Self isolation, social distancing, sheltering in place, whatever else you call it

[Tassifox 418]

When my work finally gave us masks we have the disposable which we get a new one everyday, or these cheap cloth ones (2/worker) and they're washable at least. I stitched in a mark so I know which side I'm wearing it when I wear the cloth ones and they maybe cheap but they're more comfortable than the disposable .

[Garlic Junior 136]

I know someone who stays in China (not Wuhan, but...)

 

He had a hardcore month-long lockdown, much harder than UK. Stay at home. If you want outside, go in your garden for five minutes then back. Open your window for ten minutes. Stay indoors.

 

After a month of that, pubs etc are back open. Everyone has to wear a mask and everyone gets their temperature tested going in and out of any public building, but otherwise life inside the city is back to normal.

 

Costs you thousands to get a permit to leave the city.

 

Racism is rampant. No foreigners allowed in or out.

[Tassifox 418]

Same with one of my friends in Shanghai, she's an American who's been living there for the last 7 years as (I think) a financial accountant for a University. She keeps in touch with me  and a few others on Skype and what few posts she does on FB. Thankfully she's healthy but from what shes told me it pretty much mirrors what Garlic said about how they did lock down there too. (except for the permit thing but I'm sure it would be the same there). Also had constant delivery of groceries sent to her, worked from home and all that.

They started with re opening a few eateries and cafes, then the marketplace (with masks always and guards doing random tempurature checks). And now she's finally able to go back to her jujitsu classes since they opened that back up.

Also I recommend stocking up on beef and pork before the price starts going up soon. More processing facilities are either shutting down or reducing their staff/hours from risk of contamination so there 's already a shortage of meat to grocers hitting.

[Mera'din 307]

On 4/19/2020 at 10:34 AM, Tassifox said:

Also I recommend stocking up on beef and pork before the price starts going up soon. More processing facilities are either shutting down or reducing their staff/hours from risk of contamination so there 's already a shortage of meat to grocers hitting.

 

Yep. There's a general lack of places to send the stuff too due to the number of restaurants that have shut down and various other related issues. One of the hog farmers we sell feed to said they're looking at having to start slaughtering piglets soon because there's no room for them.

 

Just had 30+ confirmed cases at the meat packing plant in a town close to where I live which doubled that county's cases overnight. Likely to see some here now because a fair number of people that work there live here or have spouses that work at the plant here.

[dr. b 492]

My company has determined that we need to reduce costs by 20% across the board, for the long term benefit of the company. So my branch is going down to a four day work week and everybody's salary will take a 20% hit. Hopefully this only has to be this way for a couple months, but who knows. 80% of my salary is still a bit better than the alternative, which is being laid off and collecting the Canada Emergency Response Benefit ($500 per week for up to 16 weeks) ... but the budget is definitely going to get tight. Right now I'm really happy that we paid off our credit cards recently as we got a pretty nice tax return this year. There will be very little money to cover debt / credit card payments going forward. 

[Galeigh 308]

Welp, my state is gonna be ending it's lockdown. Right smack dab in the middle of the peak of this bullshit. 

 

People are gonna die. 

[Tassifox 418]

And sadly my state was no exception to the dumbasses that decided to protest against the lockdown here. Seriously this will just extend ours until July at this rate .

The renaissance faire I work for was planning on doing 4 events this year with the addition of our new one. They just announced that our Faire in June has been postponed to conjuncture with our new Celtic Festival in Sept, our Pirate event has been cancelled for next year, and for the moment our big Faire in Aug is still going on as planned pending the situation. 

[webhead 519]

3 hours ago, Galeigh said:

Welp, my state is gonna be ending it's lockdown. Right smack dab in the middle of the peak of this bullshit. 

 

People are gonna die. 

Sorry bro.  But just stay home.  Most people are going to do the same and it will just be fucking idiots wandering around (I bet most of the people protesting go back home).  The people really getting fucked would be anyone that is forced to go back to work and be exposed to getting sick.  I would be extremely fucking mad about that.  Of course if you are basically not getting paid right now, that still might be better...that or a temp layoff so you can get unemployment or something.

