What was your COVID news for the day?

[ExFlyBoy5]

ETA - well, now the Governor has closed all the restaurants in the state.

I feel so sorry for these small businesses...I fear that a great many won't make it through this.

 

[W2R]

The state just shut down all the bars, casinos, and theaters in Louisiana.

Can you imagine New Orleans with no bars? Seems like the twilight zone. Our gym is already closed. The restaurants can only do take-out or deliveries. All gyms and shopping centers are closed down as of today, and no public or private gatherings "larger than a reasonably sized family", whatever that means.

This afternoon we drove 1/2 mile to the boat launch on Lake Ponchartrain, to watch the sailboats and seagulls from the car. That's something we like to do, and it's nice to just get out and do something. There weren't any boats out, and no birds either but it was still pleasant to go somewhere.

 

[ls99]

PA Governor ordered all non-essential business closed. OK for takeout only from restaurants.

 

[ERD50]

Kroger's bread aisle was nearly empty, except for whole wheat hot dog and hamburger buns. Those were exactly what was on my list! It pays to have taste outside the mainstream.

I had some stops to make today, was able to limit it to two, and one was just to drop off some paperwork. The agent informed me that if I wanted to meet with him personally, that's fine, but they have an extensive protocol, gathering a bunch of data from you etc. Or he could come out to the lobby, but dropping it off was fine.

The second stop was to pick up stuff for St Patrick Day's dinner. The American tradition of Corned Beef, Cabbage, potatoes, carrots - plus Sauerkraut, black bread, and Swiss cheese for sandwiches for the leftovers.

Plenty of all those things, I even got the small bottle of Milk DW wanted, and salad greens, but the eggs were sold out, but we'll get by there.

I washed with soap and water when I got back to the car (packed it and some towels before I left), since I've been informed that the soap and water is better than hand sanitizer (and available!). So I'm not tracking anything on my hands back to the car (soap/water in the back hatch). So I get in the house and think about the fact I'm bringing these packages in. So yes, I soaped up what I could and rinsed as well as I could. Feels like overkill, but it takes a few minutes, and I've gone this far, so why not?

Seems like the number of cases means I've probably never com within 100 feet of anything that has been in contact with a carrier. But who know? If I'm only going out a couple times a week, it's not hard to take these precautions.

-ERD50

 

[Gumby]

I feel so sorry for these small businesses...I fear that a great many won't make it through this.

In CT, they can still provide takeout and delivery, which may save some of them, but certainly not all.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

"In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, at least six San Francisco Bay Area counties are expected to announce a shelter-in-place order. All residents will need to remain at home except for essential needs starting at midnight.

This includes Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda counties."
https://abc7news.com/6018723/

I'm glad we remembered to pick up a case of beer on Friday.


ETA: "Essential government services will remain open, such as transit, police, fire, and healthcare services, as well as essential stores like grocery markets, pharmacies, banks, and gas stations. Restaurants will be limited to take-out and delivery only; bars, gyms, and non-essential stores to close."


I guess we take our restaurants here seriously. Take-out is deemed an essential need.

 

[steelyman]

Can you imagine New Orleans with no bars? Seems like the twilight zone.

The last time I was in NOLA was for a conference. A friend and I were in the same hotel and discovered the hotel had no booze. Whaaaat!?

The hotel had recently been sold and the liquor inventory didn’t transfer. But the thought of it was bizarre. We found other sources (of course - it was New Orleans!).

 

[W2R]

The last time I was in NOLA was for a conference. A friend and I were in the same hotel and discovered the hotel had no booze. Whaaaat!?

The hotel had recently been sold and the liquor inventory didn’t transfer. But the thought of it was bizarre. We found other sources (of course - it was New Orleans!).

That must have been so strange! But yes, there are a lot of bars here.

When we were on our way to the lake to birdwatch, we drove by our nearest neighborhood bar. It surprised me that the parking lot was almost full, since I thought many people might be sticking close to home today. I didn't know at that time, that all the bars were being shut down at midnight. I guess the usual customers were there to buy a few drinks before it closes.

 

[Nemo2]

The last time I was in NOLA was for a conference. A friend and I were in the same hotel and discovered the hotel had no booze.

Was on assignment in Dallas 40 years ago.....hotel was in a 'dry' sector.

Registered guests had to go to a basement speakeasy and show room keys.....I kept looking around for Al Capone.

 

[Gumby]

Our mayor just announced a case of COVID-19 in our small city of 50,000 people. The person is said to be "recovering at home". The mayor said they are contract tracing, but provided no further details.

 

[braumeister]

Human Testing Begins Earlier Than Expected For U.S. Coronavirus Vaccine

The first human testing of Moderna Inc.’s experimental vaccine against the novel coronavirus has begun, the National Institutes of Health said on Monday.

The study is beginning earlier than had been predicted by Anthony Fauci, director of NIAID, in recent weeks. While this first part of the study is starting early, the estimate still is that testing of the vaccine will take a year to 18 months to complete.

The federal agency said there will be about 45 patients in the research, which is called an open-label study. That means that, in the immediate stage to assess safety, there will be no control group of patients.

Probably behind a paywall, but:
Human Testing Begins Earlier Than Expected For U.S. Coronavirus Vaccine

 

[Another Reader]

Apparently the Bay Area is going on a complete "shelter in place" lock down through April 7th, starting with San Francisco tonight. Mayor Breed was on TV to announce the lock down. Five other counties expected to announce plans shortly. You will be able to get food, go to medical appointments, and care for others.

