You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Watcha' Doing - 2020
Oh! And my new building has a courtyard with a pond in the middle of it with 4 water dragons, 10 turtles, and a giant eel! It used to be the Botany building when I was a student, and we've inherited the wildlife. And they need a snack once a week. Water dragons love bananas apparently!
That's sitting on one of the concrete benches.
Sandra wrote: "I guess you are right, Peggy. It's better than nothing.I manage to go to Vienna and Budapest and come back the day before the pandemic was declared by WHO, and everything ended falling down.
My ..."
I didn't realise you were there already. So glad you got your trip.
I'm sorry your daughter's time there was cut short. We're bringing our exchange students home now too. We started with the high risk countries, and then are just doing it all now as the piece meal response was confusing and took a lot of time.
I'd love to have a water dragon just lying in the sun in my backyard!I read yesterday that Austria and Denmark have closed all schools too. I think the Netherlands has taken the least drastic measures of all of Europe (only one measure for the whole country: don't shake hands... and only for the one province with most cases the advice to stay at home when you have any signs of a cold or the flu, and for this week to minimize social contacts, work from home if you can, etc. Many events there have been cancelled, but most things in other areas of the countries go on as planned). There's more and more criticism and there's a crisis meeting right now with a press conference after, so I expect more measures will be announced later.
I know she is very disappointed, but I'm relieved that we just managed to buy her plane ticket. Tickets are getting insanely expensive. Actually we bought a round trip ticket. It was cheaper than one way. Weird.My kids are in Spring break this week here in Pennsylvania, bit school was canceled for next week, and every Thursday is going to be decided if they resume the following week or not. I'm not very confident about them coming back very soon. The university my husband teaches on also closed.
Love the water dragon! And goodd luck with the new job, Rusalka. I hope covid19 doesn't get in the way.I see you're in lockdown Margo! Crazy that Northern Ireland hasn't though. But Boris is in a cobra meeting now so that might change. We're living in some crazy times. I have a feeling i'm going to have to offer skype sessions to clients at this rate. And Rob just started his new job at a school on Tuesday!
I'm holding off on making any decisions about my trip to Denmark, Norway, & possibly Sweden. I heard Denmark shut their country down yesterday but I'm hoping the virus will have run its course by August. I have till the end of May to pay the remainder of my booking, so will decide then.
All events with more than 100 people are going to be cancelled here, and everyone with some signs of illness should stay at home. Schools will remain open. It's a bit strange, as it's basically also an event with over 100 people, but they explained that they carefully considered this and figure that if sick kids stay at home, schools should be safe. If they close all schools, there are so many parents who have to stay home as well to take care of their kids, and then they can't go to work, and so on. Then again, that logic applies to all other events too, if sick people make sure they remain inside.. Although they also said that children and young people seem to be less vulnerable and don't catch it as easily. These new rules are in effect until March 31. Anyway, I'll just trust that the people deciding all this know more of it than I do, and that they make decisions with our best interest at heart.
I was supposed to go to the theatre with my sister en nephew Sunday afternoon. Not sure if that show will go on. Also, I'm celebrating my birthday at a bar together with a friend on Saturday, not sure if that can go on.
Janice wrote: "I'm holding off on making any decisions about my trip to Denmark, Norway, & possibly Sweden. I heard Denmark shut their country down yesterday but I'm hoping the virus will have run its course by A..."I didn't hear about them shutting down the country, but they did close down all schools. I do hope it will have run it's course in Summer! Given the situation in China you'd expect it should be over in a few months.
I wonder if it helps that Spring is coming. Usually less people are sick in Spring/Summer than in Winter.
We here in the states have learned the Trump will blame anything except himself. He forgets we have brains
I read something last night that Denmark had shut down. I found this article in the Daily Mail UK. It says that Denmark is the second country in Europe to go on a coronavirus lockdown. Then it specifies that schools have been closed, events over 100 people banned, and sending non-critical public workers home. I don't see anything about travel bans in the article. The virus has abated in China with few new cases, and if that is indicative of the lifespan of the virus, we can hope that it will have run its course over the next few months globally. It's an unknown about what havoc it will cause in the meantime.
