If you are expecting a panic post, this is certainly not one. The news does an amazing job with some things but I am not a fan of the way national news has been covering this.
With that being said, how has the coronavirus affected your area? Have you or your family been directly affected?
Panic has certainly affected our area, mostly in a nationwide toilet paper shortage - although it's getting pretty hard to find pasta, flour, and tissues too.
Our annual Easter Show has been cancelled for the first time since the Spanish Flu, and no large gatherings of 500+ plus from Monday. I think there are probably fewer people at the local shopping centres - parking was pretty easy yesterday and it's usually a nightmare trying to park on a Saturday morning.
Aside from that, it's pretty much business as usual.
I'm just sitting here hoping they don't lock us down until after my son's birthday party next week. Selfish, perhaps, but it's our last first birthday party and I want one more normal family gathering before things get dicey. On the up side, if we end up having to cancel we'll have finger food and cake to last us ages.
Yes, nationwide toilet paper shortage is the real deal. Fortunately, I have always bought tp in bulk so we are good.
I work in long term care (nursing home) and the CDC issued new guidelines on Friday, restricting visitors. Personally, I'd like to see these new guidelines become the norm during flu season. I'd like to see us learn that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Our area is semi affected, we have over 19 confirmed cases now and a few presumed. Panic is insane! We were barely able to find a pack of expensive generic TP when we ran out this week. Our governor has instated the gouging laws like when we have hurricanes and is going to prosecute and FINE to the fullest extent, so hopefully that will stop some of this.
I do worry (a little) though in a couple weeks when we need more if there will be a restock or it will be all completely gone. But we're just going to live day to day until that happens. No stressing about something we can't control.
We were able to buy ourselves our normal 2 weeks of food but that's because we eat pretty healthy no boxed meals or junk food, or gluten, or milk due to my autoimmune issues so the fruits and veggies were still on the shelves.
We had a brief thought about buying a very small deep freezer (for only 2 of us) but that was short lived when we visited and called 7 local lowes and they only had a 21 CuFt $900 one left in stock anywhere. LoL
My husband works in the elderly medical care industry and is work is VERY different than most places. The rules and restrictions are tighter than a 1600's young ladys chastity belt. With just cause... as they are the most at risk. It's a different world we live in today compared to a few weeks ago.
Shawna,
@Gina you are s right! Unfortunately this morning in our city. An elderly extended care patient passed away that had contracted it, so it will probably get even more strict. They aren't letting family members visit not unless it's end of life care unit.
The employees are rigorously screened. They've also implemented a mandatory 14 day stay at home if anyone in your family presents. It's sad because the elderly are already so lonely and some of their families hardly ever visit as is. I go during holidays and try to just chat with them in the cafeteria or at special events but now they won't have any of that. It's really tough for our medical industry right now.
I also feel bad for the employees at places like Wally World, Costco, Publix, etc... They are being so verbally abused right now to no fault of their own. I honestly have to say IF I were still in retail at $8-12/hr right now, I might not make it to the end of the week. They are at huge risk and getting treated like crap to boot.
So, my partner and my best friend and I left from Malpensa on March 7, the day before the Italian government locked everything down to go to Spain. We had 3 really nice days... and then late Tuesday all flights for Italy were being cancelled day by day. We couldn't say 100% the flight would be cancelled, but it looked likely? So we decided to compromise and find a flight back to Switzerland Friday, and rebooked our tickets through Basel.
On Wednesday, we went to Seville to try and make the best of a bad situation, since worrying wouldn't help. At around mid-morning, my dogsitter wrote to tell me he was leaving my Yorkies on their own, and going back to Italy. He called my emergency contact for them, so they at least ate, but were otherwise left completely alone from Wednesday morning through half past midnight on Saturday morning.
On Thursday we went to Malaga, and had a short day. There was some nervous chatter, but generally things seemed pretty normal. We went out for Tapas with my coworker, and had a nice goodbye dinner.