Going to be interesting here...

ETA: Article from SF Gate describing what will be open and shut and how it will be enforced. https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...rea-shelter-in-place-coronavirus-15135381.php

 

[steelyman]

Was on assignment in Dallas 40 years ago.....hotel was in a 'dry' sector.

Registered guests had to go to a basement speakeasy and show room keys.....I kept looking around for Al Capone.

People figured out how to make it through Prohibition. Now to handle today. [emoji3]

 

[MrsHaloFIRE]

Local gyms on base in San ANtonio advertising. Not CLOSING but ADVERTISING on social media "yes we are open, come on in!" Eyeroll

 

[harllee]

Local restaurant always has whole lobsters on Monday nights. Got 2 lobster take outs tonight, delivered to our car. The restaurant seemed very grateful for our business. The lobsters were delicious. I eat everything in a lobster (even the green stuff)--DH basically just eats the tail and claws so I got alot extra. Yum~

 

[Moemg]

I did an instacart order on Saturday . It was delivered today at 6 pm . My text was beeping constantly with substitutions but we got most of the stuff . I was just glad to get milk,eggs and bread .

 

[gwraigty]

Maybe not when the consequences are considered? I mentioned elsewhere, when the news reported the school closings in Chicago, they followed up with a report that there will be more Park District programs available for these kids. And what are working parents going to do?

They said to reconsider having the Grandparents watch the kids, as they (the Grandparents) would likely be in the danger zone age-wise.

So instead of these kids coming into contact with a few adults (bus driver, teacher), they'll likely get shuttled all over, and handed off from one to another over the course of the week. I'm not so certain this is a good thing at all.

-ERD50

Today was a stress test day at DH's employer to see how many people could work from home effectively. They've never done this before. DH can't work from home. He told me that only about 10% of the employees appeared to be there. I find it hard to believe that 90% of the employees all qualify to work from home. All of the technicians need to used specialized equipment, etc. etc. I suspect a lot of people are caught short with no child care and that explains a lot of the missing 90%. They can't scramble to get daycare either. Our governor already warned that he's going to close the daycare centers soon.

Kids aren't going to socially isolate either. I saw some playing outside today on my street and a different group of about 5 teenagers walking by later.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

Went to place a "Freshly" order to try something new but alas...they aren't taking new clients...kitchens can't keep up. I hope this isn't a sign of supply chain issues to come.

 

[Marita40]

Of course the tooth I’ve been having problems with for 25 years decided to start going south again just this week. Last procedure I had done on it they said the next stop was to get it pulled and an implant. I wonder if dentists are even doing things like this right now.

 

[Athena61]

OrangeTheory just announced all franchise are temporally closing their doors until at least March 31st. Its been my jam for almost 2 years, but it’s the right thing to do.

 

[NW-Bound]

But I don't think that's why you self-isolate. I'm doing it to stop community spread. I'll be statistically fine even if I do get it, but by staying home I avoid unknowingly passing it to waitresses, cashiers, others in stores and restaurants, who may be older or have conditions, and more likely to have a harder time with it. My parents and FIL are well into their 70's. My SIL has Lupus. Any of of them get it and they are in the double-digit risk pool.

Isolation isn't about self-preservation, it's about flattening the curve across the community. Fear isn't my motivator, caring and reducing risk for others, is.

I agree 1000%.

The problem is that people are not altruistic. Witness the hoarding of TP, bottled water, sanitizer, etc... They will do better if they are scared about their own health and safety.

 

[Jerry1]

Gas prices are dropping faster than the virus is spreading. Paid $1.69 yesterday. I understand prices are even under $1.60 in some areas around Houston.

Wow. Made me look (Gas Buddy) and sure enough, gas is down to $1.69 here (suburb of Detroit). I'll be filling up the truck tomorrow. At least that's one thing I can do and still have no contact with another person.

 

[jollystomper]

Maryland Governor ordered all bars, dine-in restaurants, movie theaters, and gyms to close today by 5pm. Restaurants can still provide takeout and keep drive thrus open.

No public gatherings of >50 people.

DW and I went bowling this morning. We were the only ones there other than the desk attendant and the restaurant attendant for our time there. Very interesting being the only ones bowling in a place that has 40 lanes.

Went golfing in the afternoon. Walked the course with a friend. The way we were hitting the ball, we did not have to worry about being too close to each other.

 

[NW-Bound]

Would not leave the home, except that my hair was getting too long and I thought I'd better have it cut before things get so bad no barber wants to work. My wife wanted to tag along, in order to get some grocery items.

We stopped at 3 stores on our usual weekly grocery route. Traffic at the stores was definitely more than normal, perhaps 2x, but nothing like during a normal weekend. Usually on a Monday morning these stores would have less than 10 customers.

Stores had signs out: No alcohol, no sanitizer, no TP, no rice. I did not see even paper napkin. The shelves were about 1/3 less full, but still plenty of different canned goods and products.

We have not been to Costco in the last 2 weeks. It had to be like a zoo.

 

[michelek]

That is so amazingly clean.

Yeah it’s hard to find a store who’s shelves would look brand new like that even after they were just emptied by frenzied shoppers! Nice job Target!!