# How are you personally affected by the Corona Virus?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340>\
**Category:** The Quarantine Zone\
**Tags:** covid-quarantine\
**Created:** [March 12, 2020, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340 "2020-03-12T15:26:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 9

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/161 "2020-03-16T19:44:43Z")

</div>

> [@Mama\_Zappa](#):
>
> …
> 
> I may be driving to Vermont, either this weekend or the next, to help my daughter move to a new apartment. I’ll have to map out my route carefully to avoid any hot spots, and make sure I have food for the drive so I don’t have to stop at any restaurants. We normally take a westerly route to avoid NYC, but we may stay on I-81 much longer than we normally do (usually we bounce off of Albany one way or the other). Hopefully hotel rooms will be available en route (and in her town), or I"ll have to push the drive in a single day and stay on her air mattress :eek:

We’ve cancelled the trip to Vermont; Moon Unit will have to find local help. Luckily she doesn’t have all that much furniture to move, and it’s a short trip (2 blocks). She could probably draft the other tenants in the building to carry her bed and kitchen cart for her with the promise of pizza!

I’ve cancelled a dental visit for later this week - just didn’t seem worth it at this point.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ArtBeforeScience](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@ArtBeforeScience](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArtBeforeScience)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/162 "2020-03-16T19:59:46Z")

</div>

I live in Oakland, CA and work in Bay Area. Everyone in tech is now being told to stay home. It’s like if you leave your house to do anything you’re a bad bad citizen. I was still going out, with some caution but now all eateries are closed by order of CA Governor Newsom. In my personal life I see a few people who are my mutual aid network, since I live by myself. My neighbors in apt building we’re checking in by text but politely avoiding one another. I can still drive to a park I guess.

An atmosphere of civility with an undercurrent of fear. If you sneeze in public or even clear your throat, you will get stinkeye.

Local yoga studio continued to hold classes till today, we had to bring our own props, it was a nice big studio. Now they’ve moved to online classes and frankly I ain’t feelin’ it. I really needed a little bit of face to face for normalcy and now that’s gone.

Groceries still open, stockouts on eggs. I can still find other food. Got extra split peas and such to cook at home. Not stockpiling thousands of cans of chili yet.

The 30-50 homeless people camped outside my building, with their dogs, their RVs, their tents are still there. Oakland is doing exactly the same for them now as before, which is nothing. I live in a light-industrial area and there’s still some activity.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/163 "2020-03-16T20:19:27Z")

</div>

> [@kayaker](#):
>
> No cases yet as far as I know in western Pennsylvania. When I talk to friends, pretty much all we talk about is the virus and how dificult it is not to touch your face.

You may touch your face if you desinfect your hands first. You should not touch anything else between the desinfection and the face touching, that I find is the hard part.  
It is affecting me big time. We (wife & me) stay at home in Berlin (Germany) most of the time, only go out for restocking food. We wanted to move to a new appartment in April, that is probably not going to be possible, so we will be paying two rents for some time. Work is cancelled, but the contractors will pay our fees for the next two months as they are contractually bound to. No new contracts are being offered, same with all the colleagues I have spoken to. Complete shut down of the interpreter’s market: no conferences at all except at the highes political level, and those are being done by staff (public servants). What happens after two months is everyone’s guess: it may end being very expensive (two rents) and no income. We have many unread books, a well filled freezer and some beer, whisky, chocolate and champagne. I want to draw some cartoons (if I don’t get to do it now, when?). We have a new Netflix subscription, we had been off for six months. We try to be philosophical about it, let’s see how long before we get on each other’s nerves.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FrenchDunadan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frenchdunadan/32/5449_2.png) [@FrenchDunadan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrenchDunadan)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/164 "2020-03-16T20:50:20Z")

