COVID is, like the flu, respiratory, so if your gastrointestinally sick, it's a different bug.

We have stocked up on some things - beans and rice, but not at the by-the-case-level -- but the most distressing thing so far was going to the drug store yesterday to try to get Advil and Tylenol for the kiddo and having that be sold out already. We have some, so we won't be entirely without if she gets sick, but jeesh.

I was in an argument with some in one of my FB groups who kept saying we should be wearing surgical masks to keep from touching our faces. She said she is a doctor but I don't know and she also said she didn't trust the CDC or the WHO but her own sources, which she wouldn't provide but based on previous posts are fringe alt medicine type things . She said she thinks we should all wear masks beowe are smart enough to know not to touch our faces and she didn't seem to care about the problems the shortage is causing for others.

Matthew's mom has been planning on buying a freezer and she finally did. It will be here Monday and then we will do our monthly Costco run for cat litter, paper towels and frozen stuff to fill the freezer. We have never looked at the cost breakdown to see if we are saving money but I know we spend less time at the grocery store and I end up taking lunch more which is nice.

she also said she didn't trust the CDC or the WHO

I have zero patience for people who don't trust actual experts in this shit.

I have to admit, every time I see "don't topuch your face" on those lists of tips I think "that ain't gonna happen". I can't avoid touching my face while I'm chopping jalapenos. It's just too far below conscious thought.

I haven't been to a store in the last week, but my mom said the drugstore was out of distilled water. We both figured that was an unrelated coincidence.

We did get an email from our Safety guy but I haven't actually read it yet. It didn't say "work from home if possible", I skimmed enough for that...

No big reaction here in Arkansas as of last night when I went grocery shopping. The only thing they were out of was the Nuprin I had a free coupon for, and I don't regard a run on stock the store is giving away as a sign of panic shopping.

Mom turned out to be relieved by the suggestion of postponing our trip, but had hesitated to broach the subject herself. Yes, like I'm going to be so keen on seeing Patti LuPone on Broadway that I'd insist on dragging an 81-year-old into Manhattan during a potential pandemic outbreak rather than waiting until things calm down.

Good to know that virus panic isn't nationwide at this point.

Nobody's flipping out in San Francisco. At least about the pandemic. Not too happy about my neighbors putting up Bernie signs.

ltc announced to someone at school today that we were finally getting rid of Tr*mp today. It's possible I didn't explain how elections work very well, but it is still funny.

I'm trying not to freak out about the Corona virus, but everyone's "don't worry only the elderly and disabled will die" really isn't helping.

A coworker just got back from Denver, where she'd gone with her husband who had a conference. Something to do with physics. Anyway, that conference has been canceled, too. I get that conferences are not life and death, and there's a lot of handshaking going on. But apparently the cancellation's doing unfortunate things to Lyft drivers' and restaurants' businesses.

But apparently the cancellation's doing unfortunate things to Lyft drivers' and restaurants' businesses.

Between the high concentration of minimum wage jobs that don't give paid sick leave or offer WFH options and the general public canceling travel plans, the service industry is just going to be hammered over the next couple of months. I'm starting to be relieved I didn't have any plans for spring break.