[Health] The Infectious Diseases Thread

morlac · Post by **morlac** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:55 pm

MHS wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:51 pm
Max Peck wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:19 pm
Isgrimnur wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:11 pm THR

In an accompanying video, Elba added: "I didn't have any symptoms. I got tested because I realized I was exposed to someone who had also tested positive. I found out last Friday that they were tested positive. I quarantined myself and got a test immediately and got the results back today."

I don't know where he is, but here in Canada that wouldn't warrant a test unless he developed symptoms. Even the frigging Prime Minister wasn't tested after his wife was confirmed positive because he had no symptoms. He's just in self-isolation for 2 weeks to see what happens.
That's what irritates me. I'm glad he knows he has it and is quarantining, but it bugs me that "special" people apparently operate under different rules. I have heard about people with symptoms and with exposure here not being able to get tested because of lack of tests. Ugh.

Saw it first hand with my nephew who exchanges money/CC with 300-500 a day in a Mcd's drive through. Every single symptom but sent home with antibiotics for respiratory infection. I shudder to think how many people he may have given it to. Yet, report after report about Famous so and so was tested. I suspect treatment will follow the same route.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:59 pm

morlac wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:04 pm
pr0ner wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 2:48 pm
morlac wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 2:08 pm I am hearing from multiple sources that we are about to hit a 2 week mandatory Nation wide self Quarantine. Expect a 5 pm new conference with this to go into effect as early as Wednesday. If you business is not work from home it is about to be.
And who are these multiple sources that you're hearing from?
Very high up the food chain Executives at ATT, IBM and Verizon.

I'm hearing the same things. But then other people are sending photos of the National Guard rolling down I90 to stage for martial law. It's hard to know what to believe right now. But the one constant seems to be that whatever is coming will be effective by Thursday.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:00 pm

MHS wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:51 pm
Max Peck wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:19 pm
Isgrimnur wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:11 pm THR

In an accompanying video, Elba added: "I didn't have any symptoms. I got tested because I realized I was exposed to someone who had also tested positive. I found out last Friday that they were tested positive. I quarantined myself and got a test immediately and got the results back today."

I don't know where he is, but here in Canada that wouldn't warrant a test unless he developed symptoms. Even the frigging Prime Minister wasn't tested after his wife was confirmed positive because he had no symptoms. He's just in self-isolation for 2 weeks to see what happens.
That's what irritates me. I'm glad he knows he has it and is quarantining, but it bugs me that "special" people apparently operate under different rules. I have heard about people with symptoms and with exposure here not being able to get tested because of lack of tests. Ugh.

It’s a shame that health care workers aren’t as special as actors and athletes.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:07 pm

Daehawk wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:41 pm My monoprice cables arrived. Each has a little sticker on the plastic bag that says made in China. I rubbed each with hand sanitizer. Think I will again.

Well, then, good news. Nobody in China has touched them in weeks as they took their time sitting on a slow boat from China. If they were in a plastic bag, take 'em out, toss the bag, wash your hands, and you're good to go.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:21 pm

My southern border has been closed to non citizens.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wi ... s-69625654

For now, they'll make exceptions for "Americans"

TORONTO -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday he will close the country's borders to anyone not a citizen, an American or a permanent resident — and even they have to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival — due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:32 pm

Need more of this to stay sane

https://twitter.com/WuTangClan/status/1 ... 6555542535

Protect Ya Neck against the Coronavirus. We are making a few thousand prints and distributing them across New York City. Feel FREE to do the same in your City. Share and RT this to the world. #wutang

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:34 pm

Smoove_B wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:32 pm Need more of this to stay sane

https://twitter.com/WuTangClan/status/1 ... 6555542535

Protect Ya Neck against the Coronavirus. We are making a few thousand prints and distributing them across New York City. Feel FREE to do the same in your City. Share and RT this to the world. #wutang

What's a mask?

The nursing home where my wife works has had none for several weeks. If ever they appeared in stores right now, I assume they'd be snapped up and used as ersatz toilet paper.

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:03 pm

morlac wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:12 pm
gameoverman wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 2:38 pm
Paingod wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:58 am I feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle against my wife, who keeps insisting that I'm being overly paranoid...

