Search found 1564 matches

by fru-gal
Wed Apr 22, 2020 7:29 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

Oximeter should be an essential tool in every household, along with these: - thermometer (preferably, ONE per household member, so that in case each get sick, you don't re-use; plus an extra), - blood pressure monitor, - oximeter, - glucose monitor, - a fairly robust medicine cabinet, - UVC sanitizer box, - a selection of disinfecting products (70% ethyl spray, clorox wipes, lysol spray, clorox spray, combination of different chemicals. chlorine works best, but benzalkonium chloride needed too as chlorine too hard and can discolor), - masks, - gloves. I have not found a reliable thermometer. My doctor says she has not found a reliable one for home use and goes by the symptoms family members present. I have two Vicks one, different models, ...
by fru-gal
Wed Apr 22, 2020 7:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: will covid 19 destroy senior campuses
Replies: 52
Views: 5467

Re: will covid 19 destroy senior campuses

cheese_breath wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 10:44 pm
sarahjane wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 9:41 pm Covid 19 has called into question retirement communal living. Can it survive?
More people die of the flu that of Covid (so far). The reason we're so scared of it is because we don't have a vaccine or cure yet. Once those are developed I doubt we'll give it any more concern than we give the flu.
Sigh. Take a look at the horrible deaths coronavirus victims suffer, not to mention the survivors with brain damage, lung damage, etc.

Why do I even reply to these flu people, it's just a knee jerk reaction. I will try not to in the future.
by fru-gal
Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Growing Fruit and Vegetables
Replies: 30
Views: 2447

Re: Growing Fruit and Vegetables

TheGreyingDuke wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:09 am Lots of good suggestions here...

1) Grow what you like
2) Avoid varieties that take a lot of space for the output, you don't have much space. This would include corn, cukes, winter squash.
I grow cucumbers in tomato cages. They really don't take much room.
by fru-gal
Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I Got Scammed To Send Amazon Gift Cards
Replies: 139
Views: 14976

Re: I Got Scammed To Send Amazon Gift Cards

You can chat with amazon. When the chat bot starts just type agent. You may have to wait for a human for some time.

Why would your neighbor ask you to send money?
by fru-gal
Mon Apr 20, 2020 6:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Growing Fruit and Vegetables
Replies: 30
Views: 2447

Re: Growing Fruit and Vegetables

Cucumbers are easy. I plant Divas. You have to check them like a hawk, however. I can be sure I've picked all of the ripe ones one day and the next day I find a giant overripe yellow one.

Mint is very invasive. Plus seedlings pop up everywhere for years.
by fru-gal
Mon Apr 20, 2020 1:21 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

Someone upstream was saying the healthcare system hadn't collapsed: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/us/coronavirus-live-news.html "The coronavirus may be killing people who are not even infected, by depriving them of desperately needed treatment, said Dr. Bruce Lowell, an internist in Great Neck, N.Y. “People are still having heart attacks, people are still having strokes,” he said. “I feel as if there is no awareness of anything other than Covid.” The virus has sickened hundreds of thousands of Americans, killed tens of thousands of them and forced millions into unemployment. But the pandemic has also shaken every aspect of health care, including cancer, organ transplants and even brain surgery. Beds, blood, doctors, nurses and ven...
by fru-gal
Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:35 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

You know, sometimes people make up their minds that some falsehood is true regardless of tons of evidence to the contrary. Is it a good use of anyone's time to argue with such a person? Or could we be doing something more productive?
by fru-gal
Sun Apr 19, 2020 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Too soon to get another credit card?
Replies: 21
Views: 1317

Re: Too soon to get another credit card?

I have two credit cards in case one becomes temporarily disabled if something fraudulent happened and a new card had to be issued.

I like my capital one card 1 1/2% cash back no annual fee very nice website nice customer service.

