I almost feel like in writing an update on our position in the current plague, I run the risk of falling behind. Still, it might prove interesting to those of you somewhere else what is going on in a big urban environment.
1) As of this past weekend, all gatherings above 250 have been banned until the beginning of May. I am not sure if this was proactive or just a realization that multiple events are shutting down anyway (essentially, the Spring Season of Highland Games is now shot).
2) As a result, our church (and most like it) are moving to online services only. This will be rather interesting come Easter.
3) Currently, my work has not ceased operations but, like many other companies, has a contingency team in place constantly reviewing the program. Working from home if possible is encouraged. They have alluded to a full shutdown and they will attempt to cover salaries for some period of time, but this remains undefined today.
4) The shopping insanity is here in full force. The Ravishing Mrs. TB and Nighean Gheal made a CostBox run on Friday to top off some things as well as to our local Supermarket. It was insanity, although CostBox had things well run and well manned. Most stores were stripped of not just TP and sanitary items but canned goods, meats - almost everything. Just for fun, I may stop by later this week and see how things are progressing.
5) This week was Spring Break so both Nighean Gheal and Nighean Dhonn are out of College and High School respectively. That said, the other local high school district has extended Spring Break for another week and with the cancellation of gatherings of 250 and up, I do not see how either will not be out of school or online until May (also contributing is the fact that at the college, they now have confirmed cases of The Plague).
6) In general, people still seem to be out and about shopping and doing things, although the restaurant parking lots I passed were decidedly less packed.
7) Made some garden purchases - tomato, Jalapeno pepper, and two kinds of Sage. Gardening, one way or the other, will matter this year.
8) In case you are wondering, we are fine. If we had to stay in place for two weeks or possibly even two months, we would be fine. Our diet might get a bit boring, but we will be fine.
Glad to hear you all are well and taking it all in stride. Dan and I rarely go anywhere anyway, so for us, it's pretty much status quo. I need to go to the library today, and maybe Lowes, and I'm curious as to see whether there are less folks out in general. Last Friday was pretty much business as usual, except for certain items being sold out at the stores.
ReplyDeleteLeigh - Things have changed somewhat drastically in these parts over the last 24 hours. All gatherings over 10 people are now banned. Bars and restaurants are closed for in-house dining. Schools are delayed at least 3 weeks, and online college is now decreed (we do get a partial refund on the housing, which is nice). Stores were (again) stripped today.
DeleteUp here we had some panic buying … but the shelves were refilled the next day, and there was even TP...
ReplyDeleteGlen, it still continues here apace. We have done some small fill in shopping, but nothing like the craziness displayed.
DeleteToo many people watching and listening to the 'news' outlets. Their ratings are low so drum up some panic. This past weekend was like Black Friday for us... unfortunately we were regularly staffed which made it interesting. We had received 2 pallets of toilet paper and word got out on social networking. Like piranhas it was gone in around an hour. People were driving from the big cities 1-2 hours away, hitting all the stores on their way out to the rural areas to 'stock up'. The grocery store looked like Thanksgiving shopping and their shelves have been hit pretty hard. We went in an hour earlier to work the other day just to get our food and cleaning supplies stocked. It was nuts. And the people were short tempered when they'd ask when you're going to get your next freight of goods and would get the reply of next week but don't know what we'll get. I was glad to see our regular customers on Sunday... they were much more appreciative of our efforts. I'm glad I had a day off to decompress ;^)
ReplyDeleteUgh Hobo, that sounds awful. From reports here, people seem pretty even tempered.
DeleteAll of that said, we are edging closer and closer to a hard lock down. We will see happens after that.
Stay safe and stay healthy!
Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sbrgirl! We are doing fine right now. The Ravishing Mrs. TB is now working "full time" from home. Spring Break has extended to 3 weeks at least, and on-line classes for the rest. We are being conscious of washing our hands ever time after we come inside and (except for me) are doing a pretty good job of socially avoiding others.
DeleteHere in France, as of mid day today (Tues 17th March) we are in total lock down, with police out in force to make sure the populace stay at home. I must say that it feels a bit like living in a police state! Hope you all stay well.
ReplyDeleteVera! I am so grateful to hear from you and that you are hopefully doing well. Oldest Child (Nihgean Gheal) is hopefully finally coming home from Europe this week after a wild almost three week period of not being able to return to Milan because of the quarantine. We are doing fine; hope you all are doing well also.
Delete