Contagion: How are we holding up? [EDIT/UPDATE: Closure Monday]

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura) 03/13/2020 at 13:55 • Filed to: None

4

100

Just got the word. They’re moving the Spring break up and closing us effective Monday. There was a robocall that went out last night telling parents if kids missed school because COVID, then the absence would be excused. So a third of the students are absent today.

I’m a bit of a basket case this morning because, frankly, I care very deeply about all these smelly walking biohazards that I work with. They are a lower socioeconomic group and many have Grandma or Grandpa living with them. I don’t want to be fretful / emo about this, but I’ve come to the stark realization that as educators, we are important constants in many of these kids’ lives. It’s real and I think social distancing needs to be applied here in order to slow the spread of the virus. There was a war room meeting of all the administrators yesterday afternoon, but no closure yet announced. Today, I am using a Google form to collect contact information so I can communicate with the students if when schools close. That part will be a new adventure, preparing distance learning.

Here’s a Lambo from back when tires had sidewalls. Most of you are probably too young to remember that...

Spanfeller is a twat > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:21

0

Mexican officials are expecting the first local transmission in less than a week, but they’re being quite lax about it...

Spanish officials are shutting everything down in Madrid; only supermarkets and pharmacies will be allowed to open tomorrow. Schools have been closed for a week, and so have most colleges.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:21

0

Early Countach is good Countach.

I’m probably not going to visit my mom or grandma in the next several weeks, just to be safe. Not sure if my rec hockey league has stopped yet, but a competing league has. There was a confirmed case in my prior office, an old co-worker was freaking out. I have 6 rolls of TP left, might go out at night soon when stocks are replenished and the drones are asleep, and get a stash.

My sister is a teacher, her district just flatly closed, not sure if she is still going in for anything. School is pretty much done in the metro area for the next 6 weeks, I think.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:21

0

We were forced to shop last night because we normally shop sundays but stores are running out of stuff in the Cincinnati area. Four cases were confirmed in the area this morning.

I’m starting to feel sick, doesn’t feel like much, however I used to be sick a lot at my old job and now have not been sick at all for almost a year. I doubt it is anything, it’s just in the very back of my mind. It makes me wish general testing was more available.

Cash Rewards > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:27

0

Our kids school district pledged to stay open, while adjacent counties closed and entire state of MD declared emergency and closed. Then the backlash happened, and they are now closed.

Work director just declared 100% telework, indefinitely. So we're battening down the hatches and getting Disney plus, I guess

WRXforScience > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:28

1

I was just informed a couple of hours ago that my district is shutdown for two weeks (we are on spring break this week but classes were supposed to start on Tuesday). I’m in north Texas.

About 20min ago, they told us they are deactivating all the keycards so no one can get into any of the buildings. There are no plans for distance learning and there was no warning that they were locking everything down, so my school laptop and all my resources are unavailable to me.

Everything was just a surprise too, they went form ‘everything is fine, we’ll continue as normal’ to ‘everything is shutdown and you’re on your own’ in about an hour.

We had to cancel the SCCA Solo school that was scheduled for March 21st, since I rented out the stadium to host it (we’ve used the site for the last 4 years). On the bright side, there’s a track day on the 21st that I was originally going to instruct at that I can do now again (I usually run the classroom portion so I’ll need to source a laptop to give the presentation).

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy 03/13/2020 at 13:28

0

In Dayton, public schools are closing, UD and WSU are cancelling classes and moving to online instruction, businesses are switching to WFH, and stores are packed. My girlfriend told me Kroger was out of cheap frozen pizza, toilet paper, ramen, and cheap soup (only Campbell’s and Progresso left). Stores being packed full of people while this is going around... isn’t comforting.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:29

1

My co-workers private school in Pleasa nt Hill California is closing next Wednesday for two weeks, basically an extended spring break .

