Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[Ijustwantsomechips]

There’s a Georgia-Pacific paper mill just north of here that laid off over 500 people last year.  They still produce toilet paper and paper towels and running at full capacity. Hopefully they’ll be able to recall some workers since production should be high. 

[Ohiopirate02]

12 hours ago, Zella said:

Library I work for part-time is closing to the public, as of tomorrow morning, though we are going to try to provide curbside service for check out as well as answering reference questions and the like via phone and email. All the county offices in my area are following suit of staying open but not open to the public, so people don't lose paychecks but risk is minimized. We're not one of the counties that has had a case yet, though we've had at least 1 negative test result. 

I was stuck in a day-long meeting with the rest of my library's management team yesterday.  We too are closed to the public but are working on doing curbside checkout and answering phones.  We are having way too many meetings about this, but I do like the idea of working without having patrons in the building.  I can get stuff done.  As of right now, there are zero confirmed cases in my county, and we want to keep it that way.  Schools are closed, and our governor just gave the order to shut down bars and restaurants for dine-in.  I am relieved about this.  I live in a college town that is currently overrun by oblivious students who have nothing better to do.  They were out in full force yesterday since spring break was extended another week.  I fear liquor stores will also be shut down soon, I need to take inventory before that happens.

[Zella]

1 minute ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I was stuck in a day-long meeting with the rest of my library's management team yesterday.  We too are closed to the public but are working on doing curbside checkout and answering phones.  We are having way too many meetings about this, but I do like the idea of working without having patrons in the building.  I can get stuff done.  As of right now, there are zero confirmed cases in my county, and we want to keep it that way.  Schools are closed, and our governor just gave the order to shut down bars and restaurants for dine-in.  I am relieved about this.  I live in a college town that is currently overrun by oblivious students who have nothing better to do.  They were out in full force yesterday since spring break was extended another week.  I fear liquor stores will also be shut down soon, I need to take inventory before that happens.

I was glad we made a decision too. I don't go to work again until tomorrow afternoon, so I won't be there for the learning curve today as they try to get it rolling. 

[Oldernowiser]

13 hours ago, Zella said:

I have never been so preemptively embarrassed about buying TP since I was an awkward teenager who was assigned shopping duties. LOL

Just wait. I had to go buy my mother emergency Depends. 

[Jenniferbug]

Our school district closed till 4/13. Husband and I are gathering resources to keep them occupied during the days for the next few weeks. If I had to find a silver lining in all this chaos, I find it kind of cool to see how many people or organizations are stepping up to help- the Cincinnati Zoo is doing a daily Facebook livestream in the afternoon, Josh Gad is reading a story daily via his Twitter, Universal is releasing some movies (like Trolls 2) for home rental at the same time as theatre release, etc. 

My 4 year old has a cough which is making me very anxious. Based on her other symptoms (or lack of, for example she has no fever), I'm pretty sure it's just a common cold but it's still stressing me. We've already opened our reserve bottle of children's Mucinex and I hope we can get more and it's not all sold out too. 

My work has sent everyone who has high speed internet to work from home. The rest are staying in the office but will be relocated to space out their cubicles more. 

If my family and friends can get through this with the lives and health, I will be grateful. 

[Zella]

2 minutes ago, Jenniferbug said:

If I had to find a silver lining in all this chaos, I find it kind of cool to see how many people or organizations are stepping up to help- the Cincinnati Zoo is doing a daily Facebook livestream in the afternoon, Josh Gad is reading a story daily via his Twitter, Universal is releasing some movies (like Trolls 2) for home rental at the same time as theatre release, etc. 

Me too. I know some people are acting awfully--like price gouging people or, ahem, having the police called on them for creating a disturbance over TP--but I see a lot of other people stepping up and really trying to help. People in my community are trying to coordinate online to make sure seniors don't have to go out but still get supplies, and the local school districts are trying to arrange lunch dropoffs, so kids who rely on school lunches to eat don't go hungry because they're at home. 

