As you might be aware, life has been different for most of us in the US, with 75% of the population now under “shelter at home” orders.
I went to the grocery store last Friday, my first trip there in 13 days (my wife went the previous week). The store was very well stocked with only a couple of exceptions, with the scene looking much different than just two weeks ago.
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They had a lot of paper towels and toilet paper imported from Canada. There weren’t any tissues and I didn’t even bother checking for cleaning supplies. Some food items (such as bell peppers) were out of stock, but that can be true any given day of the year.
Social distancing was maintained at the store, mostly – some aisles and produce passageways were difficult to navigate without 6-foot personal spaces crossing momentarily.
I wore disposable gloves, as did quite a few others, and had a mask in the car in case I wanted/needed it (but I didn’t).
Update: I wore gloves mostly because the back of my hands have been torn up from the dry weather season and using alcohol hand sanitizer has become a very unpleasant experience. I also caught my kids’ colds at the start of the year and frequent hand washings didn’t help with the dry skin.
Online, I ordered a couple of packets of vegetable seeds and some seed-starting supplies, to be able to grow some vegetables this season, as well as wood to build planter boxes. I wasn’t aware of the huge backlogs and delays due to high interest and demand, and hadn’t anticipated ordering earlier than I had planned to. What this means is that some seeds will arrive too late for timely starting and transplanting, but it is what it is. I’ll have to change my start-from-seed plans and see what kinds of vegetables and transplants the local garden center/nursery will carry.
There are some that maintain “how dare you buy anything that’s not life-saving essential” stances, and some have been nasty about how they express it, but I think there’s a big difference between supplies needed (wanted?) to grow vegetables and say the TV on my wishlist that Amazon just put on sale.
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Some people behave as if everything is normal, others are paralyzed by fear, and most will fall somewhere in between.
People cope with these current events in different ways. Some people are posting ridiculous things on Facebook. Me – I obsess about new projects.
I guess that some people cope with the current circumstances by yelling at strangers online?
This COVID-19 pandemic is a life-changing event for many individuals, life-ending for too many unfortunately, and will have huge impact on society as a whole.
There is no “right” way to act or behave, aside from following expert guidelines as best as possible.
My personal position has been to avoid frivolous purchases as much as possible, although I have placed one or two orders for non-essentials from small businesses who are still open and eager for orders.
Companies small and large are saying they’re open, that their workers are safe and practicing social distancing, and that they’re still accepting and shipping orders.
Amazon checkout has an option where you can delay your order so that they can prioritize higher-priority shipping and delivery, which is good.
I would like to venture to Home Depot this week, but won’t, as I’d rather avoid doing so if I could help it. I’ll order what I need online if I can (starting with a replacement GFCI receptacle), and I’m okay waiting longer for my order than usual.
I don’t need to be gallivanting around right now. We’re told that reducing person-to-person contact is the biggest and best thing we can do, and so that’s what we’re doing.
Staying home is hard, but it’s what we have to do.
My kids are having a really tough time with this, as they’re not yet old enough to understand the why aspect of everything. Why can’t they go to school? Why can’t they go out to eat? Why is the ice cream shop closed? Why is IKEA closed? When can they see their friends? Why can’t their friends come over?
We’re trying to keep them busy. That’s part of why I have been so intent on getting my spring and summer vegetable planter project sorted out. There’s the benefit in growing food and the benefit in editorial content – something different I can write about – but also the benefit in having something different for the kids to help with and work on a little each day.
I’m going to try to teach my son how to balance on a bike and then if/when he’s mastered that, then comes the pedals. We probably can’t go to the park though, so… I’ll figure something out. He’ll be fine on the grass for now.
I want to pick up my bike, which is in need of a bit of maintenance after a few years sitting idle – maintenance I do have time for right now – but it’s in storage a half hour away. Picking it up doesn’t pass my “essential travel” test, and so that’s where it’ll have to stay for now. I wanted to pick it up at the beginning of the month, before “shelter at home” guidelines, but I had a sore throat and high fever that weekend and then caught my daughter’s cold the next.
I’ll find another way to get some exercise.
Part of me wonders what the reduction in fast food and other outside food will do to my weight and health, but the drop in physical activity (getting in steps at Home Depot, Lowe’s, IKEA, and elsewhere add up) might counter that.
The local pizza place closed yesterday. They were experimenting with trunk-side delivery last week, and while they say it was working, I think that either they weren’t pulling in enough orders or they weren’t able to successfully social distance themselves in the kitchen.
I had to call customer service yesterday, about the wrong pipe I received, and chatted with the agent about a couple of unrelated things. They’re working from home too, and I tried to be a good listener. While I’m used to it, I worry about those that aren’t.
I mentioned that my kids are having a hard time adjusting to the lack of social contact. I am sure a lot of adults are going through something similar. Working from home, or being home from work can be isolating, and a lot of people aren’t used to that.
These are difficult times.
Sometimes it feels like we’re in a movie, some kind of mix of drama, science fiction, and horror, all mixed into one.
Other times, it feels like we’re in a twisted parody. The USNS Comfort, a Mercy-class hospital ship, arrived in NYC yesterday. That’s something I might normally have traveled to a river park to watch and photograph, but it’s out of the question at a time like this. Still, here’s what has been reported in the news and social media:
No social distancing as crowd clusters for a shot of #USNSComfort #nbc4ny pic.twitter.com/MlYfX7eHue
— Andrew Siff (@andrewsiff4NY) March 30, 2020
I’m getting yelled at online because I had the audacity to order vegetable garden supplies, but meanwhile there are people clumping up in public. I’ve also been criticized for having “buy now via Amazon” links and buttons on product coverage pages.
