This is not the vacation I’d planned, but considering I’m home with the whole family and we’re all well and well-stocked, I’m making the most of it. I’ve been “working from home” since March 12, and it looks like we’ll have at least a few more weeks of it.
My kids, 10 and 8, are taking it in stride too, but hate their new teachers. They miss school, which to me is an alien concept. I use to dream about school closing when I was their age. Needless to say, I have a new found appreciation for all teachers everywhere.
Worried about vulnerable friends and family, and staying in touch. We’re going to get through this, but some things will change forever. Hoping that this becomes a moment when we can unify after a long period of division. This is the time for all of us to act together as Americans, and not as a bunch of self-centered tribes.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:41 pm:
Great song for the times.
Holding up and feeling well so far and hope you are too, as well as those who are required to leave home and work in this growing crisis. Would like to get tested, not just to know if I have the virus but to better protect others.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:42 pm:
I had to go to Walgreens to get a prescription filled (nothing to do with the virus). No one was observing any of the social distancing rules. It was all I could to keep myself from yelling at everyone to back off.
Now I am hiding in our basement, so things are just fine.
I’m managing pretty well. The toughest part for those of us who live alone is not being able to be with other people.
However, the sun is out, so, despite the cold, a friend and I are going for a walk later this afternoon (keeping our physical distance, of course). That will help.
I’m talking on the telephone more than usual, touched base with my out-of-state sibs last night.
And I’m reading a lot more, too - currently Boccacio’s “Decameron” (among other things), highly appropriate!
- The Magnificent Purple Walnut - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:03 pm:
Because of your link, not only did my wife smile, she got up and danced with me!!! Thank you Mr. Miller!!!
Doing well. Working from home, but that’s nothing new. Staying home / in due to immunocompromised status. Have seen uptick in requests from editors etc. because my specialty area is edible and medicinal plants, wild foods, woodsmanship, so there is that. The number of requests for natural / plant toilet paper articles has been both staggering and mind boggling .
Managing but the hubs seems to be freaking out a bit more. I’m working from home and he’s essential so he’s very concerned about bringing it home to me. Trying to be patient and understanding about his concerns but he’s definitely taken it to a higher level as this continues.
I’m curious what the current situation would be like if Rauner would have won. I’m happy with Pritzker’s response thus far, not knocking it by any means. I’m just curious about the “what if?” Would Rauner have issued the stay-at-home order and if so, sooner or later than Pritzker. Would Rauner have downplayed it at first like Trump?
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:30 pm:
My wife asked me if this is going to be like World War II, I said “worse.”
She asked me if it’s going to be like The Great Depression, I said “worse.”
She asked me if it was going to be like the Spanish Flu pandemic, I said “worse.”
It’s going to be like a shortened version of the Civil War, which claimed casualties on all sides and undermined our economy.
And although we remember those who gave their last full measure on the battlefield at Gettysburg, most do not realize that 2/3 of the roughly 660,000 deaths during the US Civil War were due to infectious disease. Dysentery alone killed nearly 100,000 soldiers.
YDD….I am very concerned about the pandemic and abiding by all stated requirements of the government. It’s bad, and probably gonna get worse before its better. But your certainty that this is the WORST OF ALL OF THEM is incredibly arrogant and of no use to the rest of us. As that other guy says, “with respect”.
Worried for my wife, who has Stage C heart failure. Worried for my mother, who is 81. Worried for her partner, who also has heart problems. I’ve done all I could to protect my wife, but my mother and her partner live six hours away.
Just over south border of Chicago in a suburb. Have food and supplies; hoarders still trying to hoard but some stores have stepped up to set limits. Somewhat less traffic on way to/from local brewery to donate plastic bottles for their hand sanitizer production, some people don’t get social distancing so I move away. Some restaurants open and abiding by the rules, including chains. Some masks and gloves seen, but mostly not. Minimize contact with news, use CDC and State sites. Remember most people that carry/get C-19 do not get as sick as elderly/compromised victims; we’re gonna be ok if everybody does their part.
