COVID-19 updates and discussion

Donna White85 said:Honestly, you guys are getting on everyone's last nerve with this constant preaching about how every single person needs Vitamin D... it's seriously driving me crazy.

If someone actually thinks they're deficient, they should just get a blood test first and then take whatever they need based on the results.

If people acted like this on a health forum, they'd be kicked out immediately.

Nobody is preaching anything. I have every right to take whatever I want, whenever I want, and there’s no reason I shouldn't be able to write about it. Here in Germany, you can just pick up Vitamin D at a shop like Walmart with a standard 2000 IU dose. A bottle of 45 capsules is like three or four bucks.
The world works differently elsewhere, and people are constantly learning new things.
By all means, don't go out in the sun and don't take vitamins, for heaven's sake.

I guess I should just let people tell me exactly what to write so everyone stays happy. I don't get why you guys keep trying to push people around from thread to thread. Besides, I haven't seen anything useful written here anyway. If we're communicating, and some of us are talking, and you don't like it, why should anyone be punished? Has this forum turned into a private chatroom or something? Maybe I missed an announcement. I wasn't even addressing everyone, just one specific person.

restlesscanyon52 said:Can someone please make it make sense for me? Like, why is everyone else all over the globe wearing masks in places where the virus is ripping through, yet here in the States, we’re being told they’re basically useless? It's such a head-scratcher—on one hand, they claim it spreads through droplets and can drift out as far as fifteen feet, right? But then the story changes to say masks aren't even there to protect the healthy folks, just to stop the sick ones from spreading the junk to everyone else. Makes zero sense to me.

Up until now, the only people you'd actually see masking up around town were the folks whose immune systems were already trashed—you know, people waiting on surgery or some intense treatment who couldn't afford to catch even a tiny little sniffle.

I just finished driving 31 miles around the southern part of Denmark and didn't spot a single person in a mask. Life is carrying on as usual; you've got Frenchmen and Swissmen coming in for shopping trips and rounds of golf. Nothing out of the ordinary, though the French guys probably cleared out the shelves, since the store just down the road from their usual haunt is fully stocked.
I was at a get-together today and everyone was just socializing normally. Not a single sick person or anyone coughing in sight.

Around here, everyone’s just jumping to conclusions. Any little symptom that looks even remotely like the coronavirus gets slapped with a COVID label immediately. If you have a tiny cough? COVID. If you sneeze once? Definitely COVID. They're basically diagnosing people without even bothering with an actual test 🤦

Word on the street is that by tomorrow, the official count could spike to half a million cases based on these new numbers 🤦

Who are they actually trying to fool here?...

I’ve been browsing online, and apparently, the last time we had a declared pandemic was back in 2009 with the swine flu. Hundreds of thousands died, and millions were infected. During those first few weeks or months, mortality rates were sitting at 7%... until, of course, they adjusted the data to include all cases and accounted for all those people who flew under the radar because their symptoms were too mild. Then suddenly, the mortality rate dropped to under 0.1%.

How many coronavirus cases have gone completely unnoticed? Probably hundreds right here in the States. Take these twins, for instance—they were among the first cases reported in the US. According to the media, they barely have any symptoms. Just a slight fever and a cough... at this rate, half the country could be walking around with it.

What actually fascinates me is how much bigger the mess was in 2009 based on those numbers. I don't recall seeing nearly this level of panic. Now, we're shutting down schools, canceling sports, closing restaurants, putting entire states or cities under quarantine... you name it. It’s not like I was a kid back in 2009, so I didn't experience it firsthand, but still...

Look, I’m over 50, so I’ve seen my fair share of pandemics come and go. But nothing has ever flipped the world upside down quite like this one. In my opinion, the media bears the brunt of the blame here. It's a weird cycle—the more you try to play it safe, the more your mental health takes a hit, and honestly, you end up being less careful anyway because you're just burnt out.

Sure, you can try to lock people down for a day or so, but trying to hold the leash for a month? Forget about it. You can throw around threats of fines all you want, but once you've got millions of people flooding the streets, you've lost control.

I’ve got a nagging feeling that certain global media outlets were basically paid to crank this hysteria up to eleven. And the kicker? The same folks pulling the strings probably have a different agenda entirely: engineering a recession.

If they don't declare a recession by next Wednesday, I don't know when they'll pull the trigger. The market is, to put it mildly, absolutely cratering.

I honestly feel it’s only fair that we finally get some granular data on how this illness actually presents itself in people.
And while we're at it, I think it would be helpful if someone could clearly explain why wearing a face mask isn't being treated as an effective defense over in Hong Kong.

Alex Long8 said:I’ve been browsing online, and apparently, the last time we had a declared pandemic was back in 2009 with the swine flu. Hundreds of thousands died, and millions were infected. During those first few weeks or months, mortality rates were sitting at 7%... until, of course, they adjusted the data to include all cases and accounted for all those people who flew under the radar because their symptoms were too mild. Then suddenly, the mortality rate dropped to under 0.1%.

