What’s on your mind?

[Clix Pix]

JamesMike: Masks and face coverings and the barriers they create...... Exactly! It's frustrating to smile at someone and belatedly realize that they can't see your smile.... Nor can you see theirs. Also, as I have mentioned before, it's very frustrating for people who depend upon lipreading as a supplemental or even total means of communication with others, as the mask becomes a total barrier there. Not being able to see the other person's lips and not being able to hear what is being said is very problematic, to say the least.

 

[LizKat]

I was talking with my younger sister, she is a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. She brought up something I had not thought about. The staff gets a bit frustrated that having face masks on all the time doesn't allow full interaction with patients. Patients can't see their facial expressions. I realized after our talk that our facial expressions are an essential part of our daily communication skills.

It's true, isn't it. The expression "smiling eyes" has a nice ring to it but doesn't really cut it over a mask after all.

I know at least one caregiver who just bought an SE 2 iPhone because it still has touch ID instead of FaceID, and he had grown tired of punching in a passcode.

You must be concerned over your sister's exposure to the coronavirus, I sure hope she can stay healthy.

 

[Apple fanboy]

As my awesome supervisor said there is a learning curve. Everyone is great there.

I like it a lot, but memories of HTML coding and Windows = 🥺😡 sometimes.

What’s up with your Mac Mini: Did you get it back yet? And how are the home renovations going?

It died during a software update
Got picked up on the 14th and hasn’t even arrived yet. Should get there by tomorrow.

Then 5 days to repair it. Who knows how long to get back here. Glad I bought AppleCare. Otherwise it wouldn’t have even be looked at before the lockdown is over.
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Why?

Else I’ll get fat!

 

[Matz]

JamesMike: Masks and face coverings and the barriers they create...... Exactly! It's frustrating to smile at someone and belatedly realize that they can't see your smile.... Nor can you see theirs. Also, as I have mentioned before, it's very frustrating for people who depend upon lipreading as a supplemental or even total means of communication with others, as the mask becomes a total barrier there. Not being able to see the other person's lips and not being able to hear what is being said is very problematic, to say the least.

Harder to discern, yes; so I wonder if we'll get better at reading other more subtle cues, such as the aforementioned eyes, tilt of the head, position of the shoulders and hands, and so forth.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I was talking with my younger sister, she is a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. She brought up something I had not thought about. The staff gets a bit frustrated that having face masks on all the time doesn't allow full interaction with patients. Patients can't see their facial expressions. I realized after our talk that our facial expressions are an essential part of our daily communication skills.

I think a lot of our nurses in the UK would just be grateful to have masks to wear.

 

[JamesMike]

I think a lot of our nurses in the UK would just be grateful to have masks to wear.

You may remember I took about 100 masks to a hospital in the Bedford area. They appreciated that small gesture.

 

[Apple fanboy]

You may remember I took about 100 masks to a hospital in the Bedford area. They appreciated that small gesture.

I did. Very kind of you. Someone I work with is sewing scrubs for the NHS.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I was talking with my younger sister, she is a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. She brought up something I had not thought about. The staff gets a bit frustrated that having face masks on all the time doesn't allow full interaction with patients. Patients can't see their facial expressions. I realized after our talk that our facial expressions are an essential part of our daily communication skills.

JamesMike: Masks and face coverings and the barriers they create...... Exactly! It's frustrating to smile at someone and belatedly realize that they can't see your smile.... Nor can you see theirs. Also, as I have mentioned before, it's very frustrating for people who depend upon lipreading as a supplemental or even total means of communication with others, as the mask becomes a total barrier there. Not being able to see the other person's lips and not being able to hear what is being said is very problematic, to say the least.

This is very true, and is the reason that full face motor cycle helmets (often worn by couriers) are removed, (or, rather, one is obliged to remove them) on entering buildings, and that people quite literally "show their face" to those with whom they interact, as not to do so is considered discourteous, or rude, and makes communication a lot more difficult, as so much communication is augmented by one's expression, a raised eyebrow, a quirk of the mouth, a smothered smile, rolled eyes, and so on, and, as @Clix Pix observes, this also impedes the ability to lip read.

