March 23: Fauci Withdrawal

Shutdowns:

Tonight as of midnight, 3/23: Ohio & Kentucky and Louisiana as of 5pm CST

Tuesday, 3/24: Delaware as of 8am EST

NY Times reports more states instituting shutdown orders: Washington, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

Stimulus Bill: Senators try to hammer out a deal.

Click here for a super disturbing virus tracking map (or don’t… I don’t blame you). This is not a time you want to be climbing the charts. When I started writing this earlier we were #4, now we’re 3.

Countries with the most cases:

Mainland China

Italy

USA

Spain

The Surgeon General is ready for America to get serious and thanked young celebs like Kylie Jenner for putting the word out to Gen Z (or whatever we’re calling them). If it’s one of the Kardashian clan that saves us….. fine. Whatever works.

6:30am Woke up early and couldn’t get back to sleep. I started feeling really scared about the unknown and all the people I love who could get sick. I wish I was with my family back home.

8:30am Watched the Today Show and saw a tribute to Larry Edgeworth, an audio technician on the show. I cried. He sounded like a lovely and well-liked man. I think Savannah was tearing up and I salute her for working from home. It’s an opportunity to set a good example. I fear Larry’s is by far the last crew tribute we’re going to see on morning TV.

The President of the American Medial Association (AMA) warns of severe lack of personal protective equipment (aka “PPE”).

9am NBC local news: Nearby new testing center in Hayward, CA will have 200-350 kits per day. Open to everyone regardless of immigration status. Very happy and really hope this news gets out and no one avoids testing due to fear of ICE.

9:37am Anyone else leave their oral mandibular device soaking in denture solution for an hour instead of 15 minutes? Just me? Oh well. Shoutout for sleep apnea!

11-11:30am Phone interview with local tech company - seemed like a very nice guy. I may get a 2nd interview or never hear from him again. It’s like dating, you’re never sure.

12:15-12:30 - Coffee shop, then local grocery. Missed David by 15 minutes, but now fully briefed on new shift schedule. They’re not allowed to accept reusable cups from customers and are selling individual toilet paper rolls for .50 each. That’s where we’re at, folks.

Humans encountered en route and in shops: 15 - Humans less than 6 feet away from me: 6.

I thanked every worker I saw at the grocery for staying open and working, and our mailman when he crossed my path. I don’t know him, but he came to the memorial service for my neighbor Joan last year, which was so lovely. When you live in a neighborhood long enough to know your neighbors, the mailman, the baristas at the coffee shop, or the regulars at the dog park, it makes you feel more like you live in a small town than a city.

Afternoon: Connected with a new friend in the neighborhood who was 100% right about the egg salad from our local grocery a.k.a. “little store” (her family’s term that I am co-opting).

Watched a free memoir writing webinar with local writers Brooke Warner (Publisher of She Writes Press) and Linda Joy Myers (Author and Therapist). Contemplating a future all-day class they’re doing featuring Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love).

Missed the Trump press conference but like all Americans, was alarmed to hear of Dr. Fauci’s absence. Watched a re-cap and assume he simply needed to get some work done and is fine. Once again #WhereIsFauci is trending on Twitter.

I’m not scared. I’m not. He’s fine. I’m pretty sure he’s fine.

Trump: “If it were up to the doctors, they’d say let’s shut down the entire world.” I think that’s an accurate statement that he should ruminate on. We have to be alive to re-build the economy.

Too harsh?

Reached out to Muttville, a local senior dog rescue, to see if they need fosters. We’ll see when I hear back, would love to be of help AND have a little company. Have a soft spot for the seniors after seeing my Hunter through his elder years.

A friend shared a clip where Italian officials have absolutely hit their limit. They are now yelling at people for going outside. I’m only 1/2 Italian, but I get it.

5:20pm Some parks are getting closed down in CA due to crowds and the People’s Republic of Santa Monica is starting to give citations for not abiding by the “stay at home” order. Shoutout to my old neighbor Ricki for posting this! The Santa Monica Mirror is a classic. I love small local papers.

BART ridership here is down 90% - a positive sign for social distancing, even if it sucks for our transit agency.

Good Guys of the Day

Dr. Emily Landon, Chief Infections Disease Epidemiologist at the University of Chicago, threw down some straight talk on how treatment is going and it went viral. She is palpably angry and I’m into it.

Bed, Bath, and Beyond is closing 800 stores nationwide tomorrow until April 3rd, but continuing to pay their employees. This link lists 26 stores who are continuing to pay their employees during closures.

Winners of the Internet

Neil Diamond sings “Sweet Caroline” with some very timely new lyrics.