Coronavirus prep
Replies
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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.
Better than a Typhoid Mary /darkhumor7 -
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
First of all, no one has a good immune system when faced with a novel virus. That’s what makes it so scary. Having a good immune system is like having a bunch of cops on patrol watching for gang members wearing gang colors and behaving suspiciously. Having a vaccine is like the police have a photo of the perpetrators and a warrant for their arrest. But a novel virus is dressed like a nice normal housewife going about her business until she starts ganking people.
Second, in the case of COVID-19 in particular, those with strong immune systems don’t do so well, because one of the major ways it kills is by cytokine storm. A cytokine storm happens when your immune system says, “This isn’t working, BURN EVERYTHING DOWN!” and starts attacking healthy cells. That’s thought to be the reason babies rarely get serious cases, their immune systems are too naive to create a cytokine storm.17 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »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.
Tennessee state courts have been postponing all but essential in-person proceedings with no jury duty except in trials that were already ongoing since March 13.
There’s been a request to have prisoners who would be otherwise granted bail if not for being unable to pay released since they don’t know when they will come to trial. Which also makes sense since they want to limit people in the jails in case of an outbreak.3 -
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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....??
Yes. One of my clients left for vacation on March 18. Her family flew to Fiji. Hope she can get back home!
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I have to say I don't understand why anyone would take their family on a plane with potentially infected fellow passengers, and risk not being able to return home?10 -
My usually quiet trail was packed today--groups of 8, 10, 12; some with kids, some with dogs, others just adults. I usually pass 2-3 walkers and maybe as many runners in an hour-long workout. Today I had to have passed 60 people, easily. I was shocked bc not only were they not practicing social distancing within their groups (and these didn't appear to be single family/people who already lived together), they didn't seem to understand what it meant when passing someone outside their group. I kept wanting to yell at them, which just made me feel stressed, so I took a deep breath (ok, I was panting a lot anyway and needed a deep breath) and calmed myself down and did the best I could to make it obvious I wanted my 6 feet of separation. I doubt anyone in those groups noticed.
I'll have to remind myself that mid-to-late afternoon on a sunny Saturday is prime time for the "occasionals" to flood the path. We regulars tend to go early or late. It was still pretty chilly, 34 F or so, and I just didn't expect so many to be out. BUT, with folks staying home more, I guess more were willing to brave the chill. I can appreciate that as it's what I did not only with my run, but with my trip to the dog park at 9 am when it was still mid 20s.
People at the dog park seem to "get it." Everyone stays trail-width apart, more or less, and it's a wide trail.2 -
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.
That is how I interpreted the situation and I am no pro either. The only reason special measures are being put into place is because of the medical community. As soon as this can be treated more effectively and without overtaxing the medical facilities things will revert back to normal. Or they will be forced back to normal. COVID-19 is killing people but then so are lots of other things that we do not take extraordinary measures to prevent. In the US alone (according the the census site) there is a death every 11 seconds. I don't like that people die because I am a people but it is going to happen.6 -
Americans?
It they are.. they will be stuck in Fiji
Level 4 for international travels for US citizens
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/travel-advisory-alert-global-level-4-health-advisory-issue.html#.XnPHGUBrXPM.twitter6 -
So it’s been a few days since I’ve been able to post here. Second line healthcare worker dealing with staffing.
In N.C., I’ve been keeping track for a series of personal blog posts.
This morning @ 1100, reported cases statewide were 196.
This morning @1135, reported cases statewide were 231.
At 14:30 they were 241.
At 19:12 there were 262.
Today, my hospital had a patient census of 88, down 20 from 108 yesterday, when I sent all my first shift workers home by 1330. Our normal census this time of year averages 150. I called my team (I’m off most weekends) to tell our dispatcher to send all of first shift home when the two from second shift came in. I didn’t go in, as I’d planned, as I had a sore throat and a temp of 99.
We are all getting temp scanned upon arrival and have been asked to self monitor. I’m happy to report that my temp tonight was 97.7, which is my normal. I also suffer from seasonal allergies and chronic sinus infections.
