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We last mentioned the SodaStream in our post on what to drink instead during Dry January, and I will say I'm getting a ton of use out of mine right now. Not only is it great for the environment, but it's also great if you're trying to stay hydrated and are bored of regular water but trying to limit deliveries and grocery store trips. I usually use it to make seltzer and add a splash of juice, or you could add a little pink lemonade to make “unicorn juice.” You can also buy their diet cola mix if you're trying to keep up with a Diet Coke addiction.
If you want something fancier, there are a lot of shrub recipes out there that look interesting. The price might seem steep, but I think you'll get a lot of use out of it if you like soda or seltzer. SodaStream is available at Target for $89.99 and also sold at Amazon and Kohl's. A spare carbinator is $29.99. SodaStream
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Sales of note for 10.24.24
- Nordstrom – Fall sale, up to 50% off!
- Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event, 30% off! Suits are included in the 30% off!
- Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% off everything, and redeem Stylecash!
- Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
- J.Crew – Friends & Family event, 30% off sitewide.
- J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything
- Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Up to 30% off on new arrivals
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 40% off entire purchase, plus free shipping no minimum
- White House Black Market – Buy more, save more; buy 3+ get an extra 50% off
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- What to say to friends and family who threaten to not vote?
- What boots do you expect to wear this fall and winter?
- What beauty treatments do you do on a regular basis to look polished?
- Can I skip the annual family event my workplace holds, even if I'm a manager?
- What small steps can I take today to get myself a little more “together” and not feel so frazzled all of the time?
- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
Anon
It looks like the stimulus checks are going to be based on the most recently filed tax return, which for us is 2019. However, we haven’t paid what we owe yet. Will that count as “filed” if it’s not paid? It would be more beneficial to us to use the 2018 return when our income was lower.
Anon
My guess is that if you get more than you were supposed to they’d adjust it in your 2020 taxes.
Anon
I saw an article on CNN that said it will be based on your 2019 return if you’ve filed and your 2018 return if you haven’t. Like you, our incomes went up and I’m kind of annoyed because I feel like we’re being penalized for being early filers but oh well.
Anon
So it will count as “filed” even if we haven’t paid yet? And yeah same – bummer but oh well. Others need it more than we do.
Just a rant
Paying != filing.
anon
Thank you for the notice on this! I would get the full payment based on the 2018 taxes but none based on 2019. Do we know when these are being determined / sent? My state has not delayed their file date and I normally file both fed and state at the same time but wonder if that’s not the right choice here.
NY CPA
According to the Washington Post, it’s actually based on your 2020 income, and they’re using 2018/2019 as a proxy for your 2020 income. If your 2020 income ends up being more/less than the year used to determine your check, you will either owe the government money or get an additional payment in your tax refund when you file your tax return for 2020.
Anon
Is it AGI? So we can “lower” our incomes by contributing more to retirement?
Anonymous
So great to see people who have money to spare manipulating things to get more stimulus. This is depressing.
Anon
I mean, everyone tries to pay the minimum taxes they legally can. It’s not groundbreaking. I contribute plenty to charity, but the federal government isn’t my preferred charity. There’s nothing illegal or unethical about asking whether my retirement contributions will reduce my income for this purpose.
Anon for this
Copying from the morning thread in hopes of more responses.
Can I get some advice on (1) how to handle something personally and (2) what professionals might be able to support? My father has been declining mentally for years (depressed, believing conspiracy theories) and it seems to be exacerbated by the last three weeks. I’m concerned because (1) he has started taking it out on my mom and I think it is turning abusive and (2) I’m still tied to him financially through a family business, which means I need to be in contact at least every tax season. I am a passive shareholder and do not know the bylaws; my parents are married and both have to agree to something for it to happen for the company.
Questions:
(1) How if at all do I talk to him about the crazy? I’d like (1) to communicate boundaries kindly and (2) to help him to get mental help. I doubt his current worldview lets men do the latter. He follows men’s rights activists and other poisonous folks. He alternates between saying really weird things (coronavirus is a cabalistic plot), saying hateful things (hello Chinese virus), and just sounding really sad. I’m not okay with the xenophobia and misogyny; I’m baffled by the cabal; and I wish I could have my normal healthy dad back. Alternatively, if anyone knows of successful interventions for radicalized alt right, that would be awesome. I live in fear of him buying a gun.
(2) What are my options for separating myself financially? It’s at the point where I’d be okay with them buying me out for $0, but I’d be leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table, and I think that would make my parents sad as they meant it to contribute to their kids. Do I have any rights to see the bylaws etc?
