Coronavirus prep
Replies
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In Detroit (down the road from me), 5 police officers are confirmed positive, and 150-some are quarantined. That's "only" 7% of the force, but apparently it's concentrated in some parts of the city, so requiring some reallocations of personnel. If it gets worse, chief will possibly de-prioritize some less urgent investigative units for full staffing.
Before you start: I'm not catastrophizing about the horrors of Detroit, which tends to have some baggage about being an awful place. It has some serious challenges, but so do many major cities. It's not a unique case study in bad city-hood or something, so don't take this as some dark hint about what may happen in Detroit.
I'm reporting this here because it suggests a potentially high-exposure group I hadn't considered, and I heard the stats from Detroit because it's nearby (source: Michigan Radio, a network of public radio stations that does some excellent reporting in the state).
Here's a piece about a similar topic in Chicago (I think we've only had one police officer reported positive so far).
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-first-responders-20200319-hxfzxfbvo5f7xagipvuqaryfyi-story.html1 -
This Danish supermarket has a solution for hoarding 😄
https://www.boredpanda.com/danish-supermarket-stop-hoarding-hand-sanitizer/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
Not really practical in real life where nobody is forced to wear a badge of shame proclaiming "HOARDER!" while others are able to shop in peace with their "SHOPPING FOR A GROUP!" sashes 😊3 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »bmeadows380 wrote: »My sister had worked at Lowe's for over 5 years until she got fired this past summer. She took a job with Krogers, which now may be seen as a blessing in disguise - Krogers is considered essential, so her job should be safe. Lowe's, on the other hand, would likely have laid her off.
Does Lowes not count as essential? What happens if there’s a wiring issue or the water heater breaks or the door falls off the hinges? I can think of about fifteen things that would make it impossible to keep sheltering in place that could go wrong with no hardware store.
From HuffPost: While the list may vary according to local concerns and the nature of a given event, disaster or pandemic, here is a general idea of what’s considered “essential” in emergencies, according to various governments, including San Francisco, Miami, New York state and Miami-Dade County:
• Gas stations, auto supply stores, auto repair shops and related facilities
• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks and convenience stores
• Liquor stores
• Restaurants (only for delivery, takeout and drive-thru)
• Hardware stores and plumbers
• Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel
• Exterminators and other service providers
• Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care
• Construction sites and engineering and architecture firms
• Banks and related financial institutions including insurance and accounting services
• Phone and computer sellers
• Community benefit organizations on a case-by-case basis
• Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
• Healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations including research and laboratory services, medical wholesale and distribution, and dentists
• Businesses that provide shelter and/or social services
• Newspapers, television, radio and other media outlets
• Businesses offering mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
• Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers
• Home-based care for seniors, adults or children
• Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult day care centers and senior facilities
• Pet supply stores
• Veterinary offices
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Building code enforcement
• Jails
• Courts
• Garbage/sanitation and recycling services
• Public transportation (Muni, BART, subways)
• Utilities (water, power and gas, telecommunications)
• Certain city, county, state and federal offices
• Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
• Maintenance staff, cleaners, janitors and doormen
• Manufacturing including food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, paper products, safety and sanitary products
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/what-are-essential-services-jobs-185047320.html
That's a longer list than we used to have (before the curfew was announced, now it's even shorter). I'm curious why liquor stores are considered essential.
I cannot understand why alcohol stores would be considered essential either, but I have to admit, I haven't wanted a drink for as long as I can remember, as much as I do now.
A lot of those places I wouldn't consider essential but you can always dig further and reach for reasons why a certain place should remain open.
And I kind of agree with the poster who mentioned isolation being an all or nothing action. There are still too many gaps if we're talking isolation, too many places where people are not taking this seriously. Too many what-if's and not enough information. Many people are still trying to live their normal daily routines and are late in adjusting their thinking to this new way of living.
Has Snowflake shared how Italy has locked down their public services and which ones remain accessible? As well as any other places that have become more stringent with isolating, such as NYC or California, etc.? I'm sorry if I missed it already, I either skipped the info unintentionally(there's been a LOT) or forgot.
Vets are considered essential but there again, a pet care place 15 minutes away, had a client who was sick, and later in the day, confirmed positive. They had to contact all who were exposed. I called my vet yesterday, they've cancelled all non-emergency visits and will take it week by week. I asked about the flea meds.( prescription only)and they've been taking people's orders, placing them in a box outside their door.
So, yes, steps are definitely being taken to decrease exposure but it definitely leaves me feeling like there are still way too many gaps.2 -
Our little town now has “security” at the grocery store doors, keeping numbers below 23 customers at a time. My husband, who is a higher level manager in the same company but dealing with agriculture fertilizer, seed, equipment, staffing etc. He said people are insane and as much as he hoped to assess the conditions and be able to pass the job to another staff person he is sure he will be in the post for a while. My son, who also works in another area, has been recruited for stocking and cleaning and gets screamed at regularly over meat pkg sizes, and milk limits. It’s a good thing they both have thick skins. Son woke up with a cough this morn. It is fully asthma related, but a day or 3 at home will be good for his mental health. We are all in good spirits, but the thought of this insanity lasting many months is hard. I, like most, am mostly concerned for the low income and single parents in our countries. We have made up an “emergency budget” to implement if my husbands job is put on hold(I am already laid off), only praying we don’t have to resort to that. We are thinking of the world, and making sure our”invincible” teenagers consider others and work to understand all circumstances. Love to everyone fighting finances, personal issues, anxiety, depression, and everything else stressing us out atm!!!15
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This Danish supermarket has a solution for hoarding 😄
https://www.boredpanda.com/danish-supermarket-stop-hoarding-hand-sanitizer/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
Not really practical in real life where nobody is forced to wear a badge of shame proclaiming "HOARDER!" while others are able to shop in peace with their "SHOPPING FOR A GROUP!" sashes 😊14 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »I'm curious why liquor stores are considered essential.