I do not like AmEx. I had a card years ago and it was a hassle. I applied for a new card recently and got rejected because they "suspected fraud." They would not tell me what caused them to think that. My credit reports are fine and frozen, my credit score is over 800, So I have no clue. Too bad as there was a nice bonus for initial use, but probably a lucky escape considering my history with AmEx.
by fru-gal
Sun Apr 19, 2020 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 66788

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

HomeStretch wrote: Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:55 pm Grocery store today again didn’t have any paper towels, napkins, toilet paper (I bought last Scott’s 4-pack), cleaning supplies with bleach, Diet Coke caffeine free, yeast, hand sanitizer. Same story for 5 weeks at several local stores.
Diet Coke Caffeine Free? I like live on that, but I have not had trouble finding it.
by fru-gal
Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gardening 2020
Replies: 227
Views: 22207

Re: Gardening 2020

Mr. Rumples wrote: Sun Apr 19, 2020 6:08 am
I suppose I will start tomatoes this year from seed; in the past I have bought 6 Roma's from the local nursery.
A local garden store near me is allowed to do curbside pickup. They say it is working well.
by fru-gal
Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:10 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

Hope you’re right. Per capita deaths so far in Sweden are higher than in US (though way less then NY). By the numbers it would seem Sweden isn’t doing that well compared to most other places. But it sounds like on the ground things are not too bad. Maybe hospital and ICU capacity is better or the demographics In Sweden are more favorable (Age, obesity, other comorbiditites). Just don’t know. Maybe warmer weather is having an effect. Maybe Sweden is more isolated from other areas in Europe with higher burden of disease. I certainly don’t know the answer. My guess is that if Europe was analogous to the US, Sweden would be analogous to someplace like Illinois and Spain or Italy would be analogous to New York. Again we will see. If you guys ma...
by fru-gal
Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Liquid Hand Soap? seriously.
Replies: 76
Views: 5587

Re: How to get Liquid Hand Soap? seriously.

Am I the only person who keeps a bar of soap in a dish at the sink? Plus I thought anti-bacterial soaps were a bad thing, and a bar of soap involves no plastic.
by fru-gal
Sun Apr 19, 2020 7:42 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

folkher0 wrote: Sun Apr 19, 2020 6:54 am
Can’t argue with you there. What I mean is that we had enough vents (sort of). We had enough docs (sort of). I am not aware of anyone being denied care because they were too old or frail.
"Officials in both Wuhan and New York had to revise their death counts upward this week when they realized that many people had died at home of Covid-19, strokes, heart attacks or other causes, or because ambulances never came for them."

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/18/heal ... uture.html
by fru-gal
Sun Apr 19, 2020 6:47 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

Hope you’re right. Per capita deaths so far in Sweden are higher than in US (though way less then NY). By the numbers it would seem Sweden isn’t doing that well compared to most other places. But it sounds like on the ground things are not too bad. Maybe hospital and ICU capacity is better or the demographics In Sweden are more favorable (Age, obesity, other comorbiditites). Just don’t know. Maybe warmer weather is having an effect. Maybe Sweden is more isolated from other areas in Europe with higher burden of disease. I certainly don’t know the answer. My guess is that if Europe was analogous to the US, Sweden would be analogous to someplace like Illinois and Spain or Italy would be analogous to New York. Again we will see. If you guys ma...
by fru-gal
Sun Apr 19, 2020 6:43 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

We have performed over 3 million tests. More than any other country by far. We have plenty of testing capacity. Edit: Looks like 3.5 million now. And 200k per day, which is still increasing as the Abbott test becomes more widespread. People kept complaining that US wasn't testing enough, and now that it is testing more than any other country, still not good enough. The goalposts need to stop moving. Per capita we stink. According to Harvard, only my state, RI, has enough testing capacity to consider reopening and not yet. The article flipped past my nose this morning, but what the link was no idea. If I find it I will update this post. Update: link and fixed Yale/Harvard attribution error. https://www.wpri.com/health/coronavirus/ri-is-only...
by fru-gal
Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gardening 2020
Replies: 227
Views: 22207

Re: Gardening 2020

Lynette wrote: Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:14 pm I also ordered an inexpensive type of cold frame from Amazon to try to plant warm season vegetables.
Link? Thank you.
by fru-gal
Sat Apr 18, 2020 5:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Impact of charitable donations to economy during crisis
Replies: 13
Views: 808

Re: Impact of charitable donations to economy during crisis

I've said this before on charity threads, but almost all my donations go to small local charities like animal shelters. I know the work these people do first hand, and most of them have no paid staff, let alone ones raking in giant salaries. They are really hurting, because their fundraising events can't be held.
by fru-gal
Sat Apr 18, 2020 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I give blood now?
Replies: 23
Views: 1973

Re: Should I give blood now?