Another way I cope is by sharing. Is this too much? There will be some complaints – “what does this have to do with tools?” Well, some of the “why are you ordering something like wood at a time like this??” comments (you won’t see them, I trashed most due to the language) had me too distracted, and so I figured a quick “here’s what I’ve seen, here’s what’s on my mind” update would help.
My kids’ energies have also been cranked up to “turbo” mode today, making it hard to focus. Normal tool reporting will continue this afternoon, after I have a chance to decompress a little more.
I hope you’re all well and safe!
For any healthcare workers, law enforcement, first responders, and everyone else in public or private service working hard and sacrificing for the safety and well being of others – thank you!
Related posts:
Coronavirus Pandemic Log: So, I went Shopping This Week, and Schools Here are Closed (3/15/20)
COVID-19 News: New Home Depot and Lowe’s Online Ordering Policies (4/10/2020)
COVID-19 News: Too Many Shoppers at Home Depot and Lowe’s Stores? (4/13/20)
COVID-19 News: Relaxed Retail Policies, USA Factory Closures (5/13/20)
rob
Stu, tend to agree with your thoughts. There’s things I’d like to do but then think should I really risk it. But at the same time I think we’d all go crazy if we didn’t get outside and do walks, work in the garden, wash the car etc. I think as much as anything it’s being safe, thinking about what the exposure risk would be. I did plant a few tomato plants just over a week ago and we’ve been on “shelter in place” now for almost 2 weeks here in CA. The numbers are staggering and scary anything we can do to help is good but it’s also important we get a bit of fresh air and remind ourselves of the good mother nature can provide.
Ewoud
I have always seen you as somebody who uses coming sense and like how you carry on but do think about everything you can /can’t do right now and wish you well! And so far I think we all do what we can, I’m in Holland home schooling my kids for now as the schools are closed here and social distancing myself as much as possible. Keep up the good work I enjoy reading what you are able to post! All the best!
fred
Last year at about this time we were in Keukenhof looking at amazing blooms and purchasing way too many bulbs from Queen. A little over a month ago we were again in Europe – planning to return after Easter to tour Germany and attend the Passionspiele at Oberammergau. All this seems like it was a fantasy. The Oberammergau Passion Play – has been cancelled – for only the second time in over 400 years. Ironically that Play (once every 10 years) was the villager’s response to having been saved form a plague.
Hopefully for you in Holland and we here in US – things will return to a more even keel within a few months.
adam m
Keep doing what you are doing and reporting on everyday life. We are all in this together, whether it be tools, or new hobbies. Love your site. Keep your head up!
Jared
I realize this isn’t related to the theme of your post, just a detail, but I think you’ll find it’s a good idea with the pedal-less bike for your kid.
I started mine out on a balance bike and have a video from his first attempt with pedals just after he turned three. He had a little trouble coordinating getting his feet onto the pedals when taking off, but after I held onto the bike so he could start out – he pedaled three laps around the big shop we were practicing in before stopping to celebrate. No problems with balance or steering at all, just took off and rode on his first attempt.
Stuart
Thanks! My son is older – 5-1/2, and right now he’s fighting with himself. He knows how to pedal ride-on toys and tricycles from preschool, and it looks like gliding and balancing is going to take breaking some muscle memory to develop new ones, but it’ll be a long spring and summer with plenty of practice time. I should have started with him sooner, but when he was younger he fought against riding a kick scooter and I gave up and got comfortable in that idleness. My daughter’s younger – turning 4 in a few months, and I should have worked with her sooner as well, but I think this will be a good start.
There’s big debate between balance bikes vs. training wheels, and I think the balance bike will be the better path for my kids.
Matt J.
My daughter taught herself to ride a pedal bike in an afternoon after spending a long time getting comfortable on the balance bike. We ended up not doing it, but we bought her e pedal bike (no training wheels) with the intent of removing (temporarily) the pedals and frank assembly so she could get comfortable with the difference in weight and ride position. She balanced on it for a few days, ignoring the pedals, and then just started riding like a pro. Good luck with yours, but we definitely had a great balance bike experience!
ktash
That’s what my grandson did. My kids had training wheels, and it took them so much longer.
Farid
My Son was almost 4 and was riding with training wheels pretty good. We noticed that he was balancing while pedaling ( I had raised the training wheels slightly off the ground). He tall for his age and was overgrowing the bike. So we tried without the training wheels, but he was just too nervous and the pedals just kept getting in the way. So… I took the pedals and crank off.
We have a slightly sloped driveway . I put him on the top end of the driveway, told him to spread his legs apart to form a tripod. When he was ready, he just lifted his feet of the ground slightly. and I let go. He rolled down the driveway and onto the court no problem. In less than an hour he was rolling and balancing like a champ. It took me longer to uninstall and reinstall the pedals back on than for him to learn to balance.
I think the key was the sloped driveway, which allowed him to roll at just the right speed. He did not like it when I gave him a shove on flat ground. The other factor that helped him develop his riding ability soon after was the bike. I had managed to find a bike that had both brake levers and pedal brakes. While on most kid bikes the pedals are engaged all the time, this one allowed him to freewheel. To engage the brakes, all he had to do was pedal backwards slightly. That helped him with transition until his hands could squeeze the brake lever. If I had that bike t start with, I probably wouldn’t have needed to to remove the pedals.
Cheers and stay safe.
fred
I read that the Austrians are now requiring that their citizens wear masks when the do any food shopping. The CDC /NIH are apparently also rethinking their guidelines – saying that while masks might not protect you from contracting the virus – an ill or asymptomatic person wearing one might be less likely to spread the disease when they are out and about. Masks this side of the Atlantic – let alone N95 ones have become as scarce as hen’s teeth – and rightly so are being allocated to those on the “front lines” of the battles. I heard that my ex-compatriots have donated their stocks from the fabrication and cabinet shops to local hospitals.