Our facility has severely limited visitors. On Monday? I see me stopping by non-precaution patients’ rooms to visit patients that can no longer have visitors. Especially oncology patients that are already scared and feeling even more isolated than before, you can make a difference from a doorway. ❤️❤️❤️
Our local grocery stores are out of many of the essentials; milk, eggs, lunch meat, meat, canned goods and bread. 🤦🏼♀️
I’m hoping and praying that y’all are safe and healthy, and for those of you experiencing self-quarantine because of positive family members (or being positive, yourself), hang in there and fight the good fight. My prayers are with every single one of you❣️
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I ordered dinner today from the local, small town Mexican restaurant. They have really good food, and I know this is hitting them pretty hard, so I figured that I could help by giving them some business. When I walked in to get my food, I hunted down the tip jar because I know the waitresses will be suffering badly from this - I'm happy that the restaurant can stay open so they at least still have their jobs, but by not having diners in the restaurant, they're going to be losing out on those vital tips.
My dad's foster brother works for the big resort hotel in the county, and he was laid off yesterday.
My pastor is still planning on having one of our services tomorrow because we broadcast over the radio, but he told people on the phone call he made that he didn't want the older people to even consider coming in and that the rest of the congregation should strongly consider their situation first. He said that he would preach even to the empty auditorium with just the sound guy manning the radio equipment and his wife. I'm still not completely comfortable with this, especially as the state is heavily pushing the no more than 10 people congregating limit.
The interesting experiment he's thinking of trying out tomorrow evening is to stand on the front porch with a microphone and have folks stay in their cars. I told him too bad he can't borrow the FM transmitter equipment from the local drive in movie theater; he could just tell everyone to tune their radios to a certain station and sit int he parking lot with the windows up and listen to the sermon!
It has changed his mind about live-streaming though. He's old fashioned and didn't like the idea of people viewing the sermon via the internet instead of coming to the church and even commented against it a month or so ago. Now he's asking around to find out how to do it-I think this showed him that technology isn't to be shunned and can be a great tool to minister to his parishioners with.10 -
EnterNihil wrote: »what's going on in SF?
...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....
If you score a couple of rolls, why are you using rags just a couple of days later? I don't understand any of this. It takes me and my husband at least a week to go through a roll of TP. The single 12 count pack I bought at the beginning of all this will last me three months.
Serious question: How much TP do people use when they go? Do people grab huge, crazy wads each time they wipe? My mind is so totally blown! Is this massive TP use a normal thing that I was just never aware of? Maybe I just have abnormally clean bowel movements not requiring large amounts of TP? Maybe my lifetime backpacking experiences have trained me to use less? This whole TP shortage thing is fascinating to me...
If people are going through a roll or more a day, I can see why they need to hoard 50 packs of TP. Yikes! Hugs to the people in short supply. That's terrible.
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I started a “Free Little Food Shelf” today. Community donations have been great. Not too many takers so far, but I hope that changes. I’m in Minnesota, USA.
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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.
Yes this is the level in Australia at present.
Mass gatherings like sports, clubs etc are all cancelled and people are told to socially distance - no handshakes, keep 1.7 m apart, don't go on holidays, and less affected states ( like South Australia where I live) are closing their state borders.
International borders already closed and all incomers since last week or so have to self isolate for 14 days.
But cafes, restarants still open as long as tables spread apart. Same with most shops. Schools still open.
Nursing homes in lockdown.
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EnterNihil wrote: »what's going on in SF?
...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....
If you score a couple of rolls, why are you using rags just a couple of days later? I don't understand any of this. It takes me and my husband at least a week to go through a roll of TP. The single 12 count pack I bought at the beginning of all this will last me three months.
Serious question: How much TP do people use when they go? Do people grab huge, crazy wads each time they wipe? My mind is so totally blown! Is this massive TP use a normal thing that I was just never aware of? Maybe I just have abnormally clean bowel movements not requiring large amounts of TP? Maybe my lifetime backpacking experiences have trained me to use less? This whole TP shortage thing is fascinating to me...