How many coronavirus cases have gone completely unnoticed? Probably hundreds right here in the States. Take these twins, for instance—they were among the first cases reported in the US. According to the media, they barely have any symptoms. Just a slight fever and a cough... at this rate, half the country could be walking around with it.

What actually fascinates me is how much bigger the mess was in 2009 based on those numbers. I don't recall seeing nearly this level of panic. Now, we're shutting down schools, canceling sports, closing restaurants, putting entire states or cities under quarantine... you name it. It’s not like I was a kid back in 2009, so I didn't experience it firsthand, but still...

Maybe my explanation sounds stupid, but I think it's the truth.
Back in 2009, realistically, not even 20% of people had "smartphones" glued to their hands 24/7.
A decade later, 98% of people have one of those things and they're staring at them all day long, scrolling through news, Facebook, Instagram... everything is just pumped up. Everywhere you click, it's coronavirus. You click on sports, boom, coronavirus. You click on entertainment, boom, coronavirus. You click on Pornhub, boom, coronavirus... you get what I'm saying.
The media influence is massive, and honestly, it's mostly because everyone is constantly blinded by their phones...

If this exact same situation happened in 2009, you and I would've just read a couple of headlines in the paper or seen it on the nightly news, chatted about it over coffee, and forgotten it a week later. But now, everything is amplified, sped up, imaginary...

casualbadger22 said:Nobody is preaching anything. I have every right to take whatever I want, whenever I want, and there’s no reason I shouldn't be able to write about it. Here in Germany, you can just pick up Vitamin D at a shop like Walmart with a standard 2000 IU dose. A bottle of 45 capsules is like three or four bucks.
The world works differently elsewhere, and people are constantly learning new things.
By all means, don't go out in the sun and don't take vitamins, for heaven's sake.

I guess I should just let people tell me exactly what to write so everyone stays happy. I don't get why you guys keep trying to push people around from thread to thread. Besides, I haven't seen anything useful written here anyway. If we're communicating, and some of us are talking, and you don't like it, why should anyone be punished? Has this forum turned into a private chatroom or something? Maybe I missed an announcement. I wasn't even addressing everyone, just one specific person.

Oh my gosh, goodness gracious, now I'm actually getting scared☕

Even back home in the States, you can buy Vitamin D just like any other supplement. There’s nothing wrong with it if you're smart about how you take it—it's not like some random person on the internet gave you a diagnosis and decided you definitely need it.

If you take too many vitamins, you can easily pee the extra out. Though, it’s a double-edged sword since vitamins A, D, and E are fat-soluble, so excess gets stored in your body, which isn't exactly fun. It's kind of like iron—you wouldn't just tell everyone to start taking iron on their own whim.

There's a huge difference between recommending Vitamin D because lab tests proved you're deficient, and just saying "hey, read this article, this could be great!"

But look, sorry, we aren't the center of the universe. We have no clue... Germany is just 🙏

Donna White85 said:Oh my gosh, goodness gracious, now I'm actually getting scared☕

Even back home in the States, you can buy Vitamin D just like any other supplement. There’s nothing wrong with it if you're smart about how you take it—it's not like some random person on the internet gave you a diagnosis and decided you definitely need it.

If you take too many vitamins, you can easily pee the extra out. Though, it’s a double-edged sword since vitamins A, D, and E are fat-soluble, so excess gets stored in your body, which isn't exactly fun. It's kind of like iron—you wouldn't just tell everyone to start taking iron on their own whim.

There's a huge difference between recommending Vitamin D because lab tests proved you're deficient, and just saying "hey, read this article, this could be great!"

But look, sorry, we aren't the center of the universe. We have no clue... Germany is just 🙏

...and what about eating more fruits and veggies?? Sure, you'll pee out the extra vitamins, but your body actually absorbs nutrients from whole foods way better than from a pill. Supplements have their place, obviously, but real produce is king.

If you stick to nothing but greasy fast food, sugary snacks, and heavy meats or constant BBQs, you're going to struggle. Eating those things isn't a crime, but, you know, moderation is key.

Check out the contrast between Sweden and Denmark. In Sweden, life is pretty much business as usual—people are heading out, socializing, schools are open, the whole nine yards. But Denmark? It feels like they're under martial law. Everything is shuttered, and now they’re even closing the borders to foreigners at noon. Honestly, panic is a worse pandemic than the actual virus.

electricsurfer47 said:...and what about eating more fruits and veggies?? Sure, you'll pee out the extra vitamins, but your body actually absorbs nutrients from whole foods way better than from a pill. Supplements have their place, obviously, but real produce is king.

If you stick to nothing but greasy fast food, sugary snacks, and heavy meats or constant BBQs, you're going to struggle. Eating those things isn't a crime, but, you know, moderation is key.

You really should aim for five servings of fruits and vegetables every single day.

Fat-soluble vitamins—you know, A, D, and E—don't just get flushed out of your system.