Thanks so much. (And I promise, I’m not Ivanka, though I think the poster who suggested it on the morning thread is very funny.)
Anonymous
Frankly, this sounds like an ongoing, complicated situation that is now reaching a head. So a bunch of thoughts regarding it:
* IF you’re feeling out of control and anxious over this whole virus thing, don’t let your anxiety around that land on this complicated family thing and make you feel the need to RESOLVE SOMETHING NOW.
* Is your dad literally abusive (emotional? verbal? mental? physical?) or did you just use that language but not really mean it? If he is . . . is your mom in danger?
* forget about getting your dad help. Get your MOM help.
* If his worldview says “real men” don’t get help, what makes you think he is going to listen to a “child” (you) telling him he needs help? Be realistic and savvy about this.
* Where’s your mom in all this? Does she have any strength, business acumen, or relational equity to draw on, or is she locked into a victim stance with him? Can she make a business decision, countermand his business ideas, or make a medical appointment for him?
* Frankly, I’d suggest counseling for you. If you’re going to distance from them, cut business ties, help your mom, or navigate any kind of relationship with him, you’re going to need a lot of wisdom and savvy, and good boundaries. We often need outside help in those areas.
Anon for this
Good point about not letting this be a focal point for anxiety. It probably is. That said, he crossed a line a few days ago that was the first time I thought it might turn abusive.
So let’s say I want to get my mom help. She is a co-owner for the business and can prevent him from making moves, but she cannot remove her equity without his say-so. She has some of her own financial resources, but limited. Mixed success in making a medical appointment for him. Their lawyer for the business represents both of them.
Would you suggest I contact an elder law attorney? Their attorney? My own attorney? No attorney? Social workers? To some extent, this will have to be subject to her own readiness to confront the problem. I just want to be prepared and ready to help.
Anon
I think you need to make your mom’s physical safety your priority, not the business.
Anon for this
Yep. I’m not local. I was thinking about attorneys and social workers because she may need financial and legal and logistical support. How do I help her?
Carrie
Are you actually involved in the family business, or is this just part of your family’s financial planning strategy? If not involved, I wouldn’t do anything. Why upset them? I’m not sure why you are considering this.
With regard to your dad…. whether or not part of his progression over time is related to a slow moving dementia or depression or personality traits that often become more extreme with age. It is a HORRIBLE time for people with mental illness or inability to pull themselves intellectually out of the propaganda rabbit holes that now define our world. It is not hard to get depressed over this.
So I would not abandon him, as that would be abandoning your mother who is likely suffering. You change the subject. You say simply, “I don’t agree with that. Let’s talk about something else.” And change the subject or say I’ll call back another time. You encourage your mom (maybe even with your Dad!) to get outside and take a walk safely in the sun each day. To exercise if they can. TO watch escapist TV/movies/read books that they enjoy. To try to turn off the radio/TV news more and put on music. Encourage your dod to touch base with a friend from the past…. when he was more clear headed. A phone call … You encourage things one at a time.
After things quiet down in the world, you encourage them both to see their primary care doctors. Unfortunately, this is not a time you will be able to get them involved in new psychiatric care. He will refuse. You hint to his primary care doctor before the next appointment to screen for depression (call ahead of time, ask them to be discrete).
Anon for this
Thank you for this thorough response.
Re: first paragraph — I am not involved, but the process of getting the K-1 has been horrendous (they actually filed it in the wrong state after a number of delays). I’m concerned that his mental state will hurt his ability to manage the business, and I’ll be liable in some way. Want to know what my (and my husband’s) risk is and how to manage it. Does that make sense?
Carrie
Yes, that does make sense. Hopefully others can chime in if they are more familiar with running a small business. If this is a long standing business, do they have an accountant/lawyer that assists that you can touch base with? Or is your Mom more level headed and also involved in managing the company and might be helpful? It is hard for me to tell if this is a one time thing or a pattern of recurring problems. It is very easy to catastrophize right now because of the stress in the world, and on you, but maybe things are going to work out ok after this K-1 issue is cleared up. So try to step back a little and take a breath.
Next time you call your Dad, try to treat him like a Dad for 2 minutes. Ask him a question/for help about something he likes or knows a lot about that has nothing to do with the business or world stressors, and when he is done answering… ask for Mom. Just to try to get in a pattern of having different sorts of conversations. Even if they only last 1 minute. It will leave him with a good feeling about helping you too.