I don't know if this is the reasoning at all, but an alcoholic can die from withdrawal.
This, and to have available self-medication for the rest of us, unfortunately.
May I just rant: I work in NJ, and they just closed the libraries!? JFC, PA (or, at least Bucks County and Philly) have had theirs closed for a week now. How many parents took their kids to the library when the schools closed?6 -
This Danish supermarket has a solution for hoarding 😄
https://www.boredpanda.com/danish-supermarket-stop-hoarding-hand-sanitizer/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
Not really practical in real life where nobody is forced to wear a badge of shame proclaiming "HOARDER!" while others are able to shop in peace with their "SHOPPING FOR A GROUP!" sashes 😊
You need a neon yellow sash that screams
"PRIORITY!! SHOPPING FOR TEENAGERS" 😂5 -
rheddmobile wrote: »bmeadows380 wrote: »My sister had worked at Lowe's for over 5 years until she got fired this past summer. She took a job with Krogers, which now may be seen as a blessing in disguise - Krogers is considered essential, so her job should be safe. Lowe's, on the other hand, would likely have laid her off.
Does Lowes not count as essential? What happens if there’s a wiring issue or the water heater breaks or the door falls off the hinges? I can think of about fifteen things that would make it impossible to keep sheltering in place that could go wrong with no hardware store.
From HuffPost: While the list may vary according to local concerns and the nature of a given event, disaster or pandemic, here is a general idea of what’s considered “essential” in emergencies, according to various governments, including San Francisco, Miami, New York state and Miami-Dade County:
• Gas stations, auto supply stores, auto repair shops and related facilities
• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks and convenience stores
• Liquor stores
• Restaurants (only for delivery, takeout and drive-thru)
• Hardware stores and plumbers
• Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel
• Exterminators and other service providers
• Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care
• Construction sites and engineering and architecture firms
• Banks and related financial institutions including insurance and accounting services
• Phone and computer sellers
• Community benefit organizations on a case-by-case basis
• Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
• Healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations including research and laboratory services, medical wholesale and distribution, and dentists
• Businesses that provide shelter and/or social services
• Newspapers, television, radio and other media outlets
• Businesses offering mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
• Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers
• Home-based care for seniors, adults or children
• Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult day care centers and senior facilities
• Pet supply stores
• Veterinary offices
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Building code enforcement
• Jails
• Courts
• Garbage/sanitation and recycling services
• Public transportation (Muni, BART, subways)
• Utilities (water, power and gas, telecommunications)
• Certain city, county, state and federal offices
• Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
• Maintenance staff, cleaners, janitors and doormen
• Manufacturing including food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, paper products, safety and sanitary products
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/what-are-essential-services-jobs-185047320.html
Landscape and pool care?
Since these are things that are done outside, with no customer interaction required, I can see letting these businesses operate. Yes, there is still a risk of co-workers being together, but I think they are just trying to lessen the economic blow for people and save whatever jobs they can.
Plus, as someone pointed out, there are people who are not capable of mowing their own lawns.12 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »bmeadows380 wrote: »My sister had worked at Lowe's for over 5 years until she got fired this past summer. She took a job with Krogers, which now may be seen as a blessing in disguise - Krogers is considered essential, so her job should be safe. Lowe's, on the other hand, would likely have laid her off.
Does Lowes not count as essential? What happens if there’s a wiring issue or the water heater breaks or the door falls off the hinges? I can think of about fifteen things that would make it impossible to keep sheltering in place that could go wrong with no hardware store.
From HuffPost: While the list may vary according to local concerns and the nature of a given event, disaster or pandemic, here is a general idea of what’s considered “essential” in emergencies, according to various governments, including San Francisco, Miami, New York state and Miami-Dade County:
• Gas stations, auto supply stores, auto repair shops and related facilities
• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks and convenience stores
• Liquor stores
• Restaurants (only for delivery, takeout and drive-thru)
• Hardware stores and plumbers
• Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel
• Exterminators and other service providers
• Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care
• Construction sites and engineering and architecture firms
• Banks and related financial institutions including insurance and accounting services
• Phone and computer sellers
• Community benefit organizations on a case-by-case basis
• Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
• Healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations including research and laboratory services, medical wholesale and distribution, and dentists
• Businesses that provide shelter and/or social services
• Newspapers, television, radio and other media outlets
• Businesses offering mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
• Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers
• Home-based care for seniors, adults or children
• Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult day care centers and senior facilities
• Pet supply stores
• Veterinary offices
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Building code enforcement
• Jails
• Courts
• Garbage/sanitation and recycling services
• Public transportation (Muni, BART, subways)
• Utilities (water, power and gas, telecommunications)
• Certain city, county, state and federal offices
• Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
• Maintenance staff, cleaners, janitors and doormen
• Manufacturing including food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, paper products, safety and sanitary products
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/what-are-essential-services-jobs-185047320.html
Landscape and pool care?