How do I get the weight of this through to her?
I don't know your wife, so this might not work with her. I have dealt with people who are not getting with the program in other situations and have found that:
A) it's best if I don't try to convince them of anything, they have their position and I'm not going to shake them out of it
B) don't disagree with things they say that are a matter of opinion, are you being paranoid, well that's a matter of opinion so I would let that slide
C) continue to do what needs to be done, allow them to vent about it but not physically interfere with what you're doing
D) don't assume your concerns are their concerns, some people won't feel the 'weight of it' the way you do because they feel no weight at all
E) remember that people have different ways of coping, sometimes they take opposing stands because it makes them feel better
It's pretty simple but harsh conversation imo.

Name 10 people over 60 you care about.
pick which 4 will die
if you are ok with that then carry on

Numbers are bullshit but this is essentially what is happening in Italy and will here if we don't get this shit under control.

Can people relate to how pyramid schemes work? If you’re one of the early tips of a pyramid, you make tons more money as pyramids keep branching out below you. Except instead of making money you’re directly responsible for killing thousands of people.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:12 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2020 11:59 pm The answer is always Greenland or Madagascar.

Greenland confirms first case of coronavirus

em2nought · Post by **em2nought** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:13 pm

Jeff V wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:34 pm
Smoove_B wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:32 pm Need more of this to stay sane

https://twitter.com/WuTangClan/status/1 ... 6555542535

Protect Ya Neck against the Coronavirus. We are making a few thousand prints and distributing them across New York City. Feel FREE to do the same in your City. Share and RT this to the world. #wutang

What's a mask?

The nursing home where my wife works has had none for several weeks. If ever they appeared in stores right now, I assume they'd be snapped up and used as ersatz toilet paper.

I saw three people wearing masks in stores today. There are some DIY videos out there for making your own mask. One involves buying MERV13 house air filters and then cutting them up, taking out the wire, and inserting the fabric into a homemade mask. MERV13 should stop virus if it doesn't find it's way around the edges of the mask. Expanding on that idea I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to buy the house a "better" filter for the foreseeable future.

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:19 pm

Kurth wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2020 6:15 pm Paging Smoove: one-on-one play dates for kids? Yes or no? I’m seeing conflicting “expert” advice on this.

Do I need to tell my family that it’s time to seriously just hunker down and not go see friends, even if a small scale get together for basketball at a local court?

This is not easy to navigate.

Edit to add: I just mentioned to a friend that I let my daughter go skiing today with her friend and let my younger son have a friend over to hang out. He politely told me I am screwing everything up and sent me his town’s health department email about this, which says no social interaction, pretty much.

I say no, don't know what the other kid has been exposed to.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:43 pm

When someone posted a few pages and three hours ago about an upcoming announcement for a 14 quarantine I told my wife; she just rolled her eyes. Two hours later when her movie ended, the TV defaulted to the news channel and the president was talking and she said "we need to take a run up to Publix"

. Forty years of marriage have conditioned me to not say any like "I told you so"

Publix (our local supermarket) was busy, but like Friday afternoon busy, not like Apocalypse busy. As expected there was no ground beef or fresh chicken or ham slices, but there were some eggs and bread. And surprisingly lots of everything else. Didn't check on the paper products. In fact we did quite fine with our shopping except for the ground beef. They did have a limit on bread and soups which caught out my wife, since there seemed to be a reasonable amount of bread and lots of soup. And the deli supplies were full, I guess few people are ordering sliced meat and cheese.

And pretty much everyone was in a good mood

. Folks who have spent the last couple of decades hanging on grimly through the peak of each hurricane season aren't going to be too put out by being trapped at home, especially with no threat of losing power or water. People chattered and laughed and everyone had nice things to say to the employees.

So we are pretty much stocked up for a couple of weeks. So as long as Turner Classic Movies stays on the air we will be just ducky.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:45 pm

em2nought wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:13 pmI saw three people wearing masks in stores today. There are some DIY videos out there for making your own mask. One involves buying MERV13 house air filters and then cutting them up, taking out the wire, and inserting the fabric into a homemade mask. MERV13 should stop virus if it doesn't find it's way around the edges of the mask. Expanding on that idea I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to buy the house a "better" filter for the foreseeable future.

I cannot endorse making your own mask. Hand wash. Engage in social distancing. These are your best options. A mask that you think is helping but is actually doing nothing puts you in a mental space where you're more likely to take risks and actually increase your overall risk of exposure.

