Covid-19 - Page 8 - Orchid Board

OrchidBro · #71 03-17-2020, 06:30 PM

I hope everybody here is able to stay healthy and safe during this time. This virus has wreaked havoc on the people and families for those who are infected and also for those not infected. I work for a staging and lighting company and this past week the company has laid off over 50% of the personnel (I was told it was over 50% but it seems more like 75%). Our industry, which caters to concerts, conventions, trade shows, corporate events, musicals, Broadway, TV shows, movies, weddings, auto shows and just about anything that requires lighting and staging, felt the economic ramifications of this virus first. When the big events (Facebook, Google, and Microsoft) started cancelling their huge conventions back in February we knew it was not good. Everything is at a standstill now. Thousands of events have been cancelled. Millions of dollars in revenue has disappeared and sadly, lots of people have been laid off.

Tomorrow, I will find out whether I will be unemployed due to this virus. This was foreseen though, by both myself and other colleagues, that our future employment was in great jeopardy. It is a realization that we have already came to terms with. I've spent the past weeks contemplating what to do, do we have enough money saved up to survive, will I be able to find another job in the interim, and how long will this last? However, I am not sure it is a realization the rest of the country has considered yet. As other business start to shutter their doors in the wake of this virus there will soon be many more people in the shoes of my previous colleagues, and possibly myself. Stay safe, keep your heads up, and best of luck to all.

Coronavirus: Firms announced nearly 900 layoffs because of pandemic

https://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...s-coronavirus/

SaraJean · #72 03-18-2020, 11:58 AM

OrchidBro, I couldn’t agree more. This definitely has far reach consequences. In New Orleans we are on partial lockdown with all bars, theaters, gyms and a few others closed completely, with a ban on public gatherings (be it parades, festivals, or conventions). For now, and I’m sure this will change, restaurants are allowed to do delivery and take out only. Some restaurants are taking advantage of this while they can, others have closed, but either way, massive amounts of lay-offs have already happened. For a city that has such a large work force in the hospitality industry, people are hurting and scared. That doesn’t even count people in industries like yours that put together all of our massive, and frequent, festivals or conventions. We were just getting into our high tourism festival season that runs from Mardi Gras till June, so the effects of this a going to be felt city wide. Having worked in health care in some capacity for the past 20 years, I understand the measures being taken. Still sucks though. I really don’t know how many of these people or business are going to pull though once we get past this public health crisis.

Side note: It’s a bit strange to see all of the bars closed in the French Quarter where I live. Some of these places I’ve never seen closed, even during hurricanes. A big question was “wait.. do they even HAVE a door??”. And, nope some didn’t. Other bars may have a door (that no one really knew about or was stored in an attic somewhere) but didn’t have locks on it. My husband bartends a few nights a week at such a place and it was a mad scramble to try to put some boards up and try to secure the joint.

AnonYMouse · #73 03-18-2020, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaraJean

Side note: It’s a bit strange to see all of the bars closed in the French Quarter where I live. Some of these places I’ve never seen closed, even during hurricanes. A big question was “wait.. do they even HAVE a door??”. And, nope some didn’t. Other bars may have a door (that no one really knew about or was stored in an attic somewhere) but didn’t have locks on it. My husband bartends a few nights a week at such a place and it was a mad scramble to try to put some boards up and try to secure the joint.

I'm probably gonna get flak for saying this but I don't mean offense. I just found SaraJean's aside comforting in away.

Bars and churches, places of solace and sanctuary with open doors.

Leafmite · #74 03-18-2020, 07:06 PM

We wanted to get take-out but the first three choices were closed!

rbarata · #75 03-18-2020, 07:09 PM

Emergency/calamity state declared today around here. Our gv. tomorrow will comunicate what we can/cannot do. Probably the same as Spain and France: Prohibition to stay outside, unless for an essencial reason, everything closed except essential services, etc, etc.
It seems I'll need to work which means going outside everyday.

early · #76 03-18-2020, 07:16 PM

Open those places for relaxation and comfort and soon we will be a country like Italy, with as many cases and deaths as they have had. Community spread is happening in our little state, NM. Only 30 cases so far but our governor is doing a great job, trying, I say trying, because like you, some new Mexicans are ignoring the stay home if ill, and not gather in places that have greater than 10 people, and when outside, stay 6 feet away from others. Take your walks, watch church on TV, use your phone and buy your booze at a grocery store that delivers all kinds of things.

Wake up
World
People are dying check out NY and NYC numbers.

rbarata · #77 03-18-2020, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Open those places for relaxation and comfort and soon we will be a country like Italy, with as many cases and deaths as they have had.

Indeed!

SaraJean · #78 03-18-2020, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

I'm probably gonna get flak for saying this but I don't mean offense. I just found SaraJean's aside comforting in away.

Bars and churches, places of solace and sanctuary with open doors.

No flack from my corner, lol. Under normal circumstances, places like bars become an extension of our living room where you go grab a beer or a soda, pet the bar dog or cat, and shoot the sh** with everyone else at anytime of the day. That’s not to even touch on how social the church gatherings are. I think that’s what people are missing the most right now (apart from income, obviously), that togetherness you get from being around others

Quote:

Originally Posted by early

Open those places for relaxation and comfort and soon we will be a country like Italy,

Absolutely agree. I dont think think that I, or Anon, were even remotely suggesting that. Just for clarification, my original statement was just on the eerieness of seeing places closed that I’ve never seen closed before. Plus the fact that many of them didn’t even have doors with lock on them, that part made me laugh a little despite the sobering reason for it

early · #79 03-18-2020, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaraJean

Absolutely agree. I dont think think that I, or Anon, were even remotely suggesting that. Just for clarification, my original statement was just on the eerieness of seeing places closed that I’ve never seen closed before. Plus the fact that many of them didn’t even have doors with lock on them, that part made me laugh a little despite the sobering reason for it

Sorry SaraJeam and Anon. I am probably too quick on the trigger to voice my soapbox. I am retired, an RN that worked 52 years as a nurse. I am frustrated with my friends here..just a few...are not taking the precautions as seriously as I am. I have a friend, age 85, that got so nervous she totaled her car after hitting a jeep. I call to check on her and see if she needs anything. A mom and teacher called me this morning to check on me and stressed if I need anything to call. It feels good that many neighborhoods in NM are check on other than there are others totally ignoring the precautions as our governer outlined them today in an updated news cast. Here in NM, we are almost as closed down as NY and San Francisco area where my daughter lives. This is not going away in July or Aug as the White House has predicted, but at least he is becoming more serious about backing all the experts.

AnonYMouse · #80 03-18-2020, 09:37 PM

I didn't mean right now, more a general statement.

The bay area is locked down. I have had a spray bottle of 70% IPA in the car since the first reported cases here. I have face masks and gloves in the trunk from when I was sick last year (just a cold but there were vulnerable people before covid 19).

Next time I'm out for provisions, I will pick my fruits and veg wearing produce bags. I can't know how many people may have touched the fruits and veg but I don't need to contribute such transmissions (how many unwashed hands touched that can of beans before I put it in my basket? And so on and so on...)