Since these are things that are done outside, with no customer interaction required, I can see letting these businesses operate. Yes, there is still a risk of co-workers being together, but I think they are just trying to lessen the economic blow for people and save whatever jobs they can.
Plus, as someone pointed out, there are people who are not capable of mowing their own lawns.
That, and pools can become breeding grounds if not properly treated, chemically. They're basically big petrie dishes and the places that have them are usually hot climates where mosquitoes and other nasty creatures live. COVID isn't the only danger out there, it's just the newest. We've come up with sanitation work-arounds for the other ones, mostly.
When I lived in Florida in the seventies they used to come around with big trucks with sprayers on them to spray for mosquitoes. We would be told to stay inside with windows closed and AC on. Not sure if they still do stuff like that.12 -
T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »bmeadows380 wrote: »My sister had worked at Lowe's for over 5 years until she got fired this past summer. She took a job with Krogers, which now may be seen as a blessing in disguise - Krogers is considered essential, so her job should be safe. Lowe's, on the other hand, would likely have laid her off.
Does Lowes not count as essential? What happens if there’s a wiring issue or the water heater breaks or the door falls off the hinges? I can think of about fifteen things that would make it impossible to keep sheltering in place that could go wrong with no hardware store.
From HuffPost: While the list may vary according to local concerns and the nature of a given event, disaster or pandemic, here is a general idea of what’s considered “essential” in emergencies, according to various governments, including San Francisco, Miami, New York state and Miami-Dade County:
• Gas stations, auto supply stores, auto repair shops and related facilities
• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks and convenience stores
• Liquor stores
• Restaurants (only for delivery, takeout and drive-thru)
• Hardware stores and plumbers
• Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel
• Exterminators and other service providers
• Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care
• Construction sites and engineering and architecture firms
• Banks and related financial institutions including insurance and accounting services
• Phone and computer sellers
• Community benefit organizations on a case-by-case basis
• Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
• Healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations including research and laboratory services, medical wholesale and distribution, and dentists
• Businesses that provide shelter and/or social services
• Newspapers, television, radio and other media outlets
• Businesses offering mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
• Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers
• Home-based care for seniors, adults or children
• Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult day care centers and senior facilities
• Pet supply stores
• Veterinary offices
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Building code enforcement
• Jails
• Courts
• Garbage/sanitation and recycling services
• Public transportation (Muni, BART, subways)
• Utilities (water, power and gas, telecommunications)
• Certain city, county, state and federal offices
• Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
• Maintenance staff, cleaners, janitors and doormen
• Manufacturing including food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, paper products, safety and sanitary products
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/what-are-essential-services-jobs-185047320.html
Landscape and pool care?
Right? This goes back to my earlier point about partial shutdowns. All these things that are considered "essential" and are obviously not essential are destroying the benefit.
Courts are another good example. I know that there are some legal issues that truly cannot wait, but simple lawsuits, minor things like traffic tickets, etc. can all be re-scheduled to a later date. Many courts have judges that are basically on call for situations like where something just cannot wait, so a judge is available nights/weekends anyway. That may be as simple as the police go to his/her house and get a signed warrant or order of some sort. I'm not advocating that people shouldn't be afforded their day in court for situations where normally people have a right to defend themselves in a public trial, but those types of things can be delayed often.
In the county I live in jury duty is for 90 days. I’ve been on a stint from 1/2/20 to 3/31/20. We call in to see if we have to report. Yesterday, I called in to see if I have to report for the week of 3/24/20 - 3/31/20. Because of the virus, it’s been cancelled.7 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »bmeadows380 wrote: »My sister had worked at Lowe's for over 5 years until she got fired this past summer. She took a job with Krogers, which now may be seen as a blessing in disguise - Krogers is considered essential, so her job should be safe. Lowe's, on the other hand, would likely have laid her off.
Does Lowes not count as essential? What happens if there’s a wiring issue or the water heater breaks or the door falls off the hinges? I can think of about fifteen things that would make it impossible to keep sheltering in place that could go wrong with no hardware store.
From HuffPost: While the list may vary according to local concerns and the nature of a given event, disaster or pandemic, here is a general idea of what’s considered “essential” in emergencies, according to various governments, including San Francisco, Miami, New York state and Miami-Dade County:
• Gas stations, auto supply stores, auto repair shops and related facilities
• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks and convenience stores
• Liquor stores
• Restaurants (only for delivery, takeout and drive-thru)
• Hardware stores and plumbers
• Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel
• Exterminators and other service providers
• Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care
• Construction sites and engineering and architecture firms
• Banks and related financial institutions including insurance and accounting services
• Phone and computer sellers
• Community benefit organizations on a case-by-case basis
• Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
• Healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations including research and laboratory services, medical wholesale and distribution, and dentists
• Businesses that provide shelter and/or social services
• Newspapers, television, radio and other media outlets
• Businesses offering mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
• Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers
• Home-based care for seniors, adults or children
• Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult day care centers and senior facilities
• Pet supply stores
• Veterinary offices
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Building code enforcement
• Jails
• Courts
• Garbage/sanitation and recycling services
• Public transportation (Muni, BART, subways)
• Utilities (water, power and gas, telecommunications)
• Certain city, county, state and federal offices
• Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
• Maintenance staff, cleaners, janitors and doormen
• Manufacturing including food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, paper products, safety and sanitary products
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/what-are-essential-services-jobs-185047320.html
That's a longer list than we used to have (before the curfew was announced, now it's even shorter). I'm curious why liquor stores are considered essential.
