Subj : Isolation Diary To : Nancy Backus From : Barry Martin Date : Fri May 15 2020 10:27:00 Hi Nancy! BM> Back from Hy-Vee: there was still a hand-written sign indicating a BM> limit of four beef/chicken/pork packages. Had heard a limit of two but BM> didn't see anything to indicate that and the first sign was overlooked BM> so assuming still four being the limit. Didn't need any -- enough in BM> the freezer for a while. NB> Was that four total (mix&match)...? or 4 of each kind...? The NB> latter would be quite generous... ;) So far there hasn't been Mix and match, so a total of four between beef, chicken and pork (2+1+1, 2+2+0, etc.). Latter option would be extremenly generious! NB> anything like the former here... Limit one or two on particular NB> kinds of beef or pork or chicken packages, but not an overall NB> limit on how much from the meat department that shopping trip... The only time I remember a limit based on items was for a sale. NB> I know there have been some issues at the meat processing plants, NB> so I guess there is the risk that people would be tempted to NB> hoard what's available now just in case there's not enough There are several meat packing plants in this region (none locally, though if you eat a Lunchable it may have been assembled and packed at the facility in west Davenport). If they have to closed down that causes a problem on both ends: no meat output, which is what we see at the stores, and the plants don't take an input so the farmers can't sell their cattle, hogs, etc. I'm not sure of the details but apparently the cow, etc., can't hang around too long as only so much room, so much feed, etc. Haven't heard of any slaughters so maybe the plants are re-opening in time. NB> later.... I generally pick up one or two packages of fresh meat a NB> week, occasionally more if there's more than just one of "special NB> today" items that catch my eye... those often land in the freezer NB> for later, so I generally have a stock there, too... so some NB> weeks I might not get any anyway... ;) More or less the same here. Both of us will scout for a what's on special if the freezer isn't crammed. And sometimes the one purchase lasts a while: I'm thinking of a ten-pack of chicken breasts: one each, so cook two; is up to five meals (sometimes hungrier so split another). NB>>> Each state's governor makes the determination based on what they see NB>>> as the prudent way to procede... Here the number of deaths from the NB>>> virus has kept the same rate for a number of days, so the rate has NB>>> flattened, but it's still over 300 per day, so Governor Cuomo has NB>>> been keeping restrictions in place... BM>> Here in Iowa 77 of the 99 counties have been allowed to start BM>> re-opening; Scott County (where I am) is not one of them. We also were BM>> very late to start having reported incidents of COVID-19, so assuming a BM>> constant in that aspect it would make sense we're not ready to re-open. NB>> It would make sense... and yours are also the more populated counties, NB>> IIRC....? If there are issues with re-opening the "quieter" counties, NB>> there would be less damage done and easier to retract there, too... BM> Yes on the higher population. And would make sense to 'test' the BM> re-openings on the lesser populated counties: less of a bad feeling to BM> open and then re-close or partially close Hank's Hause of Haut Dawgs BM> and Gas Station (their motto: eat here and get gas ) than the Bix BM> Bisto in Downtown Davenport. NB> Oh, I don't know... Hank's Hause might have a loyal and vocal NB> following too... ;) True: The Hank's Hause Tooters might make a lot of noise! NB> We are officially in phase one of reopening, NB> but it is mostly a gradual reopening of what had been deemed NB> non-essential businesses... regions that have met certain NB> criteria for testing and declining rates of NB> infection/admissions/deaths are being allowed into phase one... NB> NYC, Albany and that whole southeastern part of the state are NB> still closed down... as well as maybe some other regions... Similar here, though Illinois has five phases and Iowa -- I don't think we've gone the PowerPoint Presentation route. The barber shops/hair stylists, gyms, and another category wil be allowed to re-open tomorrow (Saturday, May 16th), though I'm not sure why here in Scott County as we were one of the 22 counties on the latter part of the curve. Social distancing, sanitizing, etc., to be observed. Interview with one of the hair salon owners indicated the current regulations aren't that much different from what was required before. NB> What is reopening in this phase is mostly manufacturing and NB> construction, with some "curbside" retail (stores that didn't NB> have within them essential business like groceries or NB> pharmacy).... they get to fully reopen in phase two.... NB> Restaurants and such don't even show up until phase three.... and NB> education is in phase four, the last one... I have no idea how NB> long each phase is likely to be.... I'm not sure when those categories will be re-opening here; have heard of preparations but not a date. BM>> Personally I'd just as soon wait a little longer than 'necessary' -- BM>> not too much longer but it seems prudent to maintain the social BM>> distancing, etc., a little longer to be on the safe side. NB>> Probably... I hear a lot of people around here that have been NB>> sufficiently scared by all this that they're in no hurry to go back NB>> to "life as usual".... Others of us are more willing to take a chance NB>> or two... ;) BM> Yes, I've also encountered the same: might be like-minded attracting BM> like-minded, but most people around here while anxious to have BM> re-openings and get on with things seem to realize the best thing is BM> just sit back and not rush into it. NB> I'm not sure when the personal restrictions here will be NB> released, mostly it seems to be that there will be more places NB> that one could go, as long as one follows the proper care, NB> etc.... :) Same here. As I mentioned in previous e-mail batches I haven't been to a place where a mask is required by the patrons; they are required at doctor's offices and hospitals but I haven't needed to go. As for going places, we don't do bars, the occasional restaurant (I recommend the consomme' as it goes easily through the mask!). Locally any public gathering we'd be interested in is currently closed; nothing has been said about the 4th of July.... Birthdays are coming up but that is always just family. BM>> I could see doing graduation ceremonies but only for seniors. IMO BM>> that is