The only good thing to come from this crisis is the speed at which movies are coming from the theatres to VOD. I’m also relieved that Binny’s still qualifies as ‘essential services’./S
Not good, kids/wife are going nuts, we both are essential or at least on the phone 7 hours a day, I was never on Facebook until recently, every now and then I see something funny, it makes a difference. Nyt, trib, Wapo, suntimes, all depressing. Thankful for my job.
In my personal life, fine. In my professional life, feeling the weight of much information to be processed to make the best high-stakes decisions possible.
- Don't Let a Dingo Eat the Baby - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 3:50 pm:
If we want to talk about music, I heard a Springfield radio station earlier today air a “We’re here to help your emotional health during this time of uncertainty” piece between songs, right in the song “Sweet but Psycho” by Ava Max.
For anyone that isn’t familiar with the song:
“Oh, she’s sweet but a psycho
A little bit psycho
At night she’s screamin’
“I’m-ma-ma-ma out my mind”
Oh, she’s hot but a psycho
So left but she’s right though
At night she’s screamin’
“I’m-ma-ma-ma out my mind”
A major chain grocery store didn’t have home delivery like it usually has, so I had to venture over there. A cashier was coughing, mostly covering it up. Pretty scary. I feel for all essential workers but there needs to be honesty with the self. If not feeling well, please stay home or go home (not easy to do for everyone, especially those without benefits).
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 5:03 pm:
All fine and kids all home. A good problem to have: spouse is a very good cook but you are going to have to roll me out of here because working from home now means I have my regular breakfast, and then he wakes up and makes scones (hobbit speak: second breakfast), and then there gets the juicer going (hobbit = elevenses) and then makes hot dogs for lunch. I will have to get up and start moving around.
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 5:07 pm:
Wondering, wondering, wondering……
Wondering if my newspaper is going to kill me. What if the paper person is infected? Are the inserts done by hand?
Dare I venture out to the grocery store? Is it worth risking my life just to get fresh fruit, eggs, and milk? Even during “senior” hours?
Sigh.
Good. Thanks for asking, Rich. At the beginning of February, I slipped and broke my ankle. My son, amazingly enough, broke his foot two days later. I thought, “Man, How can my family be so unlucky?” We both had surgery about a week later. Then the world changed. Suddenly, being home and confined to bed was a blessing. Gotta thank God for that. My wife, who works in Special Needs at CPS is home with us. Luckily, she is fine. My oldest daughter is working in the Emergency Room at a local hospital. I’m very worried about her, but she’s young, and healthy, so, at least she has that going for her. My youngest daughter is in grad school just outside of Toronto with two huskies that need to be walked, or they’d go stir crazy. Knock on wood, she’s fine too. Taking it a day at a time. I hope everyone is similarly doing well. Life goes on. We all would like to be a continuing part of it, so everyone be safe, help who you can, and pray that we get through this with as little strife as is possible.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:41 pm:
This is not the vacation I’d planned, but considering I’m home with the whole family and we’re all well and well-stocked, I’m making the most of it. I’ve been “working from home” since March 12, and it looks like we’ll have at least a few more weeks of it.
My kids, 10 and 8, are taking it in stride too, but hate their new teachers. They miss school, which to me is an alien concept. I use to dream about school closing when I was their age. Needless to say, I have a new found appreciation for all teachers everywhere.
Worried about vulnerable friends and family, and staying in touch. We’re going to get through this, but some things will change forever. Hoping that this becomes a moment when we can unify after a long period of division. This is the time for all of us to act together as Americans, and not as a bunch of self-centered tribes.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:41 pm:
Great song for the times.
Holding up and feeling well so far and hope you are too, as well as those who are required to leave home and work in this growing crisis. Would like to get tested, not just to know if I have the virus but to better protect others.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:42 pm:
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I’ve got that feeling once again
I can’t explain you would not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numb
- Titan - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:49 pm:
We’re doing well.
My wife (who is immune system compromised) is nervous, and has been self-isolating for a few weeks.
- Chicago - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:50 pm:
I have/had it. I think I am better. It feels like someone stabbed my lungs with a fork several times.
