Adaptation to COVID world

I have a little coming from my dad's estate (maybe $30-40K, unless step-mother manages to siphon everything). But I'm viewing it as nothing more than insurance after the almost-certain-impending layoff.

Somebody has about five years' worth of toilet paper.

 

I have not heard it, and to be honest I know nothing about her. I've liked Bela for years. I look forward to checking out the show. Thanks for the heads up, I'll look for their record.

 

Food banks all over are stressed to the max. The one here has announced that they're scraping the bottom of the barrel. I know we're all trying to help keep our favorite restaurants and businesses alive, but donations to food banks go a long way toward feeding people in need. Just a thought if you're able.

 

Question for those who volunteer regularly: Are you still going? And are those places still accepting clothing and food donations?

Fruit and vegetables don't last that long anyway.

While I was able to stock up on half-price Easter candy and a box of matzah that'll keep 'til next Passover, some of the basics I wanted -- shredded mozzarella, reasonably priced tomato sauce -- were not available. I will probably need to go back to a supermarket before Passover ends, just because my holiday food options are so limited.

 

I guess I'd recommend this, in addition to helping local businesses:

if you give to specific charities, and you usually wait until year-end to do so, don't. Don't wait. Go ahead and give now.

They need the money. Desperately. Especially food banks and diaper banks and shelters.

 

As I thought, the return of nice weather to the Northwest (it's been sunny with high temps in the 60s) has lessened the social distancing.

My daughter and I planned to go to a state park in the area for some hiking yesterday (and of course, to take some pics for Instagram to post for her college friends ... )

Anyway, the parking lot was overflowing with cars because everyone had the same idea. And the switchback portions of the hiking trails are really snug, with just enough room for one person to go either direction. A ton of people were at the lake, too ... and apparently tee times at the golf courses which are open are booked through the weekend.

So basically we had a nice long drive, then came home and walked the dog around the neighborhood.

In areas where the virus hasn't hit as hard (like North Idaho), it's easier for people to ignore the stay-at-home order. Most of the cases and all of the deaths in this state are in the south. They don't think it's a problem here, and that's dangerous.

 

I have been able to limit supermarket trips to one every 7-9 days. The initial rush of panic buying seems to have subsided, but there are always shortages of some things, and they vary from week to week. Last week, toilet paper was there but no paper towels, this week the reverse. We had shredded mozzarella, but they were short of shredded Mexican blends. Plenty of tomato sauces and canned tomatoes of all kinds, but little pasta except Prince, which no one seems to want. Vegetables were in good supply except spinach (??). One thing. It's not as bad as the paper goods aisle, but dishwasher detergent pellets and especially dishwashing liquid are in short supply and to be snapped up when seen. On the bright side, my local packy (Masshole for liquor store, and the proprietor of this primarily wine shop would plotz if he heard me call it that) does home delivery.
All golf courses in the state are closed. Parks open. It's still relatively early in the season for lots of people to be outside here.

 

We are not out of anything and have no emergency needs.
My wife went to Costco yesterday. She is 60+. She got there at 6:50 for the 8 a.m. opening. Line was beyond the food court and it started raining. After she had waited an hour, an employee came by and announced they would be opening in a few minutes, but they did not have toilet paper. She left and will try again Tuesday. (Our Costco's early opening for seniors is Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday). We are not out of TP. Our in-house supply is gone. I have an emergency supply in the garage. I would like to buy another package before we have to open the emergency supply.

 

Like this one in San Antonio.

 

Our local food banks don't have dramatic photos like that, but they're getting close to being bare empty. It's an area of need. You don't get the feel-good of keeping your favorite restaurant in cash flow, but your money goes to feed people in need.

 

Sadly, the Possum won't be able to help you with that.