Good morning to all
 

live in S. Cal, LA county. Work in Hospital. We have task forces meeting every day to prep for surge. Planning for the sky is falling scenario, hoping for the best. Think point of care testing ready this week. Have all in house patient’s use cell phones to stay connected to family/friends. No visitors for now.

shopping wise. Home delivery a bust so far ( have elderly parents) , I am a “younger” senior shopping hours help. (Costco for paper goods/most cleaning....and their cooked rotisserie chicken...limits on everything  but can buy) At actual stores. Many shelves empty.

BUT many stores available . Can cobble together what we need. Maybe more expensive brands.  bought 2 turkey thighs, instead of breast, organically fed hamburger ?,  buy low sodium V8 in larger containers instead of small cans, or using more washable napkins, cloths instead of paper towels,.

on a very different tact, my son has ordered add on bidet electronic function....we will see how that works! His work has slowed down. Works every week for now. His GF works for health insurance company, so works from home, as my daughter who works for public university.

have many restaurants that have food pickup. Or drive through.  Gas stations, pharmacy 
, crafting stores open...gotta keep those kids and us! Hobbyists busy ( 84yr mom sews) 

I do believe the stay at home encouragement will help.  Tired from working weekend.

thankful for global connections electronically . Streaming service . Read books, podcasts, shows...etc... music too.

religious services on tv or on line.

a million home projects.

a little grey humor here. At work we joke of second surge of Covid babies in December. 
 

prayers and elbow bumps for all
 

Good morning!

We live in the SF Bay Area.  I'm retired and have been dealing with a knee injury and gout, so I don't get out much anyway.  Hubby works for FEMA, so he's working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.  He's been driving in to work on the nearly empty freeways instead of taking the train. Next week he gets to telework, so that will be nice.

Since my mobility is limited, I'm used to getting groceries delivered and doing my Target shopping online.  But now Target is no longer delivering and the earliest I can get a grocery delivery is eight days out.  And of course, you can't even order toilet paper online, so things were getting a little dire...

One daughter and her boyfriend got laid off.  My other daughter is a student and single mother of three.  So my husband and I have been sending them money.  We've also been buying gift cards from local small businesses to help keep them afloat, as well as ordering take-out from mom-and-pop restaurants.  We've been saving up for a new truck, so now may be the time to pull the trigger on that, as I'm sure dealerships aren't doing too well, either. 

We're very close to our neighbors (we shut down the street for a block party every 4th of July and have a happy hour every Friday night), so we have a pretty good support group.  One neighbor gave us a large pack of toilet paper, and the other says they have more if we need it.  I love to bake, so I have a store of bags of flour and sugar, vanilla, butter, etc. so I've got enough for all of us - making cookies is a great activity for the bored kiddos.  One neighbor is a hunter, so he's got a chest freezer full of game.  We shop at the Commissary at Travis, so I have a ton of canned goods from our last "stock up" trip.  And we just smoked 10 lbs of Canadian bacon and 15 lbs of regular bacon a couple weeks ago.  And once I can literally get back on my feet, I plan to start baking bread since you can't get it for love or money at any grocery store.  My neighbors love sourdough!

All in all, I think we're going to be fine.  But I worry a lot about everyone else out there...

Take care, all.  Stay safe.

PS - As a foodie, I found this quite interesting.  For anyone worried about food safety during the pandemic:

https://www.seriouseats.com/2020/03/food-safety-and-coronavirus-a-comprehensive-guide.html

Here in Pennsylvania - 644 confirmed cases so far, only 4 deaths but that is 4 families that are grieving.  Our state is currently ordering all non-essential businesses to close.  Restaurants are doing take-out, pick-up or  delivery only.  Asking all residents to stay home except for grocery shopping, pharmacies or gas stations.  My husband and I are only going out for those reasons, we are both over 70.  We have made "mercy runs" to my 92 year old Mother but my brother lives with her and is shopping for what is available in the stores.  We are reading, cleaning out the basement and I am trying out new recipes and of course 'storming the castle".  We will get by but do miss the the kids and grandkids.  But it has to be done for the greater good.  God love the Doctors, Nurses, EMTs and Police!  I have a few in the family and they are working around the clock.  Stay home, people!  Don't overload the system any more than it is!

Be well, everyone!

UK is now in Lockdown, as PM's message to the people tonight (20.30 GMT)

I am classed as a "Vulnerable Person", I am a diabetic.

