Just talked to my SIL (wife's sister) and she told me she couldn't believe the number of vehicles out running around. We couldn't believe it either as we were headed to the grocery store. However, there are those company's that think they are under the "essential" thing for staying open. There has been much controversy about who is "essential" and who is not.
Since they are prohibited from doing so many of the other things that they would otherwise do, a lot of people drive just to get out of the house. Plus, gas prices are low. They're not necessarily going anywhere.
Our Governor and our Mayor defined what was considered "essential" businesses and those that were not. And they were very specific too. It isn't hard for me to stay home because basically that's what I did before this virus ever came into being. Being a natural homebody has made this easier for me ....yet I miss being able to be with my children and grandchildren. I'm glad I at least to get see them through video calls and when they drop off our groceries. I don't hug them like I would usually do so I miss that too. I hug my Honey all the time instead. We are not practicing social distancing with each other and feel right about this. Whatever happens we are in this together.
We have looked at the type of businesses that are called "essential" and we couldn't even believe some that are considered that. And, there are those people that think some of these "essential" ones should be closed. Heck, I could use a haircut right now and definitely time for it, but just won't take the chance. Don't even know if my barber is even open, but even if he was, I was just be scared to go to him.
Gun shops and bait shops are essential here in Maine. After California backed down to the threat of a lawsuit, our governor walked back her previous opinion that gun shops were non-essential.
We can only hope that the boating season will go on. The boat ramps, local lakes are still open, but no camping or party's are allowed. The main office is also closed at local State Park. We have our boat/trailer all registered for 2020, as well as a State Park Permit (to enter), but would have to have our boat "summarized". Need to have hose clamps put back on, our trim pump leak fixed and carb adjusted. Just talked to the marine service center that "winterized" our boat. Service is open, but the store itself is closed. He told me, "when ready, just call us to let us know you are coming, bring it down, drop it and someone will write you a service ticket in the parking lot". So, this "Stay At Home" Order doesn't include boating or fishing...…...but, just have to use common sense when around other boaters. Distance, distance, distance!
Our little county (in Georgia) seems to have leveled off with total no. of cases in the mid 50's for the last week, but 8 deaths. We ranked 10th in counties in no of cases a month ago, but have dropped to the 20th. There have been some serious stay-at-home rules here, by order of the Mayor. Not so in the neighboring counties. The governor (R) issued (yet another) set of rules, which has 9 pages and takes effect tonight through April 12th. I guess we get more rules after that. The last line is "Nothing in this order shall be construed to suspend or limit the sale, dispensing, or transportation of firearms or ammunition or any component thereof." Governor claims he didn't impose more strict rules before, because he didn't know that people can be asymptomatic and still be carriers. The CDC is right down the street from his office in Atlanta. Bless his heart!
We had our first case in Millinocket but it was a guy who returned from Thailand, with a layover in Taiwan, after all the fuss started. No quarantine and he wasn't tested until he became symptomatic a couple of days ago. I understand he didn't self-quarantine either and wasn't asked to.
My phone has Duo...so I just started using that. Yesterday though one of my sisters did a video conference call with my other sisters and me and it was something through Messenger. My Nurse has face to face time with me on Duo. And I think my youngest daughter video calls me on Facetime.
They say that we have 68 dead here in the DR and the last 8 two were children. So I no longer trust the numbers, if in the whole world very few if any children die from this virus. Now are they counting people that die with this virus or people who die from this virus. Like if you had a heart attack or hit by a car and die then they check and you had the virus do you get counted.