Coronavirus info, facts & updates

[tikibirds]

Went to KFC last night. If you want to dine in, the guard at the door will show you to a seat but first u must have your temp taken and tell them your phone number. The counter area is blocked off. The guard will deliver the food to your table. Only X amount of people at a time, not to sit near others. If you are taking it to go, you stand outside, scan a QR code to order. You stand outside and the guard will give U the order when its ready. Guard as in employee standing at the door, not an actual security guard.

NO MASK, NO SERVICE.

[tailrustedtealeaf]

Eating in at restaurants is now banned here too, delivery and drive through is ok. I did hear that state liquor stores are going to be closing so our alcohol section at my store will do very well.
The panicked buying is subsiding come evening, but we have a large rush of people come in the morning. We think people assume there isn't anything left in the store in the afternoon and evenings and skip out to come tomorrow after we restock.

[Pokeyonekenobie]

My brother told me he went to Walmart Saturday and they were opening a new case of toilet paper.  He said people were standing around like on Black Friday but they were being courteous and waiting in line to get their package of toilet paper instead of trampling the poor employees trying their best to get it out for them.  So that's good.  People need things but they're not going psycho to get it.  And some of the grocery stores are advertising that they have flour and distilled water among other things back in stock.  I think people have realized that panicking is not helpful and patience will get them the things they need.

[Koudoawaia]

We just had our first death in KY. The poor man was 66 and had had pre-existing conditions that exacerbated the illness for him =/  21 total cases in our state and the first case has since recovered. I'm also glad to see on the above post that people were actually being civil and waiting their turn to get toilet paper instead of just ripping it out of the employee's hands or something. That's really great. I work at a Walmart and a coworker posted photos of the totally empty water, egg and bread sections of our store. This will be my first day back since the new closing time was implemented yesterday. I am not looking forward to having to wear a mask my whole shift. Last time I did, my nose and ears were in agony and it gave me a headache.  Our governor has also made it so that restaurants are carry out, delivery and drive thru only.

[Ponyfan]

I went to 2 stores today. People in my area aren't fighting over what's left on the shelves. That being said stuff like toilet paper, paper towels, bread, crackers and canned goods are either almost out or gone.





Ponyfan

[bright rabbit 1]

U.K people told to avoid pubs, clubs and restaurants. And the PM said everyone should avoid social contact and non-essential travel.

Well all what I’m doing is only taking the dog for a walk with my mum, and getting the newspaper.

I’m not going to the library this Thursday. I wonder if they will close the library because of this.

[Taffeta]

Went shopping today to help Mum out. Supermarket busier than at Christmas, but store limiting on certain items. No sanitiser, soap except bars, wipes (but we have all of those anyway). TP was present but limited to 2 packs per customer. No fighting. Nice civilised trolley queuing at the tills. Many older people, because of the rumours of over 70s lockdown. Everyone in good spirits, lots of joking and joviality. Still not totally happy having Mum in an area full of people, but nobody was coughing except a rude guy outside who didn't cover his mouth and who we kept welll away from.

UK cases were down again today from yesterday, as were deaths reported though the maths on the latter is a bit of a question mark - the county next door to us has reported a death but it isn't clear if they fit into today's stats or are one of the cases from yesterday being regionally identified.

Despite the drop govt think it's a false lull and are advising much more social distancing, home working, keeping away from other people. They also clarified older people can go for walks in their area but should avoid all unnecessary mixing with other people. Where we are is quite low on people roaming about so we've already agreed to go walking if we can. We have food. Dad's art class has been cancelled for 2 weeks.

No appetite from govt to use army/police to force people into lockdown, more onus being put on us as people to be sensible. Could work. May not work. Schools staying open to ensure those doing essential jobs can continue (and this includes shop staff who today got a lot of compliments and encouragement from shoppers for the crazy they're dealing with).

London apparently have a faster infection curve and are ahead of the rest of the UK in terms of transmission. Unsurprising given it's the most densely populated part of the UK. The implications across the country are unclear yet. Govt promising more testing will happen, and daily briefings to keep people up to date.

Things seem a lot less uncertain than yesterday, even though we're still watching what's happening on the continent not knowing if we're going to be like Italy in 3 weeks time.

On a random note - American people, any idea why folk were queuing at a GUN store in LA? Do they expect riots or are some people thinking they can shoot the virus or something? Lots of people talking about that at the store today, and speculating as to why.

[brightberry]

On a random note - American people, any idea why folk were queuing at a GUN store in LA? Do they expect riots or are some people thinking they can shoot the virus or something? Lots of people talking about that at the store today, and speculating as to why.

I'm sure they're thinking shortages could get so bad,  desperate people will try to steal their toilet paper (ok and other supplies).  Or the gov't may declare martial law and force people to defend themselves.  Some people thrive on doomsday scenarios.   I live in Texas and hear enough about it.  Ugh.

[banditpony]

On a random note - American people, any idea why folk were queuing at a GUN store in LA? Do they expect riots or are some people thinking they can shoot the virus or something? Lots of people talking about that at the store today, and speculating as to why.

Because people feel like they need to protect their home. You can read about american prepping. A lot of preppers have guns. I'm not defending them, but as long as they aren't hurting people I personally don't care.