[Galeigh 308]

I am considered an essential worker so I have been working on a rotating schedule, but them lifting the effects mean not only will my exposure chance be even higher so will hundreds if not thousands of vulnerable people.

 

Also, as a government employee my work status is at the whims of the single most incompetent man in the country. At least I am still paid for the days I'm not working though.

 

Fucking ironic that NOW we're considered essential when late 2018 all government employed custodians were passed over for a pay raise. literally only 1 of 2 jobs at my work that got passed over (other being cooks)

[Mera'din 307]

They did a protest here in MN too. Honestly expected better of the people here overall. I don't disagree with WHY they were protesting (overreach of power is an overreach of power regardless of circumstances and there have been repeated mixed messages about what exactly we're supposed to be doing and consequences therein) but the way they did it was fucking moronic. At least this wasn't one of the imbecilic places where they were trying to block ambulances and hospital entrances and shit. They all just stood around looking stupid at the governor's residence.  

[MT 917]

Well, look on the bright side, at least one of those stupid protests didn't happen in the town you live in.

[webhead 519]

I can somewhat understand the actual issues they have with how things are being handled and wanting to protest.  I cannot understand going out with no protection like a fucking moron and potentially starting a huge outbreak.  Plus I've seen the signs most of the people hold up and a large number of them are legitimately fucking retarded.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think my favorite are the fucking luddites that think 5G is causing all this.  How do you even live life that stupid?

 

Then just...basically this whole episode.

 

 

[dr. b 492]

Turns out Bill Gates is to blame for all this:

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/we-call-investigations-bill-melinda-gates-foundation-medical-malpractice-crimes-against-humanity

 

To accomplish his goal of reducing the world's population growth he is sterilizing children with vaccines, and I guess he helped to create COVID-19 to kill off more people as well??? Or just to create a new way to get more people with his evil vaccines. 

 

[Eizan 126]

20 hours ago, Galeigh said:

Welp, my state is gonna be ending it's lockdown. Right smack dab in the middle of the peak of this bullshit. 

 

People are gonna die. 

Georgia is opening everything except Bars and Clubs most of it starting Friday (others will be allowed Monday). Wait until the cases in Atlanta double by the end of next week, shit like this makes me dread going to work. 

 

 

[webhead 519]

3 minutes ago, Eizan said:

Georgia is opening everything except Bars and Clubs most of it starting Friday (others will be allowed Monday). Wait until the cases in Atlanta double by the end of next week, shit like this makes me dread going to work. 

 

 

Seems like the perfect time to open, look at that curve go dow---wait

 

[dr. b 492]

My company's global HQ is in Georgia (Rome) so I guess upper management is going to be happy... until half the workforce calls in sick

[Garlic Junior 136]

Did a lot of listening about Vitamin D deficiency today. I already figured it was going to be a great tool in the fight against COVID but wanted some reinforcement.

 

Got me thinking about how like old wives tales are usually randomly linked to real science.

 

Like two big things right now are:

 

1) China being very racist and blaming/persecuting black people

 

and 

 

2) Debate over warmer climes eradicating COVID despite no evidence that heat kills

 

 

Well, vitamin D is a great preventative method against viruses and specifically respiratory viruses.

 

The sun (ie warmer climes) is our main source of vitamin D. Darker skinned people don't absorb as much from the sun.

 

tl;dr even when stuck at home, try to get some sunshine, and if not, ensure you're getting Vit D in your food/medication.

[Tassifox 418]

Our Gov. made a small announcement yesterday talking about what the game plan will look like when it is time to start lifting the lock down in phases. Thankfully didn't cave to protesters about lifting it sooner than May 4th which is when he had extended Stay At Home Order to atm. Depending on how things look by then we may start lifting the order or not.

In some small about of good signs, my work actually got an order of hand sanitizer that was more than enough to actually put on the shelf instead of keeping what 1 case or 2 we'd be lucky to get behind the customer service counter to monitor the limitations better. I mean we're still gonna limit and all the brands are ones we don't normally sell but we'll take what we get.