- Montrose - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:52 pm:
I had to go to Walgreens to get a prescription filled (nothing to do with the virus). No one was observing any of the social distancing rules. It was all I could to keep myself from yelling at everyone to back off.
Now I am hiding in our basement, so things are just fine.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:52 pm:
A tip for my fellow stress bakers:
Chia spice mix is an excellent substitute for vanilla in banana bread.
- JoanP - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:54 pm:
I’m managing pretty well. The toughest part for those of us who live alone is not being able to be with other people.
However, the sun is out, so, despite the cold, a friend and I are going for a walk later this afternoon (keeping our physical distance, of course). That will help.
I’m talking on the telephone more than usual, touched base with my out-of-state sibs last night.
And I’m reading a lot more, too - currently Boccacio’s “Decameron” (among other things), highly appropriate!
- The Magnificent Purple Walnut - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:03 pm:
Because of your link, not only did my wife smile, she got up and danced with me!!! Thank you Mr. Miller!!!
- unclesam - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:07 pm:
I think this e-learning transition will ensure there no longer will be a need for “snow days.”
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:07 pm:
@Montrose
Ditto
- DownSouth - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:10 pm:
Doing well. Working from home, but that’s nothing new. Staying home / in due to immunocompromised status. Have seen uptick in requests from editors etc. because my specialty area is edible and medicinal plants, wild foods, woodsmanship, so there is that. The number of requests for natural / plant toilet paper articles has been both staggering and mind boggling .
- ktkat1 - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:17 pm:
Managing but the hubs seems to be freaking out a bit more. I’m working from home and he’s essential so he’s very concerned about bringing it home to me. Trying to be patient and understanding about his concerns but he’s definitely taken it to a higher level as this continues.
- nadia - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:18 pm:
As the late great Jack Buck said “and that’s a winner” goes to Cheryl44.
- Grimlock - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:20 pm:
I’m curious what the current situation would be like if Rauner would have won. I’m happy with Pritzker’s response thus far, not knocking it by any means. I’m just curious about the “what if?” Would Rauner have issued the stay-at-home order and if so, sooner or later than Pritzker. Would Rauner have downplayed it at first like Trump?
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:30 pm:
My wife asked me if this is going to be like World War II, I said “worse.”
She asked me if it’s going to be like The Great Depression, I said “worse.”
She asked me if it was going to be like the Spanish Flu pandemic, I said “worse.”
It’s going to be like a shortened version of the Civil War, which claimed casualties on all sides and undermined our economy.
And although we remember those who gave their last full measure on the battlefield at Gettysburg, most do not realize that 2/3 of the roughly 660,000 deaths during the US Civil War were due to infectious disease. Dysentery alone killed nearly 100,000 soldiers.
- Ok - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:34 pm:
Dysentary was also a big threat to people traveling on the Oregon Trail.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:41 pm:
===Now I am hiding in our basement, so things are just fine. ===
Still laughing at that one.
- Sayitaintso - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:45 pm:
YDD….I am very concerned about the pandemic and abiding by all stated requirements of the government. It’s bad, and probably gonna get worse before its better. But your certainty that this is the WORST OF ALL OF THEM is incredibly arrogant and of no use to the rest of us. As that other guy says, “with respect”.
- JoanP - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:48 pm:
=Dysentary was also a big threat to people traveling on the Oregon Trail. =
As long as we’re not with the Donner party . . .
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 2:13 pm:
Doing as well as the next person.
Keeping an eye, from afar, on family and friends, trying to eat healthy with the food I currently have.
Got some good folks checking on me, virtually hanging out with folks too.
It’s not surprising how reaching out out to people makes a big difference in the mental health right now.
- a drop in - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 2:20 pm:
Ditto to all with Walgreen. If you sign up with them and register a credit card, they will mail it. I did that - no delivery charge.
To the post: wife picked great time to quit job. So we are inside except for daily walks.
- RIJ - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 2:27 pm:
Worried for my wife, who has Stage C heart failure. Worried for my mother, who is 81. Worried for her partner, who also has heart problems. I’ve done all I could to protect my wife, but my mother and her partner live six hours away.
