Coronavirus

[Swift]

As an aside, I'm sure this period will make hypochondriacs of us all. I've woken up twice in the past week with a bit of a headache that probably happened because of too much wine the night before, and in both cases I'm wondering if it's the virus or not. Then the fact that I blow my nose once in the morning seals the deal.

That's certainly true for me.

[SciFiFisher]

I noticed another positive thing about Coronavirus. My spam mail has dropped way down. Apparently even spammers are slowed down by the virus.

[SciFiFisher]

The Senate passed a 2.1 trillion dollar emergency package. The House says they should have it passed and sent to Trump for signing by Friday. The sausage is almost made.

[Rommie]

I had decided before we were on full-on quarantine to institute a nightly after dinner walk. (School wasn't cancelled yet, we weren't sent to work from home.) I'd heard on a parenting podcast about one family that does that every night--no matter what--and has for years. I'd always wanted to try it. This has provided good motivation! I go no matter what, I'm not forcing the kids as of now but hoping they eventually make it a habit with me. An acceptable alternative is an after dinner bike ride now that it's still light enough!

I don't think we did it every night, but one of my favorite memories from when I was a kid was when we would go up and down our cul-de-sac, which we certainly did more than once week when the weather was good. It felt like a long way when I was a kid (though us kids rarely walked, we'd be on some random bike or whatever wheeled contraption), and I learned how to ride my bike from those walks, and know every detail, and my parents would often pause to chat with neighbors.

So yeah, I approve of your plan.

My fun discovery on yesterday's walk is there is a private road near me called "Lighthouse Lane." Never bothered to walk down it, but did yesterday... and I'll be darned, towards the end of the road someone built a cottage that has a two story little lighthouse randomly in the woods. Guess I now know why it's called that!

Anyway, we did our weekly grocery shop today. We have two stores near here- a smaller/ more expensive one a ten minute drive away, and a bigger chain one 20min away. We opted to go to the chain one for more selection, but afterwards agreed we are just going to stick to the smaller expensive one. It wasn't crowded so much as no one seemed to care at all about even trying to keep six feet apart, whereas last week we didn't have trouble at all at the smaller store with a similar number of people.

[geonuc]

Some positive things that Corona virus has done:

1. My daily commute is less frustrating
2. L.A. can see the skyline for the first time in decades
3. People are offering to help each other
4. Pollution is down all over the world
5. I am saving money
6. I have a real excuse for avoiding those awkward family get togethers
7. I have more job security than ever (being a nurse does that)
8. It may have slowed down global warming by a little
9. Congress has actually had major bipartisan action in the last week or two
10. Rand Paul has the virus. OK, maybe that's not positive but it sure is ironic as hell.

With #1 and #7, what exactly are you doing, if you don't mind my asking? You're supposed to be retired!

(you can answer in the Back Room if you prefer. Or not at all. )

[Loresinger]

Hi guys as always late to the party. Paul is laid up at a rehab center after breaking his knee. I and two of my housemates are laid off. The third is a teacher on salary, and the fourth is working from home.

We celbrated scoring 12 rolls of TP (with all these adult buts it's not hording to get ONE bundle). Thankfully before this I had been making single serves for Paul that filled the freezer. We are eating them now and I am dropping some to the center. I can't see him but I can give him a taste of home.

I am trying to ramp up my telecommuting jobs.. we shall see. Also struggling with the fact that we had to install a new sump pump and sewer line during all this. Thank goodness my sister bailed me out. I hated saying yes, but I really didn't have a choice.

So we still have to get carpeting and walls replaced... a delicate procedure in these times. Then reorganizing and doing whatever possible to keep folks at home happy.. ok maybe that's not the best word but

[lady_*nix]

Aye, hang in there Loresinger <3

[Sigma_Orionis]

Good Luck Loresinger

[SciFiFisher]

Some positive things that Corona virus has done:

1. My daily commute is less frustrating
2. L.A. can see the skyline for the first time in decades
3. People are offering to help each other
4. Pollution is down all over the world
5. I am saving money
6. I have a real excuse for avoiding those awkward family get togethers
7. I have more job security than ever (being a nurse does that)
8. It may have slowed down global warming by a little
9. Congress has actually had major bipartisan action in the last week or two
10. Rand Paul has the virus. OK, maybe that's not positive but it sure is ironic as hell.

With #1 and #7, what exactly are you doing, if you don't mind my asking? You're supposed to be retired!

(you can answer in the Back Room if you prefer. Or not at all. )

#1: I work for the VA. My normal commute is about 15-20 minutes. Since CV 19 started really ramping up my commute is often 10 minutes. People I talk to whose commute is usually 1.5 hours are now doing it in 45 minutes.
#7: I am a Registered Nurse. I work for the VA Caregiver Support Program. My job is very similar to case management but I focus on providing or helping caregivers of veterans find resources, support, and assistance. A lot of what I do is educate and inform people about what is available.