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:03 pm

China now has to fight coronavirus AND bird flu: 'Highly pathogenic' avian influenza hits two Chinese provinces near Hubei

em2nought · Post by **em2nought** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:09 pm

Defiant wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:03 pm China now has to fight coronavirus AND bird flu: 'Highly pathogenic' avian influenza hits two Chinese provinces near Hubei

Kinda seeming like "12 Monkeys", somebody just walked out of the biological weapons lab with a handful of viruses.

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:15 pm

Corporate has encouraged us to all work from home right now. I always have this option anyways, so it's not that big of a change for me. I typically still go to the office because I find I'm more productive there, but stayed home today.

Just got off a video call with the full team (about 15 people). There was one guy out of all of us who went into the office. He started coughing right at the beginning of the call, and sounded horrible. Admitted he "didn't feel good", but said he was "totally OK though" because he wasn't running a fever. So instead of just staying home when you're encouraged to do so (he's a single guy who lives alone), you decide to come to the office in the middle of a pandemic when you're sick ...just because? Seriously dude, WHAT. THE. FUCK???

Guess that makes my decision on whether or not to go into the office that much easier. Asshat.

On the positive side, Mrs. Skinypupy's sister works at a grocery store, and was able to grab us some goodies before they went out on the floor. We grabbed a shitload of bread, eggs, and produce, and delivered it (at arms length) to neighbors today. I figure if it keeps multiple people from having to go to the store, it's a win, right?

mori · Post by **mori** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:28 pm

A local grocery store chain announced plans to open an hour early and that time is reserved for senior citizens. That is nice but I do not know if they will have people at the door stopping those who are not senior citizens. Because everyone knows there will be plenty of asshats trying to take advantage.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:32 pm

mori wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:28 pm A local grocery store chain announced plans to open an hour early and that time is reserved for senior citizens. That is nice but I do not know if they will have people at the door stopping those who are not senior citizens. Because everyone knows there will be plenty of asshats trying to take advantage.

You never know really. There could be some nice people stopping the asshats, that happens. There could even be people who show up to specifically stop the asshats.

There was a guy in Encintas CA who was standing on a raised area in an intersection, asking for TP and giving it to people who didn't have any. A lot of people gave him a roll or two and he gave it all away. Not everyone is an asshat

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:33 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 12:15 am A couple in our neighborhood contracted Mrs Skinypupy months ago to do their wedding cake. Their reception is scheduled for Tuesday evening.

I was a little surprised to see her starting to bake tonight. Said she checked with the couple and the reception is still a go. They have apparently put out a communication that they “will be accepting elbow bumps and air hugs only”, but everything’s still going forward as planned.

I was honestly shocked that a) they would still be willing to do it and b) the reception center was even allowing them to do it. Thankfully, she can just drop the cake off before things even start and then get out. Even that makes me super uncomfortable.

Update: The reception has been changed to a luncheon at the couple's house for immediate family only.

Mrs. Skinypupy is still doing the cake, but will be dropping it off well before anyone gets there.

mori · Post by **mori** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm

No changes for me at work. Everyone just went through the facility and cleaned everything really well. Encouraged people to clean their personal work spaces frequently. And get back to work.

Minnesota governor announcing all bars and restaurants to close for dining Tuesday at 5pm until March 27. Take-out and curb service still an option. Grocery stores and pharmacies to stay open no matter what.

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:59 pm

I'm a nurse manager and don't do much patient care anymore, but I do see a scenario where I'm on the front lines. My wife is already worried sick.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:04 pm

em2nought wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:13 pm Expanding on that idea I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to buy the house a "better" filter for the foreseeable future.

This, I've done. Since there's a nearly 100% home made masks aren't anti-viral, I'd not bother with that.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:06 pm

Xmann wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:59 pm I'm a nurse manager and don't do much patient care anymore, but I do see a scenario where I'm on the front lines. My wife is already worried sick.

My wife is not only on the front lines, but in an environment with a likely high death toll. I certainly couldn't do her job, but I'm incredibly appreciative for people like her that do, despite what the late night attorney commercials say.

em2nought · Post by **em2nought** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:08 pm

Xmann wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:59 pm I'm a nurse manager and don't do much patient care anymore, but I do see a scenario where I'm on the front lines. My wife is already worried sick.

