My COVID19 Journey

[bedir than]

Out of a sense of community, and to keep me entertained in my quarantine, if you've got nothing better to do and you are inclined, please tell me about yourself. Where you're from, what games you like or dislike, what you do. I mean, you can keep it vague-ish (I guess I kind of did, even while revealing some personal stuff). It's up to you. But I wouldn't mind getting a conversation going here, other than just get-well wishes (which are nice). Any takers?

I'm down the way from you in Renton, WA. Our vacations have been into BC more times than any other place outside of Washington.

5e got me back into gaming. I think about it much more than I play, due to schedules and a dog that constantly barks when I'm on a stream. Back in the early 90s I don't know if there was an RPG that I hadn't bought and played. I wish I'd kept a few of them while I was in the Army, oh well.

My real world job doesn't seem to real as I write about soccer for a living.

Be strong. Be patient. When I take that trip up I-5 after this is all done I hope to swing by a small gaming store and support a guy named Fitz.

 

[FrogReaver]

At least her doctor totally gets it. He remarked in a call today that there's a bunch of upper respiratory stuff going around right now. So a bunch of folks are home with less grave issues, being scared. And, a bunch have mild covid. And nobody knows which are which.

But then, there's no specific treatment for covid anyway, so knowing is of limited use... except for your peace of mind.

If you don't know and supplies get low you will go out and get supplies. Maybe not you in particular - but many people will. Knowing is the most important component to decrease the spread IMO.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

1) I'm down the way from you in Renton, WA. Our vacations have been into BC more times than any other place outside of Washington.
2) 5e got me back into gaming. I think about it much more than I play, due to schedules and a dog that constantly barks when I'm on a stream. Back in the early 90s I don't know if there was an RPG that I hadn't bought and played. I wish I'd kept a few of them while I was in the Army, oh well.
3) My real world job doesn't seem to real as I write about soccer for a living.
4) Be strong. Be patient. When I take that trip up I-5 after this is all done I hope to swing by a small gaming store and support a guy named Fitz.

1) I go down to Washington occasionally myself! True story: I'm pretty sure I caught the virus on a day when I went into Vancouver to the craft breweries. I was originally going to go to Seattle that day (and hit the breweries there instead!), but we decided not to... because we didn't want to catch the virus! (Also, Emerald City Comiccon got cancelled anyway, which I was going to go to for a retailer meeting.)

2) I think about D&D all the time. It's why I started running PBP games here. For awhile there I was playing 3 times a week at the store (Tuesday night after closed with my friends, Friday with a regular group of customers, and Saturday to teach new players - I've taught many hundreds of people to play D&D over the years.) Lately (before this crisis) the store's been too busy for me to run the weekend games, but they were still going on under other DMs. All of that, even at its peak, wasn't enough D&D for me, so I started running AND playing PBP games here on ENWorld. (That was about three years ago, though I'd been on the board here and there for years before it.)

3) That sounds interesting. And I thought I had a dream job!

4) That would be great! I've been reluctant to reveal the store, so I don't get accused of trying to advertise, but I don't think they'd mind if I said you could look up Hourglass Comics & Games in BC on google. Also, Fitz was my favorite D&D character - a lovable ne'er-do-well rogue. (My name's actually Simon.)

 

[Ogre Mage]

UPDATE: Wednesday March 25 (Day 10) - I'm glad to report that I might be finally past the worst of it. I had a terrible fever in the night (maybe the worst I've had, though they blend together) - but it broke by morning. Aside from a cough and a sore neck, my energy level has stayed pretty good today (compared to any previous evening), and I really feel like I might be done! Knock on wood.

Thanks, everyone, for the emotional support. It's really helped.

That's great! I am thinking good thoughts for your health.

1) I have been told that I would like Torg. Haven't tried it yet, though.

2) My regular face-to-face group switches up too. I run about 60% of the games in 5e. I've been running regular D&D for 34 years, keeping up with the newest edition (that's partly because I've been selling it since 2e!) In between arcs, we do short Delta Green or Shadowrun games. Though lately one of the players has been running us through Tomb of Annihilation in 5e.

Sort of oddly for me, even though I sell it, I've never played Pathfinder 1. (I playtested PF2, though.)