[galaxychaser]

Neighbors in my building are freaking out. I’m like we all are going to die eventually. Wash your hands and don’t lick your fingers.
Price gouging is insane. 
There are not even tampons left!!! Nothing left. 
I’m just going to eat snacks and ice cream and watch dvds. 
 

[ehall1052]

I grew up in the late 50s and 60s. Although my family was not poor, we lived like we were. My sweet miserly dad would never let my mom buy paper towels. What a waste when we had perfectly good terry cloth towels!  So my mom would put out a clean kitchen towel every day. Do people not realize you can wash towels? Why hoard when you can simply wash them and have as many clean towels as you want. People need to get a grip on life.

[doodlebug]

15 hours ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I don’t know what to expect except that this will be life altering for the world and I will be eternally grateful if my family and loved ones survive. What does lift my spirits is how so many states have no deaths. This afternoon WV had ZERO cases. Imagine that. 
 

Tomorrow I must go to my office for a few minutes to attend to a matter that I can’t do remotely. I can’t avoid it. I am taking huge measures to provide safety for my client and myself. I hate to wear a mask, but, I am.  I’m not touching anything that hasn’t been bleached. A quick stop at the bank and then I’m headed home for the next foreseeable future. 

The reason West Virginia has zero cases is because it is mostly rural and has a large, impoverished population; so there's not a lot of travel in and out.  It's public health system is already overburdened due to the large number of uninsured poor.  There are parts of W Va where is is not uncommon to have to drive a couple of hours to see an obstetrician.

The reason West Virginia doesn't have any cases has nothing to do with the actual number of cases that are there.  It has to do with our healthcare system and the lack of availability of good care for the rural poor.

[crazy8s]

had a long phone conversation with sister in law in quarantine from the grand princess just now

there are people there who have still not received their luggage after 7 days because it was sent to texas or georgia. those folks have nothing.

no laundry service still because HHS people have told them they "don't know how to go about getting quarters and detergent for the laundry room". Unbelieveable

they finally got clean towels, sheets and facial tissue yesterday. though the first towels they received were actually bath mats

they were told they could get items delivered by fedex or UPS only, but given an incomplete address so nothing has arrived.

I talked to my senator's office again today - have a direct number for sister in law to call now for help.

they are allowed outside if they follow the 6 ft apart rule.

while we were talking 2 people were removed by ambulance.

Insanity

 

[Jynnan tonnix]

1 hour ago, doodlebug said:

The reason West Virginia has zero cases is because it is mostly rural and has a large, impoverished population; so there's not a lot of travel in and out.  It's public health system is already overburdened due to the large number of uninsured poor.  There are parts of W Va where is is not uncommon to have to drive a couple of hours to see an obstetrician.

The reason West Virginia doesn't have any cases has nothing to do with the actual number of cases that are there.  It has to do with our healthcare system and the lack of availability of good care for the rural poor.

That, and there might well be a number of unreported cases out there just because people don't have easy access, money, or decent medical insurance to go to the doctor anyway and may well just tough it out and hope for the best. Of course, if that is the case, they will likely have the biggest death toll if and when it does gain a foothold and start spreading. I'd imagine that even if someone in such a poor area suspected they might have it, they would probably not have the wherewithal to take sick days and stay home. 

[galaxychaser]

3 hours ago, ehall1052 said:

I grew up in the late 50s and 60s. Although my family was not poor, we lived like we were. My sweet miserly dad would never let my mom buy paper towels. What a waste when we had perfectly good terry cloth towels!  So my mom would put out a clean kitchen towel every day. Do people not realize you can wash towels? Why hoard when you can simply wash them and have as many clean towels as you want. People need to get a grip on life.

No washing machine. Might as well use paper towels. Once I run out will use towels.

[galaxychaser]

100 confirmed cases in my neighborhood. 
 

Had an appointment today with a podiatrist at 11:30 am. I get there to be told he’s not in. I was so pissed. Could have called me to cancel at 9 am. Exposed myself to all those germs for nothing.