I suppose definition of 'lock-down' can vary per country/newspaper/person.I've got insurance cover when there's a negative travel advice. I also have another trip coming up, but that's only a weekend in Belgium mid-April. I decided to wait until March 25 to decide what to do about both trips, as on that date I can still get some refunds or have other options.
This has been a terrible day. My cousin (who is a also a very good friend) has had a massive stroke. She is paralysed on her left site. Noone can visit her as the hospital is not allowing visits. I think that is the same all round the country.Out PM made a statement today and it seems we are taking the worst case approach in order to protect our old and vunerable.
Schools, collages and childcare facilities are closed til March 29.
All indoor gatherings of 50 or more people must be cancelled, outdoor the magic number is 100.
My problem with that is that he made the announcement from new York. Our PM goes there every year to attend the parade except this year it is not on so why is he there?
There is a lot of critasism over here that the Cheltenham Horse racing festival (in the UK) is going ahead when so many sporting fixtures have been cancelled. It is clearly a case of "money talks". I heard on the radio this morning that people are calling for Irish goers to self isolate when they get back. I think our PM should do the same.
On a personal level, Pete company is in trouble. They can't get in touch with their US mother company. They must shut down due to the virus or something. Should know more tonight.
Our lifestyle may have to change pretty rapidly!
I am so sorry to hear about your cousin Margo. I can't imqgine what it must bee like not being able to ser them. I hope she is ok. I'll be thinking of you all.I agree Margo, it doesn't make sense that cheltenham is going ahead. Especially as it can be spread when people are asymptomatic. I also don't understand why there isn't more widespread testing.
So sorry to hear about your cousin Margo. We had a big horse event that also continued (although with fewer visitors) while everything else had to be cancelled. Probably because of money, but it doesn't make sense. Why would people take measures to stay at home seriously when other big events can just go on?
Same with Formula 1. Even the drivers seem to be confused that the race is still on for Sunday.
Urgh, Boris Johnson is such a fool. Basically he won't close until it gets bad. Err, perhaps closing schools would stop it getting bad?!? Then he says they estimate 10000 have it here already even though only 600 have been confirmed. And that 80% of population could get infected. And people are going to die. But just get on with things as normal. My god he's a disaster. He makes me so angry. They've been saying self isolate for 2 weeks then I saw something about 20 days, and now Boris is saying 7. FFS!
I'm very sorry to hear about your cousin, Margo, and about the problems your husband's company is facing. It doesn't rain, but it pours.Canada's PM and his wife have self-isolated while she awaits test results.
Agreed Sarah. Boris is putting economics ahead of lives.All irish supermarkets shelves stripped bare - cheers Leo!
Janice wrote: "I'm very sorry to hear about your cousin, Margo, and about the problems your husband's company is facing. It doesn't rain, but it pours.Canada's PM and his wife have self-isolated while she await..."
Yes, I just saw on the news. At least he doesn't have to worry about not getting paid ;-p
I hope you've hoarded enough Margo ;-)The prime minister told us not to hoard as supermarkets will still be stocked and there's no need to worry about it. I didn't notice anything when I was in the supermarket this morning, but empty shelves have been reported.
I'm very sorry about your cousin, Margo. Sending you a big hug.
All universities now have to immediately cancel all their educational activities. This means I'll be working from home until March 31. We can do bits digitally but that doesn't compare to actual classes..
Thanks all for the kind thoughts.Peggy, it's good to know you'll be a bit safer. Plus no commuting!
It's definitely for the best but it will be so boring!
Well, the province of Quebec is joining in: Our PM made an announcement this afternoon:The Quebec government is banning all indoor events with more than 250 people.
People coming from outside the country should self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of where they came from. This is mandatory for public sector employees and all workers in the health and education systems (public and private).
Schools remain open but shouldn't have more than 250 students in the same room.
Anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms should also stay home for 14 days.
I had a knitting tea last night and someone mentioned that if you wanted to get toilet paper at Cosco, you`d better be there at opening time. I guess the crazy are here as well.
I am about to go to the grocery store. The forecast for the next days is back to back winter storm and icy rain. I want to make sure i do not have to go out, in case it gets bad. I will see how crazy people are here.
My university in Michigan moved all classes to online and sent students home to their permanent residence if they could go. Staff still has to go into work at this point.All the basketball tournaments have been cancelled which is heartbreaking.
On top of all of that they announced 2/14 that there may be layoffs in my department. Talk about a perfect storm.
