March 20: Shutdowns abound
Headlines: It’s all about the State shutdowns. To re-cap:
Tuesday: Nevada shuttered non-essential businesses for 30 days.
Thursday: California, Pennsylvania & Connecticut, Florida
Florida closed bars and restaurants, moved to take-out only. FL Governor declined to close FL beaches, so local officials led the charge. Some rebels still crowding the beach.
Saturday: Illinois as of 5pm CST
Sunday night: New York as of 8pm EST
Defense Production Act enacted: This will “trigger emergency war powers to accelerate the production of medical supplies to fight the coronavirus pandemic.”
Hawaii has community spread
See Broadway shows from home during a free 7 day trial. I can finally see Hamilton!
RIP Kenny Rogers, one of the greats.
Kelly continues her Vanderpump campaign.
Day 3:
9am-12pm: Breakfast, Facebook, Twitter, New York Times, multiple articles, Facebook, Twitter, news reading spiral, worry about Dr. Fauci. Kristan called, texting, texting. Interview re-scheduled for next week. Lunch.
Someone asked about the status of RBG and Betty White. WHO IS WATCHING OVER THEM??
I was finally matched with Neighbor Elizabeth who needs a grocery run. Super psyched and left her a message to schedule. Still waiting for the big call.
12pm: Watched Dr. Fauci look defeated as he reacted to Trump’s use of the term “deep state” in when referring to the State Department. Dr. “don’t touch your face” in fact, touched his face. I hope he can get some rest soon. I worry. I’ve never had a favorite infectious disease specialist before, but these are odd times.
Thank God Nikki called during cleaning rampage and we could catch up while I stayed on task.
I would like to thank the Bangles, Billy Ocean, The Cranberries, Culture Club, Def Leppard, and Hootie and the Blowfish for their support during this effort.
4:30 Transitioned from pj shorts to yoga pants. Shut up. I’ve been cleaning ALL DAY.
So many helicopters buzzing around Berkeley I’d swear I was back in LA. What is happening?
Dispatches from the front:
Northern California:
A close friend was in Seattle right before they started to report a ton of cases and came home with a horrible cough. She’s been self-isolating since around February 20 and has been to the doctor. She doesn’t meet the criteria to get a test, despite the cough and having been in the area of a recent outbreak. She may have had it and be fine now, but who knows.
Another friend recently flew home from India and had a layover in Hong Kong. She’s been quite ill and has terrible cough. Her Doctor wanted to test her, but she doesn’t meet criteria. Has already been in quarantine at home for a few weeks.
Yesterday people were playing pickleball in my neighborhood. This does not feel like “sheltering in place.” That said, I desperately need to befriend someone in the Berkeley Parks department to hear the backstory of whoever lobbied for these new pickleballl courts. I know in my heart it’s straight out of a Parks & Rec episode. Honestly, Leslie Knope would be a great resource right now.
Ohio:
Cuyahoga County, which houses the Cleve, has the most cases of anywhere in Ohio (53). Wonder why? Yup, they’re testing the most.
Closer to the Dayton area, the craft store Holly Lobby is still open. Is this an “essential” business? Are people having crafting emergencies? I urge friends back home to report in.
A health care worker in that area reports that no one is taking their temperature at work as mandated by Governor DeWine.
Hawaii:
An old friend living there reports they now have community spread. Two new cases have been reported that have no link to recent travel.
Tourists have been told by the Governor and many Mayors to stop coming….but naturally visitors are still arriving.
Waikiki residents protest the lack of Government response to the pandemic.
Love to LA
To my friends in LA who are now in lockdown mode…stay safe. We’ll all ride this out together.
Walking, running, etc is ok, but if a popular park or beach is kinda crowded from all the walkers and runners…re-think. In an urban environment, it’s truly impossible to keep the recommended distance from your fellow humans. Your city could end up in a CNN segment of “what were they thinking???” like SF.
Do your best. I daresay you’re allowed to yell at crowds on the beach. Don’t be Florida.
Row 1 Left to Right: Fauci facepalm, Berkeley porch music sessions, another medallion & SF nurses protest
Row 2 Left to Right: Empty trolly tracks, new hand washing stations in SF, Richmond distillery producing hand sanitizer & Berkeley residents begin a “rainbow trail” in their windows.