Captain of the Enterprise > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:32

2

I’m having panic attacks. I don’t have it but am at high risk of a severe case or death if I get it. My college moved to all online classes which is fine but now I have to decide if I continue to work or not. According to the state of Michigan I should be staying home but I have bills to pay. I get payed hourly to work the front desk at our library which is staying open. Which includes interacting with any library patrons. My work is giving me the option to work or not for the time being. My dad and stepmom have also refused to help me in any way financially. I think I need to stay home but don’t know how I’ll make it work financially for an unknown period of time. 

For Sweden > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:32

1

My parents were at a restaurant last night, then asked me why everyone was so worried about the flu.

I’m not even going to be able to travel to their funerals in a few weeks.

ttyymmnn > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:34

0

Austin schools and UT-Austin closed suddenly this morning with the announcement of the first confirmed cases in our county. Our district remained open. But when I went to teach a lesson today parents were thronging the office to remove their kids. Half the band was gone, including my student. If possible, I think it is important to project a sense of normalcy at this abnormal time, especially in front of the kids. I’m supposed to go back for last period to teach two lessons, and I’m going to go. Then I’ll bring the boys home.

I’m not really worried about my family. I think we are as  prepared as we can be for a couple of weeks in the light of possible social disruptions. But it’s exactly those potential disruptions that concern me. 

DipodomysDeserti > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:36

0

We had spring break this week. Classes are cancelled on Monday for our war room meeting. Our kids pretty much all come from a very high socioeconomic bracket, so it sounds like were going to an online only format. There are other considerations which will make this very difficult. My wife is an art teacher, so I’m not sure how that’ll work.

Not a word from my kids’ school which is a bit concerning.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:36

0

Business as usual for the most part. Everyone at work is making preparations to work from home if necessary. Daily life seems to be about the same out and about, although I did see someone wearing blue latex gloves at G uitar C enter last night.

Junk food aisle is completely empty at the store, lots of emotional eating going on I assume.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Captain of the Enterprise 03/13/2020 at 13:40

1

I wish I could give you some good advice, but there is no easy solution to your problem. I actually think the worst has not passed so I would work but take every precaution so you can weather it getting any worse and mandatory shut downs.

fhrblig > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:41

0

I am freaking out a little now. The NBA suspending their season was the thing that made it more real to me. We’re doing ok, health-wise, but my husband isn’t handling it well. My father-in-law has lung problems and is in a very high risk group, and my mother-in-law has a lot of general health problems. He’s really worried about them both and so am I. It’s a rare time that I’m a little thankful that my parents decided to move to the boonies where no one really goes anywhere.

We went to a grocery store in a nice part of town last night, and they were pretty picked over but not as bad as I was expecting. We bought a bunch of canned goods and shelf stable food, since I doubt we’ll be willing to eat out much from this point on. My husband  is a manager for a grocery store chain and is having to deal with it constantly.

Between his job and mine, which requires me to go to hospitals, I’m a bit worried about our chances of getting this thing. All we can do is keep on keepin’ on and be as careful as we can. It looks like I might be spending a lot of time at home as my employer is doing what they can to keep us out of the office. If hospitals start cancelling elective procedures, we won’t have much to do anyway.

CB > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:46

0

“Hi there, welcome to Rusty Vandura's Twitch stream, today we'll be covering exponents."

ranwhenparked > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:46

0

Im in the 0.1% mortality cohort so not at all worried about myself , but the vast majority of the customers I interact with are elderly, as are several of my co-workers, so am definitely concerned about them . We had half - exactly half - of my office out with regular flu the past week, and only just got back to full strength on Tuesday.

I h ave hand sanitizer on every desk and counter and have the staff regularly disinfecting all contact surfaces, along with washing their hands regularly. We will see.