I haven’t slept a full night since the announcement. Stress is through the roof and it is just a struggle to go to work now. I’m down two employees since the layoff announcement (don’t blame them) but we can’t fill their positions and we are at a peak in work.
Alberta joined in with a travel advisory, recommending that people not travel outside of the country and anyone returning from international destinations (including the US) are to self isolate for 2 weeks.I'm picking a friend up at the airport tomorrow evening. She's been in New Mexico. We're forgoing supper out so that she can go home and start her quarantine. I thought we'd still go for supper, but another friend said, "What's the point of self isolation if you're going to go out for supper? It's about reducing the risk for those who are vulnerable."
An update on Canada's Prime Minister - his wife has been diagnosed with the virus.
I'm so sorry to hear about your cousing, Margo. Is it temporary, the paralisation? It's frustrating that you can't visit her.I was pretty relaxed about the whole corona - virus, until now. The National Security Council of Belgium gathered together yesterday and we're following with the drastic measures. For now we've got 400 sick people and 5 deaths. Schools are closing, but for the elementary schools, kindergarden...there will be care, because people have to work too. I mean, I have a son of 7 year and no family to take care of him and I have a job too. My partner can take some days of work, but this is for 2 weeks that the schools are closing. Pubs, restaurants...are closing. Banks, farmacists, supermarkets...stay open 7/24, but other shops are closing in the weekends. People are starting gathering food, supplies...it's insane. My son and I follow karaté lessons. Now it's cancelled until 19th April.
I'm not so relaxed anymore.
I've just read that all events in our libraries are cancelled. Our books are extended until 18th April. I've got a feeling that the libraries will eventually close too.
I brought my kids to the library on Wednesday and asked them to get books to last for a month because I suspect it will happen eventually, Saar. I also promised them we will go today to a interactive permanent science center we have in town. We usually visit it once a month, but it will obviously close at some point. Kids don't have school so parent will seek to do these kind of activities. You have to cancel them if you don't want the kids get together there instead.
Esther wrote: "Well, the province of Quebec is joining in: Our PM made an announcement this afternoon:The Quebec government is banning all indoor events with more than 250 people.
People coming from outside the ..."
I also live in Quebec and they just closed all schools. I have the day off and we're going to Costco (not for toilet paper) hoping that the shelves are not empty and people are not freaking out.
Jannene wrote: "I haven’t slept a full night since the announcement. Stress is through the roof and it is just a struggle to go to work now. I’m down two employees since the layoff announcement (don’t blame them..."
L'm sorry Jannene. L'm here for you. No fun when they are layoffs and on top of that the Virus that is spreading fast.
@ Margo - I'm so sorry about your sister. Sending healing thoughts and virtual hugs.Our city has canceled all events until March 31st. They are advising not to go to restaurants and bars.
I did see a pretty neat idea on Facebook. We were planning on going out Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday, but have canceled. Instead we are going to support the restaurant by buying a gift certificate online so there is money coming in for them and redeem it at a later date.
My niece who lives in Seattle is now working from home and my great-niece's school is closed util April 27th. 3rd quarter is pretty much a bust.
I'm off to the hairdresser and the supermarket. Kind of curious about what I'll find there. I'm not the panicky kind that's now going to buy food for the next 3 months, but with all those other people emptying the shelves, I hope there will be something left for me! I'm glad though that I bought a big pack of toilet paper yesterday!
Sarah wrote: "Love the water dragon! And goodd luck with the new job, Rusalka. I hope covid19 doesn't get in the way."Oh it's so in the way... just like for everyone. I got rice today though! Small wins!
Peggy wrote: "I'm off to the hairdresser and the supermarket. Kind of curious about what I'll find there. I'm not the panicky kind that's now going to buy food for the next 3 months, but with all those other peo..."Yay for the hairdresser. My appts Tuesday and I hope she doesn't cancel. My priorities are in order LOL
Peggy wrote: "I suppose definition of 'lock-down' can vary per country/newspaper/person."Janice wrote: "I read something last night that Denmark had shut down. I found this article in the Daily Mail UK."
I haven't heard of the situation in Denmark from here. But I know the Daily Mail is like Fox News crossed with a weekly tv magazine (You'll never guess what she does!). Maybe have a look around for info?