And I realize I missed completing my sentence in my 2nd paragraph…. Time will tell what is going on with your dad (ex. depression/dementia/personality issues etc…). This is an incredible period of stress, so only once it subsides will we know what is really going on.
Good luck! Hang in there. You can do it!
Anon for this
Thank you so much, Carrie.
What is surgery
Philosophical Q: what is surgery?
So much is outpatient these days, where you are numbed but no knocked out, that I honestly thought I knew but now I feel like it is fuzzy. Regular hospital birth: not surgery. Episiotomy? It is cutting. But does not seem like surgery (not removing anything). Colposcopy: can have some cutting, but we don’t call biopsies surgery. I had sinus surgery (surgery! where I was knocked out and stuff was removed). And two other things were I was awake and numbed — I think these were “procedures.”
Hip replacement: surgery
Heart replacement: surgery
C-section: surgery
Wisdom tooth extraction — surgery? or not surgery?
I read a form slowly and feel that it’s murky sometimes. And who do you ask? The desk people honestly don’t know. [I just disclose everything that at least seems to be a procedure.]
Anonymous
You’re massively overthinking
Anonymous
I think overthinking is trending. There is nothing else to do. The mind wanders, either towards coronavirus coverage or down a rabbit hole. I prefer the rabbits.
Vicky Austin
She literally said “philosophical question.”
Anon
I list the following as surgery:
Tubal ligation
Cardiac ablation
I do not list
Wisdom teeth extraction or other dental procedures
Colposcopy
D&Cs (following miscarriages)
Colonoscopies
Biopsies
For me, surgery is where they cut you open and give you General anaesthesia. At least that’s how I count it. It’s up to you, really!
Anonymous
I think “procedure” is the word I used for everything in the latter category (I’m not in medicine).
Anon
But there are lots of surgeries where you aren’t under general. Like some brain surgeries are done while the patient is awake!
Anonymous
Oh, no. I had awake surgery and I could hear the bones creaking inside of my head. Not brain surgery but I guess “head” is really not that different than brain. If they don’t knock me out and do that again, they should strap me to a chair b/c it was hard not to bolt.
Anon
I’m sure you’re not wrong, it’s just how I count it. But I’m also really glad not to have had any brain surgery.
Anonymous
Agreed. I had an ankle repair “surgery” where they cut me open and fixed some stuff and then sewed me shut, but I was under heavy “twilight sedation” (i.e. I was completely out but didn’t have to be intubated with a breathing tube, which I think is the standard for calling something general anesthesia). However, I very much considered that to be major surgery and it took months to recover from. I think anything where you are put to sleep and then some part of you is cut open would be considered surgery.
Anon
I had an attempted cardiac ablation (they couldn’t trigger the abnormal rhythm, it happens) last year and I called it a “procedure” and not “surgery.” I didn’t feel like the 1-inch slice they made in my leg for the catheter was the same as getting “cut open,” which is what I think of when I think of surgery.
Senior Attorney
I don’t think it matters, honestly. Your wisdom tooth extraction is vanishingly unlikely to be relevant to, say, your knee replacement.
anon
words are mere constructs made up by humans who don’t have all the information at any given point, and therefore will never completely, perfectly describe the world around us. That’s one reason language needs to evolve and change. The Allusionist podcast gets into these questions with a lot of humor, I can recommend it!
Anonymous
That’s awesome!
Medicine is funny — there are people who are surgeons. But other documents, like OBs, do their own surgery (like your OB does your c-section, she doesn’t send you to a surgeon). And there are some people who not only do surgery, but only do surgery on a certain part. And I think that plastic surgeons do a lot that isn’t technically surgery.
Our community college has an AA program for surgical technicians and they only seem to work in operating rooms (so I guess hospitals). But Joan Rivers died getting surgery in some place that wasn’t a hospital (maybe a risk factor — have surgery in a place with an ER attached to it!).
Lyssa
Several years ago, I had a simple mole removal, and the office handed me a aftercare instruction paper that said I had had “minor surgery.” So I took from that that anything where they cut skin is at least sort-of surgery. I thought it was sort of funny, too.
I do list my wisdom teeth extraction when I list surgeries. (though I don’t list mole removal!)
Anon
Ha, so funny where our brains go during these troubled times…
Anonymous
When asked for my medical history, specifically surgical history, I always say only wisdom tooth extraction. And I’m always told that that counts. But I was not awake for that– all four impacted, removed by a specialist, stitches, etc.
