# If the virus gets you, how will we know? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 26, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322 "2020-03-26T14:31:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/1 "2020-03-26T14:31:32Z")
I didn’t see a similar thread to this, so apologies if this has already been done. I’m not sure how to put this delicately, so here goes the blunt version: Many of our most valuable members here on the SMDB are gettin’ up there in years, and are therefore at high risk if they catch the virus. If the worst happens, do you have a plan to somehow let the rest of us know? ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/2 "2020-03-26T15:07:18Z")
Some people “death plan” their social media (which effectively means trusting someone else with your password). Here’s the technique for Facebook: [DeadSocial - Prepare for Death Digitally & Build Your Digital Legacy - Facebook](http://deadsocial.org/resources/social-media-accounts/facebook) Who would you choose? It’s probably best not to choose a spouse, as they will be in close contact and probably around the same age. However, spouses are typically the most trusted people (compared to adult children). ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/3 "2020-03-26T15:24:37Z")
I’m not “up there in years”, but I figure that if it gets me and doesn’t get my wife, then word of my demise will eventually make its way to another Doper who is also a parent of a child at my boys’ school, and they’ll probably post something about it and vice-versa if it somehow gets them. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/4 "2020-03-26T15:28:30Z")
I had a cheery thought the other day. I live alone and have been working from home most of the time. And I am in my late 60s. It occurred to me that, say I happened to pick up the virus last time I was in public, if I were to wake up with a serious touch of COVID-19 then I may well never again see anyone that I know. At the moment I haven’t seen anyone I know since Monday. I have had two friends die at home alone but it was quick, not like lingering in quarantine. So I would rather not thanks. But if I do die I will stop posting. That will be the clue. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/5 "2020-03-26T15:30:13Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > But if I do die I will stop posting. That will be the clue. That’s my plan! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/6 "2020-03-26T15:32:40Z")
This falls into the 'getting your ducks in a row ’ school. I have someone that will let people know if I’m pushing up daisies. ---
**Author:** ![TinaMoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TinaMoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TinaMoris)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/7 "2020-03-26T15:34:53Z")
Just pay attention to your condition. If you feel bad, have cough, fever, drink plenty of water and rest. If you have got hard breathing, see your doctor immediately ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/8 "2020-03-26T23:37:05Z")
Maybe I should leave a note someplace where someone would eventually find it. On the list of things to do if I start coughing, maybe. Or maybe I should do it anyway. Corona’s not the only thing people die of, after all. Though my chances of dying of a traffic accident are lower right now than usual. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/9 "2020-03-26T23:50:24Z")
I’m Facebook friends with some on here. Hopefully they will notice. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/10 "2020-03-26T23:52:50Z")
I’m definitely “up there in years”. If I suddenly disappear from the Dope, you’ll know why. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/11 "2020-03-26T23:52:59Z")
In the next year (if anyone notices), if 90 days go by without a post from me, I’m dead. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/12 "2020-03-27T00:19:16Z")
BTW, has anyone heard from Annie-Xmas? She hasn’t posted since the 14th. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/13 "2020-03-27T00:23:55Z")
Look for a post from me that says, "I have a fever and a dry cou ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/14 "2020-03-27T02:35:53Z")
If I suddenly drop dead (from any cause whatever), chances are nobody will know until the landlord comes around looking for the missed rent. Depending on what time of the month that happens, that could be very quickly or as long as a month. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/15 "2020-03-27T03:09:20Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > BTW, has anyone heard from Annie-Xmas? She hasn’t posted since the 14th. If I remember she posts from her public library. They are most likely closed for the duration. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-virus-gets-you-how-will-we-know/850322/16 "2020-03-27T03:28:04Z")
How can you miss me if I don’t go away?