I cannot understand why alcohol stores would be considered essential either, but I have to admit, I haven't wanted a drink for as long as I can remember, as much as I do now.
A lot of those places I wouldn't consider essential but you can always dig further and reach for reasons why a certain place should remain open.
And I kind of agree with the poster who mentioned isolation being an all or nothing action. There are still too many gaps if we're talking isolation, too many places where people are not taking this seriously. Too many what-if's and not enough information. Many people are still trying to live their normal daily routines and are late in adjusting their thinking to this new way of living.
Has Snowflake shared how Italy has locked down their public services and which ones remain accessible? As well as any other places that have become more stringent with isolating, such as NYC or California, etc.? I'm sorry if I missed it already, I either skipped the info unintentionally(there's been a LOT) or forgot.
Vets are considered essential but there again, a pet care place 15 minutes away, had a client who was sick, and later in the day, confirmed positive. They had to contact all who were exposed. I called my vet yesterday, they've cancelled all non-emergency visits and will take it week by week. I asked about the flea meds.( prescription only)and they've been taking people's orders, placing them in a box outside their door.
So, yes, steps are definitely being taken to decrease exposure but it definitely leaves me feeling like there are still way too many gaps.
We've pretty much locked down everything except essential--but there are gaps. Don't worry, you'll be seeing more closings. People need to get used to the idea as they tighten the noose. The main things that are open are supermarkets, banks, grocery stores, bakeries (not pastry shops), stores that sell cleaning supplies, computer and electrical stores, and mobile telephone businesses, and some offices. I can't tell you which ones there, because I don't know how it was decided, however everyone that can work from home is to do that.
When I was waiting in line for an hour to get in the supermarket this morning, and doing a few stretches, looking in empty shop windows (a toy store--cute stuff closed), I just happened to pay attention to an ad taped to the street sign poles as I moved along. It was an ad from a gelateria (ice cream shop), that we know well and they also have a small restaurant and bar. The family has been in business since the 1920's and has only the highest quality ingredients. As fate would have it my husband and I had a gelato there the day before Lockdown. I was thinking that that would be my last gelato for quite a while when I read the ad. They have gelato delivery during the crisis! You can order it online, it will be delivered for free, and there's a 30% discount on your first order. They had taped those ads to the poles where people stand to wait in line. How clever. We just placed a big order for the whole family.
I think you too will find businesses being very creative to survive.17 -
missysippy930 wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »bmeadows380 wrote: »My sister had worked at Lowe's for over 5 years until she got fired this past summer. She took a job with Krogers, which now may be seen as a blessing in disguise - Krogers is considered essential, so her job should be safe. Lowe's, on the other hand, would likely have laid her off.
Does Lowes not count as essential? What happens if there’s a wiring issue or the water heater breaks or the door falls off the hinges? I can think of about fifteen things that would make it impossible to keep sheltering in place that could go wrong with no hardware store.
From HuffPost: While the list may vary according to local concerns and the nature of a given event, disaster or pandemic, here is a general idea of what’s considered “essential” in emergencies, according to various governments, including San Francisco, Miami, New York state and Miami-Dade County:
• Gas stations, auto supply stores, auto repair shops and related facilities
• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks and convenience stores
• Liquor stores
• Restaurants (only for delivery, takeout and drive-thru)
• Hardware stores and plumbers
• Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel
• Exterminators and other service providers
• Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care
• Construction sites and engineering and architecture firms
• Banks and related financial institutions including insurance and accounting services
• Phone and computer sellers
• Community benefit organizations on a case-by-case basis
• Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
• Healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations including research and laboratory services, medical wholesale and distribution, and dentists
• Businesses that provide shelter and/or social services
• Newspapers, television, radio and other media outlets
• Businesses offering mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
• Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers
• Home-based care for seniors, adults or children
• Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult day care centers and senior facilities
• Pet supply stores
• Veterinary offices
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Building code enforcement
• Jails
• Courts
• Garbage/sanitation and recycling services
• Public transportation (Muni, BART, subways)
• Utilities (water, power and gas, telecommunications)
• Certain city, county, state and federal offices
• Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
• Maintenance staff, cleaners, janitors and doormen
• Manufacturing including food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, paper products, safety and sanitary products
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/what-are-essential-services-jobs-185047320.html
Landscape and pool care?
Right? This goes back to my earlier point about partial shutdowns. All these things that are considered "essential" and are obviously not essential are destroying the benefit.