RPM esq. > fhrblig 03/13/2020 at 13:48

2

The latest and greatest info from public health experts here at ground zero is basically not to worry too much if you’re not in a high risk group, but to make sure older people who are high risk stay home, and if your job/life carried any risk of infection, don’t go visit them. If you yourself are not in a high risk group, and you’re being careful about contact with those who are (that’s the important part) , there’s not much real reason to avoid eating out or whatever.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:48

0

Work cancelled all travel, will not authorize any travel until May 1, and is requesting (but not requiring) info on personal travel plans. Anyone who has traveled is required to WFH for two weeks. (Though I already WFH)

Personally, the boyfriend just got back from SF (greeeeeeeat) but neither of us are showing symptoms yet . My lungs hurt today, but I’m pretty sure that is because I am super allergic to mold and just finished some abatement .

Planning a virtual LAN party (WAN party?) tonight rather than meeting up at the bar.  Drinking and video games via Zoom haha.

RPM esq. > WRXforScience 03/13/2020 at 13:50

1

This part is ridiculous:

Everything was just a surprise too, they went form ‘everything is fine, we’ll continue as normal’ to ‘everything is shutdown and you’re on your own’ in about an hour.

PowderHound > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 13:51

1

I have a trip to Canada coming up next week that I don’t want to miss. There have been a few cases in the area and we set up plans to work from home if need be but currently I’m self serving and just want to go on my mini vacation. 

WRXforScience > RPM esq. 03/13/2020 at 13:53

1

Agreed, on Thursday they made an announcement that there were no plans to do anything and that as long as you didn’t go somewhere on the ‘hot list’ and aren’t symptomatic, everything else would be normal.

The next morning and everything is immediately closed for two weeks.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 03/13/2020 at 13:56

1

That was the worst part, people crowding more stores are likely to spread it. Unfortunately  I guarantee if we went on Sunday we wouldn’t have most of our food for the next week.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > For Sweden 03/13/2020 at 13:58

0

Doesn’t COVID take longer than that to kill people?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fhrblig 03/13/2020 at 13:59

2

Social distance from parents. Drop care packages on the porch.

shop-teacher > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:00

0

Our district called an emergency late start this morning so we could train/plan for e-learning.  No word if/when we’ll actually do that, but the way the powers that be are talking, I’ll be shocked if we’re in school on Monday.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > WRXforScience 03/13/2020 at 14:01

0

Assuming we all open back up when they say we are going to. I think that’s very iffy at this point. My district’s been kind of a transparent black box on this. It’s all very stressful.

ranwhenparked > For Sweden 03/13/2020 at 14:02

1

My dad is 70 with a history of some heart problems, and my mom is 61 and they both decided it was a super good idea to do a Costco trip at peak hours on Sunday. Plus, he’s a police chief, and for whatever reason, the county and state governments are still insisting on having face to face meetings and conferences go on as planned, and have added more to discuss virus information. Personally, I’ve never been to a meeting in my life that couldn’t have worked as an email or co nference call, but, I’m not in government, so what do I know.

For Sweden > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:04

0

Not if they are old

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Captain of the Enterprise 03/13/2020 at 14:05

1

The best advice I can offer is what they’re saying and what I’ve come to believe, which is the importance of hand washing. Little solace, I realize. Are your parents not in a position to aid you financially right now?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy 03/13/2020 at 14:06

0

Have you taken your temperature?

DipodomysDeserti > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 03/13/2020 at 14:07

1

“ neither of us are showing symptoms yet. My lungs hurt today,”

According to the CDC, any breathing related abnormalities would be symptoms of coronavirus. Chest pain and shortness of breath are specifically listed. My work told us to not assume anything is allergy related.

Although breathing in mold spores is a hell of a lot more dangerous than Covid 19.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 03/13/2020 at 14:07

1

I’d have to get pretty hungry before I’d eat canned soup. Just sayin’...

We’re in sort of a slow-burn panic tantrum.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:08

0

Our kids’ schools will be closed at the end of the day. We don’t know how long the closure will last. My daughter will be really disappointed. School closure means the school musical will also be shut down. It was supposed to run through the weekend. I’m glad we had a chance to see it Wednesday night.

My wife is heading to the store for a few more items. I’m not sure what she’s after. We seems to be well-stocked already.