I know I am "retired". But, that was from the Army. Specifically, the U.S. Army Reserves. I retired in December 2017 after 40Y 10M 17D. Retired LTC pay isn't quite enough to support a wife, a boy, and two Pomeranian dogs without significant sacrifices such as eating the boy or the dogs. Due to certain advantages being ex-military gives me I am working for the VA to build an additional retirement package from the Federal Government. And because the monthly VA paycheck compliments my army retirement check quite nicely.

[SciFiFisher]

Interesting news this last week. The Army sent out a mass email to former healthcare personnel asking if they were interested in volunteering to come back temporarily to help with Coronavirus. And Trump signed an executive order or a bill ( I am not sure which) authorizing the DOD to recall people.

Also, all those unused convention centers and sports arenas make excellent hospitals according to the Corp of Engineers.

[geonuc]

#1: I work for the VA. My normal commute is about 15-20 minutes. Since CV 19 started really ramping up my commute is often 10 minutes. People I talk to whose commute is usually 1.5 hours are now doing it in 45 minutes.
#7: I am a Registered Nurse. I work for the VA Caregiver Support Program. My job is very similar to case management but I focus on providing or helping caregivers of veterans find resources, support, and assistance. A lot of what I do is educate and inform people about what is available.

I know I am "retired". But, that was from the Army. Specifically, the U.S. Army Reserves. I retired in December 2017 after 40Y 10M 17D. Retired LTC pay isn't quite enough to support a wife, a boy, and two Pomeranian dogs without significant sacrifices such as eating the boy or the dogs. Due to certain advantages being ex-military gives me I am working for the VA to build an additional retirement package from the Federal Government. And because the monthly VA paycheck compliments my army retirement check quite nicely.

Full time?

Note, pomegranates aren't all that meaty, so I can see having to supplement your income. The boy, however, you can probably fatten up.

[SciFiFisher]

#1: I work for the VA. My normal commute is about 15-20 minutes. Since CV 19 started really ramping up my commute is often 10 minutes. People I talk to whose commute is usually 1.5 hours are now doing it in 45 minutes.
#7: I am a Registered Nurse. I work for the VA Caregiver Support Program. My job is very similar to case management but I focus on providing or helping caregivers of veterans find resources, support, and assistance. A lot of what I do is educate and inform people about what is available.

I know I am "retired". But, that was from the Army. Specifically, the U.S. Army Reserves. I retired in December 2017 after 40Y 10M 17D. Retired LTC pay isn't quite enough to support a wife, a boy, and two Pomeranian dogs without significant sacrifices such as eating the boy or the dogs. Due to certain advantages being ex-military gives me I am working for the VA to build an additional retirement package from the Federal Government. And because the monthly VA paycheck compliments my army retirement check quite nicely.

Full time?

Note, pomegranates aren't all that meaty, so I can see having to supplement your income. The boy, however, you can probably fatten up.

Yes, Full time. Trying to fatten up the boy but he burns it off as fast as we feed him.

[Rommie]

Oh, so sorry to read everything, Loresinger. That sounds so hard.

Interesting news this last week. The Army sent out a mass email to former healthcare personnel asking if they were interested in volunteering to come back temporarily to help with Coronavirus. And Trump signed an executive order or a bill ( I am not sure which) authorizing the DOD to recall people.

Also, all those unused convention centers and sports arenas make excellent hospitals according to the Corp of Engineers.

In Massachusetts they've also told all med students in their final year that they can now graduate early so long as they start working right away. What a time to be in the medical field for you and everyone else.

I saw yesterday btw that they've built a temporary emergency field hospital in Central Park, basically across the street from the main hospital there. I guess there are all sorts of things that make you realize something is historic in nature, but that one stuck out in my mind. Perhaps because it's one of those trivia things in tourist guides decades from now, but right now is very real and shows the sheer scale of the problem.

[lady_*nix]

GE workers want to help. Like, badly enough that they're going on strike over it.

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/y3mj ... entilators

GE managers? Remains to be seen.

[pumpkinpi]

Eventually, at least one of these things are bound to happen:
--one or more of us (me, MrPi, Rooster, and Buster) will get sick
--MrPi and/or I will lose our jobs
--my mom will get really sick due to the coronovirus, cancer, or both, and I won't be able to go see her.

But for now, we're all ok. So I'm going to save any grief or sadness about this until I really need it.

[geonuc]

That's a good plan.

My wife and I are fortunate not to need to work so we have no worries there. We have made preparations in case one of us gets sick: home isolation plan even though it probably won't keep the other from coming down with the virus; discussion of essential needs such as passwords to accounts etc.; what help we can offer to our families, although none live anywhere near us.

We're hanging in there. Frankly, my chief immediate worry is my sick cat.