For my part – blessed with older age (born in the 1940’s is perhaps a blessing and a curse during these extraordinary times) – I’ve been availing myself (about weekly) of a local supermarket’s home delivery options – not having to leave my property. That service seems to have caught on – because windows of opportunity for deliveries have become scarce and more spread out. The store allows you to provide tips for the shopper/deliverer via credit card – so I try to be generous.
Meanwhile, we are getting our exercise by walking around the property – taking peeks at some spots of which we don’t always pay much attention – and making lists for potential future projects or amenities. Its also nice to see all the bulbs coming forth and staring to bloom.
Wayne R.
Regarding “masks” – there’s a huge diff between surgical masks and respirator masks that I’ve not yet heard addressed in the media:
Surgical masks are to filter a person’s output/exhalations, and respirator masks are to filter input/inhalations. Huge difference in what circumstances they’re used for and why, and I don’t think many are aware.
From 3M:
Cr8on
We have a stay home order(ish) in Michigan, the county sheriff and city chief have said they will not enforce unless something “gets out of hand”. I’ve gone out and about almost daily and see that life clearly hasn’t stopped but it’s definitely slower. I’m playing more Fallout 76 on my PC than I would, my wife has been watching MASH for the 38th time or so, my at home daughter is bummed about not going back to school, my son’s and their families seem to be well.
What tv are you eyeing Stuart? I recently snagged a great deal on a mid range LG, it’s crazy how inexpensive TV’s have become.
Stuart
We have a Sony in the living room, and I debated from November through January about updating our bedroom TV, but put it off and the price went up. It’s back down now, but now’s not a good time to buy something like that. Maybe next November.
Jkr
Wear a mask. While gloves protect nothing, as covid does not ingect through skin, a mask somewhat protects you from it. It also prevents you from touching your face – the real risk of touching viral infected areas with your hand.
No less important – it protects your surroungs from you, in case you are a carrier!
Other than that, covid-19 is not that risky to young, healthy people.
Go on with your life, within the rules. Thats the way to keep sane. Besides, the wave will pass soon enough, so you will be able to enjoy what you plant now!
Jim Felt
I’m in Portland, OR where “we” closed nearly everything a couple of weeks ago. Fortunately we’ve not seen a “major” spike in COVID-19 but I am very worried about all our gig and service workers who are sheltering in place in newly built $2+K a month 900 sq ft. apartments whose “market values” are suddenly unsustainable.
The best of our local tool outlets and great lumber yards are basically closed for the duration. Trader Joe’s and now just yesterday Costco have instituted age specific hours and we all read that nationally Macy’s “furloughed” 130K workers yesterday.
Compared to the hospitality industries who’ve hit the multi millions in lay-offs I can’t see anything less than a darker version of “W’s” Great Recession. Wish Dr. Fauci would never relinquish that mike.
On a brighter note (worldwide) we’re all seeing clearer skies, water ways, more wildlife and a marked decrease in industrial pollution.
And like most of us here I’m just waiting for the unbundled tool deals to come!
Be safe. Distance. Distance and Distance.
Oh. And wash your hands waay too much.
fred
Talk about cabin fever! Rattling around in 900 sq. ft. – can be trying . I’m missing getting out even though I can retreat to my 2400 sq. ft. shop and give my wife some space.
Meanwhile rent revolts may be brewing in NYC and other locales – where folks with no income coming in – will soon be hard pressed to make the rent. While some are calling for rent moratoriums – landlords too have bills to pay .
I wonder how this will all shake out once this is over. Will high real estate prices in place like Milan, NY and London – take a big hit – because of fears about the return of COVID-19 or emergence of the next virus? This will certainly change the world – in ways we have not yet begun to fully understand.
Flotsam
I’m in Maryland and based on reports from the DMV area more younger people have been hospitalized than expected.
So don’t think you are immune! You may just be a carrier but the stay at home .
The order should have been made a national order but we shall have to see. Easter festivities are off that much is certain.
Daniel Lindley
I feel your pain.
I’m in santa clara county, and we’ve been sheltered in place since the 17th. No commercial jobsites are open, thus no hvac equipment startups to be had.
I’m trying my best to keep busy with other things. Before this outbreak I ordered a couple of live edge slabs to make an L-desk out of.
My plan was to buy 3/4 black steel pipe from HD, cut and thread, and use that + fittings + floor flanges for desk legs.
Then. The shelter in place. Whelp. Ordered a bunch of pre-cut pipe from amazon, got it, started putting it together…but something just looked and felt…off.
Ah, yeah, that was it. It was freaking 3/4″ EMT with undersized threads haphazardly stamped on the ends.
*furrows brow*
I finally made the trip to HD, but I made the order online in advance, wore a respirator & latex gloves, stayed at least 6 feet away from EVERYBODY, picked up the order from the desk in front, wiped down my 10′ sections of pipe with disinfectant wipes, wiped off my car door handles with disinfectant wipes, threw the pipe in the car, got in the car, took off the gloves, applied hand sanitizer, then took off the respirator and went home, and washed my hands. And arms.
Overkill? Eh, probably not. With the way this virus spreads, I have no way of knowing if I could be an asymptomatic stealth virus manufacturing plant at the moment, and neither does anybody else unless they’ve gotten a test recently. And those are STILL in short supply…
Nothing is 100%, and going into public spaces carries some risk. Going out for “essentials” in my book includes those items that will keep your mind occupied, so you don’t go all batty from being cooped up for weeks on end.