[webhead 519]

On 4/22/2020 at 11:49 AM, Garlic Junior said:

Did a lot of listening about Vitamin D deficiency today. I already figured it was going to be a great tool in the fight against COVID but wanted some reinforcement.

 

Got me thinking about how like old wives tales are usually randomly linked to real science.

 

Like two big things right now are:

 

1) China being very racist and blaming/persecuting black people

 

and 

 

2) Debate over warmer climes eradicating COVID despite no evidence that heat kills

 

 

Well, vitamin D is a great preventative method against viruses and specifically respiratory viruses.

 

The sun (ie warmer climes) is our main source of vitamin? D. Darker skinned people don't absorb as much from the sun.

 

tl;dr even when stuck at home, try to get some sunshine, and if not, ensure you're getting Vit D in your food/medication.

The heat thing killing the virus originally came from how the Spanish flu receded during the summer (then came roaring back when it got cold again), if I'm remembering the time line of things here.  Also this is probably more related to the whole "colds and flus spread easier in the winter because everyone is cooped up in enclosed spaces" moreso than the actual heat itself but maybe it was both.

 

That and you know, enough heat will kill any virus.  Lol.  One of the videos Betty shared with me from a medical professional showing how to treat things entering your home basically said that microwaving your take out should kill the germs on it.

 

On 4/22/2020 at 1:23 PM, Tassifox said:

Our Gov. made a small announcement yesterday talking about what the game plan will look like when it is time to start lifting the lock down in phases. Thankfully didn't cave to protesters about lifting it sooner than May 4th which is when he had extended Stay At Home Order to atm. Depending on how things look by then we may start lifting the order or not.

In some small about of good signs, my work actually got an order of hand sanitizer that was more than enough to actually put on the shelf instead of keeping what 1 case or 2 we'd be lucky to get behind the customer service counter to monitor the limitations better. I mean we're still gonna limit and all the brands are ones we don't normally sell but we'll take what we get.

Looks like Jovanna is going to have to go back soon if they let the order we have expire here around the same time.  I'm pretty pissed that they're going to make them go back to work when their entire job can be done remotely.  I've been angrily cursing about it all day because the director of her department or whatever is a complete fuckwad and simply won't let people work from home even though it is indeed an option for them.  He only let them do it during the pandemic basically when forced and is already telling them to come back the DAY the order lifts.  He is seriously a piece of shit.

 

On the flip side my work said basically only people that absolutely cannot work from home effectively will go back when the orders lift but the rest of us don't even worry about May because it's not going to happen then.  Probably more like June/July and even then they're talking about rotating people in and out (and anyone with health considerations will likely get a pass which...Jovanna has high blood pressure and a heart condition that is controlled with meds but you know...one of the other reasons I'm so fucking pissed at her work ).

[Garlic Junior 136]

Well, yes and no.

 

Heat *should* kill almost anything, which is why the advise is to reheat your takeout food. It's generic advice though.

 

Some tests done on COVID-19 seemed to indicate it is more resistant to heat and also there were the alarming numbers in Iran which caused a reconsideration as to whether it would "go away in the summer" like flu. But I don't think much focus has been done on testing its heat tolerance yet.

 

So I wouldn't get them mixed up. The heating your food advice is generic good practice, not COVID specific.

 

Same with my "ensure you're not Vit D deficient" advice, it's also generic, however it's interesting to me in relative context to the "why is it showing in hot countries" and "why is China blaming black people" conversations.

[webhead 519]

6 hours ago, Garlic Junior said:

Heat *should* kill almost anything, which is why the advise is to reheat your takeout food. It's generic advice though.

Yeah that's what I said.  It IS indeed generic advice.  I'm saying there isn't anything specific,  it's all shit people see discussed and then run away with having little to no understanding what they are regurgitating (huge game of telephone).

[Tassifox 418]

Apparently people are even microwaving their masks I learned online today and end up burning them. Gee! I wonder why!?

That totally sucks about Jo's job Web, I've heard similar examples from friends and it's stupid that some businesses are more than willing to go right back to what they feel ain't broken.