Pennsylvania just closed down non-essential stores... :/  Is there any information on what's essential vs not?
Nevermind, found it.

Spoiler

"Non-essential businesses include community and recreation centers; gyms, including yoga, barre and spin facilities; hair salons, nail salons and spas; casinos; concert venues; theaters; bars; sporting event venues and golf courses; retail facilities, including shopping malls and except for pharmacy or other health care facilities within retail operations. Restaurants are urged only to remain open for carry-out and delivery orders. "

The president says they are not looking at nation wide quarantines right now. It would more likely be in hot spots.

[cyberunicorn]

Uk is not on lock down at the moment though i think they are recommending to only go out if you need to. But large businesses are putting their business contingency plans in to operation just in case.

Though it gets me two extra hours in bed on a morning so some good has come of this virus 🤗

[tailrustedtealeaf]

I wonder how they'll enforce the closures if at all. Called Gamestop and corporate either didn't send a memo or they're really staying open.
Work today wasn't super bad but it was sure LOUD. I think more customers are using Instacart to pick up groceries (I did get a $10 tip from helping out  for one order, nice). Deli wasn't slicing meat but I'm not sure if that's a health issue or due to not having meat to slice. We no longer offer food on a per-pound buffet, but I think you can still get food from behind a counter. We are still serving pizza and subs. Sushi is still a go too...
I didn't get a chance to walk around the store much today but Target was EMPTY. Like a ghost town. Very strange, but I suppose anyone who's out is either getting stuff from other stores that will be closing soon or at only grocery stores. 

[Zapper]

Zoos, stores, the cinema, etc. are all closed now, too. Restaurants still open but have to close at 6 pm.

[Ragamuffin]

We went to seven different grocery stores yesterday. Nobody had bread! Unlike pantry items or frozen foods, bread is a little... you know... harder to hoard...

Stores had meat, canned vegetables, frozen vegetables, TV dinners, etc... but easily perishable bread is the necessity, huh? Especially with how humid it's been, bread gets moldy as soon as you open the bag!

[Kazzellin]

1) Minneapolis, MN, USA
2) Confirmed cases at the largest (?) university campus, which I live maybe two miles from; it's completely shut down, and sent students home. Right now, we have 54 positive cases out of 1,893 tested, throughout the state.
3) I'm mainly paying attention to what comes across my facebook feed, and those get the grain-of-salt treatment if they're not from a news source I feel I can trust (KARE 11, MSNBC, local paper, NYTimes, etc.)

My college first canceled classes until the 23rd; just went to the school's website to find classes are now canceled through the 30th. No homework due until classes resume, not even for online classes, though I do have some things I should catch up on, and a paper to research/write.

The down side is, I work retail. The up side is, if I get sick and can prove it's COVID-19 with a positive test, my employer will still pay me for the two weeks I'm under quarantine.
Further down side is, my mother also works retail, and she's turning 70 this year. Granted her doctor has told her she's quite healthy, but her boyfriend isn't--he's a diabetic that smokes and hasn't been able to kick the habit despite trying.

So, I'm taking the unexpected free time to work on cleaning the house. Between work and school, and caring for a dying kitty (we lost Professor Lupin to what we suspect may have been pancreatic cancer just under two weeks ago; I say suspect because while they found a tumor and cancer cells, they weren't able to determine where the tumor originated (pancreas/liver/bile ducts between both organs)), I've rather fallen behind on housework. And the weather is warming up (slowly), which means ants in the house. Ants drive me nuts, I don't want them in my house, they belong outside, thankyouverymuch.

Otherwise, there's always projects to work on. Ponies to clean, sort and price for the Fair this June (assuming this is all over by then), projects to finally start moving on for the same reason, custom ponies to finish, jewelry projects to both start and finish, cabochons to make (though I lack the correct respirator for resin at the moment, since we're sold out at my work (and everywhere else)), another convention besides the fair to get ready for (based on the assumption that I'll be able to get into the Den again this year; they're not making that decision until the end of April), the kitchen to finish demolishing the two walls of and replace with sheetrock (the plaster is almost 100 years old at this point, so they're kind of taking themselves down anyway; the sheetrock is in the garage), the veggie garden to plan and get seedlings going for. (etc., etc., etc.)

And I've plenty of food at the moment. I've been forgetting to eat dinner in the evenings, because my ADD makes me hyper-focus on what I'm doing, and the next thing I know I've got to go to bed, and I've not eaten yet. So now I've got rice and soups and such. My main concern is bottled water, as we had to have plumbing work done (city mandated upgrade to the water meter), and that resulted in increased water pressure, which is knocking junk out of the old, galvanized pipes we have. Which is gross, and I don't want to give that kind of water to my cats, so... Bottled. Gallon sized bottles, mind, but still.

And who the hay started the toilet paper craze?? O______o

[lonewolf]

Well my state has made the CDC recommendations about gatherings, etc. mandatory, including churches, etc., and will even enforce it via police force if it becomes necessary (yeah that's gonna' go over well with people). More schools are closing, but it sounds like it's not mandatory yet. Not sure how it will affect factories that have 50+ workers per shift (luckily the place I work doesn't have that many). And there's been 3 new cases, but they were all connected to one that appeared in Johnson co. earlier.