We left for the airport at 5am on Friday. Our flight was at 10. It was delayed 5 hours, and they ended up flying a plane in from Geneva to "rescue" us. When we touched down in Basel, they informed us of the Spanish government's decision to close the borders. Had we not left when we did, we would not have left. We drove 4 hours in a rental car to get home.
In Switzerland on Saturday, there was some chatter about increasing restrictions, so we decided to get water (my pipes are bad) and dog food, and that I should do a staple shop just in case. But my partner needed to go home to recover some clothing and other things he would need for work. I brought him to the Swiss-Italian border, and we asked about flights from Milan. I was told to get them moved. Yesterday. I wasn't allowed to cross the Italian border, my partner's parents had to come fetch him and bring him to his home. His parents drove in separate cars on the way there, and when they left, they were sat kitty corner in their car, as distant as possible. They did not greet my partner, or come closer than a metre away, and as soon as he had the keys, they left.
We weren't sure if he would be allowed to re-enter Switzerland or not, even if he has a work permit to do so.
I went to the shops, and found security guards outside of every one, limiting the number of persons that could enter, and informing people that going forward, this would be the norm. I managed to buy staples, but a lot of the frozen veg was gone, all the frozen fruit, and most sugar, flour, and all of the yeast. I went back home to wait and see if my partner would be allowed back in. My best friend tried to change her flight, and was told that the "best the agency could do" would be to move her to Münich, with a $400 upsale on ticket prices. It wasn't ideal, but what else could she do? She had told him she was concerned about border closures, given the Italian and Spanish situations, but he brushed her off, and set the tickets.
Sunday morning, we set about figuring out how to get her to Münich. By 10 she had decided she would leave on a train Tuesday, take a bus from Zurich, and then stay overnight at the airport. I spent hours on the phone in three languages with different transit methods making sure that she would be okay. Within 5 hours, the German borders were closed, and we were back to square 1 and several irate emails to her travel agent. Everyone was very sorry, but also very sure that nothing could be done about it. The government declared that no store which isn't a grocer or pharmacy has the right to operate, and anyone who can work from home must do so, effective immediately.
Ethiad added emergency flights out of Zurich between Sunday night and Monday morning, so as of 3am, she's booked on to a flight for Wednesday.
On Thursday, the previsions say that the train and public transit schedule will be cut in half, with a guarantee of first and last connection remaining stable to ensure those who are needed infrastructure can go. Thursday's a public holiday, and in the Canton of Ticino, Friday has been declared a public holiday as well, to reduce the number of people moving.
If you go to the shops, you have to stay a metre away from the next person, and as of today, there was a line around the entire parking lot to get in. I had to go to four separate stores to find baking powder and yeast. I didn't look for toilet paper, honestly.
Previsions say that this will go on until April 16th at absolute earliest, while others say if people continue to "buck the rules" and go out shopping frequently instead of doing one large haul, etc, then it could well extend in to May.
... So that's the situation here.
lol, staying relevant. God will withhold no good thing.
Sylvan, Where is your home?
I have heard that things are really tough in Italy right now. The news mostly focuses on COVID-19 in our area and how it will effect us so thank you for sharing your experience.
Robin,
LOL.. I was very fortunate I had already bought supplies (tp) before the shortage.
I am in the city of Lugano, Switzerland, down near the point close to Italy- it's about 15 minutes from my house to Italy in one direction, and 45 minutes down to Como- that's the red heart. The black one is where my partner usually lives / we spend weekends.
We have 67 confirmed cases in Ohio as I type this. All K-12 schools are closed here for this week and at least the next 2 weeks, with a strong inclination that they will not resume until next school year, in August, and my daycare (all daycares) where I work full time, should be closing by end of this week as well. All bars and dine in restaurants, movie theaters, and gyms are closed, but can still offer takeout or delivery. I'm a little nervous but I also appreciate the promptness of my Ohio governor, Mike Dewine, and his staff's efforts to protect our high risk populations ie the elderly and those with compromised immune systems and/or respiratory issues. Our families at the daycare have been super supportive of our efforts to reduce the potential spread as well. We have not been letting anyone but staff and students into our building this whole week, kids are dropped off and picked up at the front door, and everyone washes hands upon arrival and departure, and obviously all of the normal times throughout the day, before and after meals and after the bathroom, that way we are hopefully lessening the potential for a secondary transfer of germs. Hand washing has almost become an Olympic sport in our classrooms, I'm surprised we do not all have little stubs for hands at this point, lol.