I'm thankful that this week I've  been scheduled for Scan Team duties vs checking all this week. Yesterday we had 2 incidents where we had irate customers make a scene all because my coworkers told them that we're not allowing shopping carts to go through the self scan for social distancing. Info for context:
* Our self scan consists of 4 SCOT registsters that are definitely not fully six feet side by side  but almost that across from each other. (2 On each side ) And then our scheduled staff is near the front of it to assist when needed at a podium.
* To enforce social distancing not only have we stopped allowing shopping carts to go through but we've also limited number of items to fifteen or less.
* We can also have 2 of the 4 SCOT registers open diagonally so that we still have the social distancing (since side by side isn't far enough) and then alternate opening and closing each 2 so that we can clean them in between every hour.
*Not only do we have a bunch of signs stating all this, but we even have stack of hand baskets put by the sign to help customers move their few items from cart to basket so that they can still check out and we take the shopping carts back for them.
So yesterday my coworker that was scheduled for self check had to tell a lady the deal about the no carts and the woman flipped out on her, accusing her that we were  trying to prevent her from buying groceries and w ent on a verbal tirade against my coworker to the point that my coworker broke down and ran out the store to get air and compose herself. You could hear the woman clear at the back of the store she was screaming so terrible and was expecting there st of us to do or say something, which we promptly escorted her out and she still tried to verbally attack my coworker when she spotted her outside until she finally left.
Shortly after I left my shift it was my manager who was watching the self scan and had to do the same thing for a older guy who flipped out on her saying she had no right to dictate what he could or couldn't do nor what was being dictate in the world outside. Demanded my store director when he felt my manager was "talking back at him" who then told him that he couldn't talk to us that way and had to leave if he couldn't respect our temporary rules. When my store director explained that we're all a little extra stressed during these times the asshole had the gall to interrupt her and shout "it's not MY fault you chose this profession!" He then ditched all of his groceries except his 2 bottles of wine and threatened to call corp.

My coworkers are okay including the first one who broke down. Once she calmed down and had her break, she said that she knew that the lady was saying all these things from fear even though she agreed the lady went way out of line. Me, I might have been suspended or fired because I would have handled those asshats muuuuuch differently.

[Mera'din 307]

Sometimes I'm grateful for my job and so glad I don't work in a customer service based job anymore. XD

Worst we have to put up with is truck drivers, which CAN be an experience on occasion. At the moment, we have all the entrances locked and signs posted at EVERY door saying nobody is allowed in without authorization. The door the truckers used to come in to get checked in for loads has an additional sign telling them exactly how to contact us to do this (they can call on their cell phone, use the 'air phone' on the wall next to the door, and a radio is often left outside as well if the other two methods are too complicated for them). 

 

Sometimes the door gets left unlocked because we use that same door to go out to the grains building for samples, or to check on issues at the mills and some of the grain silos. It never fails, if it is not locked when a trucker pulls up, they always ALWAYS end up walking in and down to the control room (despite the fact that  at least 75% of the drivers are the same guys every day). Luckily customer service rules don't tend to apply with us. Last time it happened the supervisor responded to the guy walking up with "Do you not know how to read? You can't be in here."  

[Tassifox 418]

You would think we could give them the benefit to be intelligent enough to read a damn sign let alone  several.....but noooooooo

[webhead 519]

3 hours ago, Tassifox said:

Apparently people are even microwaving their masks I learned online today and end up burning them. Gee! I wonder why!?

That totally sucks about Jo's job Web, I've heard similar examples from friends and it's stupid that some businesses are more than willing to go right back to what they feel ain't broken.

