#touf

my actual shaylas ong (its layla x ryannn)

might be too niche for yall 💔

Here is our plan, we took an hour out of our day to prepare properly:

Know the symptoms and how it spreads (15 min)

Understand the medical treatment plans established in your community (15 min)

Discuss with your family what a 14-day quarantine really could mean and identify who in your circle could be considered ‘at risk’. (30 min)

SOCIAL DISTANCING! - Slow the spread, flatten the curve! (ongoing)

[DISCLAIMER - Mini-rant to follow with instruction details. I may not be a physician but I have family and friends working the front lines to prepare for Coronavirus, and I trust their dedication and expertise in healthcare.]

The lack of clear, experienced, and decisive leadership in regards to preparation and mitigation of the Coronavirus is absolutely DESTROYING me inside. We need guidance and instructions not marred with politics and uneducated opinions. This is a nasty and novel infectious disease and our leadership needs to be science-based and data-driven. I hope I’m wrong, I really do. I hope I get called a 'fear-mongerer' and ‘liar'. Because if I’m not wrong… human lives are at risk.

Am I an expert that has dedicated decades of my life towards the research and understanding of infections diseases and their affect on humans/human crowds (like a doctor, epidemiologist, or a microbiologist)? Nope! But there are people that have and with the advice and experience of those experts, a leader trusts that word to enact policy and resources to capture the attention of millions, to ensure they clearly understand the true situation, understand why certain actions are occurring, and allow them to make the best decisions for themselves, their loved ones, and their community. Fear shouldn’t be avoided, its panic (and toilet paper shortages). And panic comes from lack of clear, experienced, and decisive leadership.

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Know the symptoms and how it spreads (15 min) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

It’s easy to confuse this with influenza/flu because the symptoms are similar. But what really confounds the problem is how quickly/easily coronavirus spreads and the fact that many people could be infectious without showing symptoms. If you are one of the lucky individuals that are young and healthy, you are most likely going to be ok (sick for while but ok)… but if/when you use up healthcare resources and who you spread this to next could literally kill someone. Add on the lack of active testing and the sudden deluge of cases into our healthcare system we could see in a few weeks could be crippling (more on that in #4). Ignoring what is happening in other parts of the world and thinking it can’t happen here is ignorant. Infectious diseases do not respect borders and our borders have been (and mostly still are) open for the past 3 months since the first cases were being reported. We need to learn and prepare. 

2. Understand the medical treatment plans established in your community (15 min)

Refer to local hospital websites, city/town communication channels, and local media. Hotlines are being established, external field tents are being erected, and mobile drive-thru testing points are being setup (Hopefully!). Each of your communities will probably be unique, but if/when you detect symptoms (#1), know what you need to do first. This most likely should involve self-quarantine and making some phone calls. Unless a life/death medical emergency, don’t go to the ER! (#4)There are medical teams in your area that have been working tirelessly for the past few weeks trying to prepare for this. Regardless of what the media and politicians are portraying, healthcare providers in your own neighborhoods have been doing their best to stock pile medical supplies, establish pandemic protocols, and train/test the local healthcare system for what is to come. (Mom, I know you’re working 16 hour days, 7 days a week. I love you and good luck.)

3. Discuss with your family what a 14-day quarantine really could mean and identify ‘at risk’ individuals in your circle. (30 min)

If you get that medical instruction, phone call, visitor to your door, or community-wide announcement; quarantine is immediate. It’s not, go around and gather supplies then quarantine. For those that live and/or care for others, this could mean separation and isolation for an amount of time. 14-days/2-weeks is the currently established standard.Discuss with your family/loved ones what a 14-day quarantine could look like. Do you have the right amount of supplies (food, water, medications, etc.)? (14 days, NOT 14 weeks people!) Do you need to establish a communication network to keep people informed of each other’s status? Are their backup plans to watch over others and people you can reach out to if you need help? Social media groups and community-based communication boards are establishing grassroots care networks for those ‘at risk' and those that may need an extra bit of help during times of crisis. Make sure your fellow neighbors are connected to other neighbors. Keep communications compassionate and constant - physical and emotional well-being is important.

