Life Under Coronavirus

[_MsJack]

Flu test negative. Infection control has been contacted to see if a corona test can be done, but that’s looking unlikely.

I'm so sorry, EA. Wishing her a speedy recovery.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

When I served my mission in Peru from 90-92, I got to experience hyperinflation carried over from Garcia to Fujimori, subsisted on ‘cancha’ and bread for months, experienced desperate poverty that was only tolerable because I knew it’d end with my mission, and watched as the Peruvian people suffered tremendously, and, well, that was fun. Peru survived. They’re in a better place. Their country persists.

We will, too. This ain’t nuthin’ but a thang. We’ll get through it. crap will recover, as it does.

- Doc

[_MsJack]

I was laid of this morning.

I'm sorry to hear this, MDO, though glad it relieves some of the anxiety about possible exposure.

I hope unemployment can get you by until this thing is over.

[_Lemmie]

An interesting life development:

Dear customers,

Now, more than ever, it’s important we come together as a community to support each other during challenging times. Part of that is showing compassion and care for some of our neighbors who are most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. According to the CDC, that is members of the population who are age 60 and older.

To support this group, beginning Thursday, March 19th, all Stop & Shop stores will open earlier in order to service only customers who are age 60 and over from 6:00a.m.-7:30a.m. daily.

We’re making the decision to offer this every day of the week to allow for community members in this age category to shop in a less crowded environment, which better enables social distancing. They’ll also be shopping prior to any other customers entering.

Beginning Thursday, people ages 60 and up can use a designated entrance, which will be marked at their local store, from 6:00a.m.-7:30a.m. Although we will not be requesting ID for entry, we ask that you please respect the purpose of the early opening – and do the right thing for your neighbors. Store associates do reserve the right to ask customers to leave if they are not a member of this age group.

I’m not, but my husband is in this age group, as are a fair number of my neighborhood group. Given the new curfew and closings in the tri-state area and a mandate for people to not be within 6 feet or have more than 50 in a group, this is very helpful.

[_Res Ipsa]

This is a great idea. One of our local chains is doing Something similar.

[_Jersey Girl]

I’m not, but my husband is in this age group, as are a fair number of my neighborhood group. Given the new curfew and closings in the tri-state area and a mandate for people to not be within 6 feet or have more than 50 in a group, this is very helpful.

Well you're not going to believe this but that very idea crossed my mind two days ago when I saw that meme on Facebook with the older woman alone shopping in a store with near empty shelves.

I hope they institute this practice everywhere!

[_Jersey Girl]

I'm getting confused as to what I posted on this or the other thread. In any case, I know I mentioned grocery stores going to reduced hours to allow staff to fully restock so that shoppers walk into a fully stocked store instead of staff having to continuously restock while worried shoppers are watching the shelves go bare in front of their very eyes.

It's working! Great reports on local Facebook groups about how supplies were plentiful at various times of day and only a few reports of random scarcity of things like one store no TP or another store no Clorox wipes...that sort of thing. Overall it's working and reducing anxiety in our area.

Now all restaurants closed, only drive up services. Some places are transforming their business to accommodate outdoor pick up or Uber delivery.

Not too shabby!

Local people still sharing what they have with others, offering to pick up groceries for older folks and local farmers and ranchers getting business for eggs and meat.

It all helps.

[_Jersey Girl]

ETA: You know...if folks in neighborhoods who are offering to shop for neighbors who are self quarantined would volunteer to shop for multiple neighbors--that would reduce the amount of store traffic as well.

I bet it happens.

In other news, one local inviting teens to come TP her house. So long as they supply the TP.

[_Lemmie]

It’s kind of going crazy here. My phone is blowing up with Nixle announcements. Some municipalities are saying groups of no more than 4 people are allowed, others say 50, some say restaurants can operate during the day but not after 8 pm, others say no restaurants open at all, some say ONLY delivery and take out is okay, others say those 2 things can only happen during the day. Some allow alcohol sales with food orders at bars only before 8 pm, others not at all, with or without food, others only in original container can be sold.

As Jersey girl knows, given that around here you can go in and out of half a dozen municipalities without driving more than a couple of miles on a single road, this will be a mess.

[_ajax18]

This is getting really ugly. I'm hearing stories of young and otherwise healthy people who have all the symptoms in the Salt Lake area. They're being refused care at the ER. No corona virus test available, just sent home to supposedly be quarantined. Yet the boss tells her that if she misses work or lets on that she's sick and causes a panic, she's fired.