I'm thankful that this week I've  been scheduled for Scan Team duties vs checking all this week. Yesterday we had 2 incidents where we had irate customers make a scene all because my coworkers told them that we're not allowing shopping carts to go through the self scan for social distancing. Info for context:
* Our self scan consists of 4 SCOT registsters that are definitely not fully six feet side by side  but almost that across from each other. (2 On each side ) And then our scheduled staff is near the front of it to assist when needed at a podium.
* To enforce social distancing not only have we stopped allowing shopping carts to go through but we've also limited number of items to fifteen or less.
* We can also have 2 of the 4 SCOT registers open diagonally so that we still have the social distancing (since side by side isn't far enough) and then alternate opening and closing each 2 so that we can clean them in between every hour.
*Not only do we have a bunch of signs stating all this, but we even have stack of hand baskets put by the sign to help customers move their few items from cart to basket so that they can still check out and we take the shopping carts back for them.
So yesterday my coworker that was scheduled for self check had to tell a lady the deal about the no carts and the woman flipped out on her, accusing her that we were  trying to prevent her from buying groceries and w ent on a verbal tirade against my coworker to the point that my coworker broke down and ran out the store to get air and compose herself. You could hear the woman clear at the back of the store she was screaming so terrible and was expecting there st of us to do or say something, which we promptly escorted her out and she still tried to verbally attack my coworker when she spotted her outside until she finally left.
Shortly after I left my shift it was my manager who was watching the self scan and had to do the same thing for a older guy who flipped out on her saying she had no right to dictate what he could or couldn't do nor what was being dictate in the world outside. Demanded my store director when he felt my manager was "talking back at him" who then told him that he couldn't talk to us that way and had to leave if he couldn't respect our temporary rules. When my store director explained that we're all a little extra stressed during these times the asshole had the gall to interrupt her and shout "it's not MY fault you chose this profession!" He then ditched all of his groceries except his 2 bottles of wine and threatened to call corp.

My coworkers are okay including the first one who broke down. Once she calmed down and had her break, she said that she knew that the lady was saying all these things from fear even though she agreed the lady went way out of line. Me, I might have been suspended or fired because I would have handled those asshats muuuuuch differently.

I just cannot understand what possesses people to be such obnoxious pieces of shit to people like that.  Get over yourself you selfish fucking assholes.  Good god.

[Galeigh 308]

The great double edged sword of custodial work. No cares enough about you to bitch at you... Or acknowledge your work. So I don't have to deal with this garbage. 

 

These people are actually yelling at people risking their health so you can get groceries are stupid AF. 

[Mera'din 307]

I was almost late for work a couple weeks ago because I had to run in to grab food for work (so I had like 2 items) the person I was behind in line threw a giant baby fit about not being able to get a rain check on some fucking muffins. AFTER the manager came over and explained to him that they're not doing rain checks currently because of everything going on, but that she would take down his name and number and honor the price after everything went back to normal (effectively still technically giving him a fucking rain check). Waited for her to walk away and then started complaining at the cashier who was checking him out. Whole thing took like 15 min.  -_- 

[webhead 519]

The sale is going to come back anyway.  Not sure why you gotta be such a fuckhat about it.

[Mera'din 307]

Especially to the person least capable of giving you a reason for why normal policy is different after just being talked to by the person who IS in fact capable. That's when you know they don't care about an actual answer to their problem and they just want to be a disruptive jackass.

[Galeigh 308]

God damn it. The Mayor had laid out a reasonable plan for reopening the county deapite being to early and our dumbfuck gov announced today that his wreckless open everything now plan overrides all other plans in the state. 

 

Dude just through weeks of quarantine out the window and sent people to their death. 

[MT 917]

[Tassifox 418]

I feel like that's going to happen here too in a spike. Inslee announced yesterday that we're partially reopening our outdoor activities on May 5th.
So all:
State parks, state public lands run by DNR and WDFW for day use
Fishing
Hunting
Golfing (If from same household you can have 4 people golf with you, if from outside of household only 1 other person. )

Will be reopen as long as people social distance responsibly.........coincidentally on Cinco De Mayo.......... I'm pretty sure were gonna have a big ol spike of infected people after this.

[Eizan 126]

It's almost impossible to enforce social distancing in some of these places that's reopening. 

 

May and June will be fun...

[webhead 519]

Bunch of places are going to see huge spikes.  There's no getting around it.  Realistically you can't just keep people from doing shit forever though so it is what it is.  As long as the hospitals aren't ACTUALLY getting overwhelmed, it'll be fine.  It's just stupid.

[Tassifox 418]

It wouldn't even seem like forever if majority of them just actually did what they were told to begin with and we might have had better results by now. And that's a big hypothetical might.