Anon
Some of this is contextual. I list wisdom teeth – I had them out at a hospital under general anesthesia. I list D&C because I had complications and it is relevant to my subsequent gynecological history – not the case for everyone.
Anonymous
Can anyone comment on the quality of the SodaStream carbonated water? For reference, I am a huge fan of Pellegrino–the flavor is fresh and neutral, the level of carbonation is just right, and the bubbles are nice and small. I don’t like other brands nearly so much. In theory I like the idea of SodaStream, but it just sounds too good to be true. Does it really taste good?
anon
You have some control over how bubbly it gets, but the taste may have something to do with how your tap water tastes at home. We love it, but we also enjoy the normal tap water.
Just a rant
So, it’s not going to taste like San Pelligrino (which I also love) unless your water has the same minerals in it, which is doubtful. I personally don’t find the flavor as good, so I mostly put some small amount of flavor in it, like a little lemon juice or some bitters.
Anon
I wonder if you could put those minerals you add to coffee water in it for a similar effect. I can’t remember what it’s called, but they’re little packets you add to distilled water.
Anonymous
If someone does remember what these are called, I’m intrigued!
Anon
https://thirdwavewater.com/
sodastream taste
I, on the other hand, dislike San Pellegrino because it tastes too salty and not bubbly enough. You can control the bubbles on the SodaStream, so we make our water extra spicy. We use filtered water so it doesn’t have a taste as much as a texture. DH also figured out how to refill our own little 20 oz bottles vs. buying the disposable things or taking them to get refilled every time. There’s a proprietary threading mechanism where the tank connects, but you can buy an adapter. So, we have a 20 lb. CO2 tank in our garage and we just fill up the SodaStream bottles ourselves. It’s much cheaper and on-demand, he found a tutorial on Reddit that has all the set-up info if you’re into that sort of DIY hacking.
dpmitten
My husband was spending a small fortune on pelligrino but didn’t like the soda stream taste. We figured out if you run the tap water through the brita before making the soda stream water, it makes a huge difference. Haven’t bought pelligrino in months.
Anonymous
You will be very sad if you try to compare SodaStream with Pellegrino or other bottled brands. It’s like the DIY version of creme brulee substitutes unless you’re a genius cook. That being said, you can control the level of carbonation preference, and I get a relief from having to throw out so many plastic and glass bottles, which even in a great recycling city like NYC, some will undoubtedly get landfilled. I don’t use their flavorings, but it does taste pretty good with those limes and lemons, even oranges.
Just a rant
Ahhhhhh I am so bad at working from home, I can’t focus AT ALL.
Anonymous
Solidarity.
Anonymous
At least my office was messy but clean. The apartment needs a good scrub and a dusting. Resisting the urge to Marie Kondo.
Anon
I haven’t Marie Kondoed but the roomba has been getting a hell of a workout.
Anon
I’m usually extremely tidy but because I live alone and I’m quarantined I’m just like “Whatever, I’ll stew in my own filth.”
CountC
I can’t say I am extremely tidy, but I generally keep things in order, but I am clearly embracing my inner slob and I don’t feel badly about it.
Anon
I just did my expense report, which is my very least favorite office task. I think I deserve at least a parade now, maybe a commemorative coin.
Senior Attorney
I agree! Here you go! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpKiuVVXXeA
Anon
Thank you! I really loved my parade!!
Curious
Thank you! I really loved my parade!!
Anonymous
SAAAAAAMMMEEEEEEE
Leatty
I’m normally really productive when I work from home, but I just can’t focus this week. I’m so over it.
No Longer Anon
Same. I was pretty productive during week 1, somewhat less so during week 2, not very much during week 3, and now that I’m entering week 4,”productive” is a word that is not in my vocabulary.
The most productive thing I’ve done today was re-organize the cords under my desk so I stopped catching my foot on them. Binder clips for the win.
Monte
Stain removal help: I have a somewhat old stain on a dusty rose-colored viscose top that I cannot get out. The stain is brown and near the neckline, so I imagine it is foundation. I have tried an Oxyclean stain remover to no avail. This shirt was in my pile of stuff to take to the dry cleaners for ages, but alas, that ship has sailed. If I cannot wear the shirt again, I will be sad (I’ve only worn it a handful of times) but not heartbroken, but I figure I would give it one more shot.
Man, this WFH is a trip — I have spent more time thinking about laundry in the two weeks than in the previous 2 years!
Anonymous
This shirt is trash throw it out and get back to work.
Anon
Dawn! The original blue kind. It is great for stains.