I wonder what the attrition rate was for nurses and doctors during the Spanish Influenza https://www.workingnurse.com/articles/N ... ic-of-1918

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:23 pm

Lorini wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:32 pm
mori wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:28 pm A local grocery store chain announced plans to open an hour early and that time is reserved for senior citizens. That is nice but I do not know if they will have people at the door stopping those who are not senior citizens. Because everyone knows there will be plenty of asshats trying to take advantage.
You never know really. There could be some nice people stopping the asshats, that happens. There could even be people who show up to specifically stop the asshats.

In my neighborhood there would be a line of volunteers to help keep out the asshats; of course that puts them at the front of the line when regular folks can come in

But that really is a good idea about the seniors.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:24 pm

https://twitter.com/maxbrooksauthor/sta ... 2305303552

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:40 pm

And now it got Tormund. Nooooooo!

(side note: Mel Brooks is 93? Wow. Gonna be an incredibly sad day when he goes.)

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:06 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:40 pm (side note: Mel Brooks is 93? Wow. Gonna be an incredibly sad day when he goes.)

I still can't believe he survived Sid Caesar holding him by the ankles out the window of the Palmer House. Typically when you do that around here you wait until you hear what you want to hear, then drop him anyway because...no witnesses!

hitbyambulance · Post by **hitbyambulance** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:16 pm

finally the parents are taking it really seriously. even up to last week they were wanting to fly to Texas "to see the grandchildren" and us offspring were like, no. no no no. i think my brother and i convinced them to make the grocery store runs once a week at most - preferably once every two weeks (and only super early at that). i've been living in near-paranoid-survivalist mode in Seattle the past two weeks and i can now be very forceful about making my point here. (they live in Minnesota and as of today the governor has finally taken some concrete actions there.)

paulbaxter · Post by **paulbaxter** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:13 pm

Gah!

One of my friends just posted a video. The author is a "doctor" purporting to show how to protect yourself by getting more vitamin C and selenium. Right below the video where you normal see the name if the channel is the CDC logo. So of course the "doctor" is not from the CDC, also he's not a doctor, he's a chiropractor, and he neglects to mention that no one has any natural immunity to this virus.

The comments below it on youtube are completely full of people praising him for being "a voice of reason" and how people love his calming video instead of all the scary stuff they hear elsewhere.

People would much rather hear someone saying what they'd like to hear rather than verified information from credible sources, even when (especially when?) they are being bombarded with people telling them to look to the CDC for accurate info.

gameoverman · Post by **gameoverman** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:24 pm

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:03 pm So say there is a 2 week mandatory quarantine, what does that mean as far as food and essential supplies? If you don’t have enough supplies before the quarantine goes into effect are you shit out of luck?

As far as I have seen, every single mandatory quarantine has specified that essential things like food stores would still be open and people could still go out to get food. Same with gas, etc. I do think it's reasonable to expect roadblocks or other police involved barriers, where you'll have to state your business before you're allowed to go anywhere. The stores themselves might also have rules on what you can buy and how much you can buy.

This feels to me like it's going to go on for more than two weeks, possibly A LOT more. There are people who can't afford to stock up for two weeks as it is. If nothing was available during the quarantine, not even food, well the virus will be nothing compared to the violence that would ensue. The spice must flow.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:29 pm

Oh, it's definitely going to last more than two weeks. That's a given at this point.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:35 pm

The thought now (although they aren't saying it) is that the MLB season will start sometime in July, so yes a lot longer than two weeks. I wish!

YellowKing · Post by **YellowKing** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:38 pm

I'm work from home indefinitely now. My wife still has to report as normal, which is odd since she works for a school which is now closed to teachers and students. I haven't quite figured out their rationale yet, and hoping it's just a temporary measure.

Several fast food places have converted to drive-thru only, and one theater has closed down (part of the chain-wide Regal shut down). Our county still has no confirmed cases, so I'm really hoping those proactive measures are going to pay big dividends. I know there's a very good chance it's here and just not detected yet, but it beats knowing you're sitting on a powder keg.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:45 pm

gameoverman wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:24 pm I do think it's reasonable to expect roadblocks or other police involved barriers, where you'll have to state your business before you're allowed to go anywhere.