I donated two Fridays ago at Hoxworth, the University of Cincinnati-affiliated regional blood bank. Procedures will vary in different places, but they took precautions that made it very low risk. 1. Appointments were required. 2. All donors were screened and temperature-checked in the entryway before entering. Only one donor was allowed in the entryway at a time. 3. All staff wore gloves and masks. 4. They had touchless hand sanitizer dispensers. 5. Staff walked around cleaning any surface touched by any donors, including the post-donation refreshment tables. 6. Donation beds were spaced safely. Since all of my spring races were canceled, I was able to spare a few red blood cells without suffering too greatly. :beer As others have said, th...
by fru-gal
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 66788

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

telemark wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:48 pm
oxothuk wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:00 pm Went to Costco this morning (in CO) and they had TP stacked to the ceiling. Our local grocery store had plenty also.

Still not much flour. I think when the shelves are sparsely stocked it triggers shoppers to buy whatever is there.
It's surprisingly easy to get into that mindset. Now that things are showing up again, I find myself wanting to buy stuff I already have, simply because it was hard to find last week. I have to remind myself "no, I bought that yesterday, I have plenty now." A form of recency bias, I suppose.
Me too. I have to say, I don't need that, leave it for someone else.
by fru-gal
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pool of Water six feet from foundation of front of home
Replies: 30
Views: 3310

Re: Pool of Water six feet from foundation of front of home

How about a photo?

If a downspout ends in the wrong place, you can have someone add an extension or replace it with one that redirects it including further out. Be sure to hire an actual gutter person, not some handyman.
by fru-gal
Fri Apr 17, 2020 5:59 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

AlphaLess wrote: Fri Apr 17, 2020 5:42 pm
I highly doubt that we are reducing the spread. We have put a lid on the pressure cooker, and it is sipping some steam. Open the lid, and it will be full steam ahead.
What I have seen in the models I've looked at is no claim that the total number of people infected will be changed by stay at home etc. orders (unless a vaccine comes roaring down the tracks in that time interval), but rather the purpose is to spread things out to prevent the hospitals from being deluged with sick people beyond the hospitals' capacity to handle them.
by fru-gal
Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:41 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

Cash is King wrote: Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:20 pm
That's reasonable for testing in a hospital or clinic setting. I think the Abbott test gives results in less than 4 hours. I would expect in the next 2 weeks will see more of these tests available in hospitals and clinics.
The tests CVS/Rhode Island are doing at drive ups claim results in fifteen minutes.
by fru-gal
Fri Apr 17, 2020 2:02 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

You know, if people just followed a strict 14 day quarantine, no one allowed to go out at all, this would all be over so fast. Instead, people half-***ing the stay at home, and people threatening to go out if the stay at home is extended, means all this is just going to continuing trickling on and on for months. When I drive out I cannot believe how many cars and people I see out shopping etc. Seems like this will be a long journey until we get a vaccine. Just another data point, I have to be out about once every two weeks for some reason here in Rhode Island. I also can't believe the traffic. The nytimes is running photos of empty streets in various cities and here on the highway things look normal. We do seem to be making some progress w...
by fru-gal
Fri Apr 17, 2020 12:36 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

rkhusky wrote: Fri Apr 17, 2020 12:29 pm
fru-gal wrote: Fri Apr 17, 2020 12:07 pm Speech that is dangerous and false is not protected.
Not true. Some dangerous speech is protected and some false speech is protected.
Contemplate logical operators, Or And, etc.
by fru-gal
Fri Apr 17, 2020 12:07 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

This kowtowing to the single minded goals of the epidemiologists who finally get to play their table top games for real and their to h*** with everyone else attitude about all the collateral damage while they destroy people's lively hoods and cause damage which will reverberate through through the economy and society for years if not decades has got to end. It’s about time those single minded goals of Fire Marshalls and LEOs are put in perspective. I’m an American, with freedom of speech, and if I want to tell FIRE in a crowded theater, it’s my right. It won’t kill anyone; the stampede is what kills, and I’m not stampeding. Anyway, the good news is you can yell what you like; the theater is empty. No, it isn't' your right. You will be thro...
by fru-gal
Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Get My Payment up and running
Replies: 369
Views: 32423

Re: IRS Get My Payment up and running

The online tool is up but it isn't working. I couldn't even get past the first screen where you enter SSN, DOB, and address before it says the information I entered does not match their records. I am entering the information exactly as shown in my tax return. Then I must have tried too many times because the online tool locked me out. Had two other members of my family try the online tool and were given the same error saying info doesn't match the records also. The IRS screwing up again. I always file firstname middlename last name. Because everywhere in the universe I use firstname middlename as my first name. It didn't like that. It didn't like firstname middleinitial lastname. It did let me in with firstname lastname. So try a few thing...
by fru-gal
Sun Apr 12, 2020 9:50 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