Anon
+1 to dawn. I just checked my Jolie Kerr book for you and she recommends a wet clean washcloth made sudsy with dish soap and blotting. But this is probably for when the stain is wet and fresh.
I’d probably let the dawn soak in directly on the spot and wash the top. Sometimes for oily stains like food drips I have to do the dawn treatment twice. Don’t run your top through the dryer until you’re sure the stain is gone. The dryer will “set” the stain. Hang it or lay it flat to dry.
Jolie Kerr also says solvents like Shout, Lestoil, or Pine-Sol work well as a spot treatment before laundering for heavily oil-based makeup like lipstick or mascara.
Anon
I love this stuff and have been amazed by what it can get out. There’s also a sister formula in a spray bottle that I use for bigger/less serious stains.
https://www.amazon.com/Grandmas-Secret-GSSR1001-Remover-2-Ounce/dp/B0021JD2S0
Anonymous
I have success with Shout or something similar on makeup stains. Good luck!
Anon
Like the posters above, I’ve heard Dawn really works. I will also say for grease-based stains, I have used mint oil (which, the smell is A LOT to handle) but it does dissolve grease stains – I just rinse in a water cycle after to get the minty smell out.
Monte
Thanks all — I have some Dawn soaking in as we speak!
Jane
Any healthy-ish dessert recipes that are fun and easy and keeping you afloat? Bonus points if it uses chocolate chips (looking at the Costco size bag my husband brought to stock up on “essentials” this week!).
cat socks
Skinnytaste has some muffin recipes using chocolate chips. The Chocolate Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins are pretty good.
Anonymous
+ 1 – we love those. I never make the frosting.
Anonymous
I eat them while trying to melt them into interesting shapes with metal cookie cutters. And on Friday I’m going to see what happens if you add bourbon.
anon
you may want to read up a little on adding alcohol to chocolate – adding a liquid to chocolate can cause it to seize and turn into a probably delicious but very unappetizing looking mess. I want you have alcohol laced chocolate success! I hope it’s great :)
https://www.quora.com/Why-cant-you-add-alcohol-to-melted-chocolate
Anon
If you have the new Joy of Cooking (or maybe the old one, I’m not sure) the Olive Oil cake is bomb. It doesn’t have chocolate chips, but olive oil is a healthy fat, right?
(I added the slivered almond topping before baking from the Blitzkuchen cake on the opposite page and omg it’s so good)
Anon
Sally’s Baking Addiction has a great pumpkin chocolate chip muffin recipe. Not low cal or low sugar, but pumpkin is good for you.
Pumpkin brownies
There’s a recipe on organizeyourselfskinny dot com for double chocolate pumpkin brownies. It requires a can of canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) and chocolate chips. The brownies are really satisfying and filling.
Shanana
peanut butter oat bars with chocolate chips. the pin site is full of ideas, but I used to make one that was literally just honey, peanut butter, oatmeal and chocolate chips. No bake even. There are of course fancier baked versions.
Anon for this
WWYD? I have had a mildly annoyed stomach for a few days and today am having some… GI issues. My appetite is below normal. I have none of the “typical” coronavirus symptoms (fever, cough, lung pain) but Dr Google tells me that these symptoms could be more common than publicity would have us all think. I called my dr’s office and described this and am waiting to see if I’ll be given a test. If I’m declined, how would you proceed? I guess just wait and see, right? (Am already staying home other than for groceries and walks at a safe distance… should I not leave at all?)
Anon
I had 2/3 of the classic Coronavirus symptoms and my doctor told me I wouldn’t be tested unless I was so sick I had to go to the ER (or unless I had traveled to China, Italy, Korea, or Japan, or unless I had contact with a diagnosed COVID-19 patient). She advised to self-quarantine and drink lots of liquids.
I was frustrated at the time because if we don’t test we will never know who had or has it, but I am finally starting to feel better so I guess staying home and self treating was the right thing to do.
Anon
To answer your specific question, it would protect everyone more if you could figure out how to get groceries delivered while you’re sick, and I would suspend the walks if you’re coughing.
Anonattorney
Same. There was no way I was going to get a test unless I was sick enough to be admitted. My doc said they simply weren’t available. I’m waiting for the serological test that will tell us if we already had it.
Anon
+1 My colleague has it but because his case is mild and he’s mid-30s and healthy, they said they couldn’t spare a test to test him. They told him to go home and use regular OTC meds. (I have no idea how health orgs are accounting for what is no doubt thousands of cases like his…I guess they’re not.)
