I’m sorry. You are a wonderful person. Thank you for standing up. 
4 Likes
As an Etsy seller I just got a “here’s how to run your shop during coronavirus” email from Etsy. It included a note that they’re taking down inappropriate coronavirus-related items, "including items that falsely claim to protect against the virus. "
OH COME ON. REALLY??
I mean, tasteless tragicrafting shows up on etsy shortly after any kind of disaster or tragedy. But, really, people are selling, like, charms against coronavirus? FFS WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE
11 Likes
People were selling crocheted masks claiming they blocked the virus!
7 Likes
My SIL (who lives in India) assured me that they won’t have a problem because they have naturopathic remedies for coronavirus. And she urged us to drink garlic juice <sigh>.
I just thanked her for the info because I didn’t want to argue with her (it was over Skype) and I’m sure they’re generally being careful because of my FIL anyway. She did send me a good TED Talk which ended on telling everyone to wash hands all the time, though.
4 Likes
OH FFS!!
8 Likes
Illinois schools all closed from the 17th (Election Day) till the 30th. Including Chicago. The governor overruled the mayor.
2 Likes
I will say, someone sent me some money this morning and it surprised me. I’m appointment-based, and have already been taking a hit and expect it to get worse.
It was a very pleasant surprise and will help. If you know folks with gig performances, they would probably feel very seen and cared for it you did end up sending them a little. <3 Good idea!
13 Likes
Oh that’s nice.
I may or may not have just openly cried a little at this. The small businesses in my community, and especially the maker focused ones, are straight up killing it with their response to this. Paying employees for their shifts even though the store is closed, closing their stores and operating virtually (my LYS is doing zoom personal shopping calls!), plus I really enjoyed the hashtag in the subject of this email, #sewcialdistancing
ETA: I mean obviously treating your employees like they’re deeply valued human beings should be the norm, but the number of BS “we care about you” emails from massive companies that don’t do these simple things has only been increasing in my inbox so I’m just really proud of these tiny companies who are showing them how it’s actually done.
16 Likes
It’s been so weird to me how every company I’ve ever used is sending me a press release about this. Like, do I really need to know what Macy’s has to say about this?
Every time I see a FB post in this vein, I ask if they provide their employees with sick leave.
12 Likes
Due to the Governor’s newest proclamation closing all K-12 schools, all my swim lessons have been canceled.
I hope I can get a refund. $40 isn’t a lot, but I won’t be in town when they open again.
7 Likes
Update: They’ll be refunding. I’m just sad because I just bought a pair of goggles I wanted to try and have to research lessons up north now.
10 Likes
I responded to a thread of mostly strangers (it’s a piano meetup thing that I’ve never attended) that they should do social distancing and not go ahead with the plan to still meet. I’m sure some people think I’m being dramatic but someone’s gotta say something!
Also, my new gas fireplace is not working and the guys at the store said they can send someone to adjust the settings properly. I am happy to pay for that since they’re experts at fireplace setup. But now I’m thinking, I’m going to have a stranger in my house, do I want that? But if not, how long do I delay this? Advice welcome <sigh>.
8 Likes
@Meowmalade Can they fix it without you nearby? Then you could wash the floors and the fireplace area afterward.
2 Likes
Yeah, I could. And I could make them wash their hands first.
1 Like
My current IBR payments are all interest, so I wonder if I’ll be making any? If not, I wonder if this will delay my PSLF eligibility (I’m at three months and counting down).
2 Likes
Coming back to 18,400 infections that @MonkeyJenga referenced in her reply a while back …
For comparison, as of this morning WaPo reported Italy had 15,113 cases this morning with 1016 deaths.
Obviously the 18,400 cases projected, including those that are asymptomatic are on a different basis than the 15,113 cases in Italy. Actual case rates in Italy are no doubt much higher. But I want some way to compare where we are versus were other countries are in their trajectory.
Since our testing numbers are not accurate, another number we could look at would be hospitalizations that are confirmed or believed to be COVID-19. And I cannot find any figures whatsoever for the US. Even if I could I’m not sure how to extrapolate from that to total cases (though I’m sure someone can do that) or on a basis similar to other countries who have more testing.
I listened to part of Trump’s speech and found it depressing. The entire focus is on testing, as if he expects we’ll test a bunch and ‘See? We don’t have a problem here it’s all a Democratic conspiracy theory.’ Nothing about social distancing or taking steps to work from home or even stay home if you are sick. Even the woman from - I’m not sure if it was CDC or HHS - and Mike Pence did not press for things to shut down. Instead it sounded more like, ‘See all of these important executives I know? Aren’t you impressed with my connections?’ And I’m like, we are so screwed… I was out for a little while today and walked by a bar full of Friday afternoon happy hour folks… I don’t see how we can contain this without taking the steps that other countries have taken who are containing the virus, and we aren’t taking them.
Several members who were there with Trump have also had contact with people who have subsequently tested positive. Not only are member of the Trump administration not self-isolating, it sounds like they were in close contact with all of those executives, which makes me think a bunch of them will test positive in the next couple of weeks too. It seems like Trump thinks he is invincible, that the virus cannot touch him, and he has no recognition that he is in a high-risk group.
And in less than 24 hours, the number of cases in my state has increased by 70% since yesterday evening. Even without adequate testing we are close to cases doubling on a daily basis.
I’m so glad you guys are all here. I’m really concerned about what happens next in the US.
15 Likes
I don’t feel bad about saying that I really hope he gets the virus.
10 Likes
Blockquote
I just read an article in The Atlantic, “The Trump Presidency Is Over” because of his handling of this crisis. Does anyone smarter than me have thoughts? To be clear, I hope it’s true, I just don’t understand a lot of things well enough.
Now that we’ve watched and listened to him for another month since I posted last time, do I dare dream that he will not be re-elected?
2 Likes