- revvedup - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 2:29 pm:
Just over south border of Chicago in a suburb. Have food and supplies; hoarders still trying to hoard but some stores have stepped up to set limits. Somewhat less traffic on way to/from local brewery to donate plastic bottles for their hand sanitizer production, some people don’t get social distancing so I move away. Some restaurants open and abiding by the rules, including chains. Some masks and gloves seen, but mostly not. Minimize contact with news, use CDC and State sites. Remember most people that carry/get C-19 do not get as sick as elderly/compromised victims; we’re gonna be ok if everybody does their part.
- Skeptic - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 2:42 pm:
Stressed, but healthy and well stocked. This cloudy weather isn’t helping either.
- Jocko - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 2:50 pm:
Montrose x2.
The only good thing to come from this crisis is the speed at which movies are coming from the theatres to VOD. I’m also relieved that Binny’s still qualifies as ‘essential services’./S
- @misterjayem - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 3:13 pm:
“How are you holding up?”
Turns out I’m not nearly the introvert I’d thought I was.
– MrJM
- Skeptic - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 3:31 pm:
“Turns out I’m not nearly the introvert I’d
thought I was.” And the cat isn’t nearly the conversationalist as I thought she was either.
- Rutro - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 3:31 pm:
Not good, kids/wife are going nuts, we both are essential or at least on the phone 7 hours a day, I was never on Facebook until recently, every now and then I see something funny, it makes a difference. Nyt, trib, Wapo, suntimes, all depressing. Thankful for my job.
- Earnest - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 3:38 pm:
In my personal life, fine. In my professional life, feeling the weight of much information to be processed to make the best high-stakes decisions possible.
- Don't Let a Dingo Eat the Baby - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 3:50 pm:
If we want to talk about music, I heard a Springfield radio station earlier today air a “We’re here to help your emotional health during this time of uncertainty” piece between songs, right in the song “Sweet but Psycho” by Ava Max.
For anyone that isn’t familiar with the song:
“Oh, she’s sweet but a psycho
A little bit psycho
At night she’s screamin’
“I’m-ma-ma-ma out my mind”
Oh, she’s hot but a psycho
So left but she’s right though
At night she’s screamin’
“I’m-ma-ma-ma out my mind”
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 4:05 pm:
A major chain grocery store didn’t have home delivery like it usually has, so I had to venture over there. A cashier was coughing, mostly covering it up. Pretty scary. I feel for all essential workers but there needs to be honesty with the self. If not feeling well, please stay home or go home (not easy to do for everyone, especially those without benefits).
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 5:03 pm:
All fine and kids all home. A good problem to have: spouse is a very good cook but you are going to have to roll me out of here because working from home now means I have my regular breakfast, and then he wakes up and makes scones (hobbit speak: second breakfast), and then there gets the juicer going (hobbit = elevenses) and then makes hot dogs for lunch. I will have to get up and start moving around.
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 5:07 pm:
Wondering, wondering, wondering……
Wondering if my newspaper is going to kill me. What if the paper person is infected? Are the inserts done by hand?
Dare I venture out to the grocery store? Is it worth risking my life just to get fresh fruit, eggs, and milk? Even during “senior” hours?
Sigh.
- PublibServant - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 6:56 pm:
Good. Thanks for asking, Rich. At the beginning of February, I slipped and broke my ankle. My son, amazingly enough, broke his foot two days later. I thought, “Man, How can my family be so unlucky?” We both had surgery about a week later. Then the world changed. Suddenly, being home and confined to bed was a blessing. Gotta thank God for that. My wife, who works in Special Needs at CPS is home with us. Luckily, she is fine. My oldest daughter is working in the Emergency Room at a local hospital. I’m very worried about her, but she’s young, and healthy, so, at least she has that going for her. My youngest daughter is in grad school just outside of Toronto with two huskies that need to be walked, or they’d go stir crazy. Knock on wood, she’s fine too. Taking it a day at a time. I hope everyone is similarly doing well. Life goes on. We all would like to be a continuing part of it, so everyone be safe, help who you can, and pray that we get through this with as little strife as is possible.
Cya on the flip-flop.
PublicServant