Courts are another good example. I know that there are some legal issues that truly cannot wait, but simple lawsuits, minor things like traffic tickets, etc. can all be re-scheduled to a later date. Many courts have judges that are basically on call for situations like where something just cannot wait, so a judge is available nights/weekends anyway. That may be as simple as the police go to his/her house and get a signed warrant or order of some sort. I'm not advocating that people shouldn't be afforded their day in court for situations where normally people have a right to defend themselves in a public trial, but those types of things can be delayed often.
In the county I live in jury duty is for 90 days. I’ve been on a stint from 1/2/20 to 3/31/20. We call in to see if we have to report. Yesterday, I called in to see if I have to report for the week of 3/24/20 - 3/31/20. Because of the virus, it’s been cancelled.
That reminds me... my mom has jury duty now also. And she is older (higher risk) plus lives with someone known to have been exposed (sister living with her had a co-worker/friend test positive) and is waiting to see if any symptoms develop. Plus my other pregnant sister is a nurse and lives with them also. I should ask her about what they are doing for potential jurors right now... trials can wait for now.4 -
The first round of layoffs for one region of the hotels my employer owns has come through. 83 of 162 employees laid off, and many of the remaining on very reduced hours. This is just the initial reaction. As things develop, there could be more, along with temporary closures in markets where we have more than one hotel. And no hope for any of them of finding a job elsewhere at the moment
Not to downplay the human life and health toll, of course. This is just one micro example of the economic toll playing out all over the world right now.14 -
Rumor going around that CA will start a voucher system for allowing people to go outside. Seems extremely unlikely and not a hint of anything like it in the news.
But... I wouldn't be surprised if there is a tightening of rules, maybe a curfew and perhaps restrictions for shopping and entering other establishments.
Unfortunately, if SF is anything to go by, too many people aren't taking social distancing seriously 😔4 -
Much love and thanks to all of the longhaul truck drivers maintaining courage and bravery while keeping logistics UP and running. Where would we be without them.8
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what's going on in SF?0
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missysippy930 wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »bmeadows380 wrote: »My sister had worked at Lowe's for over 5 years until she got fired this past summer. She took a job with Krogers, which now may be seen as a blessing in disguise - Krogers is considered essential, so her job should be safe. Lowe's, on the other hand, would likely have laid her off.
Does Lowes not count as essential? What happens if there’s a wiring issue or the water heater breaks or the door falls off the hinges? I can think of about fifteen things that would make it impossible to keep sheltering in place that could go wrong with no hardware store.
From HuffPost: While the list may vary according to local concerns and the nature of a given event, disaster or pandemic, here is a general idea of what’s considered “essential” in emergencies, according to various governments, including San Francisco, Miami, New York state and Miami-Dade County:
• Gas stations, auto supply stores, auto repair shops and related facilities
• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks and convenience stores
• Liquor stores
• Restaurants (only for delivery, takeout and drive-thru)
• Hardware stores and plumbers
• Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel
• Exterminators and other service providers
• Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care
• Construction sites and engineering and architecture firms
• Banks and related financial institutions including insurance and accounting services
• Phone and computer sellers
• Community benefit organizations on a case-by-case basis
• Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
• Healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations including research and laboratory services, medical wholesale and distribution, and dentists
• Businesses that provide shelter and/or social services
• Newspapers, television, radio and other media outlets
• Businesses offering mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
• Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers
• Home-based care for seniors, adults or children
• Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult day care centers and senior facilities
• Pet supply stores
• Veterinary offices
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Building code enforcement
• Jails
• Courts
• Garbage/sanitation and recycling services
• Public transportation (Muni, BART, subways)
• Utilities (water, power and gas, telecommunications)
• Certain city, county, state and federal offices
• Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
• Maintenance staff, cleaners, janitors and doormen
• Manufacturing including food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, paper products, safety and sanitary products
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/what-are-essential-services-jobs-185047320.html
Landscape and pool care?
Right? This goes back to my earlier point about partial shutdowns. All these things that are considered "essential" and are obviously not essential are destroying the benefit.
Courts are another good example. I know that there are some legal issues that truly cannot wait, but simple lawsuits, minor things like traffic tickets, etc. can all be re-scheduled to a later date. Many courts have judges that are basically on call for situations like where something just cannot wait, so a judge is available nights/weekends anyway. That may be as simple as the police go to his/her house and get a signed warrant or order of some sort. I'm not advocating that people shouldn't be afforded their day in court for situations where normally people have a right to defend themselves in a public trial, but those types of things can be delayed often.
In the county I live in jury duty is for 90 days. I’ve been on a stint from 1/2/20 to 3/31/20. We call in to see if we have to report. Yesterday, I called in to see if I have to report for the week of 3/24/20 - 3/31/20. Because of the virus, it’s been cancelled.
Yeah, our courts had already canceled most in-person things even before the "stay at home" order.
For example, for Cook County Circuit Court:
"Many criminal and civil cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County will be postponed for a 30-day period starting Tuesday (March 17) due to the spread of the coronavirus, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced today.
Court operations will proceed as scheduled on Monday (March 16). The 30-day period runs from March 17 through April 15....
No jury trials in criminal or civil matters will begin in the 30 days. Individuals who have been summoned to jury duty from March 17 through April 15 should not report for jury duty. They will receive a new date for service.