a milestone whereas graduating from elementary to (junior) high BM>> -- important yes but not a milestone. NB>> It is indeed a milestone.... Now, with the schools definitely closed NB>> to the end of the academic year, I heard our city mayor say that there NB>> might be an actual graduation ceremony held later in the year, maybe NB>> in August, so that the seniors would at least have that... BM> That would be nice. Had heard on the news one school (so maybe others BM> will pick up the idea) of a virtual graduation: the graduating seniors BM> will be walking across the stage to receive their diplomas, this part BM> with social distancing, and through the magic of video editing the BM> stage guests, audience applause, etc., will be created for the final BM> effect (I think on DVD). NB> That could be interesting... :) Around here, I'm seeing signs in NB> people's front yards honoring the 2020 graduate that lives NB> there... our next-door neighbor has one for her daughter... I NB> hadn't realized she was going to Wheatland-Chili HS (outer NB> suburbs from the city here) until the sign went up... :) We have a Wheatland not too far from here!! "Oddly" they're also a combined name: Calamus-Wheatland for the school system ....I have seen the support signs in news items but not recalling seeing any on my admittedly limited travels. Lots of roofing and siding signs from the hail damage. Haven't heard of what graduations plans are for the area high schools and colleges, BM>> As far as in general going back to school at the end of the school BM>> year, I agree with you and would say no. I think it would turn more BM>> into a party with the kids visiting each other. Even if they were BM>> virtually visiting there is something different about in-person. I BM>> think the teachers might 'party' too: even if only friends in the BM>> Teachers Lounge humans are social animals. To me it would seem better BM>> overall to finish up the school year continuing with on-line and then BM>> start the new year in-person. NB>> And that indeed ended up being the decision, state-wide here... :) BM> I'm fairly certain the same here in Iowa. Blackhawk College on the BM> Illinois side has started advertising Fall classes on-campus; don't BM> recall anything from Augustana nor Western Illinois University; this BM> side the various colleges and universities are getting ready to BM> re-open but also the consideration of having to remain closed or with a BM> limited in-person student body. NB> Haven't heard anything yet about our colleges here... A few are planning on definitely re-opening with in-person classes. Don't know if limiting such as every other seat or combined with web- casts. BM>> Then they were saying some of the new/quick test kits are inaccurate. BM>> They were also saying some of the old statistics were inaccurate BM>> because of things like the patient dying had COVID-19 but also had BM>> something else, so the death was attributed to COVID-19 when it should BM>> have been attributed to something else as the main cause of death and BM>> COVID-19 as a complication. NB>> True, I've heard that as well... some of the deaths were/are judgement NB>> calls as to the cause of death... that's been happening all along, of NB>> course, where the patient has various things wrong already... so I'll NB>> back down on them being truly hard numbers... just not as much of an NB>> estimate as the total infections is... ;) There has, though, been able NB>> to be more testing in the hospitals themselves, than in the general NB>> population... BM> Yes: has always been instances of compromised health and 'x' did them BM> in so that was the stated cause of death. NB> Death certificates do have spaces for other contributing factors NB> (such as stroke, diabetes, heart, etc), and usually those get NB> filled in too in such cases.... Agree, though some certificates didn't seem to be accurate or detailed. I'm more talking of the past and not current. NB>> When the restaurants finally re-open for sit-down, we'll likely NB>> cautiously return to more of our usual usage... especially with NB>> certain ones that tend to not have too many there at a time... We NB>> haven't been doing curbside or delivery, but have been doing takeout NB>> (go there, order and wait for it to be prepared) weekly (Sunday) at NB>> our favorite spot, and Friday at another one... BM> Here we don't eat out all that much so not a huge alteration. Plus BM> some of the dining experiences weren't all that great. I'm more the BM> one getting fidgety to eat out one way or another; I'm also the one who BM> ends up getting served the better of the meals even if both the same. NB> Not sure how that would work... Guess somehow the vibe gets NB> out that you are the one to please... ;) Maybe! NB> We both like getting NB> out to eat meals that I'd not likely be cooking here at home... NB> and have a fair list of good places that have good food and NB> reasonable prices, mostly various ethnic places.... :) Yes, also sufficient here just LIS "want to order something" "no..." and at some other time it's the 'complaint' of figuring out what to prepare, suggestion to eat out (now would be have delivered), and the some other time. Not that we're eating poorly or the same thing. BM>> I do need a haircut but not going to rush out when the shop opens: give BM>> them a chance to get into the new routine, plus they'll be swamped BM>> with other hairy customers. Another week or two of me getting to look BM>> more and more like Big Foot's little cousin isn't going to kill me. NB>> Besides, if you do start to get antsy about it, you could give NB>> yourself a quick trim... ;) Hair grows back, so is very forgiving... ;) BM> That is true, though as long as don't get carried away like one of the BM> guys did at the store: had short hair anyway and for some reason BM> either gave himself a haircut or had someone do it. Poor guy looked BM> like he had mange. NB> Sounds like maybe he'd done it then... ;) Bare electric clippers NB> can do a real hack job if one isn't careful... ;) Trimming with NB> a pair of scissors is a little safer... :) My guess is he did it himself with electric clippers as was larger sections, so a swoop of the clippers rather than a snip from scissors. AFAIK nobody asked details and that was the last time (though did take a while to grow back). BM> ... Life Advice: Never give yourself a haircut after three margaritas. NB> Probably not a good idea even after two... If the margarita is any good! ¯ ® ¯ Barry_Martin_3@ ® ¯ @Q.COM ® ¯ ® .... 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