If people are going through a roll or more a day, I can see why they need to hoard 50 packs of TP. Yikes! Hugs to the people in short supply. That's terrible.
There's 4 of them, 2 adults and 2 kids. I didn't mean to imply they've had to use rags every other day, most of the time they're able to conserve well enough to make it to the next purchase but they've fallen short a few times.6 -
The people who panic buy are pathetic. Their cleaning out the stores for the regular customers who shop once every week. People dont need to panic buy for 20 weeks....they gotta leave some for the rest of us normal shoppers4
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EnterNihil wrote: »what's going on in SF?
...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....
If you score a couple of rolls, why are you using rags just a couple of days later? I don't understand any of this. It takes me and my husband at least a week to go through a roll of TP. The single 12 count pack I bought at the beginning of all this will last me three months.
Serious question: How much TP do people use when they go? Do people grab huge, crazy wads each time they wipe? My mind is so totally blown! Is this massive TP use a normal thing that I was just never aware of? Maybe I just have abnormally clean bowel movements not requiring large amounts of TP? Maybe my lifetime backpacking experiences have trained me to use less? This whole TP shortage thing is fascinating to me...
If people are going through a roll or more a day, I can see why they need to hoard 50 packs of TP. Yikes! Hugs to the people in short supply. That's terrible.
I've used a couple of different types of TP in recent weeks. I don't have a strong buying preference, between the two.
One has thick, double-layer sections. Three of those sections is enough for many circumstances, and they'll hold up to a dunk in the faucet for extra cleaning power. But they're thick, so a single roll goes fast, probably less than a week.
The other is super thin, close to disintegrates as you wet it (unless many layers), takes a little more to be adequate for each usage session. However, a single roll lasts quite a long time: More days, for sure, than the thick, cushy one. (I prefer this one, partly for the good of my septic tank, as it's not a municipal sewer system with different constraints.) My impression is that this type lastsquite a bit longer, on a per-roll basis. More than a week, maybe as much as two (I haven't paid close attention, frankly: I have enough, but am not hoarding).
I buy bales at Costo, though one bale at a time, now, as always: How many is that? 12 rolls, maybe? I dunno.
I live alone here, always try to use a minimum but still adequate amount. No one else is messing up the usage rate, behaving diffently. The brand still makes a big difference, within the the sort of question you're asking.
I don't get the 50 packs, either (does that exit?). But I don't think there's a sound, standard answer to your questions about usage.5 -
Nony_Mouse wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Nony_Mouse wrote: »Well it’s not so much prep but I was really angry today. As we’ve been told, no gatherings over 100 people. My friend went to a wedding with about 90 guests. So that’s not incudling the workers. I said I wldnt put yrself or the kids at danger, the answer I got was, word for word “I don’t care, doesn’t worry me, people are being stupid and overreacting” It’s attidudes like this that puts our world at risk, selfish and ignorant grrrrrrrrrr so mad. I love her and feel guilty I feel so angry but I just imagine all the people in the world with attitudes just like that who are depending on everyone else to do the right thing to lessen THEIR danger. Hmph
@kq1981 - send her this link: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120462582/coronavirus-perfect-aussie-wedding-turns-into-nightmare-as-37-guests-test-positive
A wedding is how community transmission started here. Things were semi under control when new cases were almost all imported and dealt with immediately.
All it takes is one infected person in a large group situation
That wedding is exactly wear my mind went to when I msgd her. And NOW I heard that the NSW government let those 4 ships dock and 2700 people disembarked after 4 positive tests onboard after the fed government said no 😔 those poor people and I feel terrible for Sydney residents (of corse along with other states and countries) our world needs a big hug and some people need a big smack.
Are you saying that people should be forced to remain in close quarters on the ship until the disease runs its course through all of them, in an environment with shared ventilation? Policies like that will only encourage people to hide any signs of illness, if they think admitting it will force them into overcrowded conditions in which they will definitely be infected, if they aren't already.