2 hours ago, crazy8s said:

had a long phone conversation with sister in law in quarantine from the grand princess just now

there are people there who have still not received their luggage after 7 days because it was sent to texas or georgia. those folks have nothing.

no laundry service still because HHS people have told them they "don't know how to go about getting quarters and detergent for the laundry room". Unbelieveable

they finally got clean towels, sheets and facial tissue yesterday. though the first towels they received were actually bath mats

they were told they could get items delivered by fedex or UPS only, but given an incomplete address so nothing has arrived.

I talked to my senator's office again today - have a direct number for sister in law to call now for help.

they are allowed outside if they follow the 6 ft apart rule.

while we were talking 2 people were removed by ambulance.

Insanity

 

This is so upsetting. I can’t believe they are treated this poorly. 

[Mindthinkr]

3 hours ago, ehall1052 said:

I grew up in the late 50s and 60s. Although my family was not poor, we lived like we were. My sweet miserly dad would never let my mom buy paper towels. What a waste when we had perfectly good terry cloth towels!  So my mom would put out a clean kitchen towel every day. Do people not realize you can wash towels? Why hoard when you can simply wash them and have as many clean towels as you want. People need to get a grip on life.

I grew up in the same mindset. Even if I do use a paper towel, I will still cut it in half (or quarter) to avoid waste. Like you I mostly use cloths and tea towels. My friend told me I’m cheap. Yup. So cheap I can afford vacations that they can’t, because I have learned from my parents how to not be wasteful. My parents grew up in the depression so I have many tales stored in my mind. I also think it has helped me get enough stuff to last out this crisis without being a hoarder. 

[emma675]

It's been 24 hours since I started working from home and I'm already halfway crazy. I had no idea how many yard services work in my neighborhood during the day. I'm going to end up in jail if the self quarantine lasts for too long due to finally snapping and screaming at a guy with a lawnmower. I had to shut the dog up in the guest room for about 2 hours this morning because she's a whiny little brat because it's been raining for the last 8 days. Pray for us, lol.

[Oldernowiser]

1 hour ago, Jynnan tonnix said:

That, and there might well be a number of unreported cases out there just because people don't have easy access, money, or decent medical insurance to go to the doctor anyway and may well just tough it out and hope for the best. Of course, if that is the case, they will likely have the biggest death toll if and when it does gain a foothold and start spreading. I'd imagine that even if someone in such a poor area suspected they might have it, they would probably not have the wherewithal to take sick days and stay home. 

And poor, less densely populated states would be absolutely lowest in priority for having access to the actual tests. 

How did that go again...if they don’t test, “the numbers don’t go up.”

Words fail.

[crazy8s]

7 minutes ago, galaxychaser said:

This is so upsetting. I can’t believe they are treated this poorly. 

Right?? - she says other states have removed their people - michigan has not.

she could see luggage in the hall today for people going back to Idaho. michigan person they met said she was traveling with her sister and sister has gone back to Oklahoma. Colorado was deciding today about folks from their state.

family with 4 kids from washington state have decided to stick it out. the kids were frightened of the buses escorted by police, the long wait for a plane, another bus etc. they are waiting out the 14 days and renting a van to drive back

[BitterApple]

I just came back from Walmart and the entire grocery section is practically cleared out. No meat, eggs, milk, canned goods, pasta, cereal, paper goods, cleaning supplies etc. On the other side of the store, all the feminine hygiene and baby products are gone, along with most of the pet food. I don't know if it's as bad everywhere, but the panic buying here in Vegas is out of control. I figured it would've died down by now, but the store was mobbed.

[crazy8s]

16 hours ago, BitterApple said:

I just came back from Walmart and the entire grocery section is practically cleared out. No meat, eggs, milk, canned goods, pasta, cereal, paper goods, cleaning supplies etc. On the other side of the store, all the feminine hygiene and baby products are gone, along with most of the pet food. I don't know if it's as bad everywhere, but the panic buying here in Vegas is out of control. I figured it would've died down by now, but the store was mobbed.