Grand jury proceedings will continue during the 30 days, and the proceedings may be held in courtrooms to provide more space and distance between people. Individuals who are currently serving in grand jury proceedings must report to court.
For all adult criminal cases, all trials and many hearings scheduled for the 30 days are postponed to a future date. Hearings that will proceed in the 30 days include bail hearings, arraignments and preliminary hearings. In addition, defendants may continue to enter into plea agreements to conclude their case. Any pretrial defendant may also request a bail review during this time....
All traffic and misdemeanor matters scheduled in the 30 days are postponed to a future date.
For delinquency and criminal proceedings involving juveniles, the only matters that will occur during the 30 days are demands for trial and detention hearings that determine if a juvenile is held in custody while the case is pending.
Judges will hear cases of child abuse or neglect in which the state seeks protective custody of a child, and judges will hear emergency motions in which children are allegedly abused in foster care.
For domestic violence matters, petitioners may seek orders of protection during the 30 days. Litigants may also seek an order of protection related to an existing civil domestic relations case (such as dissolution of marriage). Emergency petitions may also be filed in child-support matters.
For the 30-day period, all civil matters not deemed an emergency by party agreement are postponed to a future date. Emergency requests in civil matters will be permitted.
No orders for an eviction or foreclosure will be entered during the 30-day period.
Civil lawsuits may still be filed in person or via electronic filing....
After marriage ceremonies conclude Monday, March 16, judges will not perform marriage ceremonies during the 30-day period.
Though there will be fewer cases, all courthouses will remain open for the 30 days. Court employees who do not need to be in a courtroom or office will be encouraged to work remotely during this time."
That was the order issued back on 3/13, I expect it will get stricter and even more limited.
The latest from the Northern District of IL, as of 3/20 is:
"Effective at 4:30 p.m. on March 20, 2020, and continuing during the effective period of this Order, the
District Court Clerk’s Office at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, Illinois, will be closed to public
entry. Filings in the Eastern Division can be: (i) electronically filed via CM/ECF; (ii) deposited in the
drop-box in the lobby of the Dirksen Courthouse during business hours; or (iii) mailed to U.S. District
Court Clerk’s Office, 219 South Dearborn Street, 20th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604. No in-person deliveries
of any kind may be made to a judge’s chambers or to the Clerk’s Office."
Business is still being conducted electronically and through phone hearings.4 -
There was a post I wish I could share, but it's no longer available. It was from a local school cafeteria worker detailing all the many, careful procedures they were using to obtain, package, and deliver (by bus) meals to hundreds of school children in our local system; and collaborate with the local food bank to deliver food packages for the whole family at the same time. (The intial detailed post was from a person personally known to the teacher from the same school system who reposted it where I saw it.)
They were working super hard, sanitizing everything possible (over and over, multiple times a day), maintaining distances between volunteers at the school areas where the work was going on, etc. I'm sure it's not perfect - nothing is perfect - but it was obviously very careful, and very thought-out.
Maybe I'm a Pollyanna, but I'd like to think that when officials at the higher levels are making lists of "essential businesses" and that sort of thing, they're getting advice from the wide range of experts available to them, as best they can within time limitations, and considering implications not just for the spread of COVID-19, but also other risks to the public, and trying to balance those things to the best of their abilities. (Some of them will even have participated in disaster simulations in the past that will've helped them prepare for these decisions.)
For sure, they're not perfect, and we'll all learn some stuff the hard way. Probably there are even a few bad actors, or slapdash people in positions of authority (who lack people around them able to temper stupid actions besides, because sometimes an additional layer of lower authority that's wiser can temper actions of the upper).
One thing I personally feel fairly sure of - though others of course are welcome to feel differently - is that my gut reactions about what is/isn't essential, based on my near-zero knowledge of all the expert disciplines related to public health and welfare, are likely to be less insightful than even a C+ effort from the collaborative advice of actual experts in public health and welfare.
There will be mistakes. There will be big mistakes. Humans aren't perfect.9 -
EnterNihil wrote: »what's going on in SF?
The usual oblivious flaunting of social distancing laws and mindless hoarding.
My daughter and SIL live in a tiny appartment there with a sick 2 year old and a stressed out 7 year old. Every day my SIL goes out as soon as the stores open looking for TP. Some days he scores a couple of rolls. Some days they use rags. Multiply this situation by thousands, and include families trying to keep a reasonable supply of other necessities as well.
There needs to be some kind of reasonable rationing laws and stronger social distancing requirements - this is already endangering low income families who can't afford to buy in large quantities and may not be able to find basic necessities on a day to day basis.
Rumor is more stringent laws will go into effect on Monday to try to remedy the worst of this, but just a rumor and bn I've seen nothing about this in the news so take it with a grain of salt.
eta SIL reports he found a large package of TP this morning!13 -
I'm about to brave a trip to the grocery store. I read a comment elsewhere that if you can still afford to buy not-the-cheapest foodstuffs, you should, and leave the cheapest things for those who can afford nothing else. The problem is my job situation is not 100% clear right now. My anxiety level is 12/10.
@GaleHawkins I live on the other end of the state from you. It does look like Nashville has become the hotspot for the region with 100+ cases now.