I’m fairly certain that a fever is required for it to be the virus, so I think whatever you have is something else. I would definitely just wait and see.
Anon
Only like 85% of people have a fever. I’ve had very close contact with a confirmed case, and generally feel fine except for a lack of appetite, a mild headache for like six days in a row, and a very mild cough. I figure there’s greater than 50% chance that I have it, so I’m just assuming I do and proceeding accordingly by staying completely at home.
Anon
I’m the 2/3 symptoms above and I never had a fever, or at least one I could measure. It could be that my thermometer is no good.
I had:
Body aches
Chills
Headache
General flu like symptoms
A slightly sore throat
Developed a nasty cough a couple of days later that has still not gone away.
I did not have fever or shortness of breath.
Why I think I had it: what else could it have been?
Why I think I didn’t have it: my husband and kids didn’t get sick, and though we practiced isolation for a few days (but only after I felt sick), we were still in the same house. From what I read, it is so contagious either my family got it and were asymptomatic, or I had something less contagious than COVID-19
I hope governor Cuomo is right that we’ll have antibody testing soon.
Anon
I’m curious why you think it’s COVID-19 and not a normal cold. I’m asking because I’m freaking out myself, not because I’m being argumentative.
Ever twinge I have or every time I cough I wonder if it’s COVID-19. I’ve been taking my temperature a couple times a day lately and have not had anything approaching a fever.
Anon
Because I’ve had very close contact with someone with a confirmed case of covid. Everything i’ve seen suggests that it’s highly contagious, so it seems highly unlikely I wouldn’t have caught it from him
anon a mouse
You might contact your local health department for guidance. Ours says close contact with a confirmed case + symptoms will get you a test. (Assuming they have tests to give.)
Anonymous
The fever part confuses me since my body temperature is all over the place because of other health conditions. I can tell when I’m feverish, but the thermometer doesn’t necessarily back me up (and sometimes I test within the fever range on a thermometer when I an completely asymptomatic). I’m also short of breath at all times. I’m just staying in isolation and assuming I haven’t caught anything as a result. I guess I’ll reassess if I start coughing!
Anon
Can you smell/taste? I think GI symptoms can be an early COVID-19 indicator but it quickly progresses to fever or cough and doesn’t stay as just GI stuff.
Anon for this
Yes I can – both. I’m very much hoping this is just a GI bug as it started with a mildly upset stomach Sun-Mon and then stomach-intestines Tues-today… honestly the uncertainty is the worst part! If these symptoms abate without the onset of the “classic” symptoms then I’ll assume I didn’t have it.
Anonymous
Personally, I would not get tested and I would continue to act as if I had been exposed and am carrying it, which is what I am already doing. I am someone who believes that those of us who experience minor symptons should allow the tests to be saved for those who are very ill and health care providers/first responders, etc.
Anonymous
This. I am resigned to never knowing unless I get so ill that I will be at the ER and it will be abundantly clear. It’s like not having access to a pregnancy test: sooner or later you will know. I’m awful at waiting; glad that work is busy.
anon
+1 also if you do have it, going to get tested potentially exposes more people. If you don’t need treatment, I’m not sure what the test actually does for you but could expose someone else who could get way sicker than you.
Anon for this
It’s the uncertainty that is annoying me. In general I am a person who would way prefer getting bad news to wondering if I’ll be getting bad news. Also, with a positive test I would be extra cautious about sanitizing our home, drinking tons of water, being prepared even more than I am with OTC treatments, etc – I don’t want to stock up and deprive people if I don’t actually have it. Here’s hoping!
Panda Bear
Right – wait and see, take good care of yourself, send someone else for groceries if you can (or eat what you have), and fingers crossed – you will get better soon! I had flu-like symptoms a couple weeks ago and was paranoid about COVID-19 but thankfully got well pretty quickly. Not saying you shouldn’t worry/pay attention to your needs (and escalate care as needed), but I’m sending you positive thoughts that you’ll be able to sit tight and get better.
Anonymous
You shouldn’t be given a test. Treat your symptoms, wash your hands, and carry on.
Anon for this
OP here. Thanks for the replies all. To answer some Qs:
– I can smell and taste just fine. Just low appetite (helpful in avoiding the quarantine fifteen, but unusual for me), and odd-feeling stomach and diarrhea.
– More tired than usual but not the kind of fatigue that means I can’t walk around my house.
– No cough (other than an occasional mucous cough because pollen).
– Occasional chills but I’ve been monitoring my temperature and it’s been consistently between 97.5 and 98.1, normal range for me.