</div>

France here. All schools, universities and such are closed. Continuity of teaching is assured by internet. All bars, matchs, concerts and public events are canceled. Home containement is in effect for at least 3 weeks, the 2nd turn of local elections is reported. We are expecting a curfew in the following days, with all moves other than for getting food will be forbidden.  
People are hoarding food, oil (and TP) in supermarkets. We seems on the brinks of a breakdown, that is worse than the Gulf war in "90, the aftermath of the Bataclan, or the SRAS.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/165 "2020-03-16T21:12:06Z")

</div>

> [@FrenchDunadan](#):
>
> France here. All schools, universities and such are closed. Continuity of teaching is assured by internet. All bars, matchs, concerts and public events are canceled. Home containement is in effect for at least 3 weeks, the 2nd turn of local elections is reported. We are expecting a curfew in the following days, with all moves other than for getting food will be forbidden.  
> People are hoarding food, oil (and TP) in supermarkets. We seems on the brinks of a breakdown, that is worse than the Gulf war in "90, the aftermath of the Bataclan, or the SRAS.

_Merci_ for the report from France – and a belated welcome to the Dope!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/166 "2020-03-16T21:23:32Z")

</div>

> [@FrenchDunadan](#):
>
> France here. All schools, universities and such are closed. Continuity of teaching is assured by internet. All bars, matchs, concerts and public events are canceled. Home containement is in effect for at least 3 weeks, the 2nd turn of local elections is reported. We are expecting a curfew in the following days, with all moves other than for getting food will be forbidden.  
> People are hoarding food, oil (and TP) in supermarkets. We seems on the brinks of a breakdown, that is worse than the Gulf war in "90, the aftermath of the Bataclan, or the SRAS.

welcome! I am hoping we can all interact humanely here.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/167 "2020-03-16T21:28:55Z")

</div>

> [@GESancMan](#):
>
> Here’s a fun little update…
> 
> My daughter is also ADHD. She takes Vyvanse, which is a controlled substance. She’s covered by the state due to her disability. They will only supply one month at a time; her therapist either transmits a prescription to Kaiser as needed, or writes out a paper prescription that we must take to the pharmacy. The closest Kaiser pharmacy happens to be at a hospital, about five minutes away.
> 
> Well, a month ago, when the therapist did the electronic submission, she also gave us a paper prescription because she would be on vacation the next time we need the meds (which is now). Earlier today my wife called our usual pharmacy and explained the situation, stated that obviously we are not going to go to a hospital, so how can they help us out? Can we mail, or fax, or scan-and-email the prescription?
> 
> They wouldn’t budge. If we want my daughter’s medicine, we have to take the paper prescription to their pharmacy to have it filled. My wife actually asked the rep “are you off your rocker?!”
> 
> If we can’t get the medicine, it’s not like my daughter is going out into the world for the next few weeks, so it’s not a huge deal. But I’m wondering… there’s a Kaiser family practice office about 15 minutes away, which has a pharmacy. And the pharmacy is completely detached from the main practice. Would it be any safer to go there? Or should we just ride out my daughter’s nuttiness due to lack of meds? 😛

Wife called the therapist’s office this morning. It turns out the therapist wasn’t able to go on her trip, and is “vacationing at home.” She’s answering calls and emails, so she’s gonna send Kaiser a prescription electronically. So we’ll be able to order the drugs online and have them mailed.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/168 "2020-03-16T21:29:25Z")

</div>

As I noted upthread, I head out to dialysis three times a week. We’re required to wear face masks at all times, even in the lobby. I’ve started wearing a mask riding in the wheelchair van, too. Not to protect myself, I know a mask can’t stop the virus. But mainly to reassure other riders. I’m not sick, but I do cough from time to time to clear my throat, and of course, I sneeze too. And since I have to wear a mask at the dialysis clinic anyway, I might as well go all out.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/169 "2020-03-16T22:00:39Z")

</div>

Good news, **GESancMan.**

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/170 "2020-03-16T22:07:36Z")

</div>

My employer is about to shut down. For how long, I don’t know. It’s a largish law firm in San Jose, and it has never shut down in its forty year history. We’re still waiting to get the official word from management.