Our governor had another conference a little bit ago. No surprise that the SAHO has been extended to the end of May. And then went into our reopening plan in phases "whiles still practicing social distancing", which good fucking luck with that once we reach phase 3. The counties in the boondocks of WA that have smaller populations and haven't bene affected as hard will have a chance to move forward sooner.

[Galeigh 308]

Guess who is under quarantine orders from doc til results come back

[webhead 519]

On 5/1/2020 at 3:19 PM, Tassifox said:

It wouldn't even seem like forever if majority of them just actually did what they were told to begin with and we might have had better results by now. And that's a big hypothetical might.

Our governor had another conference a little bit ago. No surprise that the SAHO has been extended to the end of May. And then went into our reopening plan in phases "whiles still practicing social distancing", which good fucking luck with that once we reach phase 3. The counties in the boondocks of WA that have smaller populations and haven't bene affected as hard will have a chance to move forward sooner.

If you're at a point in this thing where you're still restricting sizes of parties and how many people can be inside a restaurant, that still seems like a stupid time to go out.  The phase thing is funny.  I mean I get it.  They're lifting restrictions so go and do whatever but...I'm probably not gonna.

[Tassifox 418]

I know for the most part I will try to refrain where I can.  I'm sure part of this is to appease the masses in some fashion, And again it's only going to be on track based on the data the check constantly so chances are we won't be getting anywhere near phase 3 until fall is my bet,

[MT 917]

Word from our Governor is that we can move into stage 2 this Friday. Apparently anyone in LA County who wants a test is capable of getting one now, so that's good.

 

[dr. b 492]

So what are you all doing to keep busy/entertained as the pandemic drags on (and on and on and on) ?

 

I have full blown pandemic fatigue, I'm over it all. I try to continue minding the rules when I'm out at stores and stuff, but even that is proving to be a challenge these days.

 

This morning I took my kids out to play on the play structure and swing sets at our local park, closed signs be damned; it's hot and sticky in our apartment and they're so bored. The changes I've noticed in my 9 year old's behavior and overall mental well-being over the weeks on end at home seem to be far worse than the risk of contracting the coronavirus. I sure hope school opens as planned in September  Also just found out two days ago that my daughter's summer soccer is totally cancelled

 

I got a new bicycle a few weeks ago - not an easy task right now! - and have been riding more and more. I used to be Mr. Cyclist when I lived in Toronto and then Vietnam. Haven't had a decent bike, or the time, in recent years. But I'm back in the saddle now. I've been doing 20 km rides on weekend mornings. That used to be easy, now not so much. But I'm slowly getting back into shape. 

 

I still of course play my bass a ton, watch some anime, try to keep my kids entertained. Need some new ideas though. 

[Tassifox 418]

This link is to show how WA is looking on our Phase plan is going for the counties, although it's slightly out of date because King County (Seattle area) just finally passed to Phase 2.
https://www.seattlepi.com/coronavirus/article/why-15-of-washington-39-counties-not-in-phase-2-15298407.php

So of course people are treating it like it never happened. Slacking more on wearing their masks correctly ( even my own coworkers  ). And being way more in the bubble boundary or touchy feely out of giddiness of places opening up. I get it lady, you can finally get your nails filled....just don't freaking touch me!  I don't like it even before we had Covid!
Room mate and I did go to one of our fave places to eat for dine in under the new current set up about....almost a week after my county went into Phase 2 (Snohomish). It wasn't too bad, about roughly 13 or so customers there, some out on the outdoor deck since it was nice out, and the few left inside were at least about 2 to 3 tables apart from me and the roomie. I felt bad for the waitress's since they have the same disadvantage as I do at my work since there are some parts of their job that can't do six feet social distance. But roomie and I made sure to wear our masks when we weren't eating or drinking, I had a small bottle of hand sanitizer on hand. And we made sure to leave big tip between the 2 of us since this place was closed until a few weeks ago with starting take out before their dine in was allowed again.

The new rules for schools reopening is gonna be an utter joke.

