Finland VS Coronavirus/COVID-19

So as you probably are already aware there is a virus spreading like wildfire throughout the world called Coronavirus or COVID-19.

I've been watching via Facebook and the news how insane and quickly it spread via China, passengers everywhere around the world - even passengers on cruise ships being stranded and so on!
And the beautiful Italians who came together and sang from their balconies despite being on lock down due to the COVID-19 has also been going viral as well!

I have to admit that I did not think the lengthy line ups, obsession with hoarding and excessive purchasing of toilet paper would come to Finland but it has.

One of multiple memes

I am in the semi-high risk groups due to having asthma and working in a very public space - but have felt perfectly fine thus far.
I carry hand disinfectant with me anyway...wash my hands and shower regularly and try to rest and eat as healthy as possible!

I am also in the position where if I were to get sick - it would be highly unfortunate because I work in an airport restaurant and have a son with non-verbal autism...so I am truly screwed if he becomes sick since he is unable to express how he feels on a day-to-day basis.
And sad unfortunate fact - my contract got axed due to COVID-19 because so many flights are being cancelled...
Also my ex-husband has Crohn's disease - so he should try to remain as healthy as possible because while having Crohn's alone sucks a lot - so does being sick on top of it.

The interesting thing about all this hoarding of toilet paper -which took me awhile to understand to be honest...(it's in case one is strictly quarantined for a minimum of 2 weeks) is that Finland has bidets!!
You can find a bidet in any Finnish bathroom - even in public ones - with the rare exception of a cabin in the woods...

A bidet is a little hose attachment to your bathroom sink so you can rinse yourself, pat yourself with a towel and NOT use toilet paper.
What are some other uses for a bidet?

• Washing your bathroom floors if you have a "half bathroom" that does not have a shower in that particular bathroom (see photo to the right).
• Rinsing the toilet
• Washing babies bottoms - baby wipes aren't regularly used here unless travelling to be honest.
• Rinsing cloth diapers full of poop into the toilet
• Rinsing or bathing a small pet
• Rinsing your hair into a sink if a shower isn't close enough 
• It's incredibly handy to rinse yourself after having given birth - as my Canadian friends have advised me that they only had the option to shower after using the bathroom or using a squirt bottle!
• Fulfilling your sexual needs - but to each their own and it might not be for you. 

I will be honest - I don't use the bidet in the bathroom but am considering using it...not just because I can reduce my costs of toilet paper usage but it just makes more sense and also reduces urinary tract infections and so on.

So now as it stands - Finland is possibly closing schools and universities (a decision was to be made last week but it has yet to be released as of Sunday the 15th in the morning), many flights have been cancelled, swimming halls, orchestras, theaters and sport practices have been cancelled.  Visits to the nursing homes are also forbidden as well - this is all based on Jyväskylä anyway and my (former?) boss is a football player and her practices have also been cancelled completely in Turku!
Update: University of Turku and I am sure elsewhere will be cancelling their courses or having them done online so students and staff can stay safely home.

I am part of a board game group and although we have exchanged game pieces and cards already multiple times - we are possibly definitely cancelling our meet-ups for the next few weeks to assist in preventing others from getting COVID-19 or any flu of any kind.

A lot of people are being asked to work remotely from home - which is also awesome and a great step toward preventing the spread of COVID-19 and yes there are many cases in Finland of COVID-19 and people are being quarantined a minimum of 2 weeks too - and not just the elderly!

S-Market JKL

It IS possible to find toilet paper and grocery stores have been awesome at re-stocking their shelves as fast as they can - but hand disinfectant seems to be the hardest thing to find and while some pharmacies have it - they sell out very quickly as well.

I have not seen anyone wearing a mask thus far in Finland - although the ones that seem to be asking for it are primarily Asian expats and based on multiple posts and warnings from my nurse friends - they're perfectly useless - so I have not bothered with wearing one.

So keep your hands clean, keep your distance from people at risk (regardless of the age in my opinion) and be safe folks!

LAFA