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I Think My Circle Is Better Than Your Circle - Jerk

During this whole mess, I am still working. I am still collecting a paycheck. Designated "critical infrastructure worker," I will work through until the end and not from home. Despite any risks, I consider myself quite lucky and I want to be doing what I am doing.

I am not a health worker who is on the front lines and we follow the CDC guidelines so my risk is actually pretty small.

My wife is laid off and not collecting a paycheck, so this cramps our budget a bit. While this is an inconvenience, we will survive. We will pay our bills. Honestly, coming out the other side of this, we will be fine. We need the $1200 each payment about as much as the Kennedy Center and PBS need the pork that our "representatives" seem to think is important. She has volunteered to use her time as part of a group that will run groceries and supplies to people who are shut in either due to fear, risk or immobility.

Unfortunately, this is not the case for most of the folks in my small community. Businesses are closed. Bars and restaurants are offering carryout, but for obvious reasons, this ain't cutting it.

Being a largely self reliant community, most people's pantries are stocked and freezers are not empty and we are probably on the high end of that curve as well. I have said before, we likely could go close to 6 months without shopping and while this would make meals pretty boring, we certainly could easily do it.

I spoke with one of the restaurant owners who is offering takeout and asked them how it is going. She broke down in tears. One supper takeout the night before last and no lunches yesterday. They are going to keep at it for another week and then just close completely. They have already shut down the beer coolers and the ice machine and consolidated their supplies in one walk in freezer and one refrigerator. If there is no summer season, they will not be the only ones to close their doors and that is the direction things are going. This is a family business that has been carried on since 1947.

My wife and I ordered prime rib takeout last night. We don't generally go out to eat even in the best of times and it certainly was different to pick up the take out and bring it home to eat. It was delicious. I have often said that this gal, who is not only an owner but the cook, could make an old rubber boot taste good. This was no exception and it is likely the last time, perhaps ever.

There are invisible costs that will stagger the mind when this is over. And it will be over.
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Ynotjenn · F
Things are happening so fast here that I can’t wrap my brain around it all. Trying not to let anxiety ruin me. Living alone right now is scary - people are getting a little crazy around here.

My son is quarantined waiting for results. He has severe asthma and pretty much lost his shit when he woke up sick. He’s 22 with no health insurance. He went through a drive through testing site 3/24. No doctors office or urgent care would see him. And he was scared to go to ER due to our hospitals all having positive cases. I finally convinced someone to just call him in a Z-pac because he’s had pneumonia a couple of times before.

Still no results btw.

Most everyone I know has lost their jobs. And then as I told you earlier we had a huge tornado Saturday. 2 friends already having lost their jobs...lost absolutely everything they own.

Trying to stay positive...and remembering the good parts... 🤓

I’ve found some new bluffs and ruins around my house to explore. I talk to most members of my family daily now...for extended lengths. I’m refurbishing an old vanity that I didn’t have time for before. My pretty active social life has been reduced to FaceTime happy hours and Taco Tuesday’s via Facebook posts..which has been pretty fun. I’ve seen acts of kindness all around me. I have teddy bears and dinosaurs in my windows for the kids in our areas going on “bear hunts”.

These are strange times. I hope when we come out the other side that teachers and doctors and nurses and grocery store workers get more recognition than the Kardashians and NFL players.

There has to be some good come out of this.
goliathtree · 56-60, M
@Ynotjenn 😘🤗 I have only ever given you long distance kisses and hugs...so that has not changed. Take care of yourself. We will get through it.
QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M
@Ynotjenn Not having health insurance during this time just ups the already considerable pucker factor. This country is so fucking stupid about this shit.
Ynotjenn · F
@QuixoticSoul It’s insanity