While trump was declaring on TV he met with walmart officials and Walmart would "stock their shelves like they have never been stocked before"

Edited March 18, 2020 by crazy8s

[DangerousMinds]

2 hours ago, Jynnan tonnix said:

That, and there might well be a number of unreported cases out there just because people don't have easy access, money, or decent medical insurance to go to the doctor anyway and may well just tough it out and hope for the best. Of course, if that is the case, they will likely have the biggest death toll if and when it does gain a foothold and start spreading. I'd imagine that even if someone in such a poor area suspected they might have it, they would probably not have the wherewithal to take sick days and stay home. 

And would never get tested even if they presented with symptoms.

i don’t think liquor stores will shut down. France closed all “nonessential” services last week but “tobacco shops” are still considered “essential” 🤣.

I’m pissed today Ohio canceled its primary election, rescheduled for June. I guess my vote really won’t matter.

[crazy8s]

our stores have limited store hours to allow restocking and it has helped.

when you go in and it is mostly empty it does cause panic. which is what i saw friday.

today they had some empty shelves, but had fresh fruit and veggies, meat, milk. I talked to a guy who said his entire job for the day was refilling the mac and cheese shelf.

I only went in for the pharmacy both days but the atmosphere was so different. today folks were calm, buying only a few items.

 

[ChiCricket]

18 hours ago, MargeGunderson said:

 

I hope everyone here, and your loved ones, stay healthy and safe. And, that you don’t run out of toilet paper.

If the worst comes to worst..and I completely run out...there's always the cat.🐱

(I'm kidding! I don't have a cat)😁

Edited March 17, 2020 by ChiCricket

[Zella]

8 minutes ago, crazy8s said:

our stores have limited store hours to allow restocking and it has helped.

when you go in and it is mostly empty it does cause panic. which is what i saw friday.

today they had some empty shelves, but had fresh fruit and veggies, meat, milk. I talked to a guy who said his entire job for the day was refilling the mac and cheese shelf.

I only went in for the pharmacy both days but the atmosphere was so different. today folks were calm, buying only a few items.

 

I think the measures have helped here too. I thought things seemed a lot more on edge last week in the store than yesterday, though we did have some random shortages. 

Edited March 17, 2020 by Zella

[SunnyBeBe]

Things went well when I went out today. I arrived at the office first and disinfected every surface likely to be touched with bleach wipes. I didn’t come closer than 6 feet to any person.   Everyone there is healthy so far, but, I plan to work from home the rest of the week.
 

There were a lot of people out though....I was surprised.  And, then I got calls from new clients, which is great, but we consulted by phone. That works. 
 

The cases in NC are rising, which they said was expected. All bars and restaurant dining areas closed. Take-out ok.

[ChiCricket]

11 hours ago, Oldernowiser said:

Just wait. I had to go buy my mother emergency Depends. 

  I was a grocery store cashier, and then a pharmacy technician, who also worked the register,for many years.

  I'll let everyone in on a little secret (that I wish I would have known when I was younger and oh so embarrassable.) 

 None of us cared who you are buying stuff for...even if it's for yourself! 

The only thing we would laugh about was that it never failed that a customer would let us know in some way or another that "these aren't for *me*, they're for------!"

Adult diapers, condoms, lice shampoos,creams for vaginal infections..etc.... We've seen it ALL. 😊

PS *I'm* the overweight lady who loudly proclaims at the register...." oh my grandkids are going to LOVE all these donuts!"😂

Edited March 18, 2020 by ChiCricket

[Lisa418722]

I worked from home yesterday and realized I'm not really set up to work from home. I don't have a desk so I was using my dining room table which is  too high to work on.  I went in today and those of us who did were told we are not to come into work again. OK, I get it, but I wasn't visiting people, I was working.  I brought home some work, but I don't think it's enough to last me through Friday.  There is no reason for my employer not to close for the week if they are so afraid of anyone coming into work. Normally we get 1-3 snow days a year and we haven't had any in the past two years. So pretend it's snowing and give us a few  days off.  I started having a panic attack earlier thinking about all of this so I thought I would clean out the box I brought home from work and ended up slicing my finger on some records.  At least getting angry stopped my panic attack.  I don't think I can handle two or more weeks of this. 