Communications between doctors, (nurses), medical personnel and patients are challenging and fraught enough in "normal" medical circumstances, and this - both the barrier to successfully interpreting what is said, and the fear of what is a highly infectious and quite deadly virus - must add considerably to all of the stress surrounding the treatment of this condition.

I think a lot of our nurses in the UK would just be grateful to have masks to wear.

This is also more than too true, unfortunately.
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You may remember I took about 100 masks to a hospital in the Bedford area. They appreciated that small gesture.

An exceptionally thoughtful and generous gesture.

 

[AngerDanger]

Also, as I have mentioned before, it's very frustrating for people who depend upon lipreading as a supplemental or even total means of communication with others, as the mask becomes a total barrier there. Not being able to see the other person's lips and not being able to hear what is being said is very problematic, to say the least.

It's interesting to think of the different ways people with disabilities or atypical neurology will be affected by means taken to protect ourselves from COVID-19.

While many are frustrated by the obfuscation of body language, people on the autistic spectrum might enjoy the clarity that other people provide in its place.

Plus, working from home via text ensures that anybody who can't read body language or facial expressions is on the same level as those who can.

I'm not saying it's better, just interesting.

 

[Clix Pix]

One reason I love the internet and modern technology so much is that, yes, I can easily and readily communicate with others whether or not I am wearing my hearing aids! Texting, emailing, posting on forums....

I can see how this also would be a huge benefit to those on the autism spectrum as well; no concerns about trying to decipher someone's body language or facial expressions and subtle tonal expressions in the spoken word.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It's interesting to think of the different ways people with disabilities or atypical neurology will be affected by means taken to protect ourselves from COVID-19.

While many are frustrated by the obfuscation of body language, people on the autistic spectrum might enjoy the clarity that other people provide in its place.

Plus, working from home via text ensures that anybody who can't read body language or facial expressions is on the same level as those who can.

I'm not saying it's better, just interesting.

One reason I love the internet and modern technology so much is that, yes, I can easily and readily communicate with others whether or not I am wearing my hearing aids! Texting, emailing, posting on forums....

I can see how this also would be a huge benefit to those on the autism spectrum as well; no concerns about trying to decipher someone's body language or facial expressions and subtle tonal expressions in the spoken word.

Very good points made by both of you, and, of course, the pair of you are absolutely right.

I love written communication for the very reasons you write, and, for some of those on the spectrum, (as long as they are financially secure and their emotional needs met), these days may well be viewed (retrospectively) almost as a welcome relief from the frustrations of attempting to understand communication in a world where you are wired differently.

Likewise, for introverts; a less intense and noisy world is actually blissful, at times.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Very good points made by both of you, and, of course, the pair of you are absolutely right.

I love written communication for the very reasons you write, and, for some of those on the spectrum, (as long as they are financially secure and their emotional needs met), these days may well be viewed (retrospectively) almost as a welcome relief from the frustrations of attempting to understand communication in a world where you are wired differently.

Likewise, for introverts; a less intense and noisy world is actually blissful, at times.

Pretty sure the anxiety and lack of routine will be having the opposite effect.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Pretty sure the anxiety and lack of routine will be having the opposite effect.

It depends - I think - on how secure the structure of their lives is, otherwise, in these conditions, and on whether they are considered "high-functioning" or not.

With structure, security, and stability, (and financial security), in their lives, - each and every one of these elements a very big "if" - some, or many - on the spectrum may do okay in the current circumstances, or situation.

But, others may find the changes profoundly unsettling and upsetting.

 

[kazmac]

Very good points made by both of you, and, of course, the pair of you are absolutely right.

I love written communication for the very reasons you write, and, for some of those on the spectrum, (as long as they are financially secure and their emotional needs met), these days may well be viewed (retrospectively) almost as a welcome relief from the frustrations of attempting to understand communication in a world where you are wired differently.

Likewise, for introverts; a less intense and noisy world is actually blissful, at times.

If only my neighbors would finally take the hint to Shut the bleep up (and that includes their dogs).

Yes, I appreciate the written for all of the reasons already mentioned.

It's been a relief to be home with mom. So glad she got of out the medical rehab before lockdown started and the virus exploded.

