 times BC's population. Since early March, people in BC have had almost all elective emergency surgeries cancelled (including my uncle's knee replacement) in order to free up beds. I understand over 4000 beds were made available in case of a worst case scenario. Thankfully for them, it looks like the curve has flattened and may have begun to bend downwards. Central Canada isnt there yet... but it certainly could be worse.

I suppose this means I should be buried in a large Big Mac box, or maybe rolled up in a Subway wrapper like a 68-inch Meatball Marinara.

One of the best shows on TV... sad to see it's finished.

I agree that the media tends towards fear-mongering in certain situations, and that this can result in panic and chaos. This is why I prefer to take the advice of the experts rather than commentators. The experts are quite consistent in their messaging about the need for social distancing and isolation. For everyone, but especially for those at higher risk. This is not primarily about avoiding the virus, its about trying to make the numbers predictable and manageable. Without the restrictions, the virus will spread quickly and thoroughly, and this will result in higher death rates because the number of infected people will swamp the system, and many in need of intensive care will not receive it, and die. By trying to build predictability, fewer people will be sick at once, and more people needing care will receive it. Survival rates will be higher. The curve will be longer, but the death rate will be lower. The economy will suffer in either scenario. The question is whether you have a damaged economy with 100,000 deaths, or a damaged economy with 1,000,000 or more deaths. Neither situation is good. But one is far worse than the other.

If time permits and your budget allows, you may want to spend a few weeks at a time at various times of the year so you have a better idea of seasonal differences. If you have a vehicle, maybe do a bit of a road trip each time to see if any other Southwest towns and cities strike you as possibilities...

Yes, that would be scary. But I think one can appreciate what the monarch embodies from a cultural and historical perspecive, and value the job that has been done, without it crossing over into worship. A person doesn't even need to support a system of entitlement from birth (I don't, by the way) to recognize the importance of the monarchy on a variety of levels.

True enough...

Thank you @purplekow. Yesterday I phoned my uncle who has COPD, and I asked him to try using the prone position. His oxygen saturation is normally around 91% or so. My aunt called me back a few minutes after he was prone to tell me his saturation was at 96%. She hadn't seen a number like that since getting him the oximeter a couple of years ago. Your advice is much appreciated - thank you again ?

I had to look twice at picture #4 before I realized he wasnt balancing funiture on his rear end.

Wow... I don't know where I got July from... thanks. Maybe it feels like it should be July by now? I corrected the date

Great Canadian actress, former wife of Donald Sutherland and mother of Kiefer Sutherland. She was daughter of Tommy Douglas, Premier of Saskatchewan, whose Cabinet became the first in North America to introduce single payer universal healthcare, aka Medicare. Passed away today from complications of pneumonia, apparently unrelated to COVID-19 according to her son.

Absolutely... and she'll be 94 in 3 weeks ? Her mother made it to 101 and her great-aunt to almost 98, so heres hoping she outlives them both with ongoing good health and a sharp mind.

I hadn't heard about that... I was under the impression that the Royal Family had stopped all engagements, etc. I agree with @BgMstr4u in his assessment of the speech. Whether or not one is a monarchist or a republican, it is difficult to argue that the Queen is not a calm voice of encouragement and hope in these times. Much as she has been since her first public speech 80 years ago. And recognizing that the Queen is an apolitical figurehead, my intention is not to make any political statement here in this forum, as per the rules ?