Yes Nashville was an early spot because of airport travelers since it is an international airport. I was stressed because the 150 exposed at that church in Murray but it turned out the visitor from Nashville apparently pass it to a hospital employee is how the risk shot up for staff and patients there. That case would have happened even if the visitor had not put that 150 people at risk. I was concerned my exposure could lead me to passing it to the wife then I learned it was already inside the hospital so I just stopped worrying because the risk is everywhere I we go now. I have been asked to pick up some eggs so I may stop at Walmart after getting the wife to work and the risk factor entered my mind. Food, medicine and farm stores are about all that is open but that works for me. It will bothers me that TN is proceeding like it was 21 Mar 2019. The bankruptcies coming are going to be a game changer for years to come staying alive is what is on everyone's mind. Our daughter did the fall semester in Germany. I would have been a basket case if it had been this semester.8 -
AACK!!! my stubborn 94-year-old mom went out grocery shopping this morning! "I had to go, I don't want to starve"
Me "We're ordering food to be delivered to you"
Mom "Everyone was wearing masks"
DH "Did you?"
Mom "No, I put it on and it was uncomfortable"
DH "I'm going to come and nail your feet to the floor!"
Mom "I have a strong immune system. When Aunt ____ and Uncle ____ got scarlet fever, measles, diphtheria, I didn't get them"
DH "That was 85 years ago!"
and "Did you clean all your groceries?"
Mom "Yes"
DH "Did you wash your hands?"
Mom "I always wash my hands"
Mom repeats insistence that she has a strong immune system
DH repeats how the oldest get the sickest, and those with comorbidities, and that the medical system will get overloaded
SIGH26 -
So it seems to me some concepts are getting conflated and I'd love to get other people's opinions. This is my understanding:
Social distancing and community self quarantine are two very different things.
Social distancing is not meant to keep everyone from getting the virus, just to slow down transmission so that the health care system can keep up. This doesn't require everyone to stay locked in their homes, just avoid crowds, give others a 6 ft distance, and practice correct hygienic practices. Quarantine would only be necessary for those who are sick to avoid creating a cluster, or possibly for those in the vulnerable demographic to protect themselves. This would be appropriate in places where their are few or a manageable number of cases requiring intensive care.
Community self quarantine is meant to keep a place that is already a cluster or about to become one from completely overwhelming the healthcare system. It's meant to try to keep anyone else from getting sick until the system can catch up with the patients already taxing it.
I honestly don't think it's remotely feasible for the entire planet to self quarantine until there's a vaccine or cure. That could literally take years. But I think the focus right now on leaning more towards as "quarantined" as possible is to allow some time for the medical community to get its head around the behavior of covid-19 and understand why the most vulnerable are vulnerable, why it behaves the way it does, so it can more effectively treat those vulnerable people and keep them from dying or becoming disabled. I'd guess most of us will eventually come in contact with this thing, just hopefully after it's better understood.
As I said, that is just my understanding and I'm not a pro at anything remotely useful for dealing with infectious disease. If I'm misunderstanding, please feel free to correct.
Anyhoo, still no cases in my county and only single digits in surrounding counties. The VA Dept of health says they have enough test for those with multiple symptoms, but not for widespread testing just for statistical or preventive purposes. I work for a local TV station and am running in twice a week to make sure the news team has everything they need on site, then getting the heck out. The downtown parking garage was pretty empty, a lot less pedestrians, most govt offices closed to the public at least.10 -
AACK!!! my stubborn 94-year-old mom went out grocery shopping this morning! "I had to go, I don't want to starve"
Me "We're ordering food to be delivered to you"
Mom "Everyone was wearing masks"
DH "Did you?"
Mom "No, I put it on and it was uncomfortable"
DH "I'm going to come and nail your feet to the floor!"
Mom "I have a strong immune system. When Aunt ____ and Uncle ____ got scarlet fever, measles, diphtheria, I didn't get them"
DH "That was 85 years ago!"
and "Did you clean all your groceries?"
Mom "Yes"
DH "Did you wash your hands?"
Mom "I always wash my hands"
Mom repeats insistence that she has a strong immune system
DH repeats how the oldest get the sickest, and those with comorbidities, and that the medical system will get overloaded
SIGH
I think we can all agree to be 94 and doing your own shopping plus escaping scarlet fever and diphtheria indicates a strong immune system.
Think sick seems to be the best way to get sick. Yesterday I setting at McDonald's eating lunch with my window down when a very senior couple pulled in a few spaces down from me (they must to have heard about social distancing). They figured something had changed and the guy asked me if they were open. I had food in my hand and said yes but you have to drive through to get it and they left. Later they were back in the parking lot eating. People like to get out. As soon as things dry up some I am going to get on the tractor and do some field mowing the way things are growing.3 -
Are people still flying??? I just saw a post on FB from a former daycare family that are in Aruba. They must've flown out of Logan and maybe one other airport, IDK. But....??1
-
T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »missysippy930 wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »bmeadows380 wrote: »My sister had worked at Lowe's for over 5 years until she got fired this past summer. She took a job with Krogers, which now may be seen as a blessing in disguise - Krogers is considered essential, so her job should be safe. Lowe's, on the other hand, would likely have laid her off.
Does Lowes not count as essential? What happens if there’s a wiring issue or the water heater breaks or the door falls off the hinges? I can think of about fifteen things that would make it impossible to keep sheltering in place that could go wrong with no hardware store.
