Update with today's numbers: The daily count of new cases here continues to set records with the the largest number of new cases ever recorded. The percentage of positive tests is running between 10 and 11 percent, almost triple what the positives were in May. Total cases have now increased by 27% in the last five days. Hospitalizations are up over 75% in the past week.
Beginning to look like a runaway train and it appears there is neither the will or the means to slow it down. DW and I are going back into hunker mode and will no longer be leaving the house except for curbside pick up of groceries.
How awful and disheartening.
I have "known" you on the forum so long that I know you wouldn't over-react, which makes the gravity of the situation even more apparent to me. My best wishes to you, your family and friends, and all others in your area.
Hunkering down during this pandemic has been no piece of cake, as most of us are well aware. I have enough food and TP to do that for a while, but I wonder if I could do that again and stay sane. I am hoping that I don't have to find out.
New Orleans has a tourist economy, and we are the next state over from yours, so this doesn't bode well for our situation either. So far the spikes we have had in our Parish (=County), have been on days when results from triple the usual number of tests were reported, or some such thing. But I don't know how long our relatively good situation will last.
Frank just got to work for the first time since the pandemic. He works part time occasionally at a bar down in the French Quarter that just re-opened yesterday. The bar owner used the lockdown time to have the entire bar professionally cleaned and sterilized, which involved huge quantities of bleach and who knows what else. Then massive renovations were done so it is almost like new.
At the door of the bar, customers have to sign in on a Contact List, including personal information such as name, address, phone number, driver's license number (I think?) and a whole lot more, by order of the Mayor. I would imagine that might drive off some customers. With that, plus a maximum of I think 25% occupancy, I don't think they'll be making much money any time soon. I asked if he'd get paid and he isn't sure if there is any money for that yet but going back to work has lifted his spirits, money or not.