Plague 2020 #1

[geowench]

The world has turned upside down.  No one in my direct circle is so far infected or sick, although an old friend from highschool who is a nurse in NM seems to have a light case and is home in isolation.  She was tested but still has no results.

Oklahoma is behind the curve on both infections and precautions.  I have had to go to work because the Dean is a short sited fool.  I hope someone sues the *:&$ out of him.  A small bit of good news is that starting on Monday my office will be working home/office on alternate days, at least for the next two weeks.  So I will be at home MWF, then TTh for the next two weeks, which is at least some reduction in exposure.  E should be working from home, but he will be going to his lab every day because he simply incapable of being home with nothing to do.  There will be no one there, b/c that department has sensibly sent everyone home for the forseeable future.  Classes are online for the rest of the semester.  So even with him going to work, he shouldn't really be exposed either.

This is just quickie update to tell everyone (all 2 of you?) that I am alive and OK, and to encourage anyone still reading to also update.  I will write more in a few days.  I promise.

Comments

[old_black]

Great to hear you're still alive and well. I too have yet to personally know of anyone who has COVID-19, but with nearly 100 new cases notified yesterday in my state, and the numbers escalating rapidly, it won't be long. Today our state begins shutting down all essential services as happened in NY. I am at work now, but I think it will be my last day. I will probably spend the next 6 months (or more?) working from my garage at home where I have managed to clear a small space! My university is just completing a one-week teaching 'pause' while courses are all shifted online. They're desperately trying to keep as many students enrolled as possible because of the huge financial impact (we have large numbers of overseas students who are stuck overseas at the moment). I wouldn't be surprised if I eventually get stood down with no pay.

Your Dean may be a short sighted fool, but he's not alone in that category. I wonder how this will all look in retrospect and how many statements and decisions will be seen as foolish - or dangerous and reckless. I reckon we (the world) will be better prepared for the next pandemic, but like the impact of 9/11, there will be increased procedures and structures snd costs of normal living. As well as permanent X-ray scanning at airports, we'll probably have permanent health scanning - or you'll need a medical certification of health to be able to fly! That's assuming airlines rise from the ashes.

Good luck and best wishes!

M

[fineplan]

I'm glad to see a post from you! :D And that no one you know is sick. :)