From HuffPost: While the list may vary according to local concerns and the nature of a given event, disaster or pandemic, here is a general idea of what’s considered “essential” in emergencies, according to various governments, including San Francisco, Miami, New York state and Miami-Dade County:
• Gas stations, auto supply stores, auto repair shops and related facilities
• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks and convenience stores
• Liquor stores
• Restaurants (only for delivery, takeout and drive-thru)
• Hardware stores and plumbers
• Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel
• Exterminators and other service providers
• Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care
• Construction sites and engineering and architecture firms
• Banks and related financial institutions including insurance and accounting services
• Phone and computer sellers
• Community benefit organizations on a case-by-case basis
• Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
• Healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations including research and laboratory services, medical wholesale and distribution, and dentists
• Businesses that provide shelter and/or social services
• Newspapers, television, radio and other media outlets
• Businesses offering mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
• Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers
• Home-based care for seniors, adults or children
• Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult day care centers and senior facilities
• Pet supply stores
• Veterinary offices
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Building code enforcement
• Jails
• Courts
• Garbage/sanitation and recycling services
• Public transportation (Muni, BART, subways)
• Utilities (water, power and gas, telecommunications)
• Certain city, county, state and federal offices
• Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
• Maintenance staff, cleaners, janitors and doormen
• Manufacturing including food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, paper products, safety and sanitary products
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/what-are-essential-services-jobs-185047320.html
Landscape and pool care?
Right? This goes back to my earlier point about partial shutdowns. All these things that are considered "essential" and are obviously not essential are destroying the benefit.
Courts are another good example. I know that there are some legal issues that truly cannot wait, but simple lawsuits, minor things like traffic tickets, etc. can all be re-scheduled to a later date. Many courts have judges that are basically on call for situations like where something just cannot wait, so a judge is available nights/weekends anyway. That may be as simple as the police go to his/her house and get a signed warrant or order of some sort. I'm not advocating that people shouldn't be afforded their day in court for situations where normally people have a right to defend themselves in a public trial, but those types of things can be delayed often.
In the county I live in jury duty is for 90 days. I’ve been on a stint from 1/2/20 to 3/31/20. We call in to see if we have to report. Yesterday, I called in to see if I have to report for the week of 3/24/20 - 3/31/20. Because of the virus, it’s been cancelled.
That reminds me... my mom has jury duty now also. And she is older (higher risk) plus lives with someone known to have been exposed (sister living with her had a co-worker/friend test positive) and is waiting to see if any symptoms develop. Plus my other pregnant sister is a nurse and lives with them also. I should ask her about what they are doing for potential jurors right now... trials can wait for now.
I work for one of the District Courts in NM. We're still open, but all jury trials have been postponed as well as other court clinics and things of this nature that would bring a lot of people together at one. I would imagine this is the case most places. We still have to have staff on hand though...much of what comes through the court is e-filed and that can back up very quickly. Also, the courts here run pre-trial services which is monitoring those awaiting trial who are deemed not enough of a threat to put in jail awaiting trial...but they are monitored by GPS by certain court staff and have to do check ins and in many cases, regular drug testing. As for now, anyone who has the capability of working from home is and starting next week the clerks office will be running a skeleton crew of 3 in the office and rotating those shifts.
There is also a constitutional component as to why courts are "essential"...because our state constitution says they are and they must remain open.3 -
I went for a walk, including past my church (which is open for private prayer during specific hours, but not at the particular time I went by) and through part of my local shopping district (lots of little local shops). I kind of just wanted to see if the shops had any signs about whether they'd be open once the "stay at home" order goes into effect or anything about delivery.
My local grocery (meat market) is going to be open with limits on how many can come in and is asking that non-elderly/vulnerable don't come during the first two hours of each day. The pet food store is doing curbside pickup (although this is a walking district more than a driving one). Some stores had already shut down.
Neighborhood sidewalks were largely empty, although some people were out walking dogs or just walking. I passed a few buses that had just a tiny number of people in them. A few people were out running and a couple of people were biking, and I saw a father outside playing with his small child.4 -
One other reason why liquor sales are considered "essential": the taxes provide a lot of the income to both state and federal governments in the US.13
-
One other reason why liquor sales are considered "essential": the taxes provide a lot of the income to both state and federal governments in the US.
Good point.
At least here liquor sales are often at grocery stores anyway, or can be done through delivery services (including Instacart).
I think people weren't sure whether they would be considered "essential" here, though, as a lot of the crazy buying I saw in the grocery store yesterday was booze, and when I was at Best Buy on Thursday afternoon I noticed that the traffic at the Binny's was nuts.2 -
One other reason why liquor sales are considered "essential": the taxes provide a lot of the income to both state and federal governments in the US.
Good point.
At least here liquor sales are often at grocery stores anyway, or can be done through delivery services (including Instacart).
I think people weren't sure whether they would be considered "essential" here, though, as a lot of the crazy buying I saw in the grocery store yesterday was booze, and when I was at Best Buy on Thursday afternoon I noticed that the traffic at the Binny's was nuts.
I will neither confirm nor deny the ingredients for a Bloody Mary became 'essentials' during my Kroger run today.13
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