Most all of the grocery stores are out of milk, eggs, fresh meat, dry good staples, canned goods, and of course, the laughable toilet paper, which has created a meme sensation. The stores get small shipments in to supplement, but if you are not in the right place at the right time, you'll miss out. I have 8 double rolls of TP left in my house. NEVER in my life have I EVER known exactly how much TP was in my home, lol.
#flattenthecurve #stophoarding
LOLOLOLOLOL Robyn!
I'm outside Nashville. TN. On Friday March 13 we had 26 confirmed cases. Today, March 17 we have 73. Almost triple. Over 40 cases are in my county.
I'm my husband's caretaker. He is 72 in a wheelchair because of respiratory problems and on oxygen 24/7. I'm 64 with heart disease and still recovering from a two months of bronchitis. So we are taking this very seriously and hunkered down (even canceling doctor appointments).
We have three sons at home (my Marine is on leave) that come and go so I’m making sure they wash their hands when they come in.
I wish the younger generation would take this more seriously.
I am a full-time caregiver to my housemate so I am never away from work 7 days/24 hr on-call job. I can only see my daughter when she takes us to Dr. appts, and while out for those we grab anything needed to avoid any excess trips or exposure. My sister is 2 hours away across a state line so at least we talk and prayers for her please, she is a nurse for 45+ years now and works in the birthing center.
I had Dr office visit for labs and they were screening every patient as they came in. Drive-through only fast food and pharmacy, or delivery, but grocery will remain open. All schools, public gathering places are shut down for 4 weeks, maybe longer. The Air Force base is locked down. We have 4 confirmed cases in our city/county.
Shopping took 3 long days (instead of 1 afternoon), still had all the household duties, and putting up the extra supplies. Just totally worn out physically and emotionally. We were told to lay in 8 weeks of supplies and so we did. My little family are all high-risk due to age and/or health.
(((Love&Prayers)))
You are a trip, Robin. Thanks for making me laugh.
It may be helpful for other to know Instacart delevers groceries to your door. I've been using it for months (I tore up my knee so I'm using a walker right now).
We paid the annual fee so I have groceries delivered a few times each week. They give you several option for grocery stores in your area.
For one devivery it cost $5.99 for two-hour or more deliver. For free two-hour delivery on orders $35+ you can pay a $149 yearly membership.
Here in Spain we are also under alarm and we have to stay at home. Our Governor said it will take 14 days, but I am sure it will be longer. We are only available to go out home just if we need medication or food, but going to the supermarket makes me feel like if we were in an apocalipse-like-period, though there are still fruits and vegetables, there is lack of bread and meat.....no toilett paper (I'm still wondering why).
My mom is 75 years old and she lives alone, we phone each other each day, I'm worried about her, but she says it is mandatory to stay at home and doesn't allow me to go and meet her (she lives very near, only 2 streets far from me).
I have a sister who is married with two children, and they live in Andorra (a small country between Spain and France). They are in the same situation. I miss them very much!
We are lucky we live in a world with internet, this makes things easier (skype, videos...) and I guess that this situation will make us stronger and that something good has to come afterwards.
Thank you for reading
Here in north Georgia, in our particular city we have three confirmed cases last I checked. There's a ban on public gatherings at bars, concert venues, etc., and lots of businesses have voluntarily closed for the time being. I can't find definitive word if there's a curfew, but we can still go out during the day if we need to make grocery runs and the like. It was weird seeing the toilet paper aisle so darn empty, and pasta and canned goods have been ransacked, but there's still plenty of produce, milk, eggs, and bread to go around (unlike hurricane season, when everyone seems to be hoarding French toast supplies).
The governor has ordered schools to close at least until the end of the month, but my three older kids' schools have set up online classes. Our church (worldwide, leadership based in Utah) has also suspended Sunday meetings until further notice, bout our area congregation has set up a system for doing webcasts on Sunday morning so people don't end up feeling too isolated.