I decided to Self Isolate on Saturday, only going out to get essential groceries. I have tried to access the local supermarkets, home delivery services, but I will have to wait 3 weeks as there are NO free time slots.

For my Diabetic Meds, I now have to ring my GP, they will then instruct the local chemist and they in turn will now deliver to me, I can walk there in 5 minutes. 

Our PM has said many things tonight, of what we can do and what we can't. One of them is exercise, once a day. So me and my Dawg will take a long walk out in the early morning. I am lucky where I live, because I can walk for miles and not see a soul, except sheep sheep and more sheep, but now it's Spring time and the Birds singing is glorious as they try and attract a mate.

So now, I want to also say a HUGE big thank you to all the UK's NHS workers, Police, Volunteers and Supermarket Workers who are now keeping this country running.

I also want to say, my condolences to everyone around the World who have lost loved ones to this awful virus.

Stay Safe everyone on here, listen to what your Prime Ministers, Presidents, Country Leaders, Scientists are saying and follow their guidance.

With Love to you All

Welsh Shelley

HI Jenifer, 

I still live in Washington State, though not where the man with the funny hair is 

So far all is well though we are using  paper towels for toilet paper as there is none on the shelves...and my roommate works at Walmart...none available. My daughter was exposed to the virus as she is a caregiver in Vancouver, Wa and her patients were diagnosed positive. They were husband and wife and both died....Very sad story. She thought they had pneumonia and had them sent to the hospital...she is in quarantine, but so far so good it has been over 2 weeks. I stay indoors and hope that my roommate doesn't bring it in. But I am so thankful he is keeping us in food, I would say groceries but it is hit and miss at best. I don't type well so I am sure I am rambling without the proper protocal...

Hugs to everyone who is affected!by this horrible pandemic.

Maggie/Ibdapita

New Zealand goes in to lockdown at midnight tonight. We actually don't have many cases but the government believes this is the only way to make sure it doesn't get worse. We will be in lockdown for 4 weeks at least.

Everyone is running around like crazy today getting ready. I was actually on leave from work but had to go in today to collect a computer because as of next week I will be working from home. I also managed to nip to the chemist to get a supply of my perscriptions so I am set with them, and the chemist is attached to a supermarket so I nipped in there as well to collect a few things - their weren't many people at the supermarket which surprised me. Anyone, I'm good for cat food now. 

Working from home will be a good thing for me as I really really don't want to catch the disease. I am diabetic and therefore vulnerable to extreme case of it. And work doesn't expect us to put in a full days work. They say 2 or 3 hours a day is fine, but we are still on full pay so I don't need to worry about bills or the mortgage.

I am naturally a self-isolating type of person so as long as I don't get ill I should ride this out okay. And the cat is going to love having me at home all day to do its bidding.

Checking in...

Still alive and kicking in the SF Bay Area. Luckily, I work for a company that offers an essential service so I am not stuck at home wondering about my job and money for now.

Hi All 

How I wish it was only for 4 weeks, Wee Sam.  We have been told proactive measures are for 6 MONTHS.  Borders closed - essential travel only.  All pubs casinos, clubs, community centres, restaurants & cafes closed.  Restaurants & cafes can do take out but no dine in.  Small businesses can open if they can observe the social distancing required.  Larger businesses are encouraging people to work from home where possible - brother-in-law, an electrical engineer, staring to like working from home. Supermarkets, pharmacies, local council/ water services are considered essential as is the construction industry.   My oldest son, my grandsons & nephews are employed in these businesses.  Mining is continuing for now.  Two of my sisters are nurses while my 3rd sister is a domestic services person at aged care facility. All essential.  Only my youngest son is affected - now unemployed but the club where he was employed as a chef is having a meeting today to see if there is anything they can offer their employees.  The business where my daughter-in-law was doing work experience to get back into the workforce has closed so I guess my youngest son Ben & his family will end up on welfare!  To make matters worse, it is coinciding with our flu & cold season.

I live in Townsville Queensland Australia.  So far there have been several confirmed cases of COVID 19 here in Townsville but no deaths.  All cases come from travellers returning from overseas.  So I do live in an area affected. 

Testing drive through has been set up down the road.  Swabs tested onsite - Results take 24 hours. Only doing testing on those that fit a certain criteria.