Tekamul > WRXforScience 03/13/2020 at 14:09

0

We just got the notice from the district superintendent to ‘tune in’ to the Governor’s speech this evening.  So I expect all of VT public schools are about to shutdown or try to go remote.  This is bad, as we are smack in between Feb break (ended the 3rd) and April break (20-24). 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ttyymmnn 03/13/2020 at 14:10

1

In hindsight, my district has handled this reasonably well, IMO. They canceled the after school programs yesterday, sent out the all-call last night to tall parents all COVID absences would be excused, then announced the closure this morning at 10 am. About a third of the students had already not shown up today. For my part, I plan on still meeting my private coaching clients and having a robust hand washing together at the start, and a wipe-down when we’re finished with each session.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > DipodomysDeserti 03/13/2020 at 14:11

1

Haha yeah, given that it started right after I finished cleaning that room... I’m not worried at the moment. No other symptoms (yet) and breathing normally.

facw > Captain of the Enterprise 03/13/2020 at 14:14

1

1. It sucks that you don’t have paid sick time from the library. Would be nice if government can fix that.

2. If you are really that high risk, I’d say find a way to stay home

3. You can talk to your supervisors at the library, maybe they have something else you could work on remotely? They probably don’t want you to die or go broke either, and might be able to make accommodations .

4. Worst case, given the way things are going right now, the library will be closing anyway at some point soon.

jimz > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:17

0

yeah. no kids, but if I do get sick I’m not going within the same zip code as my parents. one especially checks all of the boxes (heart disease, high blood pressure, COPD, and  T1D.)  

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 03/13/2020 at 14:19

0

Good call not visiting Gran. TP Derangement Syndrome...

And here is the latest from one of the conductors on the Double Standard Express. All the s**t going down, and this, and launching into the ageist attack on Joe Biden. My respect for VDH just dropped considerably.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 03/13/2020 at 14:21

0

Netflix and chill? At 55, and 30 years of marriage, that’s become one of my chief activities.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > DipodomysDeserti 03/13/2020 at 14:22

0

Although breathing in mold spores is a hell of a lot more dangerous than Covid 19.

Depends upon who you are. But you are well to point out the other. What do you teach?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ranwhenparked 03/13/2020 at 14:23

0

What for work do you do?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > DipodomysDeserti 03/13/2020 at 14:25

0

How old are your own kids?

The differences in what kids get out of public education based upon socioeconomic brackets are staggering. I’m learning now how many of my students even have internet access at home.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 03/13/2020 at 14:26

0

I think a substantial portion of the country are going to be able to lead relatively normal lives in the coming weeks. We just have to slow the spread of the virus so that hospitals can cope.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Spanfeller is a twat 03/13/2020 at 14:26

0

Sounds appropriate.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Cash Rewards 03/13/2020 at 14:26

0

What for work do you do?

Disney Plus, Netflix and Spotify.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > shop-teacher 03/13/2020 at 14:28

0

I was all but calling this outcome earlier in the week. I am overall satisfied with how my district -- and my union -- have handled this, so far. Measured, no panic. I’m mildly impressed, if I’m honest.

ranwhenparked > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:29

0

Bank manager

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > jimz 03/13/2020 at 14:29

0

Good call.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > CB 03/13/2020 at 14:30

1

YEAH! I’m a little excited about that, actually. I want to be able to boast to my superiors that I made a half-decent bit of instruction available to my kids and a few actually took me up on it.

DipodomysDeserti > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:30

0

My kids are 7 and 9.

I’m at a private school geared towards kids with various learning challenges. Most of my students would not be able to make it in public schools, despite having money.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > For Sweden 03/13/2020 at 14:31

0

I am now sad.

Cash Rewards > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:32

0

I work for a rather large federal regulatory agency. We have telework to various degrees, but not full time, and can’t telework and care for children or elderly at the same time . Restrictions have now been lifted, however. 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ranwhenparked 03/13/2020 at 14:33

0

I don’t want to be insensitive or glib, but working as a police chief at 70? I wouldn’t think being a cop that long would be surviv able.