‘At Risk’ - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html‘

At risk’ individuals include those older in age and those that are immuno-/health- compromised. If you or someone you know is over the age of 60, they are at risk. Respiratory issues like asthma, they are at risk. Cancer? At risk. Neurological disorder? At risk. Obese? Probably at risk. Pretty much if you have a serious chronic medical condition, you need to be mindful of your exposure and probably best to self-isolate ASAP. NOTE, just because you are young/healthy doesn’t mean you have carte-blanche to do what you want (see #4). 

4. SOCIAL DISTANCING! - Slow the spread, flatten the curve! https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-social-distancing-and-self-quarantine

Social distancing! This is so critically important and also the most difficult to follow or adhere to. What we do today will dictate what we experience a few weeks from now. There is a threshold of healthcare resources vs. number of patients in need of treatment that if surpassed, will cripple our ability to treat and save lives. As there is a limited number of toilet paper rolls, the same goes for doctors, nurses, ambulances, operating rooms, hospitals beds, respirators, masks, gloves etc. My biggest fear is not the coronavirus itself, it’s our healthcare system’s possible lack of ability to treat people with ANY medical condition. Injuries and medical emergencies unrelated to Coronavirus will still occur, and I hope no one has to face the decision of who should live or die because of lack of resources. So if you’re still going for Sunday brunch with family, a bar crawl with a few buddies, or flying on cheap airplane tickets, you are slapping the solidarity of human society in the face. We need to slow the progression of this disease so medical support can keep up.

F: What’s the longest you’ve ever been in a fandom?

I’ve been in the Merlin fandom since the show debuted 2008 and I literally just joined a discord server this week for it. Still active in that fandom after 10 years.

L: Say something genuinely nice about a character who isn’t one of your faves. 

Hmm this is tough. Okay wait I got one. Chris from Yuri on Ice. The character is deeper than he initially appears and he is a very good friend to those he cares for. While not my fave, I can understand why people like him and he seems to have a good sense of humor and general roll with the punches attitude that’s admirable.

U - Three favorite characters from three different fandoms, and why they’re your favorites.

This is hard tooooo. imma try to pick different types of characters too.

1. Gintoki from Gintama. He has a tough life but he always maintains a sunny personality. He has a big heart and will give everything to help a stranger or the world on the whole (even though the world has rarely helped him in return) just because he believes in the best of everyone. Also he is HILARIOUS. And a really cool swordsman. he’s a bit of a dumbass too.

2. okay I gotta go back to Merlin and go with the main and title character, Merlin.  He’s played by my fave actor colin morgan (and this role is basically what made him my fave actor but i love his other roles too). merlin is a really strong character. he would do anything for the people he cares about but he isnt a push over about it. he kicks the butts of people who he cares for too whent hey are being dumb. lol. he is super powerful but very very humble. and he has a good sense of morals. 

3. Kim Jin Hyuk from Antique Bakery (korean movie). he IS an asshole. hes rude and can be straight up mean. but he is actually really complex and interesting. he was kidnapped as a kid by a guy who used to feed him a TON of cake. now he cant eat cake without throwing up. but he opens a cake shop anyway! because he wants to be the BEST cake shop and then catch the guy who kidnapped him! he suffers from night terrors about ti.. evn tho he cant REMEMBER what happened. his brain blocked it out. he only knows he hates cake and being touched by men. the fear of being touched by men leads him to being like... homophobic about the other main character who is gay but despite this they end up working together and then actually becoming quite close and jin hyuk like grows A LOT throughout the course of the film to be more comfortable around him and be more happy in his life in general and to learn to let people in. for only have 1 movie (not a tv show) to work with he’s a really interesting character with a lot of backstory and personality to work with. i dont think i’d ever be his friend in person... but i love to write from his pov lol.