I'm not a cruise-taker, but I don't think going on a cruise somehow makes you less deserving of the option to self-quarantine at home, the ability to obtain adequate medical care (to the extent that remains available), and the same compassion other victims receive.
Remember how fast this thing is moving. Society at large were probably not taking this all that seriously when those people got on those ships, and official government messaging probably wasn't discouraging people from living their lives as they always have.4 -
I’m a little vexed at the usage of the word “hoarding”. Why don’t people understand the idea of preparing, and increased demand? Here’s a little math example:
My town has a population of roughly 166,000. If we assume that equals roughly 55,000 households, and each household normally buys toilet paper every 30 days, then on any given day, there are 1833 people buying toilet paper in my town. Now, within the span of 3 days, the world goes crazy, sports are canceled, historic parades canceled, schools closing, companies talking about supply issues coming soon, and the very real possibility of being stuck at home for 14-30 days. So now, within a span of 3 days, people start thinking (and spreading the word), that toilet paper, among other things, could soon be scarce. So on the 4th day, let’s suppose instead of the usual 1833 people buying toilet paper in my town, today 5 times the normal amount, or 9166 people/households decide they better stock up on toilet paper. For many (like me), this might have only been less than a week earlier than they normally would have bought it. Most only buy one package, maybe two. Even though it’s a 5-fold increase in purchases, it’s a huge hit to the shelves in the stores. Now people are seeing empty shelves (one article I read mentioned how toilet paper is quite bulky, and takes up a lot of shelf space, so it clears out relatively quickly compared to other products), and the next day or two also result in another 9166 people buying (or trying to buy) toilet paper in my town. Well now the stores are really depleted, people are having to get in early to the stores to try to find any tp, and now you’re running into people who haven’t purchased any tp in 30 days, and those people who are about to be completely out, can’t find any. People go to stores early in the morning to get the tp straight off the trucks, and then the stores empty quickly of tp. People going later in the day call those early people “hoarders”.
Why is this called hoarding? Are people really seeing others buying 8 packages at a time? And are the same exact people arriving early to stores everyday, day after day, to get more and more tp? Are they sleeping on top of rolls of tp in their homes?
Maybe I’m just not much of a cynic, but I don’t call it hoarding, I call it a run on the stores in a short span of time, instead of the usual steady stream. If Americans will recall, just 7-10 days ago, life was still completely normal!!
Just my $.02. I’m sure I’ll hear from people who have seen actual hoarding, but I personally have not. Please feel free to correct my wrong thinking 😊
Edited to account for households, not total population, buying tp.18 -
kshama2001 wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »Question for everyone on the topic of planning as we get through this:
Let's say someone you know, either a family member or friend, dies during this time (either for Covid-19 or otherwise). In the interest of avoiding crowds, do you still go to the funeral / memorial service? If you are involved in planning the funeral, do you ask for only close family members to come?
Also, would it make someone a terrible person to skip going to the funeral even if it is a relative (grandparent, let's say)? *Asking for a friend.
Well, Catholic funerals in Boston have been put on hold https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/20200320/boston-archdiocese-to-halt-funerals-starting-monday-because-of-coronavirus
My family has staggered funerals in the past for logistical reasons, for example one in California at the time and one on the East Coast at a more convenient time. There was another one that had a proper funeral at the time and a memorial at a more convenient time.
If I were in charge of a funeral, I would definitely postpone it.
In the Washington archdiocese, "public" masses are cancelled. Funeral and wedding masses can be held, but should be limited to immediate family.
https://adw.org/news/archdiocese-of-washington-announcement-regarding-coronavirus/
I wouldn't travel for a funeral right now, although it does seem awful that everyone is going to have to be isolated in their grief.3 -
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?
I don't know about pool care issues, but unmown lots can become havens for rodents. Also, these are outdoor jobs with plenty of room for social distancing, and generally easily done without any contact with the residents.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.