DipodomysDeserti > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:33

0

The real nasty mold will kill you whether your healthy or not.

I teach a variety of science classes. STEM, chem, bio and physiology.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ranwhenparked 03/13/2020 at 14:34

0

Perhaps consider having surgical masks for employees to wear. Those do more to keep cooties in than to keep them out.

RPM esq. > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:34

0

I have a colleague who is doing exactly this—her parents are high-risk for reasons beyond just their age, so she is doing their grocery shopping and leaving it on their porch. She says it’s a weird feeling but it’s logical.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > DipodomysDeserti 03/13/2020 at 14:35

1

There’s an entire interesting conversation I’d enjoy having with you about your work.

My spawn are all young adults now.

ranwhenparked > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:36

0

Its more a question of not knowing what to do with himself if he retires, he’s been with the same department for 48 years and has basically no hobbies . He has set a retirement date though, think he’s got about a year and a half left or so. He was out at 2am last night for someone who committed suicide jumping in front of a  train, could probably stop doing stuff like that, but doesnt seem to want to.

Spanfeller is a twat > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:37

0

Spain is a bit late to the whole virus thing... Mexico is still ready to react in a manner that reduces economic disruption and deaths... But officials thus far have been incompetent

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Cash Rewards 03/13/2020 at 14:37

0

Has there been a significant morale impact at your work with the political climate of the past several years?

ranwhenparked > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:39

1

We probably can’t do that, the bank wants to keep everything looking as normal for customers as possible. We are doing more frequent stocking of t he ATMs and have been told to be more flexible with fee waivers and overdrafts for customers impacted

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > DipodomysDeserti 03/13/2020 at 14:41

1

I have much respect for science teachers. I think teaching science requires a staggering amount of prep. The other group I respect the most are English teachers having to read a mountain of crappy essays all the time. I. Couldn’t Do That.

Cash Rewards > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:42

0

It’s tough to say. Probably not like other agencies. We haven’t had the attrition of science and engineering staff that other agencies have, so the adminstrations effects have been less noticable.

The federal shutdown, however, was highly shitty

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > RPM esq. 03/13/2020 at 14:43

0

I think if your colleague washed his/her hands thoroughly and wore a surgical mask to keep the cooties in, he’d/she’d be less risk than they’d be in a visit during normal times. But no point taking any chances.

shop-teacher > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:46

0

That’s good. My district can’t seem to decide which end of their schwanc e to hold.  We’re still getting IF IF IF from them.

RPM esq. > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:48

0

That may be true! Although t hey are particularly well advised medically and it’s a sensitive time for one of the parents health-wise , so the caution is probably warranted in this case.

functionoverfashion > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 14:53

0

Our school district is closed Monday “to prepare a plan for online learning if necessary”

No known cases in the district as of yet. 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ranwhenparked 03/13/2020 at 15:03

0

That’s a tough thing, when there’s nothing but work in a man’s being. Retirement can be a very serious trauma. He probably lives for the drama and excitement and brotherhood.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Spanfeller is a twat 03/13/2020 at 15:04

1

Perhaps President Trump has shown incompetence to be its own contagion.

ranwhenparked > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 15:04

0

I could see him pulling a David Brent and trying to sneak back into the office to hang out

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Cash Rewards 03/13/2020 at 15:06

0

If the Democrat wins in November, it’ll be like getting his car back after it was stolen and joyridden through ditches and peoples’ yards.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > shop-teacher 03/13/2020 at 15:08

0

We have a general thing in my district where, in my experience, admin has been plenty dumb at times, but generally not as bad as the union has their base believing. And when it got REALLY UGLY for me a few years back, Admin had my back when the union left me dangling.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > RPM esq. 03/13/2020 at 15:09

0

And there’s no overstating the value of mental and emotional calm.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > functionoverfashion 03/13/2020 at 15:09

0

“Our district...” You’re not a teacher, are you?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ranwhenparked 03/13/2020 at 15:11

0

My wife’s father worked until he was 72 and basically disintegrated soon after retiring. As a teacher, I enjoy a spot of retirement each summer. And Christmas. And Thanksgiving. And Easter.

ranwhenparked > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 15:13

1

I am absolutely confident that I would have no trouble at all adjusting to not having to work everyday, but I certainly understand the other position.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 15:19

0

VDH is trash. This is what passes for intellect from the right. The “Marxist” cliche and “socialist” fear speaks volumes - really a part of the worst generation in American history.