Sheepdog wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2020 9:39 am
Thank you so much. We do get 90 day supplies of all medications, except my wife's pain killer. You've got me thinking, though, about the timing of our prescriptions as it seems like one of us seems to have at least one to be filled almost weekly....not really weekly, but still a lot. (I have 4 scripts and she has 10 plus OTC ones (too many IMO, but that is another story). I may have one this week to pick up and my wife one the next week and on and on. ) I don't know how I could fix that so it does cause pickups.

Take care of yourself.
You can adjust when you get them filled. My insurer allows some degree of early fills. So you can move things around to bunch them.
by fru-gal
Sun Apr 12, 2020 9:47 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 1653
Views: 106934

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

New Providence wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2020 8:44 am
Lynette wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2020 8:40 am
tadamsmar wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2020 8:35 am
Lynette wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2020 8:00 am
vested1 wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2020 7:45 am
Let me be the first to rip up your scarlet letter.
Sorry, what is a scarlet letter?
It's a stigma. From the novel "The Scarlet Letter" where the main character had to were a letter A for committing adultery, a Puritan practice.
Thank you. I apologize for posting if this offends those who are not as fortunate as I am. I guess I need to be gracious to people who know my age but do not know me well. I need to graciously decline offers to buy groceries for me, etc. etc.

Best wishes to all.
I don't understand what adultery has to do with anything here.
Old people are assumed to be incompetent to some degree or other. Hence the marking. I write this as an old person who encounters this frequently.
by fru-gal
Sat Apr 11, 2020 2:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should we be concerned with any banks closing?
Replies: 50
Views: 5434

Re: Should we be concerned with any banks closing?

alex_686 wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:28 pm
tk40 wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:20 pm Yes I read all those articles.

I guess my question should have been worded differently. Since HSBC is not a USA bank, should I be worried about FDIC coverage if the bank goes under? Just wondering if I should put money into a US bank instead is all.
From https://www.us.hsbc.com/ - literally on the front page

"Deposit products are offered in the U.S. by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Member FDIC."

I am operating under the assumption that your assets are held by "HSBC Bank USA, N.A". If your assets are in a different jurisdiction, well - what jurisdiction are they heldin?
I would not depend on some bank's webpage, I would check the FDIC list, which I assume exists.
by fru-gal
Fri Mar 20, 2020 1:37 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

I would not want a job where I interacted with a lot of people nowadays, but there is hiring going on, the job market is not all a disaster: nytimes: "Retailers and food distributors are also trying to expand the pool of available cashiers, produce pickers and warehouse workers in an effort to spell exhausted employees and create backup in case of widespread illnesses. Unions representing food store workers, such as the U.F.C.W., are actively recruiting workers laid off this week from department stores and clothing retailers that have shut down for the foreseeable future. Walmart, the nation’s largest food retailer, said late Thursday that it was looking to hire 150,000 new employees in its stores and distribution centers through the e...
by fru-gal
Fri Mar 20, 2020 1:35 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

ebrasmus21 wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2020 12:46 pm In December I was sick as hell. I was sick for weeks, missed several days of work and seemed to take forever to fully recover. I know many others in my area that had a rough cold/flu season this winter. I wonder if the virus was already here back in December and we just didn’t know it.
Is it possible to tell if someone had and has recovered from the coronavirus? That would be very useful to know, besides pertinent possibly in the plan being floated to use blood transfusions from those people to give others immunity.
by fru-gal
Fri Mar 20, 2020 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much cash to have during coronavirus panic?
Replies: 146
Views: 13805

Re: How much cash to have during coronavirus panic?

yohac wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:11 pm If we go more than a few hours where no credit cards are working anywhere, cash won't matter. Society will break down.
I guess you've never spent a week in a post-hurricane area where pretty much nothing is working.
by fru-gal
Fri Mar 20, 2020 6:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Census 2020 question
Replies: 38
Views: 8113

Re: Census 2020 question

LookinAround wrote: Fri Mar 13, 2020 8:41 am
I get automated calls
- Speaking Chinese (I'm not Chinese)
What are these? I get them too. Is some idiot spammer in China not restricting calls to other countries?
by fru-gal
Fri Mar 20, 2020 6:25 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

M.Lee wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2020 4:53 am
Unladen_Swallow wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2020 3:15 am The WHO has retracted and been false so many times in this mess, I feel bad that I ignored my instinct to doubt them more.
I feel the same about the CDC.
The only person I trust about this is Dr. Fauci. He is not a spring chicken; please stay alive, Dr. Fauci.
by fru-gal
Thu Mar 19, 2020 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much cash to have during coronavirus panic?
Replies: 146
Views: 13805

Re: How much cash to have during coronavirus panic?