The thing is, having way too much of them can actually be just as bad as not having enough.

electricsurfer47 said:...and what about eating more fruits and veggies?? Sure, you'll pee out the extra vitamins, but your body actually absorbs nutrients from whole foods way better than from a pill. Supplements have their place, obviously, but real produce is king.

If you stick to nothing but greasy fast food, sugary snacks, and heavy meats or constant BBQs, you're going to struggle. Eating those things isn't a crime, but, you know, moderation is key.

Wait, are you actually lecturing me? Like, did I ever say I was against fruit and veg or something?

Rachel Allen55 said:Check out the contrast between Sweden and Denmark. In Sweden, life is pretty much business as usual—people are heading out, socializing, schools are open, the whole nine yards. But Denmark? It feels like they're under martial law. Everything is shuttered, and now they’re even closing the borders to foreigners at noon. Honestly, panic is a worse pandemic than the actual virus.

You really should aim for five servings of fruits and vegetables every single day.

We have to contain the spread. Personally, I think the approach in countries like Denmark makes more sense. Sweden is just being too laid back. This isn't SARS or Ebola, sure, but it's definitely not just some common cold either.
That "panic" is going to catch up with Sweden eventually, right when their healthcare system is buckling under the weight of too many infections...

Melissa Sanchez8 said:We have to contain the spread. Personally, I think the approach in countries like Denmark makes more sense. Sweden is just being too laid back. This isn't SARS or Ebola, sure, but it's definitely not just some common cold either.
That "panic" is going to catch up with Sweden eventually, right when their healthcare system is buckling under the weight of too many infections...

Closing the borders has triggered total internal chaos within the administration and all the other political parties.

The health officials even stepped up and said they didn't recommend closing the borders at all, calling it a purely political move. They're even pointing out that it won't do anything unless you're talking about an island.

Germany has already weighed in, making it clear they won't let the border mess affect their own party's interests—they're saying if things get desperate, they'll just shut down all freight traffic heading toward Denmark.

Then you've got the United Kingdom, for some reason, demanding that Denmark actually prove that closing the borders does anything. Sweden and Norway are also leaning on Denmark hard.

The whole system is falling apart. Literally.

Melissa Sanchez8 said:We have to contain the spread. Personally, I think the approach in countries like Denmark makes more sense. Sweden is just being too laid back. This isn't SARS or Ebola, sure, but it's definitely not just some common cold either.
That "panic" is going to catch up with Sweden eventually, right when their healthcare system is buckling under the weight of too many infections...

They're already on their knees, honestly... they're just hiding it. It's all because of those ultra-liberal, multicultural vibes they push. It’s gonna lead them straight to a civil war within five years tops.

And you won't see a massive spike in cases in Sweden because the government will just sweep everything under the rug... just like they lie about violence and anything else that might mess with their precious national image. Disgusting...

Yep. Sweden is on its knees while we're sitting right at the top of the food chain. Honestly, it’s no wonder things are such a mess for us right now.

Harold Baker67 said:I honestly feel it’s only fair that we finally get some granular data on how this illness actually presents itself in people.
And while we're at it, I think it would be helpful if someone could clearly explain why wearing a face mask isn't being treated as an effective defense over in Hong Kong.

Do you follow the IRS website?...

There are different types of protective masks out there. The ones with straps are really intended for medical professionals who have been trained to use them properly while treating patients...

Surgical masks aren't really there to protect you... they're meant to protect everyone else from you, if you happen to be contagious...

Thomas Cook said:Yep. Sweden is on its knees while we're sitting right at the top of the food chain. Honestly, it’s no wonder things are such a mess for us right now.

The whole world is in a coma, totally unprepared... 😁

Five years ago...

Only Mexico is prepared... 😁 The most effective way to handle this: if you deny the virus exists, then it doesn't...

I mean, when people from high-infection areas have been moving through this country unchecked for weeks—and they’re still coming in without any isolation requirements—it makes me wonder if anyone is actually being tested. And the best solution our health officials can come up with is just... "Go stay in the countryside"... 😁I believe there could be an honorable example set here on how to handle such a complex epidemiological situation... 🙄

Exactly. Just deny everything and force a positive spin.

I’ve been taking Imunosal tablets once a day for about 45 days now, just on my own initiative without any formal guidance... I didn't bother getting blood work done beforehand, and honestly, my doctor told me there was no point in adding extra supplements since this stuff already packs enough Vitamin D and all the other essentials needed to bolster the immune system. But I can't help but wonder if it’s actually doing anything at all. I don't feel any different, no noticeable boost or shift in my overall health, even though I've finished my first bottle and am moving straight onto the second one...

I honestly can’t wrap my head around whether people driving in from Austria or Germany are actually required to sit through 15 days of self-isolation once they hit the States.
Yesterday and today, I noticed a massive influx of cars with out-of-state plates over at the Target parking lot—looks like everyone is hitting the road for the weekend.
It makes me wonder, though... who is actually out there policing these people to make sure they’re following the rules and staying in self-isolation?