Subj : Isolation Diary To : Mike Powell From : Barry Martin Date : Mon Mar 30 2020 07:42:00 Hi Mike! This morning they announced on the news the social distancing would probably be extended until April 30th. ...I wonder how long my haircut will last? (I don't know if the shop is open or not: when I drove by last week there was one car in the parking lot but it is shared by several small businesses.) > The child gets to 'play office' like the parent does, and yes, seeing on > screen (videoconferencing) is a nice substitute for not being able to be > in-person. MP> I thought so! I don't know if it's due to more videoconferencing, streaming movies on-line, etc., but it seems 'the Internet' has been slightly sluggish, especially in the evening. I odn't have the fastest service so maybe why I notice. Have rebooted the gateway and the computer: no change. > On the local news they said the road traffic in Iowa is down close to > 50%, though the speeders are down only 21% -- they figure those drivers > see open road and take advantage. MP> I have not been pulled over, but I will have to admit the MP> temptation has been pretty great on the few times I have been out MP> (and actually not encountered traffic!). I could see where with no traffic it would be tempting! Don't do it!! Law enforcement is still around, tons of cameras. And if those don't get you with my luck a tire would blow and or a deer cross the highway. > Going to get even more lonely out on the roads: effective two nights ago > the Governor has ordered closure of 'non-essential retail'; grocery > stores, pharmacies, etc., can remain open. ...I was at the grocery > store last Thursday morning and people were friendly albeit observing > the solcial distancing. Was rather nice for a change as in the past > some have been rather grumpy due to the store being remodeled and > everything is being moved around to accomodate the construction, new > cases, etc. MP> Our governor has done that also. Unfortunately, not everyone in MP> our stores is observing the social distancing. In particular, MP> the people who work there, and those in one of the vulnerable MP> populations (the elderly). I had one look at me and walk right MP> at me. Since I am more of a danger to him I probably should have MP> held my ground but I moved on. :) I noticed that, like children, MP> they do not only not distance but they also like to touch MP> everything. I went to Dollar General last week to buy some Easter and birthday cards, etc. Never too crowded and people were observing the distancing reasonably well considering sometimes not able to see around corners with tall shelves. At the grocery store across the street also seemed to be reasonably spaced. Traffic down some which helped. They did put up 'sneeze guards' at the checkouts. And since you mentioned it I did not notice any children at either stop. As for your elderly guy coming at you - odd! Apparently you either looked familiar or friendly. Or he was Mr. Magoo and didn't see you. MP> With what is going around, that does not bode well for them. :( Well we have the Darwin Awards, do we now hve the COVID Awards?! ¯ ® ¯ Barry_Martin_3@ ® ¯ @Q.COM ® ¯ ® .... Warning! Premises protected by a false sense of security! --- MultiMail/Win32 v0.47 þ wcECHO 4.2 ÷ ILink: The Safe BBS þ Bettendorf, IA --- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462 * Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com | 856-933-7096 (454:1/1) .