So, I salute you for taking this time to keep your mind occupied, and for also being cognizant of the fact that we want to do as much as possible to discourage the spread of the virus. Our healtcare workers and the vulnerable individuals in our communities in particular need us to stay inside, and build cool stuff.
So lets build some cool stuff, dammit.
Leonard
I don’t see why yelling at you solves anything. Then I don’t believe yelling solves much of anything.
Because I’m working from home and I normally plant a vegetable garden every year. I was fortunate enough to have plants and beds ready as this event unfolded.
I haven’t ventured out except for the essentials. It’s been a good time to try new hearty recipes.
I’ve taken the time that I am saving from my commute to work out. I get up earlier and start working early. This way I am to stop early while the sun is still up and then spend an hour in the sunlight and garden.
The evenings are spent cleaning and organizing the vast amount of stuff in the garage/shop and house. I try not to watch to much TV. That has proved depressing but I want to hear the actual statistics.
I’m looking this as a test for retirement. Which I have a feeling will now be delayed due to the stock market.
My wishes to all of you is to be well and safe.
Planegrain
As bad as things are, it is good to not have any school shootings blazing on the screen. I have tons of projects on hold. I ‘m thinking of designing a small cabinet. It will house all the Packout small parts bins. I have so many extras, as I dedicated a lot of Packouts to tool storage. I haven’t been in any stores since March 15th. Just drive up windows for food, and hit the gas station twice.
Frank D
It is going to be critically important to maintain a sense of normalcy, and thus for anybody crafty to either to their hobby; or DIY types to do some projects around the house, start a vegetable garden with the kids ( education and chores to break up the day ), etc … because this is going to be a LONG haul. (*)
There are some people already starting to crack after two weeks of semi forced solitude and isolation. Because they’re used to daily social interactions and going some place every day, …
Personally, having been cooped up for months with snow, ice and winter … I’m ready to tend to the garden, clean the ponds, get some veggies going, …
Currently finishing the 8×12 shed we moved and added side wings onto, lights and outlets inside and outside, to make it a versatile space for garden storage or small projects. May put the chop saw and table saw under one of the wings as an outdoor workshop as I have a bunch of fencing to do, arbor to mend, building an enclosure to keep birds away from blueberries, etc.
Fresh air and gardening is going to be key … vs staring at the computer screen, watching the news, …
I have been watching the news from EU and US for a month … like knowing a hurricane is coming, while many people are ignoring or at least minimizing it. No need to stress about any more. It is here. We’re probably the next Italy. Time to minimize the news intake and do positive things in and around the house.
Hunker down, stay safe, sanitize hands frequently when out and about, sanitize hands before getting in the car, coming home … strip shoes off, clothes too if you’ve really been in a risky space for a period of time … or possibly exposed, throw them in the wash.
Jim P.
I always appreciate your updates. It gives me a view of how others are getting through this. For me, things haven’t changed much. I am a commercial/industrial contractor who works for essential businesses including manufacturing and communications industries. We’ve been working to complete repairs, maintenance, and even new work to ensure things stay on line. Some are working to meet the strong demand for medical devices.
Fortunately, my wife is a SAHM and things haven’t changed much for her other than no pre-school for our son. She worries about me since I am working daily but knows it beats the alternative.
Ray D
Hope you and your family, and everyone stays safe and healthy. Nice to see another DIYer getting into into gardening.
We’re fortunate enough to have a small but mature garden with fruits and vegs to sustain us during these times. Our only groceries trips are for milk for 2 yr old daughter and eggs. I too wear gloves and mask and grab what I need and be out of the store asap. I don’t see a problem with you, or anyone, buying gardening supplies to grow food to feed your family. It’s certainly a wise a thing to have to feed the family, at the very least will help the kids entertained. Our daughter loves gardening harvesting side of things. Though lately she’s been learning how to start her own seedlings.
I on the other hand enjoy the building aspect of things and started a greenhouse in January. Before the lockdown I used to visit Home Depot twice a week to stock up on the clearance lumber, 70%, which I have enough of to finish the project. Cutting them with the Makita 7 1/4″ x2 circular saw put a smile of face and appreciative of the recommendations and reviews at toolguyd.com.
High & Mighty
This has gotten way out of hand and the media is to blame for what is happening. They have done nothing but cause widespread panic and fear. Fortunately my boss doesn’t buy into what the media is selling and he certainly isn’t going to shut down business because he understands that if you don’t work you don’t eat and that our family’s is looking to us to put food on the table. Sitting at home does no good for people who need to work in order to provide and make ends meet. More people die from the common cold and the flu every year than coronavirus. But because the media does not cover it, it raises no concern. Starvation and famine kills more people every year than the coronavirus, and again, because the media does not cover it, it raises no concern. More people will die today from something other than the coronavirus, but the media will not cover it because it can’t be sensationalized and portrayed to instill fear and paranoia. The media has taken full advantage of people’s Gullibility which has driven the world into cowardice. Fact is that we will die someday. There’s nothing to stop that from happening. We don’t know when or how or where. That is the inevitable fate for each and every one of us no matter how old or young. Accept it like a man and move on and don’t live like a coward. Stop watching the news and leave your house and go back to work and live your lives. People weren’t scared until the media started covering the virus. Only fear of death is coming back reincarnated.
Stuart
Current estimates are that between 100,000 and 240,000 people will die from COVID-19, and that’s WITH the current guidelines and safety practices in place. Even with these guidelines, hospitals in epicenters are overloaded.
It is true that death is inevitable. But there is such a thing as AVOIDABLE sickness and death.
There was a story a few years ago, about a motorcyclist who was strongly protesting new mandatory helmet rules. He got into an accident and died of a preventable head injury.