If Biden is doddery via age, what does that say about 45, who often appears to exhibit full blown dementia? I bet VDH lacks the cojones to talk about that. I don’t love Biden at all, but given the R alternative, I’d choose him.

shop-teacher > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 15:23

0

They just dropped the hammer.  We’re off for three weeks after today.  Next week we’ll have to make up at the end of the year, then we’ll have our scheduled spring break, and then we’ll have a week of e-learning.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > For Sweden 03/13/2020 at 15:30

0

Are you following this story ?

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 15:32

1

I think I’m in good shape. My self-imposed exile that has been in place since the beginning of the year seems like a wise choice. No job and no money means that there’s nowhere to go. Several weeks ago I stocked up on toilet paper and water at Costco , but those were just regular purchases and had nothing to do with the current scare - it was just very good timing. I’m also getting around to eating whatever I find in the overfilled freezer, so no need to go to the grocery store as often as I did in the past. I still have to go out for fresh fruits and vegetables , but that’s about it.

My folks are on vacation right now on a diving trip in Palau. Their flights were nearly empty, so hopefully they’ll be OK as well. When they get home they will be having some construction done to their house so there will be a few people coming in and out of their place for several weeks. But I’m willing to bet that the college and the gym where they spend a good portion of their time will be closed, or at least it would be a good idea to avoid those places for some time.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 03/13/2020 at 15:33

1

The Double Standard Express, and Trump and his ilk run that train well.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > shop-teacher 03/13/2020 at 15:34

0

Those make-up days are always a waste because people all think they should be done already.

shop-teacher > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 15:37

1

Yep.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 03/13/2020 at 15:46

1

I try to be balanced and intellectually honest. I don’t claim to be 100% successful at doing so, but I try. It’s why I pay attention to VDH. But right now, I am totally disgusted with him. Totally. Disgusted. And FWIW, I thought given the context of the times, Biden’s reaction to that auto worker was apt, if not entirely appropriate , and likely not what the auto worker expected.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 16:12

1

Our local schools are ordered to shut down Monday until April 1st. Doesn’t affect us thankfully since our kid is 2 and wife is a SAHM.

I had posted earlier in the week that kiddo has had a low grade fever for a few days - all regular virus panels came back negative, but they said testing COVID19 wasn’t an option available. So we just hunkered down and she’s OK now. But since yesterday I’ve had aches and chills all over now - hopefully I now am showing symptoms for what she already had, would hate to get her ( and the wife) sick all over again .

I work at a large corporation with global operations - and many facilities in China, and lots and lots of meetings . I’m the one who gets out and about the most at our house so high likelihood that whatever I have it was I who brought in to the household. Finally today it was announced that everyone who can should work from home for the foreseeable future.

I’m already doing that today since I feel like crap, guess I won’t be going in to the office for a while now. I’m glad feds are getting more serious about ramping up testing capacity and declaring a national emergency (although I didn’t really care for the CEO being trotted up to the podium and given a pat on the back) - wish this came weeks ago, but better late than never. Let’s see what happens next I guess.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Captain of the Enterprise 03/13/2020 at 16:17

1

So sorry to hear that’s a very tough situation to be in - literally being told to decide between protecting your already compromised health, or to face the masses to put food on the table.

Between the national emergency declaration and the bill going through congress right now is there any chance something might come of that that could help you? You work even at a part time level for a state institution - I’d consider hitting up social media and calling the administration to complain- if anything it’ll be on the record at that point.