Y:  What are your secondhand fandoms

I’m not couting things where i’ve watched show or whatever but decided to stop cus that isnt all 2nd hand.

hmmm .. scarlet heart ryo, one direction/harry styles (mean i’ve heard their music but never really sought it out. i reblog my friends posts of harry cus fashion), fullmetal alchemist, death note, there are a few other animes but i cant think of them right now, final fantasy, always sunny, futurama, bojack horseman, bobs burgers, im sure there is more but thats all my brain will think of right now.

z: Just ramble about something fan-related, go go go!

I just started getting one of my figureskating fandom friends into BTS and its awesome to see them experience it all for the first time cus its bringing back memories of my first time experiencing it. sharing fandoms is so pure and wholesome. 

1. Describe yourself how you would describe a character you’re introducing

“Ow,” she said as she entered the room by banging her waythrough the door way. She rubbed at her open laptop screen like it was abruised elbow. Perhaps it was part ofher body because for what other reason would she have to say ‘ow’ when shesmacked it into the doorframe.

If asked, she would say that the cause of the crash wassocks on a slippery wooden floor, but the truth was much less glamorous and wasdue in entirely to poor depth perception, terrible peripheral vision, and anunwillingness to look away from the buffering figure skating competition shewas live streaming illegally. But she would not be asked, because no one who mighthave asked cared, and no one who cared didn’t already know how huge of a nerdshe was.

2. Is there any specific ritual you go through while/before/after your writing?

Before I write out a bullet point list of main plot points on paper and then type it up (filling in details and expanding as I go). Then I type up the actual scenes and stick it all together into a story. I usually go in order but sometimes I jump around. I also usually listen to music or videos in the background while I write.After, I edit and proof read then I post it to AO3 and then Re-Proof it on there and fix any errors and update the post.

3. What is your absolute favorite kind of fic to write?

Hurt/Comfort with lots of cuddles. Also anything with a lot of dialogue between to characters. Just a big old conversation, talking through hard time, while cuddling. Not kidding. I have like minimum 3 or 4 fics that is just that.

7. Inspiration, time, or motivation. Choose two.

Inspiration and motivation. Inspiration because even though I already have tons of fics I want to write up on backlog I would be sad if I suddenly lost inspiration to come up with fic stories. Motivation because I feel like if you are motivated you will MAKE the time to write. For example, I am doing NaNoWriMo but I’m also more busy than I’ve been in awhile. I’ve started carrying a pen and notebook around and just writing whenever I have 2 minutes. I’ll type it up when I get home even if its late.

9. Do you ever have plans to write anything other than fic?

I’ve answered this one before but no. At least nothing concrete. Every so often I come up with ideas for other stories or for short essays but I don’t have any real plans to write them up. Yet! But if anyone wants to be a co-author I have this one idea for a story roughly based off Billy Elliot.

11. Weirdest thing you’ve ever written/thought about writing/etc.?

Hmmm shipwise I once wrote a sam/dean fic cus someone requested it but I don’t ship it and it made me uncomfy so I ended up ‘orphaning’ it on AO3. Plotwise ... I’ve outlined ideas for time travel fics and some aus but those are pretty tame like hogwarts or high school aus. I had at some point a plot idea for a SandM ship for glee characters that I wanted to like... do in a nice way but realized I didn’t actually know enough about that life style to write that. Also it just was unneeded for the characters. Oh! I once (back in the day) wrote a re-write of harry potter that shipped draco and hermione (who I dont ship anymore) and who LITERALLY saved the day with the POWER OF LOVE and reverted voldemort to a kid to be his friend and give him a second chance??? That was pretty weird.

15. Your guilty writing pleasure?

Writing all the dialogue first and filling in the rest after.

19. Why did you start writing?

I started writing stories in general because in upper elementary school and middle school two of my best friends found a website called Writer’s Window (based out of New Zealand) which was like a mix of fanfic.net and a thread based blog site for original work that encouraged writers to write stories together. It was fun. There was one which was like you picked a topic and took turns writing. And another where a bunch of people wrote for one character and your characters interacted through branching chat paths. It was like RP-ing but with only OCs. And people also posted a lot of poems and short stories. The site is unfortunately now shut down, though there is a fb group where some people still stay in touch.