Let’s say someone has an attitude that we should ignore the high infectious rates, long incubation period, and increased deadliness of COVID-19, and takes on added risks of infectious transmission. This is a bit different, because there’s added risk for anyone that individual comes into contact with, including those who might be more susceptible due to age, underlying conditions, or just bad luck.
When looking at early case studies, countries with higher testing rates and contact tracing capabilities were able to better contain spread. Here, we already have runaway conditions, and so societal modifications are necessary to better control things.
Last year, a parent sent their sick child to my daughter’s preschool, knowing they had a stomach bug. My daughter got sick, several other kids got sick, and at least one of the teachers got sick. I had to throw out a couch. That one person was selfish and negligent and infected many others. With COVID-19, individuals are contagious before they have symptoms or if they have mild “it’s just a winter cough” symptoms, and can infect a large group of people, with some potentially needing hospitalization or ICU treatment, and some might die.
Did the media over-hype the situation? Was our leadership negligent? Could our healthcare systems have been better prepared to handle this? Those are questions for history to answer in coming months and years.
We know smoking is bad for our health and people still do it. We know that foods high in fat, sugar, and salt are bad for our health, and people still eat such foods. But that’s individual risk, whereas social distancing and “shelter at home” guidelines are at least partially intended to reduce the risk of transmission to others.
This is why driving while impaired is such a strict crime – impaired drivers are risks to themselves but more than that they’re risk to pedestrians, bystanders, other drivers, and others’ property, and none of those people deserve it.
The response to COVID-19 has nothing to do with the common cold, flu, drought, famine, poverty, wildfires, climate change, or anything of the sort. Comparisons of the sort are inappropriate. Earlier today I read an article comparing COVID-19 deaths in NYC to the 9/11 WTC attacks, and I found that to be completely inappropriate as well.
Society is on lockdown right now, and we just have to deal with it.
fred
When people lived in the middle ages and a plague came on most had little inkling of what to do other than to pray that it would pass. There were no shortages of PPE, medicines, doctors or nurses – nor anguish over the lack of these things – because few if any knew that a plague might be mitigated or the sick saved if judicious action were taken. It is said that Henry VIII seemed to know – because he confined himself to his chambers whilst a plague was raging in London. Well we too know or should know how infectious diseases spread – and while that knowledge should not grip us with immobilizing fear – it should galvanize us into action to help stop its spread. I do believe that the death toll will become appalling even if we do everything we practically can with social distancing, good hygiene and placing the country on pause for a month or two. The experts tell us that if we don’t the death toll will be obscene – and those increased deaths – while due to COVID-19 – will have been aided and abetted by our lack of action.
I know that its hard to prove a negative – and we may never really know the full impact that the actions we take will have on the outcomes – but are we willing to roll the dice with the lives of hundreds of thousands – possibly more – of our fellow citizens. We all know that we are born to die – but life is good and preserving ours and others for as long as we can seems like a good goal.
David
“The response to COVID-19 has nothing to do with the common cold, flu, drought, famine, poverty, wildfires, climate change, or anything of the sort. Comparisons of the sort are inappropriate.”
Well said. I have also seem comparisons to the number of abortions that happen each and every day too.
alex
Can’t believe people still think this is the same as normal flu. You understand that if nothing was done more than 1 millions americans would die in a matter of months?
Frank D
I have seen your point [H&M] hundreds of times, in the past month, while observing things as they’ve been happening in EU and are discussed by the public …
For sure, plenty of people die every day of other causes, and seasonal flu has killed many people annually … but if you remain convinced, to this day, that is nothing but a flu; and that the media is blowing this way out of proportion, etc etc etc … then you are very VERY ill informed.
I hope you nor anybody in your family needs medical attention over this, nor in the next few months, because the mortality rate for those needing help is currently close to 20%. ICUs and hospitals are being inundated with severely and critically ill people. If you need medical help for anything all bets will be off.
Gerald
Pretty sure the folks in Italy and Spain would disagree with your assessment.
Mike (the other one)
“This has gotten way out of hand and the media is to blame for what is happening. They have done nothing but cause widespread panic and fear.”
Thousands of people are dying. If no efforts to slow the spread were taken, as many as 2 MILLION people in the US would die from this. Even with social distancing, and other safety measures, 100,000 to 200,000 people may still die.
You can bury your head in the sand and pretend like nothing is wrong, but you are simply putting yourself and others at risk.
Albert
What are people’s opinions on ordering frivilous goods right now? I understand Amazon’s situation — they are at maximum capacity shipping the necessities of life. But what about the other online stores? They’re open so I assume they have employees that have to be paid. This is my 13th day in the house. Normally Fedex and UPS trucks go by my street several times a day. Now at most I see one per day. Amazon usually uses their own contractors in my area. My current thinking is that a frivilous purchase would be a little extra business to an online store and to a courier. But I am open to other opinions.
Frank D
It may be a quick moral booster to get a new thing, toy or tool.
I think though, that by en large, people – even those still employed – with sufficient cash on hand, some money in the bank, all basis covered and no risk of losing their housing or losing their retirement … are just going to hunker down and tighten their belts.
I’m buying parts for urgent repair, supplies for small projects as needed, …
But electronics? gadgets? new tools? … Nope.
Not unless something essential were to break.
Milwaukee, Ridgid, Ryobi, … would have to have their deepest discounts ever, on the broadest range of things —— well beyond the bi-annual buy a kit thing, or anything with a drill , the buy 2 batteries and a bare tool ( got plenty of drills & batteries ) —— before I could justify it to myself and spouse.
I don’t see tool sales going anywhere, not for businesses, not for independent contractors nor individuals.
Gerald
In reply to Albert,
In my opinion those frivolous goods may well help a business weather the economic down turn that has arrived. Frivolous purchases may determine whether the business stays solvent long enough to emerge out the back side of this.