It's very surreal.
This pandemic lets us know just how small the world really is; germs and disease literally travels the globe in a matter of days (and possibly just hours). We are all isolated but we are isolated together via the internet.
So many businesses are shut down for a week (maybe longer) but I have no fear of being shut down because I work in healthcare. I go to work and return home without detour because it is vital to keep my elderly, vulnerable patients safe. This is emotionally-psychologically draining. I am exhausted when I leave work!
I live in China. I'm on my seventh week of staying inside. It's a good thing I'm a homebody! I love it! I'm also a teacher and trying to teach my class online - that part is not so fun. China has not had the panic America has - the flow of food (and toilet paper) has never waned. My Mom is 80 and in a town with Covid19, so she is my main worry. On top of that she was in the earthquake yesterday! I like the saying I saw today, 'This past week has been the longest year ever!" What next? Hopefully, getting back to normal!
Scrapping is keeping me happy!
Catherine
Oh wow!! Catherine, I'm really glad to get some feed back from someone in China.
I believe the media fueled the USA panic but that is improving (slightly) now. The media is doing better now that they have adopted the slogan "facts not fear". The toilet paper shortage is not nearly as important as the shortage of disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers, and face masks - as you can guess, this shortage really affects those in healthcare.
Where does your mom live?
I work from home so I am used to this "social distancing", however, there is a big difference between CHOOSING to stay home and HAVING to stay home. The past two years I've been recovering from multiple surgeries on my hands so the having to stay home is also not new to me either, lol. I have lupus so I am in a very high risk group. I have always kept a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse and it was pretty much empty when everyone started to raid the stores. I was able to make a bottle myself with vegetable glycerin and 91% alcohol. I am not panicking, but my doctor did tell me to stay home. Period. I am blessed to have a great husband who can do any shopping we need. I'm more concerned for my sons. One can't work from home because his company doesn't have a laptop that can do what he needs. (He's a graphic designer/photographer.) My youngest is a police officer. He says that with all the bars closed and most stores not being open 24 hours now, his night shifts have been pretty quiet. I think if I get cabin fever, I'll put my dogs in the car and just go drive around for a bit. I agree that the media has done a poor job with all of this and it feels like so many people just aren't taking it seriously. I'm happy I found this community and look forward to "talking" with everyone more as this plays out.
Stay safe and well everyone!
Robin, I hope you and your husband stay safe and well! I have lupus and so I am also taking this very seriously. I have friends and family who are going about life as usual. It's disheartening to see them not taking this seriously.
Drs are now starting to use the self-contained parking lot waiting room. We wait in our car after checking in one at a time as we arrive. The office then called our phone when we could enter. Each exam room was sterile cleaned after every use. It took us 5 hours as my Daughter and I both had an appointment. Fortunately, the weather in S GA is not really hot yet and there was a prevailing coolish breeze, but my car is dark green and it did get a bit hot after about 3 hours so I walked around under the drive-through porch area canopy periodically. The nurse said next time inform them we are family and both have appointments, this will allow us to come in together.
The suggestion I can give and nurse confirmed, stack appointments for your Drs to cut down on trips and exposure. We have 4 people and my daughter coordinates appointments and times. If need be we drop off and then circle back to pick up. Now we will all seek outside shelter if we must wait as far from others as possible. We have trees everywhere here in almost every parking lot in existence and lining the streets downtown.
Stay strong and pray for the people not getting it or thinking it is a hoax.
Lynde, it never occurred to me that some people think it's a hoax but my daughter told me yesterday that she talked to someone who thinks it is. It blows my mind that some people think the whole world would partake in a hoax and they are the only ones smart enough to see through it.
I have a friend in New England who doesn't think it's a hoax, but does think people are blowing it way out of proportion. To be fair to her, her area hasn't really been hit, so everyone's still going in to work and such, but all the fun and social things have been canceled, so she's having a rough time coping. "All work and no play" kind of scenario.