Doctors doing consultation by phone if visit not essential - eg to get scripts, advice.  Nurses & receptionists doing phone calls to check on "vulnerable" clients.  Pharmacists will deliver if you have your scripts stored with them.  I usually go to the pharmacy - rethinking this now.  Hit a "big" issue 2days ago when I got my scripts filled.  One of my medications is unavailable - only the more expensive brand is available.  At 5 times the cost of my usual medication, I am hoping that the generic brand is back soon.  It is a supply issue from overseas.  Pharmacists can only dispense 30 days worth of medication & must report those sales.  The reports are collated & police have the power to investigate people suspected of stockpiling & seize those stockpiles.  Supermarkets slowly getting shelves restocked but still shortages & limits on many items.  Panic buying at its worse!   

With my medical history - chronic severe Asthma with Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Disease (& 68 years old with limited mobility) - I am considered a "vulnerable" person.  So I am self-isolating as best I can.  I live with my youngest son, Ben & his family (wife Kayla; daughter Eleanor 5 years in 2 weeks time; son Grayson 2 years old).  Everyone has or has had a bad 'cold' - not COVID 19, thank goodness.  But it does means, coughing & runny noses & miserable grandchildren and adults.  Doing my best to limit symptoms.  Thank goodness it appears we may be heading out of the "cold" - appetites are back & so are some of the smiles.  TV, reading, doing art and craft & playing in the backyard is our life with the kids at the moment.  Eleanor has developmental (physical & physiological) issues so we have therapy we do with her including playing certain computer games.  Grandma is most patient with her so I do this.  My MC playing now restricted to when they are down for a nap or in bed at night.  Similarly my scrapbooking has moved to cyber classes but again I can't do until the grandkids are asleep.  Life is still busy - just with a different focus.

Missing the social contact.  I lunched every week with my sisters.  I went to craft once a week with one of my sisters - she is a quilter.  I went to scrapbooking once a week plus 2 Saturdays a month.  Went to performances at the Theatre plus other activities.  All cancelled for the time being. 

My youngest son, Ben has a "busted" shoulder - currently healing but being unemployed is driving him "nuts".  He had just returned to light duties at work after a month off - now this!  My oldest son, Mark, his wife, Ally & the three grandsons - Byron, Jayden & Reagan live close by so one or more (when not at work) has taken to coming to our place to play a game similar to Dungeons & Dragons.  At least he is occupied and he has time for his shoulder to heal.   Looking for silver linings here!

Wishing everyone safety and good health through this trying time.  Do take care everyone.  A big thank you to all working to help others during this time.   A special prayer that researchers will find a cure/ treatment that will end this nightmare.  Sincere sympathies to all with affected families/ friends. 

Take care.  Dot  

Central WI. checking in. WI hasn't shut down everything.. yet. But tomorrow starts a stay safe at home warning. Not really sure what that means, but we've been staying home as much as possible. (very small town)

Husband working from home. Got his pay cut 50% today. The CEO says, hours will be cut 1/2 to 20 hours a week. THAT in itself is a joke. His normal week is 60-80 hours.

But they are picking up the insurance payments.

Alive and well down here in Tassie,  Shake my head at some of the strange items out of stock on the shelves.  Vegemite is one,  Ice cream topping is another.  Surprised at the run on meat.  My town has 5,000 people including the farms, one Woolworths supermarket, one IGA.  Son in Spain in total lock down, has to provide so much in the one of identification to get permission from the police to go to the supermarket, can't walk their dog.  He has no work.  Grandson in Sydney has no work and has had to shut down his business.   Pubs, all three are closed.  Cafes & restaurants can only do take away or home delivery.  Luckily I did a big cook up at the end of January so my freezer is full.  I used to do this when I worked full time in Sydney and was leaving home at 06:00 and getting back at 05:00, too tired to cook. Took meals to work and had them for lunch.  Get up the same procedure when I retired.  The elderly and vulnerable ( boy am I annoyed at that label) have a dedicated shopping hour between 07:00 and 08:00 but since I have finally, after 6 years of retirement, managed to sleep past 05:00, rarely get there then.  I have always had a well stocked pantry (legacy of being a single mum and shopping by the specials catalogue (wish we had coupons down here like you do in the U.S.A.) I am not worried about the food situation.  Can happily self isolate.  Have thousands of books and a heap of DVDs to watch.    Life as we knew it has changed and will never be the same again.  All of you keep safe & healthy