Have several restaurants and pubs we frequent, trying to make sure they know we deem them essential by purchasing gift certificates because I know they could use the money.
fred
Many restaurants seem to be way under-capitalized and live week to week – not being able to weather a small economic downturn – let alone a shutdown that they are now experiencing. While shut down or doing deliveries only they still need to pay their bills (rent and utilities). Sadly many will likely fail.
Gerald
Fred, something like 80% of all start up restaurants fail within the first year in good times. (according to a compadre of mine who builds restaurant equipment)
There will be a bunch weeded out for sure.
David
I went into Home Depot yesterday to get o rings for my leaky kitchen faucet. I saw four customers in the store when I was there. There was one rep working at the Contractor’s Counter and there are usually at least three.
Their are tons of businesses and folks that are getting hurt financially at no fault of their own. If you have the ability, don’t forget about all the independents you deal with. Even the guy or gal that cuts your hair, I bet they would be thrilled if you were to “pay ahead” for some future work….
Adam
I was super surprised to find out the local garden center was closed. just for the fact of people wanting to be more self-sufficient in this crazy time. I know they won’t be buying a toilet paper plant, but they could grow their own veggies.
Greg
I’m a financial consultant in health insurance, working from home for the foreseeable future. Work carries on as usual, as much as I wish the pandemic would allow me to stop staring at spreadsheets. Many companies are interested in the financial impact of COVID to their bottom line. Many larger clients are self-funded, meaning they bear the risk of paying claims and just pay the carrier a small fee to use their networks and administer claims/administrative staff support. This is all compared to a typical fully insured arrangement where you just pay the carrier monthly premiums and they bear all the risk. Enough of that, but just a little insight into a different perspective.
I’ve been working on projects as well to keep busy. I had purchased some take-off performance-pack suspension for my Mustang which I never got around to. Scotch-brite’d them and painted them with Rustoleum Enamel Gloss Red. They really pop and the color has surprised me.
I’ve been working on a never-ending project of restoring a bunch of made in the US Jorgensen I-Beam Bar Clamps I got off Craigslist which were in rough shape. Bought the M12 Fuel Right Angle Die Grinder to clean up the bars as even Evaporust didn’t seem to cut it. And then disassembling all the different parts, paint stripping with Citrastrip, priming and painting, etc, etc has taken a lot of time.
Lastly I did leave the house last weekend for a Craigslist sale to go pickup an old US made vise made by The Ridge Tool Co. I believe this was the parent company to Ridgid tools. So I’ll work on disassembling and restoring that. Actually it was a very safe transaction and I’ve noticed a lot of listings are offering ‘porch-side pick-up’. The vise was outside on the porch with an envelope with a rock next to it. Cash inside the envelope and done.
I will admit I normally wouldn’t be this chatty but I am losing my mind indoors. I hope everyone is staying well and safe.
Mike (the other one)
TBH I think it’s wise to start a veggie garden. Been thinking of doing the same thing myself.
I am still going to work, but I’m one of 15 people there, and we all keep our distances. I’ve mostly been working on some projects, in many cases outdoors. I may be forced to work from home, and if that happens I’ll have a lot of down time. So I will have to have some projects to keep me sane. I have a long list of home improvement projects, so it might be a good time to catch up.
If anyone gets mad about that, then too bad.
Evadman
Like you stuart,I have also been finishing projects. I mounted a pair of unistrut tracks on the ceiling anf hung my Wen air filter. I swapped out the 40 amp garage outlet for a junction panel and added a pair of 20a outlets, a 30 amp twist lock, and a 50 amp outlet. I’m wiring and coding a arduino to be a intelligent thermostat with Wi-Fi for my garage heater. I am also creating an app to control my garage door if I forget to close it.
It is very much ‘finish all the projects’ time. So far, I haven’t had to go to the store for anything but the j panel and breakers; everything else was already in the house just waiting on me to have time.
After those, next on the list is replacing the shower stub for the faucet that has a pinhole leak. Then grouting and sealing the granite time floor I put in the entryway and bathroom, and possibly putting the rest of the granite in the master bath floor. If I get paid off, I’ll probably have time to build the 3 foot by 3 foot by 6 foot powdercoating oven that I want in the garage for appreciating the motorcycle frames I am rebuilding. Some of those require at least a few pieces from home improvement stores, so they are on hold , or can’t be completed until the situation changes.
Evadman
Paid off should have been laid off, my bad.
mattd
As an employee at big orange hardware I have come to terms with the fact that it is not a matter of IF but WHEN I get sick. We are doing higher sales numbers than our sales plan that was created before all of these stay at home rules, and that is despite us closing 4 hours early. So many customers in the past few days when I offer help have responded that they are just browsing. we shall see what happens.
Paul
Notice that cooler heads (president) are always quick to say that destroying our economy was necessary in order to reduce the RATE of spread, never the total number of infected individuals. As with all viruses once the number of people carrying antibodies, whether artificially from a vaccine or directly from getting sick and recovering gets past a certain point there just aren’t enough people left to pass it on and the spreading stops, usually at a point where about 50-60% of the population has been infected. There is something to be said for reducing the likelihood of spreading because that ultimately does affect the total number infected before the spreading cannot sustain itself but the whole social distancing thing has never been tried before so I’m of the belief that most likely the disease will run its course at a slower rate. Instead of getting it over in 6 weeks like China and Italy, we may be stuck with this thing for months.