Edited March 17, 2020 by Lisa418722

[SunnyBeBe]

23 minutes ago, ChiCricket said:

  I was a grocery store cashier, and then a pharmacy technician, who also worked the register,for, many years.

  I'll let everyone in on a little secret (that I wish I would have known when I was younger and oh so embarrassable.) 

 None of us cared who you are buying stuff for...even if it's for yourself! 

The only thing we would laugh about was that it never failed that a customer would let us know in some way or another that "these aren't for *me*..they're for-------!

Adult diapers, condoms, lice shampoos,creams for vaginal infections..etc.... We've seen it ALL. 😊

PS *I'm* the overweight lady who loudly proclaims at the register...." oh my grandkids are going to LOVE all these donuts!😂

That’s funny. One evening when I was younger, though an adult, I stopped at a convenience  store after work on a Friday night. I was in a hurry and didn’t even think of my purchases when I plopped them on the counter. Included was a bottle of wine, some beer, pack of cigarettes and box of condoms.......I won’t say why I bought that stuff. Lol The clerk, a guy says to me, So, you have plans for the weekend? Lol  I laughed....

[latetotheparty]

21 hours ago, Mojitogirl said:

It’s really not a crazy idea for the government to pay people or businesses for honest work in a time of crisis. We camp a lot here in Florida and many of the parks have trails and structures that were built in the 30s by the Civilian Conservation Corps that employed young men. They were paid plus a certain amount was sent back to their families. I think your idea is a better idea than Romney’s $1000 per adult that would be nice, for sure, but I still have a job and don’t need it now. There are so many more people that will need it when businesses go under and many of them would be happy to have a job that pays them. 
I think the bureaucracy from both sides of the aisle has destroyed any ability of government to be nimble or smart. 

 

My dad was a CCC guy. Planted trees in upper Michigan. 

[emma675]

West Virginia reported its first case of coronavirus so that's all 50 states now. My company finally activated our business continuity plan this evening so we're all officially working from home or at an emergency location. I'm sneaking into the office tomorrow to grab my keyboard and second monitor because one ain't gonna cut it.

I've also decided that I'm going to come out of quarantine in the best shape of my life or weighing 800 pounds. I've worked out every day but I'm also eyeing the chocolate in my pantry hard. 

[sixlets]

Mr. Six's office is still up and running as normal.  They have deadlines that may or may not get delayed.  He had to stop for gas at BJ's this evening and said the store wasn't busy at all.  I have to go out next week to get two scripts, that can't wait, filled, but other than that, I have no place to go.  My mom is retired, and she doesn't really go anywhere to begin with, and she's healthy.  The inlaws are both healthy (fil is retired; mil never worked), so they should be good to go.  I'm still slightly concerned about grandmother-in-law, but she doesn't drive and doesn't really leave her house.  I believe my mom told me PA closed their state stores this evening.  She went to Walmart yesterday, and for the most part, they had everything in stock.

For those looking for online entertainment, the National Aquarium in Baltimore is going to livestream several exhibits.  Mo Williams is also doing an online doodling session on YouTube daily.  I saw a lovely post on FB that mentioned if you have young kids at home, have them write letters or draw/color pictures and send them to local nursing homes since they can't have visitors.   

Oh, and if you are in the good thoughts/praying group, please remember the son of one of my classmates.  He was diagnosed with bone cancer late last year, and they were told it had spread to another bone in his leg, and he has at least 9 tumors in his lungs.  This young man is only 19 or 20 years old and has a very young son.  My heart breaks for his entire family.  His doctors have only given him a 15% survival.  Thank you!