Now that makes me nervous. Our food stores here are seriously lacking, and have been price gouging for a decade based on being the only option. To be able to afford to eat and to actually have a selection we have to do our shopping in the next county.

hitbyambulance · Post by **hitbyambulance** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:23 pm

it's pretty clear the 'two weeks' thing is just the warm up to get everyone to better accept the actual length of time lockdown is going to go on for (with quite a few extensions for sure, so two months at the _very_ least) - they know how much time this is going to take, but won't say it so people don't panic/despair/crack. you say "this is going to go on for a couple more months and will get even more restrictive" at the onset and that's not going to go over too well.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:37 pm

So basically I'm planning on nothing sooner than the 4th of July to go outside and celebrate. Otherwise it is hunkering down with occasional trips to the grocery store and maybe some take-out from our local restaurants.

It's almost weird how lightly Florida has been hit so far. Third most populous state with 22 million people, but with (yes, I know, so far) 142 positive cases, many of those travel related. We've had so many freaking tourists since the beginning of the year. I'm wondering if part of it is having so many seniors in the state, people started taking social distancing and disinfecting seriously right away. In any case, fingers crossed it stays this way.

Even my wife has subtlety switched her tune. She just casually mentioned being home for the next three weeks like we were planning dinner. She is going to get up early tomorrow and hit the grocery store for a few things that were out this afternoon.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:45 pm

Thankfully our state government is stepping up:

DeSantis activates small business loan program

Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The bridge loan will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesss that employ between 2 and 100 people.

"As we mitigate against the spread of COVID-19, the health, safety and well-being of Floridians comes first," the Governor said, "but I understand the harm this is having on small businesses throughout the state."

The loan program will allow businesses to apply for loans up to $50,000.

"The problem is, if you're in some of the industries that are really getting hit, you have a cash flow problem particularly if you have tight margins. This is a way to keep people afloat," DeSantis said.

He said the idea is to get cash in business owners hands quickly. It's estimated the turnaround time could be as short as two weeks.

To be eligible, a business must have been established before March 9, 2020 and it also must demonstrate economic impacts from COVID-19.

The application period opens on March 17, 2020 and runs through May 8, 2020.

Also my county may have its first positive coronavirus case. No details yet.

gameoverman · Post by **gameoverman** » Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:59 pm

Blackhawk wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:45 pm
gameoverman wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:24 pm I do think it's reasonable to expect roadblocks or other police involved barriers, where you'll have to state your business before you're allowed to go anywhere.
Now that makes me nervous. Our food stores here are seriously lacking, and have been price gouging for a decade based on being the only option. To be able to afford to eat and to actually have a selection we have to do our shopping in the next county.

Well, if it comes to roadblocks, I think they'd let you through especially if you mentioned the price gouging. I do wonder how easy it would be to get around any obstacles. You know your area, you'd know back roads, alleys, or other viable routes to get where you need to go. I bet they'd only try to monitor the main roads and intersections. Ultimately as long as you didn't look sketchy I don't think they'd give you a problem. Think of it like getting pulled over by a cop, some people get pulled over more than others. If things get really bad, which I hope they don't, we're all going to have to stand in line for rations so food will still be available.

jztemple2 wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:37 pmIt's almost weird how lightly Florida has been hit so far. Third most populous state with 22 million people, but with (yes, I know, so far) 142 positive cases, many of those travel related.

Not to jinx you but here in LA county we were cruising along hardly even touched by any of this, then one day things just changed. Suddenly schools are closed and it's on. You're not going to get much of a warning or see a slow deterioration of the situation, it's just going to happen.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Tue Mar 17, 2020 12:11 am

gameoverman wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:59 pm Ultimately as long as you didn't look sketchy I don't think they'd give you a problem.

Off topic, but somewhat related. Your comment reminded me of something that happened to my wife and I when we were traveling through New Mexico a couple of years ago, on our way from Tucson AZ to Alamogordo NM. We had visited a couple of sites in AZ so it was late in the evening as we were tooling along this two lane road, past White Sands and getting close to Alamogordo. We see a bunch of lights up ahead, then warning cones and slow down signs. Construction we thought. Nope.

As we rolled to a halt we were surrounded by several armed soldiered, helmets and body armor to boot. Apparently they were looking for contraband, human or otherwise, and here we are with a minivan loaded with a dozen suitcases, bags and whatnot. I rolled down the window. A soldier walked up, looked past me into the van, then at me and my wife. He immediately waved us through

Not the first time this has happened either. We've gone through US Customs several times and just get a wave-through. I think we just remind everyone of the their grandparents