You probably walked past people who traveled for work in the past 14 days…so do you still stay home from work?
Yeah, but the denial can only last so long before the reality comes further crashing in. The NYC metro area as of today has over 600 confirmed cases and at least 3 deaths (2 NYC, 1 NJ). I’m guessing actual cases are in the thousands, but we don’t really know because testing won’t be up to speed until the middle of next week. AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS STILL OPEN: 1.1 million kids in overcrowded classrooms. Public playgrounds are still open. The courts are still open, and DH still has to ride the subway to work. We’re going to get so slammed, in short order.
In better news: I finally see evidence of medical people mobilizing. We’re a country of 330 million who (mostly) speak the same language, and we … kind of have the same culture? We’re a country with lots of resources. Was texting with a medical friend today who made the argument that schools should be closed anyway in her sparsely populated state with ONE confirmed case so far, to preserve resources for other states.
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Many private, charter, and religious schools here have closed, but so far the public schools remain open. I expect that’ll change when the numbers ramp up. We’re exchanging numbers with other parents, and we plan to take turns watching our kids in pods of 3-4, to give ourselves breaks and the kids some company. I also have a 4yo. Day 1 today of social distancing in our 2bd apt with kid: so, so difficult!
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@Mariposa I saw how NYC teachers are practically begging them to close public schools. It’s insane that they’re still open. My state closed all schools already! I understand the scale makes it harder to act fast (in terms of number of families affected), and it poses a massive childcare problem, but still. I was shocked, I just assumed NYC schools were already closed!
Good to hear the upsides re: mobilization of medical people and resources! I do believe we’ll pull through this as a country. I just also believe it’s going to shatter a lot of people’s expectations/ideas about how something like this actually plays out, and basic life things like unfairness, etc.
<3 I’ll be thinking of you and sending you mental energy/hugs!!!
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Yup- similar shelves here in Colorado today, too.
What baffled me the most was dozens of empty egg cartons. What are people doing?? Are they just dumping eggs in a bag??
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My mom REALLY REALLY wants to come over tomorrow to visit and I’m trying to kindly tell her to please not. She and my dad both had really bad colds last week (no fever though) and I don’t think they’re taking social distancing as seriously as I’d like to.
To be fair, my husband wasn’t either but his workplace just closed down so he’s stuck in the house with me for the next couple weeks which I feel much better about. evil laugh
I have a condition that may or may not make me more susceptible (it’s unclear) and while my parents aren’t going to show up tomorrow uninvited, it feels really hard to not let them come. They mostly want to come and hang out because I’ve been extra anxious and limited in my activities due to my health issues and they know I’m having a hard time so it’s coming from a good place. I’m going to offer to face-time instead and hope that’s enough for them.
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The mental image of people just filling purses to overflowing with eggs… made me laugh out loud. Thank you.
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Both my sisters are pulling their kids from school and daycare and working from home or taking leave as needed. I’m glad.
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A happy story for a change.
One of my walking friends works as a volunteer for a charity that does a daily cooked lunch for those in need using mostly donated food.
The Australian Grand Prix (Formula one car race) was supposed to take place over the weekend but was canceled on Friday at the last minute. The food was given to the charity and they were able to fill every fridge and freezer. Just a week ago they were running out of food because recently restaurants have not been donating excess like they used to.
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I think this gives Trump a huge advantage, but I don’t want to depress people by writing out why.
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HTbF really wants to go to morning yoga soon. The studio is still open for now and taking steps to minimize risk. It’s his only real way to de-stress, and the in-person factor is important to him. He says he can stay 6 feet from everyone else. I can’t force him to skip, but I kind of hope the studio closes temporarily.
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I just read that the virus is believed to stay active on surfaces including plastics and metals for up to 9 days. That is terrifying, and also a long time. I’m no longer taking my toddler shopping with me tomorrow, and will be obtaining some crucial mental health kit supplies (read: gardening stuff) by myself instead.
This also limits what I’m comfortable with in terms of us visiting local playgrounds. Shit’s gonna get really, really boring around here (although when I think of it… not that much more boring than cold season last year).
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I am working from home tomorrow. I anticipate we’ll get additional messaging today or tomorrow that asks us to mostly work from home, or mostly with a skeleton crew.
My guess is that they are struggling with consistency. Because if my team is officially asked to work from home, what are we doing for folks who have a responsibility for interacting directly with the public? And a lot of our clients who still do a lot of face to face are among the most vulnerable, but also less likely to be able to quickly switch to online or mobile.
I’m preparing to be home for 14 days, but I might get additional info that changes things for me. Also, I have a person who is starting a contract (hourly) later in the week. They quit a full time job with benefits to be part of my team. I don’t want to put them in a position where they are missing paychecks they anticipated arriving. So someone needs to be in the office that day to give them a computer in a space where they can set up VPN (ie a secure corporate network). I can walk to work and greatly limit exposure to any surfaces, plus I am at low risk of negative complications if I do get it, and I don’t feel I can ask someone else to do that. (This of course assumes that they are still comfortable coming into the office, which is something that will also change on a day to day basis.)
I’m going to continue monitoring my temperature just in case.
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I for one would be interested to hear your thoughts.
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I wonder if that’s indoors only, though. Because UV is usually a really powerful disinfecting agent. The “known unknowns” are so frustrating.
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Maybe spoiler it? Although I don’t want this thread to get too bogged down in politics.
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I have a gut feel that agrees with you but can’t put my finger on why, aside from “Brexit vote 1:Trump election::Brexit vote 2:Trump reelection” which might not be great logic.
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I’m seeing a lot of Tweets angry at people for still going to crowded bars, restaurants, etc. And I agree. I wish the government would make an announcement to close these things down and not leave it up to business owners. But also… what about those of us working retail jobs? What are we supposed to do? Not go to work and not get paid?
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I may have to go in to work on Monday for a meeting with the college president and one other person. I think I’ll go to that if it isn’t cancelled but then come straight back. Not sure I even need anything from my office, but I might go in and get my food supplies since they’d make good sick food. Oh, and I have bronchiodialating tea in there, more than I have at home.
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