[BitterApple]

51 minutes ago, emma675 said:

 

I've also decided that I'm going to come out of quarantine in the best shape of my life or weighing 800 pounds. I've worked out every day but I'm also eyeing the chocolate in my pantry hard. 

Same here! I'm getting a lot of exercise doing yardwork and running around with my dogs, but my husband and I are doing a ton of impulse buying when we venture out to the store. I came home today with cinnamon rolls, cake and a bag of Cadbury chocolate eggs. Neither of us is really a sweets person, but it's like the isolation is making us crave sugar.

[Absolom]

7 hours ago, crazy8s said:

had a long phone conversation with sister in law in quarantine from the grand princess just now

She's at Miramar, right?  I noticed on the county report that another person from quarantine was in the hospital.  I hope that they can do better for them than they are.  I can't imagine what their problems are simply getting clean towels to people.  

[crazy8s]

12 hours ago, Absolom said:

She's at Miramar, right?  I noticed on the county report that another person from quarantine was in the hospital.  I hope that they can do better for them than they are.  I can't imagine what their problems are simply getting clean towels to people.  

yes Miramar.

also the caterer has been bringing food (and it is horrible) for 7 days, but no one picked up any of the trash/garbage from that until day 6. it was all just piling up in the rooms

[crazycatlady58]

So I went to Kroger this morning. I was there at 7 . They had no paper products, no chicken except the expensive natural chicken, no ground beef in fact the only beef I saw was brisket. I bought some chicken breasts and pork chops. They had no frozen veggies except snap peas. I bought the last package of dried beans which will be a last resort because they tear up my stomach. I figure if my company shuts us down for a short time I can eat that and get to the bathroom. If they do shut us down I will go back and see if the still have the brisket. In our shopping center the restaurants are doing pick up or delivery only. TMobile has decreased hour and the dress shop next to me has shut down for an unknown time. Our company is trying to keep the doors open if we close I have no idea if I will be paid. I have to admit I am worried. I have no savings and no family to help .

 

[BetyBee]

Good Day, Small Talkers! I hope everyone is healthy and safe. 

I started this week to make an effort to get 10K steps a day and to make certain to do my stretching (yoga style) routine every day, along with some free weights every other day. I shared that on my FB page so my friends could share their plans for keeping in shape. Shockingly, my gym is still open and they are just now cancelling land and water classes. They're still allowing individuals to use the machines#! My state and town have otherwise been proactive. In fact in my town has declared a state of emergency. So the rec center being open is puzzling! I haven't been there in 3 weeks. Week one I was out of town, week 2 I I had thrown out my back and week 3, I decided not to risk the contact!  I do miss it!  I have continued to walk outdoors, keeping a distance on the rare occasions when I run into someone. I waved rather than stopping to pet the cutest dog I've ever seen, in our neighborhood today. Not petting a cute dog is a loss!

We put in our first pick up order at Walmart, which should be ready b/w 2 and 3.  Online, lots of items (like eggs) were out of stock or amounts limited. Yeast is out of stock, so I guess we aren't the only ones who decided to bake bread! Interesting sidenote: when you look up yeast on the Walmart site,  Monistat is the first thing that comes up! 🤣 We didn't have a huge list and we weren't looking for any tp or cleaning supplies.  Our local grocery store isn't doing pick-up or delivery at this time. I also asked my doc for an early refill on my thyroid medicine. We'll see if that happens. They actually deliver, though I'll probably just use the drive-up if it gets filled. 

The worst thing - my Mom is really showing signs of dementia. She's housebound with my non-working (able-bodied), non-driving brother and she does not understand why we're not visiting. I call her every other day. I've explained the virus to her repeatedly, but she forgets. I don't know what we're going to do about her groceries. We always take turns each week doing her groceries and visiting. My turn is at the end of the month.  I don't know how we'll handle it, probably order online, but I'm letting it go until we get to that point. My brother could walk to the store and buy necessities, but he refuses to leave the house for most things - not because of the virus. He just doesn't like to leave the house.  I think about Mom all the time. I hate that she is so confused and that she's a 2 hour drive away. Our conversations are very circular and repetitive. I walk while talking to keep my steps up!  