Anyway, despite a weepy, punchy couple of hours with Windows and Excel, it was a good work day. I retained some of what was being taught to me from last week, so that's a wonderful thing.

Also, laughing at my typos in my notes (which my coworkers think is nuts. I have a growing Word document (currently 55 pages and counting) that combines partially out of date official instructions with my notes.) This is a very meticulous job and I want to be on point.

But today's chuckle was discovering I typed Dang instead of Drag.

"You should dang the spreadsheet into this directory."

Um, that doesn't sound right.

@Apple fanboy sorry to hear the Mac Mini went kaput and it went in for repair. I hope you get good news about the Mini and that it is up and running very soon.


Hope everyone has a good night.

 

[Apple fanboy]

If only my neighbors would finally take the hint to Shut the bleep up (and that includes their dogs).

Yes, I appreciate the written for all of the reasons already mentioned.

It's been a relief to be home with mom. So glad she got of out the medical rehab before lockdown started and the virus exploded.

Anyway, despite a weepy, punchy couple of hours with Windows and Excel, it was a good work day. I retained some of what was being taught to me from last week, so that's a wonderful thing.

Also, laughing at my typos in my notes (which my coworkers think is nuts. I have a growing Word document (currently 55 pages and counting) that combines partially out of date official instructions with my notes.) This is a very meticulous job and I want to be on point.

But today's chuckle was discovering I typed Dang instead of Drag.

"You should dang the spreadsheet into this directory."

Um, that doesn't sound right.

@Apple fanboy sorry to hear the Mac Mini went kaput and it went in for repair. I hope you get good news about the Mini and that it is up and running very soon.


Hope everyone has a good night.

At least it’s under warranty.
Yes I can imagine having your mother at home must be a huge relief. My parents are many hours away and both in their 70’s so quite a concern.

 

[JayMysterio]

Hmmmmmmmm 🤔

 

[kazmac]

At least it’s under warranty.
Yes I can imagine having your mother at home must be a huge relief. My parents are many hours away and both in their 70’s so quite a concern.

I hope your parents are okay.

@JayMysterio 😂 That's an understatement.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

At least it’s under warranty.
Yes I can imagine having your mother at home must be a huge relief. My parents are many hours away and both in their 70’s so quite a concern.

I can well imagine, and can well relate to your concerns.

Decent Brother and I were chatting over the past few weeks, and I have said to him that for the first time, not only am I reconciled to my mother's death, but, I am actually glad that she is not around to experience this pandemic: She would have been a perfect candidate for it - all of those underlying conditions she was happily playing host to, her advanced age, - her compromised immune system....

Mind you, he reminded me of how she had been at times before my father died and her dementia kicked in: He remarked (with hilarious insight) that she would have sought to frustrate the cocooning recommendations, by clever and subtle, and entirely subversive exploitation of the small print - a sneaky drive to a scenic spot for a timely nap in engaging and even spectacular surroundings, possibly supplemented by a small stroll - followed by a return to base and an air of determined defiance.

I guffawed with laughter - this was so accurate.

 

[LizKat]

On my mind: how usually working alone means not really noticing much difference in routines of the day, and yet how conscious I am of the coronavirus still rending the tapestries of all our lives present and future, once I flip open a tablet or laptop and glance at the day's news. Then a lot of things come flooding to mind about how different things are now.

Wondering what will be different going forward, realizing there's really no telling at the moment. So much is either paused or, worse for some of us, at least feels like it's tumbling down in ruins even if one day it may be righted again.

There was a line from Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front that was used as an epigraph in a book I was reading a little while back (Stefan Hertmans' novel War and Turpentine), and it comes to mind lately on a lot of mornings during the time of the coronavirus:

The days are like angels in blue and​

gold, rising up untouchable above​

the circle of destruction.​

So the sunny days are a kind of salvation or at least distraction when I let them be. But yes, @JayMysterio, 2020 planners are mostly dustcatchers. I noticed while waiting for the kettle to boil this morning that a calendar from the bank that I always stick on the wall out in the kitchen is still sitting at the page for March. Flipped it to April, noticed I hadn't scratched out a note for the dental appointment next week that I was informed weeks ago would have to be rescheduled "later on".