Please keep oppo updated on how things go - and use us to vent if needed - if no other options present themselves I’m certain the community here will rally (figuratively...but literally sounds good too?) for you.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 03/13/2020 at 16:17

0

I think it definitely makes sense to get the kids out of here. I have some coworkers who I like very much and I am appreciating the camaraderie I feel with them right not. We’re all supposed to report for work Monday morning, sans  students.  

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 16:19

0

I don’t know if there’s any real balance in the world in terms of such discourse. Intellectual honesty is the best we can hope for, and it is as simple as telling the truth. I don’t think VDH has ever really been balanced - although he might disapprove of some GOP mantra, he’ll still vote for them no matter what.

Biden could have been more tactful, but I don’t hate his reaction. I just wish he had used it at a political forum against an opponent. Being “civil” has done nothing for the Ds but put them in a deeper hole - there’s no place for it in this brave new world.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 16:32

0

Sounds like a good course of action for the kids. Hopefully you wont be asked to keep coming in much longer either for your own safety. 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 03/13/2020 at 16:40

0

You and I have gone back and forth on the civility thing and I thought of you when I heard the story. I’m just no good at uncivil. I’m good at preachy, judgmental, whiny, butt hurt, but not good at uncivil. I’m too meek.

I certainly wouldn’t describe VDH as balanced. I follow him because he’s a Californian from the Central Valley who has a family with generations of experience there. So I usually roll my eyes. But this post was especially egregious. Despicable, really.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 17:58

0

I will here shortly 

Captain of the Enterprise > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/13/2020 at 18:16

1

Yeah I’m considering it. I’m just not sure what to do at this point. 

Captain of the Enterprise > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 18:18

0

They are they just won’t. Which isn’t really new. My dad has told me on Wednesday that they would help and that I shouldn’t worry about financials. The next day my stepmom said they wouldn’t be doing anything. This isn’t the first time this has happened. They don’t want me working because my dad is high risk  but also won’t help me. 

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 18:19

0

Civility is a great thing, but I don’t think it applies to every facet of life. With the (d)evolution of political discourse, I don’t think it is a good strategy there anymore - someone who isn’t civil will end up eating you for lunch. The dems, and how they continuously lose,  are an example of this.

If you’re judgmental and butthurt, I think you can be uncivil, just give it a try :)

VDH seems to put on airs of being balanced when he dares to call out his party (which most in the party are too cowardly to even think about), but he remains devoted to that party no matter what they do. In my book, that’s no better than the most fervent member of the base.

Captain of the Enterprise > facw 03/13/2020 at 18:19

1

I just found out I could take about  2 weeks of paid time but I don’t know if I should do that now or try to save it. Hopefully by then something would be implemented but who knows. 

Captain of the Enterprise > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 03/13/2020 at 18:21

2

I did just find out that the university is going to be offering people like me about 2 weeks of paid time off. But I’m not sure if I should take that now or save it and try working for now. 

DipodomysDeserti > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 03/13/2020 at 19:23

1

Thanks. Being asked to teach new classes every semester sure doesn’t help with lesson planning. Just got an email saying we’ll be doing remote learning for the next two weeks and that we’ll need to set our lessons up accordingly.

I’m also in grad school and taking 15 credit hours of science and engineering based coursework this semester. FML

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Captain of the Enterprise 03/13/2020 at 20:09

1

That’s still a pretty shitty situation to be in, although better than nothing. Might help to talk to whomever you report to about your case - pretty shitty to have to decide whether to take the time off now to protect yourself and then run out of that benefit, or to keep working and save it to use if/when you DO get sick which would put you at grave risk.

As someone else had mentioned perhaps they can come up with some other remote work you can do temporarily you can keep clocking those hours but without being there onsite or using up this last resort option .

Captain of the Enterprise > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 03/13/2020 at 20:28

0

Yeah I emailed about remote work but we’ll see.