Sorry for the long post. Hugs to all - be safe!

Edited March 18, 2020 by BetyBee
Not making sense!

[ChiCricket]

I actually just got a little anxious thinking, "If my internet goes down, I hardly own any "real" books anymore!" I recently "cleaned" out my Kindle because I thought I had too many ebooks...not a good decision in retrospect.😱
 I'm going to go download a bunch of ebooks before y'all crash the internet by everybody being at home now.😭🤣😊 

PS..did you know you can "buy" older ebooks for free (because their US copyrights have expired.) That's how I had at least a thousand. (I'm not going to hoard toilet paper, I'm going to hoard ebooks) 🙃

Then they are yours and they don't get automatically returned to the library.

You can "buy" them from Amazon (sort books from lowest to highest) to find the free ones. Make absolutely sure it says $0.oo and not $0.99 (with teeny little 9's)

Or you can go to https://www.gutenberg.org/ which is ALL free..but a little more confusing (to me, at least) ❤

Pps..make sure they're not the ones with Kindle unlimited membership either! 

Just get the REALLY free ones (I'm cheap and proud of it 😂)

 

Edited March 18, 2020 by ChiCricket

[Scarlett45]

On 3/17/2020 at 10:43 AM, Oldernowiser said:

Just wait. I had to go buy my mother emergency Depends. 

Ha! I’ve been buying my sisters depends since I was 12/13 (old enough to go into the store) never gave that or menstrual products a second though. 
 

Life is as normal as can be here. I’m WFH, mom is continuing to see patients, my sister’s caregiver M is coming in but ubering daily. 
 

My ornament for Charlie arrived from Shutterfly, I put it in the closet for xmas. It gives me hope that China is starting to rebound so we might have a timeline on when life will be “normal”. I think on Friday I will support my fav Ethiopian restaurant with delivery. 

[MargeGunderson]

@Scarlett45, that’s a lovely ornament, what a nice way to commemorate Charlie. My mother-in-law sells things on Zazzle and has made me ornaments of my 2 much loved and now departed kitties. It’s so nice to remember them at the holidays.

[Mojitogirl]

1 hour ago, ChiCricket said:

I actually just got a little anxious thinking, "If my internet goes down, I hardly own any "real" books anymore!" I recently "cleaned" out my Kindle because I thought I had too many ebooks...not a good decision in retrospect.😱
 I'm going to go download a bunch of ebooks before y'all crash the internet by everybody being at home now.😭🤣😊 

PS..did you know you can "buy" older ebooks for free (because their US copyrights have expired.) That's how I had at least a thousand. (I'm not going to hoard toilet paper, I'm going to hoard ebooks) 🙃

Then they are yours and they don't get automatically returned to the library.

You can "buy" them from Amazon (sort books from lowest to highest) to find the free ones. Make absolutely sure it says $0.oo and not $0.99 (with teeny little 9's)

Or you can go to https://www.gutenberg.org/ which is ALL free..but a little more confusing (to me, at least) ❤

Pps..make sure they're not the ones with Kindle unlimited membership either! 

Just get the REALLY free ones (I'm cheap and proud of it 😂)

 

I “borrowed” a couple ebooks from the library today. For anyone that might have privileges at a university, you can often borrow Ebooks from their library and their selection of popular books is sometimes better since the audience is smaller. 

[Jenniferbug]

My daughter's cough is now accompanied by a fever 😔 We messaged her doctor to give them a heads up, but aren't taking her in unless her fever is high or she starts having difficulty breathing. I keep telling myself it's probably just a random virus, but I'm struggling. This whole situation is stressful enough without having someone get sick. 

We haven't left the house since Friday, which is ok with me, but the girls are starting to go a little nuts since the weather hasn't even been nice enough to go outside most days. 

I keep contemplating ordering more stuff online like rain boots for my oldest, more hand towels, puzzles, etc but I think it's just my urge to be doing SOMETHING. I'm still working so I should probably consider that my something, but it's hard to focus and work is never as much fun as shopping!