My partner and I have had our second second-degree death this morning. The first was his cousin's coworker. This morning, it was his boss' father. It makes it very hard for me to have patience with people who tell me things are being "blown out of proportion", because we're so close to it. We're very worried for my partner's stubborn father who wants to keep going down to the centre of town to get the newspaper every day.
It doesn't make it easier for us to be closed in at home, though. I am having a hard time scrapping, even... Everything ends up being more methodical and "present" than artistic.
@gina Jones Thank you for this positive post! I 100% agree with you about the press.
So far, so good here. Most things are closed and we're even having trouble ordering grocery, etc. items online. Thankfully, we always keep a good stock of everything, so we're not panicking yet.
I'm used to staying home with my kids all day, given that they're all under age 5. My husband is currently working from home, so I haven't worked on any scrapbooking since this began, because I don't have computer access during the day and things are still pretty hectic with bedtime. I'm thankful that he has a job that allows him to stay here with us. Panic buying is definitely in effect here. My husband ran out to the grocery store yesterday and said that there was hardly anything there, so I'm going to try a different market today to see if I can get some basic stuff like eggs and some produce. We do have plenty of food, I'm just mostly worried about my admittedly picky eaters going on a hunger strike once we run out of the things we like.
My family is all healthy so far, though I'm concerned about a few of them. My dad just returned on Tuesday from a business trip that didn't get cancelled, and while he says he feels fine so far, both of my grandmothers live with my parents. I'm also used to spending time with my mom regularly, and staying away is tough, but I want to make sure my baby especially stays healthy. I also have an aunt who's a nurse, and immuno-compromised, and has had to work with COVID-19 patients. So I'm praying that she stays well, too.
I think the hardest thing so far has just been being cooped up in the house for days on end. I'm used to breaking things up with trips to the library, going to visit my parents and letting my kids run around their yard, etc. Our yard is just big enough to be our dog's toilet, and we don't really have anywhere to go outside that we don't have to drive to. I don't trust my ability to keep a 4 and 2 year old socially distanced/away from playgrounds on my own, while juggling a baby. So I'm hoping we get some nice weekend days where we can all go for a hike or something.
Sylvan, I think with my friend it was mostly at our own government (US) and media, especially the media, since that seems to have helped kick off a lot of the panic buying that isn't as necessary. Also the fact that her area hasn't seen much yet, so she's still required to go in to work, as is her husband, while all the fun things have been canceled, so it's very grating to her. Our deepest sympathies for your situation. I can't even imagine what it's like over there.
As of yesterday we are now in mandatory shelter-in-place regulations, though it's still possible to leave the house for essential purposes (groceries, exercise within reason (no gyms), essential jobs like medical and law enforcement), and it sounds like you won't actually get fined if you're out for non-essential reasons. It's draining. This week has reinforced for me why I don't homeschool.
At least our new game console arrived yesterday, for which I have a backlog of games waiting, so I've got something else for my evenings after the kids get to bed.
The insanity goes on here. The local nightclub 2 blocks over from us is in full swing. Everyone of theses last hurrahs is going to be the death of more young people who are now the most hit group in the statistics because of superman syndrome.
The public library, driver's license office, utility offices, charity food sources have stopped all handouts, and churches, closed. Restaurant lobbies are closed, drive-through and curb pick up only (except for 3 owned by one of the richest families here and Cracker Barrel, are wide open). Grocery has limited hours to give extra cleaning and stocking time. Dr's offices are call first if you need something before coming in unless you get a verified appointment call. Pharmacies drive-though only. No non-essential surgeries, eye exam offices closing, and not sure what else. Obviously people are not complying with the cities requests and it is spreading here fast, the number of deaths picking up. Wishing for mandatory.
We just got letters saying 120 days extension of driver licenses renewal. Mortgage notices saying if you are out of work to have your company give you a letter and we will talk to you about options. The larger stores, Walmart, Sams and maybe others are hiring those laid off as night stockers and cleaners. To prevent any more runs on the stores, food stamps will be issued normally.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. May God’ peace be with you tonight and always, Amen
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