Eggs of all descriptions are becoming a big part of my life whilst living
through the pandemic! Later I will share with you the eggs we are eating.
Because I'm a non-meat eating, lover of cooking and baking person, I do
use a lot of eggs each week.
But today it's back to the front porch where, despite sadness, concern and bad
news from every continent being strewn across television screens and
newspapers, there are small beacons of hope for the future.
Did you see the New York healthcare workers, doctors and nurses, are now having
to resort to wearing black plastic garbage bags as personal protective
equipment - for lack of gowns? The Big Apple is now our major hotspot for
the virus in the USA?
It's news like this which touch a nerve regarding how, when, will we really be
able to tame this raging virus that seems to have the planet in its grip.
Be steadfast in your self-isolation, keep your personal space, only go out
to stores remaining open for true necessities. This is where we learn to
cut back. . . . . perhaps even go without!
Yes, there are also some small wonderful happenings in the fight against COVID-19.
Today I've learned one is happening right here in North Carolina, and I'll share at the end of this post.
As for the other eggs, Mrs. Finch laid her first yesterday around noon.
Later I managed to get this photo when she flew to the fig tree for a break,
which she does every time we open the front door. When she returns,
Mr. Finch comes with her and hangs about until she's comfortable
on the nest. He is in charge of 'carry out' and will be bringing her
meals during incubation. . . . . . a busy boy for a couple of weeks.
. . . . . . and now this morning there are two - things are looking good.
House finches lay 4-5 blueish eggs (and have two broods per year),
so I'll be watching the nest for the next couple of days and updating!
so I'll be watching the nest for the next couple of days and updating!
Mrs. Finch seems to keep her eye on us!
Mr. Finch bringing a teeny weeny green bug to his wife, one of the House finch's
favorite morsels, along with seeds and fruit.
Good luck little family.
Meanwhile, some good news. . . . . . .
At Duke University Health in Durham, North Carolina, just a hop and a skip from
here, there is this great news today, partially reprinted from our local newspaper below.
I applaud Duke - which is also part of the new clinical trial underway in the
USA to find medicines to fight this, the most vicious virus ever.
Duke Health says it will stretch its supply of specialized masks used by health care workers treating coronavirus patients by decontaminating and reusing them.
Duke will use aerosolized hydrogen peroxide to treat N95 masks at its three hospitals in Durham and Raleigh. The gas permeates the masks to kill germs, including viruses, without harming the material, Duke says.
N95 masks are one type of personal protective equipment that hospitals are trying desperately to stockpile as the COVID-19 outbreak intensifies. Also known as the N95 respirator, the mask offers more protection than a standard surgical mask. It gets its name because it prevents at least 95% of airborne particles from entering the wearer’s mouth and nose, if worn properly.
“The ability to reuse the crucial N95 masks will boost the hospitals’ ability to protect frontline health care workers during this time of critical shortages of N95 masks,” Dr. Cameron Wolfe, an associate professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist, said in a written statement.
Before it could reliably use hydrogen peroxide to treat the masks, Duke Health says it had to do something the earlier researchers hadn’t: make sure the masks would still fit properly when the process was finished. That has been done, Duke said in announcing the new process Thursday.
. . . . . . . The News & Observer, Raleigh, NC - March 26, 2020
Cheers dear readers - please take care, and keep blogging.
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Mr. and Mrs. Finch are a pretty couple, laying pretty eggs. How kind of Mr. Finch to bring his wife her favourite food!
ReplyDeleteGood idea about cleaning the masks to make them fit for re-use.
I have been thinking a lot about how the coronacrisis makes people throw all restrictions to the wind when it comes to creating more and more plastic garbage - think of all those plastic gowns, gloves and other throwaway equipment used in hospitals, surgeries and people in general! Whereas most people (apart from medical staff, those infected and the ones who care for them) don't really need any of it, and often use the masks etc. wrongly.
The ability to reuse equipment is VERY good news! How lovely to see the house finch eggs. I know there are nests in our hedge, but I've not seen any and don't want to be too intrusive. Last night's supper here was chicken pot pie, which could also be a vegetable pot pie. Very comforting and simple.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Mary.
What a joy to see the eggs in the little nest. Happy news, as opposed to anything else!
ReplyDeleteThat is good news. My daughter shared that this “fogging” was available. Many production plants around the country have it...a simple machine that can be used to disinfect an entire room. She first saw it in use at a flour factory. She wondered why all hospitals don’t have them. I imagine that many more will have after this.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your little Finch family...very pretty eggs. 🌷☀️🌷
Oh, how delightful! And very good news about the sterilisation breakthrough. Sadly, there are still many single use items that have awful back stories that don't bear chewing over in your delightful blog-space. But hopefully human ingenuity and decency will prevail throughout.
ReplyDeleteOh those blue eggs are so gorgeous! It is always a joy to see the prospect of new life. That is good news about the masks, sad news about the use of plastic bags by desperate medical staff. In Australia, hospitals are trying to source respirators from veterinary practices as it is predicted the country will run out of them by end of next week. I am about to try to make a hand sewn fabric mask to wear to the grocery store, who are not delivering at the moment due to being overwhelmed. Hi to Mrs Finch and the attentive Mr Finch! xx
ReplyDeleteDear Mary,
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely to see your bird community coming back to your garden and porch. Their song alone must make you very happy.
Thanks for your lovely pictures when things are pretty doom and gloom right now. Will be looking forward to seeing what dishes you're making from eggs. I'm a semi-vegetarian...I do eat some meat. I'm not much of an egg eater on their own, but I like quiches and such. xoxo
ReplyDeleteEach tidbit of good news can make our hearts heal. Take care and be well. I had ordered a N95 mask before things heated up to take on my trip. I just use it to go to the market.It is suppose to be washable, but not sure it is.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing your nesting birds and their beautiful blue eggs. I know we will all look forward to seeing your new little family as they hatch.