Otherwise I've slowly been seeing friends in small bits, either low key dinner and watching movies while social distancing, or hanging out in the backyard while bbqing. So I'm slowly gaining a little bit of my sanity. Some friends of mine and I have booked a cabin to run away in Aug a bit, which will be welcome since all my big events got cancelled. And work is doing something a little different with vacation requests since things are so up-heaved this year.

[Jane 100]

 

Over the past little while, before this started that is,  I was trying to beat my social anxiety a bit and do more stuff in my local area, both trying new things and making better friends closer to home**, so the whole thing has been a bit of a setback in that respect. I'm one of those people for whom lockdown hasn't been too much of a change of lifestyle for, so although I've been going stir crazy, coming out of lockdown will be mentally harder for me I think. 

** (my bffs are mostly from uni and live a few hours away, and others are former work pals who live in awkward-to-get-to bits of the city and some are also shy/bad at keeping in touch... I always have trouble convincing myself that people I've met actually want to hang out with me beyond a quick hello if we see each other in the street. I wish this stuff was easier!)

 

In more positive mental attitude mindset, I got a sewing machine this week. It's technically my birthday present - not my birthday for another several weeks, but entry-mid-level-ish good quality machines have been sold out for months, so I had to jump when the one I wanted was available. Basically, I wanted to learn a skill that helps me upcycle things and mend things so they last longer - I was going to potentially go to some sewing classes (see also: doing stuff in local area) as I have no confidence in my skills using a machine (terrible home ec teacher), but as that was no longer possible I had to just go for it. Two of my BFFs have been sewing since they were kids and another friend/acquaintance used to sew professionally (and still semi-professionally does classes) so I feel like at least I have support there. I ordered a make-your-own mask kit so I guess that'll be the first thing I try once I get the hang of setting the beast up.

 

 

 

 

 

[Anelle 792]

Way back in whenever talk was starting to heat up about this potentially being a big problem Lee told his work bye, I work from home now and that was that. We've been pretty strict on isolation unless we have to get groceries (delivery and pickups had no slots for a while so we just masked up and sanitized after outings.) We're both introverted homebodies so while things didn't change much it's still really getting to us. Even we want out sometimes.

 

The most infuriating thing is my family. They've been having family get togethers (it's ok because it's family!) and done dumb shit like gone to the beach in groups and sent me texts the whole time bitching that there were teenagers on the beach without masks like ??????????? THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING TOO, DIPSHIT

 

I've been getting irate and scolding them for it but after Father's Day when Dad called and I could hear the loud everyone-cozy-in-the-kitchen party in the background I Got Mad. There was an article about a family that had spread COVID among themselves after a few of them held a party and then visited other relatives. I think it was 18 members of one family tested positive or something dumb. I sent it to my dad and was like THIS IS WHY I'M MAD, STAY HOME. and 3 days later he announces to me that all family gatherings in the near future are postponed. Dumbasses.

 

He and Mom have tightened up their isolation too so now I get texts from him with gems like "Sitting home all day is a bunch of bull" which is basically the equivalent of my dad saying a big fat swear word. He also tells me every day to stay home and be safe and if I didn't know him as well as I do I'd think he was being sarcastic because I yelled at him >> but yes, Dad, the answer is the same as it's been "We've never stopped isolating and aren't about to stop"

 

Shit sucks.

 

Texas has just laid a big fat dookie as far as reacting to this so when we're all dead please make sure to come feed my cats.

[Galeigh 308]

Ever since my state has re-opened more and more people are being quarantined due to positive tests result or exposure to people who tested positive but failed to inform those around them. Its fuck awful and people are acting like it's over and that pisses me off. 

[webhead 519]

Everything here is dumb and the news is being dumb to scare everyone extra to get more eyeballs.

