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Question of the day

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Illinois

* How are you and yours getting along these days?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 12:58 pm

Comments

I’m an extrovert, but listening to my friends talking about significant others in their homes, I am so happy I live alone.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:00 pm
Health wise fine. But many,many friends in small business arent going to make it. The SBA loans are tedious and cumbersome for those small businesses. So in that respect, I feel terrible.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:10 pm
I need JB to ban conf. calls at least one day a week.

Comment by Rutro Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:13 pm
My sisters and I (we all live in different cities) have been on the phone and exchanged more emails in the last couple of weeks than we usually do in a couple of months.

Nice weather yesterday, sunny and warm, so I took a walk. There’s a park down the block from me, just west of Lake Shore Drive so still accessible. Not a tremendous number of people, mostly dog walkers and parents with kids, but all staying the requisite distance apart, and all waving or saying “Good morning!” I noticed lots of stuffed animals in windows, as well as drawings (obviously by children) of rainbows and animals.

Also realized that there is no point in updating my ParkChicago and SpotHero apps.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:19 pm
Pleasantly surprised by the good natured ways the kids are interacting. It’s pretty cool living with people who basically like each other.

Comment by NotMe Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:20 pm
actually have some fun times, good to hang on to when the news is so depressing. getting outside is good too.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:22 pm
Working from home while caring for a toddler isn’t easy, but I’m thankful to have a job and income. My family is doing pretty well all things considered.

I’m quite saddened Bernie suspended his campaign. I fear Biden will be a repeat of Clinton and lose to Trump. Don’t mean to get too far off Illinois politics, but that’s how I’m doing today - sad.

Comment by Techie Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:22 pm
It’ll be four weeks tomorrow for me. I’m discovering new pet peeves that I never knew I had, so that’s been fun for everyone.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:27 pm
Sorry, 1:27 was moi.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:28 pm
Pretty good. Given my home office is in the basement, I have a bit of separation during the day and the girls aren’t fighting too much.

Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:28 pm
Better than most; thanks for asking. I’m getting a little stir-crazy, but at least I have my wife to keep me company and a job (that I was already doing from home) to occupy many of my waking hours.

And we’re the lucky ones–my wife started a temp job (which she now does from home as well) right before everything got bad, which means our financial situation has actually improved over the past month. Most people aren’t getting that break.

Comment by Benjamin Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:29 pm
According to my GF, I’m the reason we can’t have nice things.

Comment by BigVig Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:35 pm
Surviving. Nice weather and drives are helping fight the cabin fever … especially for the wife. Should be doing more projects, but don’t have a lot of energy.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:51 pm
I shaved a couple of days ago. Might shave again in a couple of days.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:54 pm
Because we’re spending the entire day together, my daughter and I have good stretches of time when I focus only on her and I’m not forced to split my attention between her and my phone or computer. Trying to think of this as making up for lost time, but very aware that it’s a luxury that I can still work from home, stay healthy, and get bonus time with my kid. Which is why @techie I’m also sad that Bernie is out. 💔

Comment by The Most Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 1:59 pm
My partner and I are living apart during this endeavor, as there are children to consider. While I’m thoroughly enjoying the time off (and alone), feelings on the topic are the exact opposite for my partner.

Comment by Keith Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:00 pm
I have gotten an incredible amount of yard work done. I may have to start on my neighbor’s yard.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:01 pm
Family is hanging tough. Wife is working from home which is good short term.

Have a slowly rising level of anxiety. Needed bloodwork done. Doctors office was empty. One receptionist, the phlebotomist, one other patient and me. Unsettling.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:03 pm
Ups and downs. All in all feel very blessed.

Comment by Dog Lover Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:04 pm
We’re doing ok, I’m working from home and my wife is laid off. In a previous life I worked in Construction so at times I had to utilize the Unemployment system. A lot has changed in the last 25 years, watching my wife try to navigate the system and not being able to help is frustrating.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:04 pm
Doing OK. The extra family time has been a plus. My special needs teen is stircrazy but at least he likes to walk our dog.

How are you holding up, Rich?

Comment by Jake From Elwood Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:10 pm
Have 2 yowling cats who don’t believe that the governor’s stay at home order applies to them. All day long it’s “lemma outta here” in loud complaining voices.

Spouse got caught out of state at sister’s house, but all is well.

Thanks for asking.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:13 pm
===How are you holding up, Rich? ===

I’m fine. No complaints. Would like a day off, but such is life.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:15 pm
Mostly ok.
I wasn’t going out a lot anyway before this other than for work and groceries and gas.
I will say that I miss not sensing this sort of depressed and slightly scared feeling I think folks have now.

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:24 pm
One or the other of us has been laid up several times over the past few years, so we’re veterans of defusing the inevitable tensions and adapting roles to fit health and work circumstances. I call my cronies a couple times a week to keep from going weird, and by this time next month will have doubled the capacity of our gardening spaces over last year (food for peace of mind, flowers for joy) with the bonus of becoming strong like ox.