My husband works from home, so if I’m home too and cooped up for several days or weeks, things are going to get snappish.

I bet domestic donnybrooks are going to go through the roof in the affected areas.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/171 "2020-03-16T22:11:05Z")

</div>

> [@teela\_brown](#):
>
> …  
> I bet domestic donnybrooks are going to go through the roof in the affected areas.

That and/or lead to a baby boom down the road. 😉

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/172 "2020-03-16T22:14:19Z")

</div>

My oncology appointment has been deferred, as I expected it would since others have an active need and I’m farther out and need a routine exam.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/173 "2020-03-16T22:25:56Z")

</div>

> [@susan](#):
>
> My oncology appointment has been deferred, as I expected it would since others have an active need and I’m farther out and need a routine exam.

Mine, too. I also called to reschedule my mammogram, which would have been next we, and they were rescheduling all of them to June.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/174 "2020-03-16T22:26:26Z")

</div>

> [@teela\_brown](#):
>
> My employer is about to shut down. For how long, I don’t know. It’s a largish law firm in San Jose, and it has never shut down in its forty year history. We’re still waiting to get the official word from management.
> 
> My husband works from home, so if I’m home too and cooped up for several days or weeks, things are going to get snappish.
> 
> I bet domestic donnybrooks are going to go through the roof in the affected areas.

Weed is legal in California. Just sayin’.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/175 "2020-03-16T22:38:34Z")

</div>

[Inslee to order all bars/restaurants to close to fight virus](https://www.bellinghamherald.com/latest-news/article241214756.html)

> [@](#):
>
> Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Sunday night that he would order all bars, restaurants, entertainment and recreation facilities to temporarily close to fight the spread of COVID-19 in the state with by far the most deaths in the U.S. from the disease.

We usually go out to eat once a week. I told Mrs. L.A. that if we want margaritas, we’ll have to go out tonight. ☹

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/176 "2020-03-16T22:47:26Z")

</div>

No margaritas for us. The restaurant is only open for take-out. ☹

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/177 "2020-03-17T00:40:08Z")

</div>

Not a huge deal but California has suspended preventative dental care (cleaning and x-rays) for at least two weeks. Emergency dental care is still allowed. I happened to have an cleaning appointment on Thursday that has been re-scheduled.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/178 "2020-03-17T00:47:37Z")

</div>

> [@Spud](#):
>
> How are you personally affected by the Corona Virus?

Well, I’ve lost every bit of work that I had lined up for at least the next 6 months.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/179 "2020-03-17T00:59:18Z")

</div>

Finally! My dental appointment (to check the progress of my invisalign treatment) which was scheduled for 17 February is now on for 18 March. Yep, a month and a day later. I’m wondering if I’ll have to stay outside the building until it’s my turn like barbershop customers have to now.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340/180 "2020-03-17T02:14:55Z")

</div>

> [@pullin](#):
>
> Youngest still in university, and their classes are all remote starting in 2 weeks (next week is Spring Break). Still lots of confusion on exactly how the classes will be broadcast, whether Skype, or some app provided by the school. The profs haven’t had much time to figure this out, so it will be a confused mess for a while.

Adobe is allowing schools to use the Adobe Connect program [for free for 90 days instead of 7 days](https://blogs.adobe.com/adobeconnect/2020/03/adobe-connect-extending-support-in-the-wake-of-covid-19.html). It’s set up as a trial, so the IT admins at the school would have to remember to cancel the trial on the 90[SUP]th[/SUP] day. Connect is an online conferencing software, there’s audio and screen sharing capabilities. WebEx, Zoom, Google, and Microsoft are also providing [similar trial/limited time free use programs](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/05/investing/zoom-video-coronavirus-conference-calls/index.html). I hope the information helps.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340.md?page=8)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-personally-affected-by-the-corona-virus/849340.md?page=10)
