I’m so sorry for your loss, Oro.
1 Like
This is such a lovely idea. Isolation can be really hard for older people. I don’t know how the staff would react but if you are not too upset if they say no, I see no harm in trying.
4 Likes
@Oro so sorry for your loss. Internet hugs if you want them, they have the benefit of being germ free!
3 Likes
Anyone who is needing to shore up income: if your local grocery chains do delivery or pickup service, they are slammed right now due to increased demand and regular staff calling out sick. My pickup order got cancelled because only one person showed up for their shift. Fred Meyer/QFC/Safeway/Albertsons are all advertising for immediate hires. Not sure what things are like in the back but at least with pickup and delivery options your contact with other people can be minimized. Wear gloves, a mask if you can get one, wash and sanitize hands regularly, etc. Anyway, I know it is not as good as being able to WFH on less physical stuff, but it will be one sector that will have high demand so if people need to keep income coming in it is something to consider.
7 Likes
I just heard on NPR that Fauci said there are over 20,000 confirmed cases in the US. I cannot find online confirmation, did anyone else hear this?
Maybe it was supposed to be over 2,000?
2 Likes
I think it’s a great idea to reach out to nursing homes but there may be some logistical issues. In all the retirement homes my mom was in (3), she had to get her own phone with the phone company of her choice. There was no way in any of them for someone at the switchboard to transfer a call to someone’s room, so don’t be discouraged if you run into logistical issues.
3 Likes
My condolences to your whole family for your grandmother’s passing, Oro.
The formerly-Tiny Baby in my life likes hearing stories about events that happened during their babyhood (i.e. we had a pretty severe ice storm, quite disruptive). Hopefully with the hindsight of “everyone made it through mostly okay”, maybe come up with some way to tell little-kid-him the story of what 2020 was like before you could really spend in-person time with him? (I mean, I think all kids like this but it could be a way to express love when a hug is not currently possible.)
7 Likes
I am so sorry, Oro.
2 Likes
Sorry about your grandma, Oro.
2 Likes
Oro, I’m so sorry for your loss.
4 Likes
You all are very kind. 
But no need for further condolences.
6 Likes
Here’s a list of cultural events that are streaming online now:
5 Likes
This. Also, was talking to a neighbor today, who described the pace of how quickly things changed in the last week; most non-adaptives can’t mentally process it all, and things are going to continue accelerating where I am.
For my 4yo, a playdate and bday party were cancelled, skating rink has been closed, the transit museum has closed, and I’m no longer letting him ride the subway for fun. He has had fits & cried multiple times over these losses.
And, 
@Oro
12 Likes
Agreed @Mariposa. I’m prepared for a very long haul. I think there’s a lot of magical thinking on behalf of the average person when it comes to medical stuff in general. IMO this will take a very long time to stop affecting daily life. My work’s office is closed, and on the call they said “for two weeks, I mean I can’t imagine it would be longer than that!” and internally I’m like “lol, this is not going to be wiped clean in 2 weeks. opposite!”
There’s a real lack of managing expectations happening, or denial maybe? IDK.
14 Likes
I don’t think this has been posted here, my niece who’s a RN just posted it.
2 Likes
Anyone in need of social time despite social distancing, I’m gonna do a livestream in 2.5 hours (5PM Pacific). There’s live chat if you view it on youtube (not if you watch the embed).
Love to see some of you there. My planned discussion of time tracking seems silly right now, but we can talk about stuff and things! Also my cat. I can show you my cat. And I might break a fortnight of no sugar with a whiskey-infused-vegan-donut (as long as they can assure me that the alcohol is mostly baked out).
9 Likes
I may have put a face mask on the OMD logo. It isn’t as cute as a birthday hat, but we all have to take precautions at this time.
24 Likes
My MIL is asking if we’re still planning to visit them in NZ. In July.
I do not think we have enough information to decide to change our plans at this point. However we probably will not book anything in Wellington that doesn’t have a very generous cancelation policy.
My parents cancelled their trip to the UK. So at least we aren’t dealing with either side not taking things seriously.
9 Likes
That seems extremely fair. Isn’t NZ one of the few places without cases now?
(I have planned travel to Spain in July, which is still planned in my mind, but nothing is booked so who knows. The domestic travel in late april/early may, I’ve pretty much decided is probably not happening. The trip to greece in June…maybe).
3 Likes
Interesting read. It encapsulates pretty well how I’ve been feeling about all this, morally I mean. If I can be totally honest…I don’t understand how people previously didn’t see what they were doing as selfish. It doesn’t seem like it should take a philosophical giant or sage to realize that maybe slightly altering your life so people don’t die is like…the bare minimum of decent morality. Especially in a time when signaling morality is so important socially! That has surprised me a bit, just in terms of the scale.
I feel like the fear of inconvenience overrides nearly everything else for a lot of people, including basic self-preservation! It’s…interesting to watch. I find it simultaneously painful and hilarious and sad and irritating.
13 Likes