I was thinking why bother with this, but then I got 3 emails in the past couple of days, from a credit union, a bank, and schwab saying they were closing their lobbies. This made me nervous.

I can't use the ATM where I have my checking account as I need some card for that, which involves going into the credit union (this one isn't closed) to fill out an application, and I noticed in the past that the manager comes to work when she has a cold.

Normally I have max $200 at home in cash. I took out $500 via the driveby window.
by fru-gal
Thu Mar 19, 2020 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Happens To Your Battery When Your Car Is Parked For Weeks?
Replies: 90
Views: 5977

Re: What Happens To Your Battery When Your Car Is Parked For Weeks?

chevca wrote: Thu Mar 19, 2020 9:30 am Nothing "bad" happens. It just resets all the computers. I guess to some losing their favorite seat preset could be bad? :happy Tough to find that perfect spot again.
Yes, it takes forever. Memory for this is a great invention, since mechanics reset everything to their own preference.
by fru-gal
Thu Mar 19, 2020 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 66788

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

quantAndHold wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 9:37 pm
il0kin wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:53 pm Please do not buy baby wipes! You are adults and you can find a solution for TP in a worst case scenario and simply throw the paper away.

I cannot wipe my baby’s bottom and change diapers with magazine pages...
I wonder what people did before baby wipes were invented 60 years ago?

Oh, wait. I think they used wet cloths, then did laundry.
Descending into complete indelicacy, I remember years ago the older women in my family talking about having in their early days used cloths for menstruation.
by fru-gal
Thu Mar 19, 2020 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 66788

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

bayview wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 12:32 pm
RetiredArtist wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 12:18 pm
bayview wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 10:01 am Kleenex (I’ve still seen it on shelves) + Cottonelle FreshCare Flushable Wipes, aka “butt wipes”
Our Public Utility Department advises that Kleenex, paper towels, flushable wipes will clog your drains. You could use them & throw in trash, like diapers.
Interesting! I did not know that about Kleenex.

The wipe package includes a claim that it won’t, but it’s smart to follow utility advice.
The one day I used Kleenex instead of toilet paper it did clog the toilet.
by fru-gal
Thu Mar 19, 2020 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Happens To Your Battery When Your Car Is Parked For Weeks?
Replies: 90
Views: 5977

Re: What Happens To Your Battery When Your Car Is Parked For Weeks?

jabberwockOG wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 2:15 pm Most modern cars have some amount of parasitic draw if they just sit. Disconnect the battery or attach a battery tender to keep the charge up. Disconnected a fully charged battery should hold most of its charge for a couple of months.
Bad things happen to my 2003 Lexus if the battery goes or is disconnected. I've forgotten the details, but I lose memory settings for mapping, seat adjustments, etc.
by fru-gal
Thu Mar 19, 2020 5:54 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

"He said the lengthy turnaround time for test results leaves patients in the dark and burdens the hospital’s limited resources. Patients who might ultimately test negative for coronavirus, and be healthy enough to leave the hospital, are instead being kept in isolation."

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/nyre ... virus.html
by fru-gal
Thu Mar 19, 2020 5:41 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/scientists-say-mass-tests-in-italian-town-have-halted-covid-19 <<The researchers explained they had tested the inhabitants twice and that the study led to the discovery of the decisive role in the spread of the coronavirus epidemic of asymptomatic people. When the study began, on 6 March, there were at least 90 infected in Vò. For days now, there have been no new cases.>> <<“Here there were the first two cases. We tested everyone, even if the ‘experts’ told us this was a mistake: 3,000 tests. We found 66 positives, who we isolated for 14 days, and after that 6 of them were still positive. And that is how we ended it.’’>> Folks, This is what happened when you tested everyone. KlangFool Wowsers. ...
by fru-gal
Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:55 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

FoolMeOnce wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:45 pm
JonnyB wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 5:29 pm Today the U.S. passed South Korea for number of cases and deaths. On the current trajectory, the U.S. will pass China and have the most cases in the world in about 10 days unless the curve starts to bend.
This is not a point for optimism. Why are you posting it in this thread?
One of the mods seems to have merged the optimism thread into the general thread.
by fru-gal
Wed Mar 18, 2020 4:48 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-y ... 2020-03-18

A couple of people tested positive for the virus, so the stock exchange is moving to electronic trading.