– A slightly tight feeling in my chest – not short of breath, more just feeling a bit constricted – that could very well be coronanxiety.
I got a call back from the dr. They were very nice in telling me that it’s pretty clear I have A virus, but low risk for C-virus, given no recent travel to hotspots or known contact with positive patients. They were also thoughtful and nice about discussing the information circulating about these symptoms as scary, but that I did the right thing to cut myself off from Dr Google and call the actual dr.
Recommendation – sit tight, stay hydrated (this is also helpful in preventing pneumonia should I turn out to have C-virus, I was told), and eat bananas, rice, applesauce, and white toast to mitigate the symptoms without stopping things altogether. Do not take Imodium or similar as better to allow the virus to get itself OUT. (My mom had always given me bananas for this – I had no idea it was medical advice!)
I’ll be sending DH out for the bananas – no one needs someone w/ diarrhea in the produce area of a grocery store! – but will take walks outside by ourselves as no cough.
Z
Ya know what – I’ve had chills for the last couple days but no fever. Really didn’t know that could be a thing and thought it was in my head. Thank you for confirming I’m not going crazy.
Anon for this
That is why I’ve been checking my temperature – because it feels like a fever chill (random out of nowhere) but then… no fever. Even if my thermometer is old and reading low, I’m only up and down like half a degree over the course of a day! Bizarre.
Anonymous
I’ve been checking my temperature every day (sometimes more) and never has it gone above 98.8. Definitely feels like fever chills, though.
I had a headache too yesterday and was pretty tired. I even took a mid-day nap and I am not a nap person.
pink
thanks for posting. i don’t have the GI problems or a fever, but have similar mild headaches and nasal congestion and slight sore throat from post nasal drip (and it’s allergy season!) so am super scared, but think coronanxiety is a real thing…
just responding in solidarity
Carrie
FYI – Are you guys familiar with the Iceland coronavirus study that just came out today?
Iceland just tested a big chunk of their population…. not just people coming from China with symptoms or who are in the hospital with pneumonia … but a broader swath of people. 3.4% of their entire population. And HALF of the people who tested positive had NO SYMPTOMS. The other half general had moderate cold-like symptoms.
So my friends…. you need to really treat EVERYONE as if they likely have the virus. If you really don’t want to get it, you need to really isolate yourself, and realize that these days you are exposing yourself shopping, no doubt. The good news is that most of us will be just fine after we get it. But the bad news is that there are thousands of us…. and soon millions… who will be infected and many (most?) of us will not even know it. And we will be spreading it everywhere if we are not careful…. including to the elderly, immunocompromised, and those with other co-morbidities that put them at risk.
So if you are sick AT ALL… just assume you have it, isolate yourself for 2 weeks… and the good news is that you will probably be immune at that point. Soon we will have a test that will determine who has been exposed and is now immune.
At it is truly a tragedy that Trump’s promise to get us more tests was hot air, and we are not testing enough people…. as many people as possible…. all contacts…. all with any symptoms…. all possible exposures… all health care workers…. everyone. NYC just breaks my heart right now.
And fever is not a necessary symptom. Most will get a fever, especially if they get so sick they are hospitalized, but many severe cases had shortness of breath/cough without fever, especially initially.
Anonymous
If you’re not eating well and drinking a lot more coffee than usual on an empty stomach, as well as not sleeping, it sounds like how I feel when I have a mild ulcer thing. Clearly, I’m no doctor, but the point is, it doesn’t sound serious. Have you tried eating balanced meals and keeping hydrated?
Thanks, it has pockets!
Is it weird that I’m actually kinda digging this “me time”? There are certainly activities I miss and people I miss being able to hang out with, but now this one friendgroup is planning virtual/digital hangouts multiple times a week and I actually don’t always want to partake. Sometimes it feels like my coworkers are planning too many Zoom hangouts and happy hours, and again, I find myself wanting to opt out of them sometimes. Does that make me an asocial jerk?
Anonymous
If so, I’m with you! But it is probably pretty normal to only attend or want to attend some hangouts and happy hours vs. literally all of them? I wouldn’t have a perfect social attendance rate in normal circumstances either.
Anon
I’m with you. I enjoy seeing my friends, but there are definitely annoyances about the online happy hour that make me not want to do it too much. The problem I foresee is as more are suggested, unlike real life where you can say you are busy it’s harder to do that when we all know we’re sheltered in place!
