Taste Like Chicken Friday 3/13

Kathy, have you been seeing the notifications on Club Publix? Wonder if they are finally starting a loyalty program. I signed up but haven't figure out what it's all about yet. You're right that blame gets us nowhere regarding the virus. Great for your DS doing a Cross-Fit type program. I wish I had had something like that when I was in my 20s. I can see why she is balking at taking a hiatus with it being a small group activity. It's exercise, but it's also a good social outlet. And, if it's a small enough group, people dropping out might compromise the ability of the group to continue doing what they enjoy doing. But, as the experts keep telling us, life as we know it has to change to get us through this crisis. Are DS and DBIL working remotely right now? Is DN now taking online classes? There definitely are some classes that cannot be done totally online, like nursing and medicine. This is the time they could use the extra hands, but also it would be more dangerous for the students. Look at how many healthcare workers around the world have died from this--including the doc in Wuhan who was the original discoverer.

I heard Ohio closed the schools, Chele. How many people will actually keep their kids (and themselves) home? At least the stock market seems to be doing a little better today. But Trump is giving an address later on, so we'll see if that holds. Maybe he should keep his mouth shut to keep things from getting worse. I've chased starlings away from the feeder 2 or 3 times today so far. I have noticed that when the cardinals are there, the other birds will show up. But if the starlings are there, nobody else is even on the deck, so the songbirds don't like them any more than I do.

Becky, how are you doing today? Did you get some sleep last night? How are you getting around and is Scooter behaving herself and not putting you in danger? Do I remember that you are on Humana now? I got an email yesterday from the NC Health Plan that we are going from UHC to Humana beginning January 1. If I'm right about your coverage, what do you think so far? Dale thinks it will be a better plan. If we still have it when he turns 65, apparently I can get him supplemental coverage for free through Humana where UHC costs $112 a month.

I hope you will have a quiet weekend, Liz. I imagine you will have errands tomorrow and I hope things won't be crowded so you don't have to come into contact with a bunch of people, since there is so much virus in Westchester County. Have you seen a decrease in traffic on your commute? I wonder if closing Broadway shows will decrease the number of tourists. I'm guessing a lot of the touristy things are closed there now.

Linda, has your rain moved off? Are you seeing less traffic with the baseball season on hold for now? How is Bob feeling? When does he go back to the doc? 

TN has doubled the number of positive cases since yesterday and we have our first case in Knoxville, and it was related to travel. No community transmission cases yet, but it's only a matter of time. Dollywood is set to open tomorrow, but I wonder how long it will stay open. The knee seems to be resolving and I did 30 minutes on the rowing machine this morning, did some free weight exercises, and a little stretching and yoga. Dale decided not to take a chance so he won't be going to VA for the marathon tomorrow. He did email the race director to see if it might be canceled, but no response. So he decided it wasn't worth the risk, with staying in a motel for 2 nights and being in contact with a large group of people. It was totally his decision, but I think it was the right one. I need to spend this afternoon working on agendas for the meetings on Monday evening. I wonder how many people will show up. We have no restrictions on gatherings here yet, so we'll put up extra chairs so people can spread out if they so choose.

Good Afternoon Chicks and thanks for the start Karen.

What a week! Still fighting to get PPE and other supplies that are in short supply almost everywhere.  We're finally able to test here at the hospital so it is a better system all the way around for us.  Extra beds and combining units where possible to provide additional care is coming soon.  

Chele - how are things going with you and Iggy?  I had also heard about the school closings there.  We have had quite a few school closings in NY and the colleges and secondary schools are all ramping up online learning modules.  We had our first webex leadership town hall this morning and that was actually a nice change of pace.  

Linda - I've also been told that the grocery stores are now showing signs of barren shelves of pasta, rice, canned goods and water.  I haven't been to the grocery this week yet as I do my food shopping normally Sun. mornings.  Heaven only knows what I will find now.  We're into conserving PPE due to the immense demand from all other healthcare facilities and practices.  It's 70 degrees this afternoon in NYC which I'm sure is making many happy.  I need to make an appt. with the physiatrist for another shot probably for both knees.  How's the patient doing?