This business of runs on the stores adds to the anxiety. It's one more worry that actually doesn't have to exist, especially for the older and disabled.

In Walgreens today the pharmacist and a helper were wearing the sophisticated masks, the two other employees were not.
by fru-gal
Wed Mar 18, 2020 3:11 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

guyinlaw wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 11:41 am
guyinlaw wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:59 pm
Yesterday we had 936 new cases, today already 1600 new cases. And today is St. Patrick's day with many people out in bars.
Florida is the next hot spot. Vulnerable folks should not go out.

It's so sad that so many people were out yesterday and over the last week.
- primary elections
- St Patrick's day
- Disney world open till Monday.
- people out in beaches and restaurants.

Call the governor and ask him to close everything. Ohio is the example for rest of states.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/
There's out and then there's out. I see people walking in the rural road in my area, but they are not near anyone else and are getting exercise and I think less likely to go stir crazy.
by fru-gal
Wed Mar 18, 2020 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Coronavirus (Consumer Issues) How you are preparing?
Replies: 1800
Views: 178787

Re: Do you sanitize your groceries? COVID-19

Anybody know how long they survive on refrigerated stuff?
by fru-gal
Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Philippians first to close financial markets, do you agree and who's next?
Replies: 13
Views: 1576

Re: Philippians first to close financial markets, do you agree and who's next?

I still remember having to rattle off Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians...

I think closing the financial markets would be a catastrophe. But we have seen colossal ineptness before.

I posted this on another thread: A credit union and a bank in my area sent out emails that their lobbies are closed and one of them also closed some branches completely, but both said online, ATM, and driveby banking in the open branches is available. Way to start a bank run. My initial thought was to go take out $500 as I normally keep $200 cash around and replenish it. Then I thought, no, $1000. I think I'll stick with $500, or not go at all as I am isolating. This is unnerving, though.
by fru-gal
Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:03 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

A credit union and a bank in my area sent out emails that their lobbies are closed and one of them also closed some branches completely, but both said online, ATM, and driveby banking in the open branches is available. Way to start a bank run. My initial thought was to go take out $500 as I normally keep $200 cash around and replenish it. Then I thought, no, $1000. I think I'll stick with $500, or not go at all as I am isolating. This is unnerving, though.

The vet's office is restricting things like checkups, and dividing its staff to specific days.
by fru-gal
Tue Mar 17, 2020 2:12 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

But, the Federal government, like any huge organization, tends to be sluggish. Which is why it is better for state and local governments to handle most things. That is true of small businesses too. Fortunately, our forefathers created a government with a reasonably powerful executive. The President responded with tremendous speed on some of the things he can control, like shutting down air travel. Hahahaha thanks I needed that :sharebeer. I guess the keyword there is "some". From the months long testing failure, to the constant misleading and factually incorrect statements, the fed admin response has been a nearly complete disaster IMO. You are not being objective and putting more faith in the government than is ever warranted. B...
by fru-gal
Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:36 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

If we really think we need to shut down the economy completely for 18 months, I think instead maybe we have to think about just letting people get infected, and use a trillion dollars to build out medical infrastructure as a new Manhatten Project. Assuming the above projections are correct... No school, millions out of work, for 18 months? Trillions lost from the economy, and billions spent as we try to keep those people from starving to death or in the street. I would think 2-3 months of this instead, and spend those 2-3 months on building hospitals and ventilators and ICU beds, and crash courses teaching the unemployed any tasks that can help relieve the strain on doctors and nurses. Offer great pay for those crash course people, double ...
by fru-gal
Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:15 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298157

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

rkhusky wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:12 pm
fru-gal wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:05 pm
craimund wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:02 pm Maybe we can fix the roads too. Easier when no one’s using them.
Wouldn't it be nice if we had a federal government that considered all these things and came up with a plan?
States and local governments are responsible for the roads.
I wasn't talking about the roads! Or did I miss a smiley? I was talking about the pandemic.