Miscellania: my honeysuckle bush has brownish grey branches but suddenly acquired that hazy green look of spring this morning in the sun. This afternoon there are little leaves popping out all over it. In a week it will be leafed out as if in summer, and be getting ready to make flower buds. Right now I can still see through it to the far reaches of the back yard and meadow behind the stone wall. Two fat little chipping sparrows (the ones that sound like sewing machines when they sing) were flirting under that shrub's branches, so I that guess despite the snowfall forecast for tonight again, we're really almost at spring now.

 

[Stephen.R]

My sleeping pattern saw the state of the world right now, and said “you think that’s ****ed, hold my beer”.

An increasingly tight deadline for a client (which just wrapped up ~6 or so hours ago) combined with less things to actually leave the house for, and hot as **** daytime weather has formed the perfect storm and thus I’m writing this at 7am having not yet slept, at all.

 

[avz]

Hmmmmmmmm 🤔

This probably was meant to be a joke as you actually must have a plan now more than ever. If you don't have a plan you'll most likely end up working for somebody else's plan. In a worst case scenario you'll end up as a grass on somebody else's battlefield.

 

[Septembersrain]

Hmmmmmmmm

The only reason I know what day it is, well it's my cleaning day. Next month my husband will be on graveyard shifts with lots of (Needed) overtime. So I'll be guessing.

 

[Stephen.R]

Today has been a trying day, and it's only... **** me it's only 12:25.


We went to do a post-apocalypse grocery run this morning at the local cash&carry place (better choice for a lot of stuff than the local supermarket). Jesus titty ****ing christ, it's a good thing I don't know how to say "what the **** is wrong with you, are you ****ing crazy?" in Thai, I think we'd have been kicked out.

Literally a guy at the fresh meat counter pulling the roll of plastic bags like he wants to tear one off, then I realise he's just wrapping it around his fingers and hands, rubbing them on it, and then wraps the bags back around the rest of the roll. Because why wouldn't you do that any time, global pandemic or not?

Mind you, that's still probably a step up from the usual occurrence when we see the women who walk up to a bench with fresh chicken pieces on it, grab a bag, and then just dig in with bare hands to get what they want. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see them have a little taste. They say commons sense isn't that common, but stupidity shouldn't be this common.




Ok. Deep breaths...

 

[LizKat]

^^ I just read that and decided my little irritation over some email related hassles is so all gone that I can't even remember what it was that I was going to post in here as a pet peeve about email providers. Probably belonged in another forum anyway but was going to put it here because it would have been a vent not a request for info or assistance!

Sorry you are having those problems at the shop you went to. The plastic bag things sounds icky since if you hadn't seen that incident happen then you might have assumed it was a reasonable bag to pull off the dispenser roll and stick your fresh produce in and take home with you. Yuck. Makes me even in the states want to take along the proverbial piece of yesterday's newspaper and wrap my stuff with that! At least the germs in it that I take home will be ones I'm already familiar with plus only those on the produce...

As for the thing with the chicken, well... at least that presumably gets cooked to or past recommended safe temperatures. Speaking of which, until recently I didn't realize there are options for those depending on not only whether white or dark meat is at hand, but also on choices for exending time at a lower internal temperature rather than just ensuring the meat hits the recommended safe temperature for at least 30 seconds. Using more time at a lower temperature can avoid drying out white meat, for instance, but dark meat needs higher temps not to be kinda rubbery. There is an interesting piece at The Spruce Eats on all that.

Here Are the Temperatures You Should Know to Make Juicy Chicken Every Time

Ensuring your chicken is fully cooked, but not overdone, is all a matter of temperature. Here are the ones you need to know to make a perfect, juicy bird.

www.thespruceeats.com

 

[Stephen.R]

As for the thing with the chicken, well... at least that presumably gets cooked to or past recommended safe temperatures.

That is a valid point but let’s face it, cooking doesn’t solve all sanitary handling issues, and I’ve not once seen any of those people wash their hands (there is a basin with soap and a foot pedal operated tap) after going elbow deep on the chicken, before going to pick out a watermelon or what have you.

Poor personal hygiene/supermarket food safety is not even the most shocking thing I’ve seen/experienced here it just happened to get on my (proverbial) tits today.