Housecounsel
I am at the edge of my patience with my husband. I have to work in silence. I can’t listen to music or podcasts or anything. I am in my second floor office and he is one floor down . . . with the news on, 24/7. I can hear the background noise even if I have the door closed. Cuomo. Trump. Random talking heads. Talking, talking, talking, same thing, over and over again. We have a finished basement with a TV. I finally asked him nicely – it took every effort not to scream because how is it not obvious that you are annoying me and the girls trying to do their schoolwork – to go down there and he got all offended. Just a vent. I acknowledge it is a first-world vent and I am lucky in so many ways.
No Longer Anon
Noise canceling headphones might drown out some of the background noise? I got some Taotronics ANC headphones because I did not want to spend $250 on Bose and have been really happy with them.
No Longer Anon
But also, this is why I’m not going back to my parents’ house even though I live alone and am high-risk in an area with a ton of cases. My dad LOVES blasting blues music from Alexa, chatting, and just constantly making noise of some sort and it makes me want to scream.
Cat
Either noise canceling headphones for you (if you’re in the mood for a treat due to lower spending in other areas, the Airpods Pro are great for this….) or can he listen to the TV using headphones? (Agree that he should be more considerate but some people do like background noise to focus…)
Monday
I think if he’s the only person in the house who wants this background sound, he should be the one to use headphones.
Vicky Austin
+1, in fact, having been in this situation, this is my Golden Rule.
Anon
Ugh. I’m high-risk and I’ve developed a very low fever this morning (like, 99.3). Nothing else going on and a low fever isn’t unheard of for me even when I’m not sick. But I’m definitely anxious.
Anon
Not to be alarmist, but you’re almost certainly going to get it sooner or later. Social distancing and “flatten the curve” isn’t about preventing a huge number of infections, it’s about stretching out those infections over a longer period of time so hospitals aren’t overwhelmed.
Anon
I know. My doctor said I’ll probably get it (he thinks that probably everyone with my particular chronic illness will because our lungs suck at being lungs). I’m in pretty good health, but it will definitely be tough. I’m hoping this doesn’t turn into actually getting sick, but we’ll see.
Anonymous
Sending you healthy thoughts! Feel better!
kk
II received a bite beauty matte lip crayon in glace as a sephora bonus a while ago- it’s a little gray on me in person but it turns out it’s the best on-camera zoom lip color for me! Just a heads up to turn on your camera and try out different makeup than usual- a little more contrast and darker eyebrows and lips than usual are making a huge difference.
LaurenB
I have to ask a question. I worked from home for many years and I can count the # of times where an online meeting required video on one hand. Why is everyone doing Zoom when you can just dial in to a central conference line? Is it THAT important to see others in most circumstances? And in these crazy times, do people REALLY care what others are wearing / looking like in their Zoom conferences? I’ve been in several Zoom meetings for various organizations, we’re all in sweats and not exactly done up, and no one cares.
AZCPA
I think it depends on office culture – at mine, video conferencing (cameras on) was a way of life way before we were all sent home this month. So we’re also video on while at home.
Makeup/hair isn’t a necessity, but I do find myself feelings little self-conscious if I do nothing before a call, so YMMV.
Anonymous
I don’t make enough money to file income taxes. Do I still get a stimulus check?
From CNN
“Once the stimulus measure is passed by the House and signed into law, distributions would come via the IRS, which would use 2019 taxpayer forms to determine how much a person’s check should be and where it should be sent. If 2019 taxes have yet to be filed, the IRS would use information from taxpayers’ 2018 forms.
So if you haven’t filed taxes yet for one of those years, now is a good time.”
More generally, if you’ve been earning income, you might want to look into filing for the EITC! (https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/filing/credits/eitc-requirements/)
Anonymous
I believe so. I’m temporarily in this situation too, and if you go to the IRS website, there’s a portal where you can fill out the equivalent of a tax filing to get the stimulus check.
Larry Tolle
I don’t make enough money to file income. Do I still get a stimulus check?
Vicky Austin
PSA if you are bored/have bored kids and are at your last resort, there’s such a thing as Where on Google Earth is Carmen Sandiego. Apologies for the hellish link! (It’s also just googleable.)
https://earth.google.com/web/@17.90693717,-12.41937117,-34606.6327455a,57359668.97d,35y,0.00004064h,18.19296234t,0r/data=CjwSOhIgYmU3N2ZmYzU0MTc1MTFlOGFlOGZkMzdkYTU5MmE0MmEiFnNwbC14LXgteC1zcGxhc2hzY3JlZW4