# I just received an automated phone call from my county. **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 30, 2020, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693 "2020-03-30T20:40:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/1 "2020-03-30T20:40:27Z")
I’m in Montgomery County, PA, just outside of Philadelphia. The call said that in this county their are 500 confirmed cases and 6 deaths and that we should not leave our house except for life sustaining necessities. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/2 "2020-03-30T20:52:39Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I’m in Montgomery County, PA, just outside of Philadelphia. > > The call said that in this county their are 500 confirmed cases and 6 deaths and that we should not leave our house except for life sustaining necessities. Wow. I wonder how many people will consider Jack Daniels or toilet paper a life-sustaining necessity. Are you considered to be at higher risk because of the health crises you’ve gone through? ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/3 "2020-03-30T20:53:43Z")
Well, all the liquor stores in PA have been closed for 2 weeks. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/4 "2020-03-30T23:59:41Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Wow. I wonder how many people will consider Jack Daniels or toilet paper a life-sustaining necessity. > > Are you considered to be at higher risk because of the health crises you’ve gone through? No medical professional has told me that but I haven’t seen a doctor recently. I’m assuming that I am and I’m acting accordingly. Considering that I had pneumonia more than once during those months of recovery and considering my overall weakened state it’s probably a safe assumption. I’m locked in my apartment by myself and my brother is bringing me groceries and leaving them at the door. I’m more concerned about him than about myself. His job involves public safety so he has to go into work everyday. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/5 "2020-03-31T00:51:20Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Well, all the liquor stores in PA have been closed for 2 weeks. > > Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk I wonder why there’s so little consistency from state to state. They’re considered essential businesses in California, New York, Illinois, and here in Washington state. I read that Montana, where spirits are only sold at state liquor stores, is keeping its liquor stores open, yet PA isn’t. **davidm** , glad to hear you’re playing it safe. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/6 "2020-03-31T00:59:00Z")
I’m due to see my surgeon for his final look. I’m due to go to my diabetic clinic for a look-see. The diabetic nurse told me this morning to not leave my house unless I encounter an emergency. All appointments at the clinic were on hold for the foreseeable future. We will do it online. The surgeons office has cancelled after a online visit. So here I stay. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/7 "2020-03-31T01:24:12Z")
I have to say that if I had no toilet paper it might be an errand I would run. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/8 "2020-03-31T01:28:58Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Well, all the liquor stores in PA have been closed for 2 weeks. > > Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk Ohio has deemed liquor stores and gun stores to be essential businesses. A wise decision, IMO. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/9 "2020-03-31T01:38:16Z")
Scary. My county, Shelby in Tennessee reported 397 confirmed cases this morning. I am told they aren’t reporting deaths per county now, but there’s 13 for the state. I feel like it’s going to get much worse before it gets better. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/10 "2020-03-31T12:17:57Z")
I agree that liquor stores (and for that matter, pot shops, where legal) should be considered essential. My reasoning is this: People with addictions, or even a simple need for something to get through the day, will do whatever it takes to get their fix. And that could mean all manner of risky and illegal behavior. Which, in turn, would undermine the quarantine efforts. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/11 "2020-03-31T19:50:56Z")
Liquor stores (ABC Stores) are considered to be essential in North Carolina. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/12 "2020-03-31T20:49:36Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > The diabetic nurse told me this morning to not leave my house unless I encounter an emergency. I think it’s great that someone with diabetes still manages to have a career in nursing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/13 "2020-03-31T21:09:30Z")
I just got a text over the emergency system announcing that my county was extending stay-at-home orders until early May. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/14 "2020-03-31T23:34:39Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I just got a text over the emergency system announcing that my county was extending stay-at-home orders until early May. I just got one for all of South Carolina: > [@](#): > > NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES TO CLOSE. PLEASE STAY HOME. STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID19 [SCEMD.ORG](http://SCEMD.ORG) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/15 "2020-04-01T00:31:50Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I think it’s great that someone with diabetes still manages to have a career in nursing. > 😃 You so funny (:)) She actually does have diabetes. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/16 "2020-04-01T01:30:14Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > I agree that liquor stores (and for that matter, pot shops, where legal) should be considered essential. My reasoning is this: People with addictions, or even a simple need for something to get through the day, will do whatever it takes to get their fix. And that could mean all manner of risky and illegal behavior. Which, in turn, would undermine the quarantine efforts. In addition, cold turkey withdrawal from alcohol can be life-threatening. The Public Health PTB here in Georgia don’t want ERs over-run with detoxing alcoholics, while they’re trying to handle Covid-19 cases. So they’ve declared liquor stores essential businesses. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2020, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/17 "2020-04-01T02:16:13Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I’m in Montgomery County, PA, just outside of Philadelphia. > > The call said that in this county their are 500 confirmed cases and 6 deaths and that we should not leave our house except for life sustaining necessities. I got it, too. She sounded like she was trying hard to control her anger. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/18 "2020-04-01T02:26:06Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > … that we should not leave our house except for life sustaining necessities. Does food qualify? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/19 "2020-04-01T09:24:36Z")
2-month-old among 58 new COVID-19 cases reported in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. > **[2-month-old among 58 new COVID-19 cases reported in Montgomery County,...](https://6abc.com/how-many-people-have-died-from-coronavirus-to-prepare-for-symptoms-covid-19/6066451/)** > > Fifty-eight new cases of coronavirus were announced in Montgomery County with the latest patients ranging in age from 2-months- to 78-years-old. It sounds like I’m sitting in a hotspot. > [@](#): > > Fifty-eight new cases of coronavirus were announced Tuesday in Montgomery County with the latest patients ranging in age from 2-months- to 78-years-old. > > The new cases bring the county total to 564, the second-worst in the state of Pennsylvania. > > County officials also announce two new deaths, two men, both from Horsham Township, living in different households. Officials said both had underlying medical conditions. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693/20 "2020-04-01T11:36:54Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > People with addictions, or even a simple need for something to get through the day, will do whatever it takes to get their fix. And that could mean all manner of risky and illegal behavior. Which, in turn, would undermine the quarantine efforts. A great argument for addressing the high price of insulin. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-received-an-automated-phone-call-from-my-county/850693.md?page=2)