They had a story on the news here recently about a vet clinic where the humans are instructed to drive to the back of the building and wait in their cars for a gloved worker to come out and take the pet patient from the car. The humans never enter the clinic.
There was also a story about a priest hearing confession sitting on a chair out in the church parking lot, and people drive up and stay in their cars (looked like a greater distance than your typical fast-food drive through, and those are still open).
6 -
It is interesting to read the posts from March 2nd, not a lot of worry, no big deal, this will all pass quickly. That is exactly how I felt two weeks ago, but things have changed and my worry-meter is starting to overload. It is now all around where we live, nurses on the front lines don't have enough PPE (personal protection equipment) and are pleading with the public to make medical masks due to the shortage. The local hospitals have quarantine tents set up outside for triage (scary site). This virus is the "real deal" and it is extremely contagious. Please don't underestimate this contagion, keep social distancing and/or quarantine to protect those around you that may have pre-existing conditions that put them at greater risk for complications. Please be safe and stay well! We are all in this fight together!!7
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lynn_glenmont 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?
I don't know about pool care issues, but unmown lots can become havens for rodents. Also, these are outdoor jobs with plenty of room for social distancing, and generally easily done without any contact with the residents.
According to a health inspector friend that I asked, improperly maintained pools and hot tubs can lead to legionaires (sp?) disease. After she told me that I googled it, and Mayo Clinic site seems to confirm it.6 -
Just a thought on the general concept of prepping: I usually go grocery shopping every weekend, to get perishables and whatever nonperishables I use that are on sale or that I've run out of. I'm not going this weekend, because I can live without fresh fruit and veg (I've got frozen and dried fruit, and frozen and canned veg), and when the milk runs out, I have powdered milk. I can try to stretch the eggs by using dried eggs in any scratch-baking I do.
If the coffee runs out, I'll drink tea. If the tea runs out, I'll make hot chocolate. If this goes on so long that I run out of cocoa, we may as well draw the curtains and call it a day, because I have a LOT of cocoa from when I started trying different Fair Trade brands after learning about the way child slave labor is used for most chocolate products.
The saddest thing will be when the cheese runs out, but I'm going to try to go as long as I can without going to the grocery store, both to play my part in avoiding being a vector in the spread of the disease and to leave the groceries I would have bought on the shelf for other people whose kitchens aren't as well stocked.
I'm not trying to shame anybody who has to shop because their finances don't allow them to stock up ahead, or because they have teenagers hoovering up the food the minute it comes in the door, or because by the time they realized the need to stock up for #StayingHome the shelves were bare, or because they suddenly have more people eating more meals at home because of school/university/work closures.
But if you're only shopping out of habit, or you're only shopping for things you'd like to have but can live without, maybe it's time to rethink that. Maybe if those of us who don't really need to be shopping stop for a bit, it will allow the grocery stores to keep their shelves better stocked, and some of the panic buying will die down.19 -
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.
I was out driving today partially just to get out of the house, but also to find the location of the blood drive I'm going to next week (yay! I found one that was making whole blood donation appointments!) and to drop off a few nonperishables at a food bank in the same vicinity, and I saw a bus with the electronic sign on the front displaying "BUS FULL / WAIT FOR NEXT BUS." By normal standards, it was practically empty, but I guess the driver didn't think anymore people could get on and maintain six feet of separation.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.
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.
Some of the localities around here have temporarily lifted restrictions so that restaurants doing delivery or carry-out can also provide unopened containers of alcohol, even if they're not licensed for off-site sales.3 -
I have to say I don't understand why anyone would take their family on a plane with potentially infected fellow passengers, and risk not being able to return home?
Private plane? Charter flight?0 -
SisterSueGetsFit wrote: »I started a “Free Little Food Shelf” today. Community donations have been great. Not too many takers so far, but I hope that changes. I’m in Minnesota, USA.
Honestly curious -- what's your rain contingency plan? There looks to be a lot of paper and cardboard packaging that wouldn't withstand a serious shower.6
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