Right now with the president’s current estimate of 100-200k, and taking the high number of 200,000 people dying, that puts it well below the annual numbers for heart disease and cancer (roughly 600K per year) and roughly the same as a flu season. We just dropped $6 trillion dollars. So that works out to $30 million dollars per fatality just on “stimulus” without including health care costs, and counting. Frankly imagine if we spent $30 million per person on cancer or heart disease. The spending is just plain insane. And they keep saying the government is paying for all this. Who do they think pays the government?
You can tell what is going on though. When governor Northam picks June 10th, Wednesday, the day AFTER the Republican primaries to lift his travel ban, it’s pretty obvious that this whole thing is political. What did we do about the swine flu that was similar in almost every way? Nothing. Why not? Look who was in power.
Stuart
The situation has been explained so many times.
Hospitals in certain areas are already overwhelmed, out of supplies, and healthcare workers are under immense strain and exhausted, and that’s with social distancing and containment measures in place.
Here’s a very simple way to understand why it’s important to “flatten the curve” and lessen the rate of infection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkQ58I53mjk
The viral spread and impact cannot be fully controlled, but it can be lessened and modified to reduce the rate of infection, the peak number of cases that require hospitalization, and hopefully the number of fatalities.
I don’t know where you’re getting your facts. China locked down their epicenter and implemented strict restrictions elsewhere. Italy was slow to implement social distancing guidelines and overloaded their hospital system.
The countries that are faring better than us have been able to do so thanks to widespread testing and successful contact tracing practices. We don’t have that yet. If officials cannot determine and quarantine who is sick and who might be sick, everyone has to be treated as potentially positive cases.
The only way this works is if everyone takes it seriously. If someone says “it’s not as bad as the flu” and holds a secret house party, and one or more of the attendees are infectious and contagious at the start, you get a new cluster of people who can infect everyone they come in contact with, and more people die.
Mike (the other one)
For some people, the economy and stock market are simply more important than human lives.
Frank D
Do you really want to try the “ herd immunity “ idea, in NA and lose hundreds of thousands of people???
Before you get that group immunity, the whole group needs to be infected and survive … or die off.
The death rate right now stands at 19% dead vs 81% recovered.
Please do some simple math based on those numbers, and look around to your family and friends … … knowing your family might lose 5-25% and even more of its members.
alex
So the common flu kills 2 millions people per year? Because that’s what you are looking at if nothing is done.
Planegrain
To my estimations,.If they were worried about virus transmission s, they would have someone pumping your gas, taking your credit card. Nobody even sanitizing the pump handles. Using gloves still expose you when taking them off by yourself. Unless the gloves are very loose fitting. Too many holes in this virus thing.
Wayne R.
Albert
Thanks for posting that video! I knew what to do with the first glove, but not the second.
Ray CR
It’s more of a mist than a flush .
OldDominionDIYer
Common sense and good hygiene are all that is needed. Social distancing, hand sanitizer are all part of that. I’m amazed so many people are having difficulty with this. Seems pretty much as if many were never taught these basics as children and that is tragic. Life will go on and we will continue to see and hear about irresponsible behavior but the best we can do is lookout for ourselves and our family, this to will pass. BTW the Chinese wet markets are back open with one major change, Chinese police are prohibiting photography. It will come again, count on it.
Planegrain
Gas station has a walk up window, which they used as a former 24hr business. I went up to the window, thinking I could purchase bread & milk though the take out window. No, they said I have to come inside. I personally don’t like hand sanitizers, they dry my hands out and contribute to the skin splitting. Once your skin is broken, it’s an easy pathway into your bloodstream.
Matt
Thanks for the insight Stu. I would love to get out to the hardware stores again and have so many projects on hold for now. My wife is a first responder and working with folks who’ve gotten pretty bad. One thing’s for sure, these health care workers are hero’s right now. They have little if any protection at the moment in many parts of the country. I understand the mentality that thinks this has gotten way out of hand and fear driven because those were my initial feelings too. Not now. When it hits home you finally understand it. Please practice social distancing and be safe, not selfish. The health care system and it’s workers are gearing up for hell for the foreseeable future. It may be you or someone you love they’ll be trying to save.
Ian
I work in IT, and I’m a full-time home worker anyway, and my wife previously wfh sometimes. Now she works at home full time. Our school district shut down 3 weeks ago, so we have had to juggle home schooling also. Although we’re doing less project work, our workload has increased due to the whole company now working from home, and having to ramp up capabilities for all the Indian call center employees to also work remotely.
Since then we’ve pretty much been social distancing, only going out to walk the dog and grocery shopping, which we’re trying to keep to once or at most twice a week. GA State parks still open, but really busy over the weekend, but local parks shut, as well as many longer hiking trails (AT). Have done a couple of non-grocery runs to Walmart and HD, but did order online and used pickup kiosks, which were quick and easy and mimised time in the store and interactions with others.
Local ACE is still open too.
Friends in the UK told me everywhere has sold out of freezers, since lockdown over there.
felipe ramirez
Hi, im from Chile and we are having the same problems and unknowns about the actual events and the next future.
I wish you the best of strength
Planegrain
The money being thrown at the coronavirus, should not only help people now. It should put people in a much better position as other pandemics come down the line. As far as people spending money on frivolous items. I figure these people earned their money , they have a right to spend it as they see fit Everybody’s situation is different. I keep my nose in my own wallet.
Planegrain
Buying frivolous items when your own children are hungry is a different story.
fred
After this all subsides – I hope that we (USA, EU et. al.) do a comprehensive after-action review. In the midst of this pandemic – we are already learning what seems to be working and what missteps we’ve already made. Once we are beyond it – if we can avoid second-guessing and recriminations – and just dispassionately look for lessons-learned – we might be better off for the future.