[SciFiFisher]

Interesting dynamics playing out in my work place. Every person who works at the VA has been declared essential personnel. Our leadership here in Sacramento has been especially reluctant to allow teleworking in the past. Now, that Coronavirus has hit you would think that they would be rushing to let as many people as possible telework. Nope! They are resisting expanding telework for anyone.

Today two of my coworkers were voluntold they had to report to the main hospital to be cross trained in case they were needed to help out. Our worksite is about 17 miles from the main hospital. Apparently, a lot of people have been calling in sick. We have been notified that the main hospital has reported at least 10 veterans and 1 employee who have tested positive for Coronavirus. Both of them asked if they could participate in the cross training by skype. They were told that was not an option. Both of them refused to go to the hospital and risk exposure to the virus.

I will update you later this week if my program has two less employees.

[lady_*nix]

Wow. That seems... extremely shortsighted and dangerous? Especially seeing how medical institutions need to keep their personal uninfected to be able to deliver care?

Best of luck, Fisher.

[code monkey]

I've telecommuted for many years and i find the resistance to it baffling but widespread. there's the feeling that the telecommuter is getting away with … something. that it just isn't fair. that since the telecommuter isn't seen he/she isn't working. that there's something magical about being in the workplace. and I've been told that i'm so lucky to be able to do this. yes, i am. my work does not require that i be in direct physical contact with anyone. i have a minimal commute(across the hall and down a room.) and yes, i can work in my pajamas. however, it *is* work and i *am* working. the quality and quantity of my output is there to be reviewed and, i assure you, that arrangement would have been ended swiftly if they were not good.

[Rommie]

I feel people who think you can't work from home effectively are also the ones who don't believe people who are atheists can behave morally- it reflects more on them than on the other person. I also read that right now no one is really "working from home" so much as "trying to get some work done despite an emergency," and do kind of like the distinction.

[pumpkinpi]

I feel people who think you can't work from home effectively are also the ones who don't believe people who are atheists can behave morally- it reflects more on them than on the other person. I also read that right now no one is really "working from home" so much as "trying to get some work done despite an emergency," and do kind of like the distinction.

This. I'm 2.5 weeks in and I've accomplished nothing. Except figuring zoom meetings and having them all day long and checking in with my reports to make sure they have work to do and getting support from my supervisor. And throw in making sure the kids get their 2-3 hours worth of online assignments done, and making sure they stay engaged the rest of the day, then no, I haven't had any good blocks of time to get any work done.

[Sigma_Orionis]

I personally prefer to be at the office because my internet access is unreliable. However. we're not only on a government mandated lockdown (from March 13 up till April 13 subject to extensions). Gasoline is hard to find and upper management has made it clear that they don't want anyone at the office. So, I'm at the third week of my quarantine. I am only going out for groceries and my sister pesters me if I go out more than once a week.

[Swift]

Interesting dynamics playing out in my work place. Every person who works at the VA has been declared essential personnel. Our leadership here in Sacramento has been especially reluctant to allow teleworking in the past. Now, that Coronavirus has hit you would think that they would be rushing to let as many people as possible telework. Nope! They are resisting expanding telework for anyone.

Today two of my coworkers were voluntold they had to report to the main hospital to be cross trained in case they were needed to help out. Our worksite is about 17 miles from the main hospital. Apparently, a lot of people have been calling in sick. We have been notified that the main hospital has reported at least 10 veterans and 1 employee who have tested positive for Coronavirus. Both of them asked if they could participate in the cross training by skype. They were told that was not an option. Both of them refused to go to the hospital and risk exposure to the virus.

I will update you later this week if my program has two less employees.

That stinks. I hope you can manage to stay safe.

My corporation has been very slowly moving to telecommuting over the years. When they first started allowing it, you had to submit a formal proposal to HR, schedule specific days you would telecommute and others you'd be in the office, etc. More recently (but BV - Before Virus) our local office has gotten more casual, and has allowed the occasional working from home days, as long as you worked it out with your boss.

But AV (After Virus) they have jumped in with two feet. They even started allowing it and suggesting it before the state mandated it.

I have traditionally not liked it. I like the human interactions, I don't like talking on the phone, and found my productivity was very poor at home (too easily distracted). But I've grown to neutral or even slightly positive about it. I follow a fairly tight schedule, my breaks during the day are no worse or longer than I ever did shooting the breeze around the coffee pot at work. I've been pretty productive and I'm now into my fourth week of it.

[SciFiFisher]

I suspect that a lot more people will be teleworking permanently AV.

Interesting news stories about people being nicer online and offline since the virus started.

[Rommie]

Got an email from my PhD promoter in Leiden today saying I was asked if I'd consider a remote defense over deferring to September. I said yes, let's do virtual, but said the department should consider a celebration for all the virtual defenses once we can have such things again as I would be delighted to attend. I really just want to get this period of my life over with, and let's be honest, if I defer to September for in person can anyone guarantee that won't be held up?

So I'll let you guys know how what I'm now calling "the quest to be the first person in history to defend a PhD in PJ pants" goes.