Comment by yinn Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:26 pm
Improved. Managing work stress better. Glad to get out and work in the yard. Debating what’s low enough on groceries that an Aldi run is essential.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:32 pm
A close friend who just had surgery for pancreatic cancer diagnosed in Nov. started the third round of chemo today. To be honest that has focused me and kept me away from the media and social media somewhat which is probably a good thing. Even though we are all living through a bizarre time right now, a lot of regular life issues are still occurring for many people to cope with totally apart from the virus.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:47 pm
Doing pretty good. Missing in person interaction with my granddaughter who is a pharmacist who has people coming to the counter and not using drive-thru. Missing in person interaction with my granddaughter whose partner works at Logan CC where 4 of his co-workers are positive. We who are bereaved parents are members of the most exclusivie group in country. I don’t want anyone to know the pain we experience. I know the results that happen when people don’t stay home. Let’s all suffer short term so we don’t suffer long term.

Comment by jimbo26 Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 2:52 pm
At home with the “kids” (who are home from their residential learning environments). All is well, except…one has a scratchy throat and low fever…not good…it turns out its tonsillitis (the strep variety).

Never did I think that my child having strep would be a relief.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 3:01 pm
Doing very well so far, in this horrible situation. Trying very hard to cooperate and do our part. It’s nerve-wracking for those who live with essential workers, those who must venture outside and fulfill our basic needs. These workers are the real heroes.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 3:12 pm
I am bored. I think limiting my watching the news made me more relaxed. I can’t wait to see some MLB games this summer, if that will happen.

Comment by Southwest Sider Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 3:27 pm
We are getting a lot of things done on the house, and yard. We wear a mask every where we go. I am an organ transplant survivor, so we take no chances. On the down side, I still have a chipped front tooth because my dentist is not allowed to fix it. All in all making it day to day.

Comment by Retired Educator Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 3:38 pm
We had *something viral* seem to be on the upswing at this point, but it’s taken a month. The stress was the worst- I’m not a hypochondriac, and usually healthy, so I have not enjoyed thinking about my health.

Comment by West Sider Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 3:49 pm
No complaints here…I hope everyone fares well.

Thanks for your dedication to civic duty,Rich Miller… but don’t let your battery run too low.

Let’s all take good care of ourselves and each other…for sure.

Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 4:02 pm
Bought my self some hair clippers because I take my personal hygiene seriously. Gave myself a haircut and have to say I did a pretty good job. The little hair that I have is sticking up in all of the usual places.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 4:03 pm
A sole proprietor (One person no employees) Barbers, plumbers, Handyman, Carpenters, the list goes on and on of people who work alone. Under the small business stabilization program you must have at least one employee. So those who work all alone are left out in the cold & kicked to the curb?

Comment by One man band Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 4:05 pm
Trimmed winter beard, trying to finish a long delayed article, walk daily w/ spouse, did some yard work and gardening, talk/facetime or something w/ kids and grandkids. But missing my Mom’s 90+ birthday…don’t want to go near her.

Comment by d. p. gumby Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 4:10 pm
Doing OK. Broke my fibula last summer, so last night was my first cigar in 8 months. Staying home except for medical apts.

Comment by bogey golfer Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 4:20 pm
Everything A OK for me so far.

But for the unemployed/small business owners this is miserable

Comment by OpentoDiscussion Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 4:25 pm
=== But for the unemployed/small business owners this is miserable===

The alternative could be illness or worse… so there’s that.

Me?

I’m doing ok, better than some, same as others.

I’m distracting myself from dwelling by thinking about the Masters, which woulda been played this week. Instead of being angered or “whatever” I’m remembering what this week and each *day* means, and looking forward, after doing all I personally can by staying home, listening to what needs to be done, doing it, so come November I’ll get to have a Masters Week.

The rest is family, friends, “connecting” with them to be part of something bigger and do right.

Rich, thanks as always, for your tireless work, and so much more than that. You take care.

Hoping everyone stays safe too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 4:32 pm
Well as a proud “prepper” this has been a good exercise is how dialed in i have my preparations. But being a worker at an essential business i am still putting in 45-50 hours with a weekly commute downstate. Actually envious of the folks who are able to stay home since i have a good half dozen books on my reading list plus as many home improvement projects. But i have my health, plenty of food and income so i can’t really complain.

Comment by frisbee Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 5:02 pm
Doing o.k. here; staying home except for essentials like shopping and taking containers to local brewery making hand sanitizer and donating to first responders, hospitals, etc. Text/call/email people from time to time and vice versa. Very single so no stir-crazy others in house. Avoiding hours of “news”; doing odd house projects that don’t require trips to store to finish. Hang in there everybody!

Comment by revvedup Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 5:29 pm
“I’m distracting myself from dwelling by thinking about the Masters“

For the Chicago sports fans among us, there is so much glory to relive with all the championships since the ‘85 Bears, so many video highlights to see.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 5:59 pm
=== there is so much glory to relive with all the championships since the ‘85 Bears, so many video highlights to see.===

The cable sports channels have done a great job with Cubs and Sox highlights, I’ve enjoyed those too. Good distractions.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 6:03 pm
My wife and I are both working from home. Since we work together at the same university anyway, it’s not a big change. She’s upstairs at her computer and I’m downstairs at mine. We meet for lunch as always and then go for a walk. Then back to work. The biggest change in our lives is not eating out as much, especially at lunch. That’s manifested itself in a nice weight loss for both of us.

That said, we’re keenly aware of the folks who can’t easily work from home and have to go to the office or other place of employment. We’ve long supported the local food bank, but we’ve stepped up that support lately. And anyone who delivers anything to my house gets a hefty tip.

As it is now, I’m thinking about washing my hands every time I pass through a door in my own house. It’s going to take some time to get out of this mindset once all this is behind us.

Comment by MSIX Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 10:47 pm