In our businesses over my working career – we were blessed with a pretty good safety record. The grace of God and luck may have had something to do with it. But we also learned – early on – to try to analyze the accidents and near-misses that we did suffer and then take action (including spreading the word) to avoid repeats. I believe that good, calm, honest after-action reviews – without resorting to blame-games – are very important.
Stuart
The problem is that we know what’s needed – widespread testing availability and contact tracing.
When you have flu-like symptoms, any doctor’s office can do a quick nose swab to tell you right then and there. The same with a strep throat swab. We need that for this.
Due to the delayed symptoms of this coronavirus, contact tracing is important because those individuals can then be quarantined or perhaps asked to take other strong precautions.
Officials are saying they expect another peak in the fall, but things will (should) be far different then due to lessons we’re learning now and preparations that will (should) be put into place.
fred
Good points – but the epidemiologists may ask things like:
How effective is self quarantining given our societal norms and lack of early symptoms?
How do we balance the good of society as a whole versus the personal freedoms we have as Americans? We’ve seen that many are still choosing to ignore social distancing in favor of personal choice.
Is aggressive widespread random testing needed early on to gauge the spread of a disease that has various levels of symptoms?
Will our leaders be willing to take more seemingly draconian and faster action in the face the start of a new outbreak? Or will human nature – that favors an incremental and more measured approach again unknowingly help spread disease?
Should we become more like Asia – where wearing of masks in public is more common?
Should we rethink our domestic supply chain, stockpiling and manufacturing options for PPE, medications and medical equipment?
Given the nature of respiratory viruses – I have to think that you’re correct that this will recycle for the next winter seasons – first in the southern hemisphere and then coming back north. Let’s hope for a sooner than later rollout of a safe and effective vaccine – and a significant population that gets vaccinated.
Stuart
I saw a chart earlier in the month, about adaptive response measures, and it seemed to make a lot of sense.
https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/200320155948-02-adapting-covid19-response-exlarge-169.jpeg
There was also a chart showing how the number of cases can be influenced by different measures:
https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/200320155641-01-adapting-covid19-response-exlarge-169.jpg
Right now, we’re still in runaway conditions at certain parts of the country where testing and contact tracing – even if it were possible – has been deemed an unproductive use of resources. But once a peak has come and gone, that’s what will be needed to help keep viral spread under control.
Something’s going to need to be done about the severe lack of PPE, hospital beds, and ventilators, and solutions are already in-play to build supplies to meet the demand.
Last night, the news reported that a Russian military plane landed at JFK with ventilators and a massive shipment of PPE supplies.
Coordination and cooperation isn’t the only way to move forward, but will be the best way.
It’s terrible and unfortunate how politics have been injected into things. I wonder how things might be different if not for all the infighting and very public posturing on all sides. I’m sure that once things calm down, there will be plenty more finger-pointing.
fred
Mankind/Society/Governments are relatively better in preparing for high probability events. But low probability or episodic events that may have long intervals – are much more challenging. We tend to over react in the immediate aftermath – then slack of as time and collective memory of the catastrophe fade.
The news today about China buying oil now (at current low prices) to fill their strategic reserves sounds like a 2nd order learning – and a somewhat good but uncharacteristic move. After the oil embargoes of the 1970’s the US took many actions like working on synthetic fuels and building a petroleum reserve. The statistics showed that we often bought oil to fill that reserve as prices were ramping up or even at or near peak That’s a natural human proclivity – sort of akin to the panic buying of toilet paper that we’ve seen of late. I suspect that people selling their stocks and bonds right now are outnumbering those who are buying. That’s also akin to the house buying frenzy we saw in some locales just as that market was peaking. Then just as the big downturn was in play – some folks we in a panic to sell before the bottom fell out.
In the aftermath of this pandemic – my take is that it won’t be the worst thing for the world – if we turn our attention to building up a new stockpile of ventilators, PPE etc. – as long as we don’t get so carried away to the exclusion of all else.
Planegrain
The 1917-18-19 Spanish(Avian) flu had a milder first wave in the spring. Then a super hard 2nd wave from fall into winter. Many passed away only two days after becoming sick. But that was 100 years ago, and many of the doctors were in Europe ({WW 1).
Wayne R.
I agree completely. After-action reviews are critical for any actual improvements. It’s a failure of society as a whole that they aren’t more widely applied, let alone expected.
No matter how well done those reviews may be, it’ll be fuel for the stone-flingers (who seem to be mostly sitting in a particular corner).
Ray
A week ago I spoke to a senior staff member of my Congressman about supermarket workers being prevented from wearing masks by union contract .
He got that reversed real quick and the congressman’s subsequent post about civilians wearing masks was asked at a White House briefing this week.
Yes – N95 masks should be reserved for doctors and nurses period. !!
But any other mask or scarf or bandana should be wore in supermarkets which like subways in NYC will be the next vector (like it is doing in England). To the home depot worker see if you can even wear orange bandanas over your nose and mouth. ( Or blue for Lowes).
One of the real expert medical doctors advised last night on TV that they find the most virus in the front of the nose When swabbing.
When ever I return from the supermarket I use my own individual can of simply saline sterile saline and do two.gentle puffs while leaning over the sink.
A pediatrician advised to do this 20 years ago to cut down on colds and flus in kids. She advised it takes 3 or 4 hours for a virus to drill down they the mucas to attached to an epithelial cell and latch on to begin infection and replication.
I
My daughter and I truly believe the amount of virus you receive is the difference between a mild case and a serious case. So cover your nose and mouth .
fred
For those of us who are “mouth breathers” – I think we should take up swishing our mouths and drinking un-diluted grog rum (I like 151 proof Demerara ) after a return from the market. Just kidding of course – but your saline flush idea could help and would certainly have fewer side-effects
Wayne R.
Grog in a neti pot? Ultra douche.