Becky - hope you're healing well and comfortably at home now.  Sending good karma and prayers your way!

Kathy - what's new in your area?  We continue to see pretty substantial increases in confirmed cases but of course the media never tells you about how many recoveries are also happening.  DSIL texted DH and I this morning about making plans at her job because of the virus and also especially for DMIL.  How's the weather been?  Have they closed Disney World and the other associated parks?

Karen - sounds like Dale made a good decision about the marathon tomorrow.  I'm glad that the knee seems to be resolving itself but also know it only takes a little tweak to send it back to being cranky.  I'm happy to know you're able to work out at home and not have to worry about the gym.  Did you get all your agendas done for the MG meetings?  We have stopped all large group meetings and are doing webinars and conference calls whenever possible.  I'm sure Broadway being shut down and the cessation of the sports activities will affect tourism but I don't think anyone is chomping at the bit to be in NYC right now.  Westchester continues to be under containment.  The train, subway and bus have all had lighter than usual commuters this week; not really too surprising with all that is going on.  

I hope you all have a safe and nice evening.  I have some things to try to wrap up and then I'd like to get out of here.  Be well dear ladies~  Ciao for now!

Karen, glad to hear the knee is better and you and Dale are taking precautions. I like the chairs farther apart idea. The governor said he thinks there are 100,000 cases of coronavirus in Ohio. We just don’t know it. Way to scare the public, Mike. Gatherings of over 100 people are not allowed. I saw some churches are closing even for services. Guess it will be online services or TV services. I saw no signs of people staying home today. Just the opposite. I hate starlings as well and you have to be aggressive to scare them away.

Becky, I hope you are not in too much pain and Scooter is being a good girl. How is Kenneth doing? 

Linda, you sure are getting your fair share of rain lately. I hope the shot gives you relief soon. Laughing at Bob counting the TP. I heard that streaming of the movie, Contagion, is at an all time high. Way to scare yourself.

Liz, I am glad you had a Webex instead of in person meeting, but it is hard to avoid people on your commute and in the hospital. Does Gary work at a senior living facility or am I crazy? If he does, how are they all doing? I hope DMIL and DSM are doing well. Have you heard from DN in med school? How are they doing on the island? My nephews in Japan and Jordan are both well and staying put. My DB and DSIL are fine and making jokes as usual. My DSIL’s DB says he isn’t going to panic until the breweries close. Iggy was sent home early today to see if remote access works and he could not get into the system from home. Guess they have some work to do.

Kathy, I read this morning that Disney closed Orlando, California and Paris parks. All the little spring breakers will be crying their eyes out. I am sure lots of little ones have been excited for awhile to see Mickey and will now be disappointed. Your DS must be really in shape to do Cross Fit. It looks ridiculously hard. It it is a small group maybe the risk is small as well. I was thinking the same thing about the groceries. I saw some things on Twitter about social distancing. Introverts are tweeting that they have been training for social distancing all their lives and they are finally the cool kids. 😁

The schools are closed and panic buying has set in. The people who live south (more affluent) are coming up here in the north because they have already decimated their own stores. I went to Meijer and there are no wipes, no TP, but plenty of tissues. Okay, if you are sick you need tissues. Anyway, there was hardly any bleach or laundry detergent. The canned veggies, beans and fruit were almost gone. I didn't check the pasta aisle. There seemed to be enough frozen veggies and fresh produce. Strangely, all the fresh cilantro was gone. Fresh guac, anyone? There was more traffic in the burb for the 9am-11am time slot then I have ever seen. Kroger, Aldi, GFS parking lots were full. The gourmet grocery store south of town is passing out exam gloves that you must put on before entering the store. The world has gone mad. 

Take care, Chicksters.