PA update: State stores are closing on Tuesday (people were bringing hand trucks into the Beer Mill today) and West Chester Borough is asking all non-essential businesses to close. Restaurants can stay open for carryout or delivery, so I'm assuming we'll keep the bakery open. It would be nice if the new owner actually, you know, contacted us to let us know what she'd decided.

I heard the CDC rec about schools, too. We're only closed in PA through March 30, for now. I guess we'll see what this week brings.

I'm honestly more than ready to hole up for two weeks with books and baking and writing and Netflix, except I can't actually afford not to work that long. Trying to keep the anxiety at bay, but last month was bad enough with the unpaid two-week break, then the unpaid week-long emergency closing for the sewer thing. I'm still trying to catch up with bills, and the only reason I can is because of fortuitous freelance work and Ben.

Interesting times, I am done with them.

I was doing my panic shopping yesterday and overheard the customer at the next register. When the cashier asked how she was doing, she started to cry, then said, "I'm sorry, I'm just overwhelmed right now. Our house was hit in the tornado and we're still displaced, and now I'm worried about getting sick," and I have been thinking about her ever since. This is such a hard time for so many people.

Oh, man, Kate.

Well, my wfh is confirmed for 2 weeks. It sounds like they are keeping the warehouses open, and the offices are open but people are only supposed to in if they have to

Oh Kate. I hurt for her. Mostly we are okay. We WFH. Our business is medical. I understand and accept the measures needed to keep people safe, but so many will be seriously harmed, more financially than medically.

I'd feel less doomed if I didn't watch the White House news conferences.

CDC recommends gatherings of no more than 50 for the next 8 weeks.

Holy shit.

Hang in there, Amy. I'm so worried for so many small businesses and the people who work for them.

take care everyone - we are going into weeks of a new normal.

email that went out to ALL county employees has this section:

Leave Guidance

To assist employees with childcare or eldercare needs, OHR has relaxed leave use policies and procedures.

· Essential and non-essential employees who have child- or elder-care needs or who are sick but have no available sick, vacation and personal leave will be approved for advance leave in partnership with the Office of Human Resources at xxxx-3139 or via email at OHR at blah blah.gov or

· Essential and non-essential employees who have child- or elder-care needs or who are sick but have no available sick, vacation and personal leave will be approved for advance leave in partnership with the Department Head and the Office of Human Resources.

· For further guidance on leave policies, please coordinate with OHR at xxxxx3139 or via email at OHR at blahblahblha.gov

that general email and that phone # - yeah that is me and my co-worker. There are over 8000 county employees.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the PixDesigns are in for a very difficult road ahead. We will get through it. I hope we still have our house on the other side.

ltc is really going to freak out not seeing other kids or her grandparents for such a long time. She doesn't really have a concept of time right now. So, as much as I have tried to explain things to her, they haven't really sunk in.

I don't know if we eat weird food that doesn't get sold out, or what.

I went routine grocery shopping today, and although there were a lot of people I found everything I wanted except Welch's grape juice—apparently, the situation is not yet dire enough for people to resort to buying Juicy Juice. Fresh veggies, avocados, organic boxed soup, spanakopita, and mouthwash don't seem to be in particular demand among survivalist hoarders.

Pix, you and ND are in my thoughts. Sending all the ~ma to you.

We're expecting PA will shut down restaurants and bars state-wide shortly. We'll be able to stay open if takeout is permitted, but I'm worried about our bartenders and waitstaff over an extended shutdown.

I still can't find toilet paper. It's beyond ridiculous at this point. Aggravated at the pictures of people celebrating St. Patty's Day in bars, and at the people still traveling without a care in the world.

Love and ~ma to everyone that needs it.