 

Things I'm frustrated by:

• No one will just wear a mask.  They bitch about it constantly and I see so many people out without them walking into stores and shit.
• The news is lying about things to make them look way worse than they are which makes having a conversation about this really difficult since they are RIGHT that the news is lying.  Are things bad in AZ?  Yes, they are.  Is the news massively inflating HOW bad they are?  Yes.  They report things that have several mitigating factors and go "LOOK AT ALL THE CASES" while ignoring any and all other factors.  It's frustrating.  I watch our data dashboards.  Shit is definitely not in a GOOD place.
• Everything sucks and I can't do anything.  I feel bad that Luna is getting basically no human interaction other than us.  That can't be super good for her development.
  • We are at least taking this time to potty train Luna so I guess that's using the time wisely?
  • I have vacation time and I can use it to do... ??????????
  • Shit is closing down permanently all over the place because of the shutdowns.  Why do we need the shutdowns?  Because people can't willingly be responsible and take precautions.  Cool.

Things that are kind of cool

• I haven't physically been to work since February and I might not have to go back until next year
• Good news bad news here...I've tracked down and bought all kinda of comic shit but also dear god the money spent  
• Because of crappy supply issues, PS4s and Xbones are constantly going in and out of stock and I sold my old ones for enough money to pay for the PS5 when it comes out.
  • Also the SNES controllers that Nintendo sells for Nintendo Online members just came back in stock and I got 2.
• My family isn't stupid.  When things LOOKED like they were going to be fine back in early June, they tentatively scheduled a get together which we then cancelled without any fuss at all.  Everyone pretty much was like yeah this ain't gonna work.
  • My grandparents at that same time decided to go out and eat at Cracker Barrel and they're now...not doing that again.  
  • My mother despite leaning right politically has taken this seriously and is very rational about things.  Though I feel super fucking bad she pretty much doesn't get to see Luna at all.

[MT 917]

They finally decided to close the beaches down here for 4th of July weekend. For a while it seemed like we were going to be the only Beach still open in all of southern California.

[Tassifox 418]

First off, here's a good laugh if you need it.
https://www.facebook.com/tristin.evans.39/videos/4584561001570106/

Secondly, Nelle one friend of mine in Huston just shared that TX is now requiring masks like us up here. To that I wish you good luck on that, I've been kinda seeing more people wear them (even if it is incorrectly with a lot of them ) but there's still that 1/3 of people who are all. Nope.

My dad is happy he finally got to go camping this weekend. I want to give him flack but he and my mom have been really good about being safe/masking up/having me pick up things if needed and what not and I know he'll be safe out there too that I don't have the heart or energy to do it. He literally just retired in Feb before all the shit hitting the fan went down and he hasn't been able to really get a chance to enjoy it between drama with my brother and the hospital stuff that happened with my grandma (She's fine just lots of bad bacteria that WASN'T COVID THANK GODS ) Soooo I know he needs this time.

My work is basically treating this whole Masks Now Required thing like we do with fake service animals. We're not allowed to engage customers if we see any with no masks unless it becomes a situation. And right now nobody has been dicks about it (yet) but we just started the requirement last Friday. So who knows.

Thirdly.

https://www.facebook.com/GabrielIglesias/videos/1187792658235798/

 

[Eizan 126]

46 minutes ago, Tassifox said:

My work is basically treating this whole Masks Now Required thing like we do with fake service animals. We're not allowed to engage customers if we see any with no masks unless it becomes a situation. And right now nobody has been dicks about it (yet) but we just started the requirement last Friday. So who knows.

You still getting that special/bonus whatever for this? 

 

Kroger basically said well we've given you enough, not more extra pay. No more if you get sick we'll cover you, use your own paid time off/vacations. 

 

Also @webheadWho is getting to 100K first? Arizona or Georgia? 

[Tassifox 418]

Nope, That ended for us on the 13th of June, Topping us off with a final payment amount that ( for those who worked more than fifteen hours/week ) averaged out the number of hours we worked a week during March 14th through June 13th and gave us $4/hr in that average. Which in my case before taxes was $143 on top of my normal paycheck for that week. Granted we knew it was gonna end sooner or later. 

[dr. b 492]

3 hours ago, webhead said:

No one will just wear a mask?????????. ? They bitch about it constantly and I see so? many people out without them walking into ?stores and shit.

Masks are still a tough sell for quite a few people up here too. I don't see what the big deal is, but I have also lived in Asia for several years where it is totally normal and common to see people wearing masks everywhere even if there isn't an illness going around. It's not a big deal. But apparently many North Americans don't see it the same way.