Another (perhaps) odd thing is that until last night, I'd never played live online. We started a Shadowrun game over MS Teams. It was okay (Teams was a bit frustrating). I've mentioned I play PBP here, but I've never even looked at Roll20 or whatever. I probably should.

Funny that you've been playing for 34 years. I first tried D&D in 1986 (in elementary school) so it's been 34 years for me too. I really like 5E, it is my favorite edition.

Four months ago I played Shadowrun for the first time. I played a mage, as I am addicted to casters. The campaign setting is terrific -- flavorful and unique. We even met Lofwyr, the great dragon who owns the Saeder-Krupp megacorp. But while the basic game mechanic is simple, I have found the rules to be a confusing mess. It made me appreciate the simplicity of 5E.

I have never played online period. But now that all my RPG games are in stasis, there was some talk about switching to online play.

 

[Morrus]

UPDATE: Wednesday March 25 (Day 10) - I'm glad to report that I might be finally past the worst of it. I had a terrible fever in the night (maybe the worst I've had, though they blend together) - but it broke by morning. Aside from a cough and a sore neck, my energy level has stayed pretty good today (compared to any previous evening), and I really feel like I might be done! Knock on wood.

Fingers crossed!

 

[dave2008]

EDIT: Content removed because it was miss-information. I don't want to be that person!

Good luck and I hope you recover soon and your family is safe!

 

[Li Shenron]

But then, there's no specific treatment for covid anyway, so knowing is of limited use... except for your peace of mind.

I understand the reasons behind limited testing, but if I get sick and then recover, I would still like to know I had the bad one, because:

• I can stop isolating and go back to work to help the economy restart
• I can volunteer helping the sick neighbours without fear

That is, of course, assuming you develop immunity afterwards, which isn't guaranteed at the moment.

 

[SharonParis]

COVID19 has literally brought the whole wolrd to a stop in its tracks. Your incisive article has hightlighted the significance of the human factor. Its time to move forward since "old ways don't get new results" and we have to "inhale the future; hold the present and exhale the past" like a true yogi!

 

[Umbran]

Fritz, please be aware that we can pass covid-19 through our pets. I just mention that because I didn't see anything about your dog being quarantined from the rest of your family. think of your dog as a mobile door handle.

My wife is a practicing veterinarian, and has to field this question a lot, so I feel a need to correct this. Your dog or cat is not much like a doorknob. To quote the American Veterinary Medical Association (bold mine):

"At this time, there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread to people from the skin or fur of companion animals. (ref: CDC)

Infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people. (ref: AVMA)

Out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. Have another member of your household take care of walking, feeding, and playing with your pet. If you have a service animal or you must care for your pet, then wear a facemask; don’t share food, kiss, or hug them; and wash your hands before and after any contact with them. (ref: AVMA)_"

COVID-19

Get actionable information to support your veterinary team, patients, and clients.

www.avma.org

Transmission primarily occurs person-to-person when there is contact with an infected person’s bodily secretions, such as saliva or mucus droplets in a cough or sneeze. Transmission via touching a contaminated surface or object (also called a fomite) and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes is also possible, but appears to be a secondary route. Smooth (non-porous) surfaces (countertops, door knobs) transmit viruses better than porous materials (paper money, pet fur) because porous and fibrous materials absorb and trap the virus, making it harder to contract through simple touch.

My wife reports that, at present, there is an issue of people, fearing such transmission, are over-cleaning their pets, and using products to sterilize their pets that are not appropriate to use on a living being. Do not shampoo your dog with hand sanitizer. Do not spray your cat down with Lysol.

 

[Umbran]

If you don't know and supplies get low you will go out and get supplies. Maybe not you in particular - but many people will. Knowing is the most important component to decrease the spread IMO.

Perhaps, but testing all people who have any upper-respiratory symptoms is not feasible at this time. If wishes were fishes, and all that.

If you have symptoms, stay the frell at home.

My wife has symptoms, but does not qualify for a test, and we are not rich or important to buy our way in to a test (sorry for the editorializing). The guidance we have gotten is:

My wife is under a two-week quarantine.

I, who have been exposed to her, am supposed to stay quarantined for a week* - if I show no symptoms in that time, I am very unlikely to be infected, and if I wash my hands and are otherwise not an idiot about it, I am cleared to go do the shopping with minimal risk that I will harm the next guy trying to pick up a can of tuna and loaf of bread.


*Actually, my week of quarantine ends today.