[EVS]

22 minutes ago, Jenniferbug said:

My daughter's cough is now accompanied by a fever 😔 We messaged her doctor to give them a heads up, but aren't taking her in unless her fever is high or she starts having difficulty breathing. I keep telling myself it's probably just a random virus, but I'm struggling. This whole situation is stressful enough without having someone get sick. 

We haven't left the house since Friday, which is ok with me, but the girls are starting to go a little nuts since the weather hasn't even been nice enough to go outside most days. 

I keep contemplating ordering more stuff online like rain boots for my oldest, more hand towels, puzzles, etc but I think it's just my urge to be doing SOMETHING. I'm still working so I should probably consider that my something, but it's hard to focus and work is never as much fun as shopping!

I hope your daughter is ok and gets better soon. 

[emma675]

Jenniferbug, I hope your daughter gets better really quickly and you don't have to take her into the doctor's office.

[Jynnan tonnix]

1 hour ago, Jenniferbug said:

My daughter's cough is now accompanied by a fever 😔 We messaged her doctor to give them a heads up, but aren't taking her in unless her fever is high or she starts having difficulty breathing. I keep telling myself it's probably just a random virus, but I'm struggling. This whole situation is stressful enough without having someone get sick. 

We haven't left the house since Friday, which is ok with me, but the girls are starting to go a little nuts since the weather hasn't even been nice enough to go outside most days. 

I keep contemplating ordering more stuff online like rain boots for my oldest, more hand towels, puzzles, etc but I think it's just my urge to be doing SOMETHING. I'm still working so I should probably consider that my something, but it's hard to focus and work is never as much fun as shopping!

So frustrating, given that corona symptoms can easily be in the little to none category, so she is well into the range that she may have it. I hope, and am reasonably certain, all things considered, that whatever she has, she will get over quickly with no lasting effects, but in this day and age, it would be nice  - nay, very useful! - to know for sure.

[BetyBee]

JenniferBug!  I really hope your daughter can get tested soon and that she feels better soon in any case. 

[Jenniferbug]

Thank you all for the well wishes! We've had no known exposures so I don't think they'd test her, but it is stressful to be thinking "Is that what it is? If so, we all have it now. Who could we have unknowingly passed it onto?" We weren't running all over town last week, but we were still going school and work as usual. The nurse said they're seeing so many people come in terrified, but she said viruses in general are common right now. So I'm trying not to worry, but can't seem to rid myself of that little voice in my head that say "but what if..."

We don't have a confirmed case in our county yet so technically no "community spread". I'm sure we have it here, but so far no one has been sick enough to warrant testing. It's in the county to the west of us and the one to the east, so I'm sure it's only a matter of time. It would be nice to know testing was being done quickly and frequently. 

[Temperance]

I hope your daughter gets better soon. 

[galaxychaser]

I think most people in USA probably have coronavirus by now. 
 

@Jenniferbug get well soon to your baby!

[SunnyBeBe]

On a bright note, I just read that Kroger is immediately hiring 10,000 new employees. With benefits, their hr wage average is $20.00.

[ChiCricket]

I think everyone here should get a couple of weeks worth of food and medicine stocked up for you and your family (and pets!) as soon as you can manage to do that.

Some people in this country might be on a mandatory lock-down by the end of this weekend..."probably" starting Monday.

Maybe it'll turn out to be a big, fat, NOTHINGBURGER, but somebody who should know has been telling me differently. 👮

(I hope I've been misinformed...and  I will cheerfully eat my words, if so.)

Stay safe, everyone.

Edited March 19, 2020 by ChiCricket

[Sew Sumi]

We're already in a shelter in place here. It's lasting at least until 4/7. We can go out for necessary errands like groceries. We love in a condo and don't have a full size fridge. We can't stock mass quantities of anything. That said, the cats are taken care of. I'm glad because let good was scarce when I was at the store on Sunday.