Margo wrote: "This has been a terrible day. My cousin (who is a also a very good friend) has had a massive stroke. She is paralysed on her left site. Noone can visit her as the hospital is not allowing visits. I..."Sorry about your cousin, Margo! That's not good at all, particularly at this time. Hope they are okay and heal well.
And very annoying and upsetting about Pete's company. Multinationals really seem the most at risk at the moment, and it sucks.
Sarah wrote: "I agree Margo, it doesn't make sense..."It's like the Grand Prix in Melbourne today. No one would make the decision to cancel it, until people had been standing in line for hours and then they walked up and down with a loud speaker and told people to go home. Idiotic.
Sarah wrote: "Urgh, Boris Johnson is such a fool. Basically he won't close until it gets bad. Err, perhaps closing schools would stop it getting bad?!? Then he says they estimate 10000 have it here already even ..."Only Trump's presser was worse than this. It was terrible!
Peggy wrote: "All universities now have to immediately cancel all their educational activities. This means I'll be working from home until March 31. We can do bits digitally but that doesn't compare to actual cl..."Oh wow! I'll be interested in how this goes Peggy. We're talking about options now but still open. All public events cancelled this afternoon though until June.
Jannene wrote: "I’m down two employees since the layoff announcement (don’t blame them) but we can’t fill their positions and we are at a peak in work.."Oh that sucks, Jannene! I feel the pain. And it just is such bad timing these things align. All students and staff must know that this is unprecedented though, so they need to expect delays. Even if they don't know about the staff situation.
Our Home Affairs minister has been diagnosed this evening. He was in the US the other day meeting with Ivana and the US AG. At the risk of being horrible, I couldn't wish it on a better person. He's the one who locks up refugees, he is miltarising the police, he's making it impossible to get visas into the country, etc. There is an element of karma.
Rusalka wrote: "I haven't heard of the situation in Denmark from here. But I know the Daily Mail is like Fox News crossed with a weekly tv magazine (You'll never guess what she does!). Maybe have a look around for info? ..."Just did a quick google, and there are several news sources confirming.
I am at home for the duration. I have many book and movies on demand. The horse races should be cancelled. This situation reminds me of a classic Edgar Allen Poe story. The wealthy all party while the rest of the country is battling the Plague. Death crashes the party. I hope he doesn't crash the races
Just went to the supermarket. Some shelves were a bit emptier, but not as bad as some photos I've seen. The staff was all wearing useless black masks and blue plastic gloves. It looked ridiculous to be honest, and it's useless. As if you can't catch it when the virus is on your glove instead of your hand and you touch your face?The only thing gone was pain killers, which is a bummer as I've had a headache for the past few days and we're running low..
Jayme wrote: "Peggy wrote: "I'm off to the hairdresser and the supermarket. Kind of curious about what I'll find there. I'm not the panicky kind that's now going to buy food for the next 3 months, but with all t..."Haha, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! They're often just small businesses, I think they'll try really hard to stay open.
Rusalka wrote: "Peggy wrote: "All universities now have to immediately cancel all their educational activities. This means I'll be working from home until March 31. We can do bits digitally but that doesn't compar..."Me too! We should hear more this afternoon. We could do it all digitally, but it's not certain that all systems are safe and whether the school systems can handle it if everyone starts using the online tools, and when students have to log in with many at the same time. Alternatives are postponing classes and then perhaps catching up during holidays or maybe shortening exam periods.
For now we've been told to sit tight and not start organizing all kind of things ourselves, but just wait on their decision so that there's at least some order.
Dominique wrote: "I also live in Quebec and they just closed all schools. I have the day off and we're going to Costco (not for toilet paper) hoping that the shelves are not empty and people are not freaking out."I just heard about the school. Closed for 2 weeks here. My trip to the grocery last night was insane. There are usually more people on Thursday evenings, an old habit from the time when shops where only opened Thursday and Friday nights and the fact the it is the evening before the weekend. Adding the forecast of 2 days of bad weather and the "Corv-19 hoarders" did the trick. When I finally got the the cashier you could see she was tired. I told her that they had quite a night. She mentioned that her shift was supposed to end a 18h00. It was 20h00 and it did not look like she could leave any time soon.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
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It was my first day at my new job today, the day after my faculty decided to cancel international Field Schools and Study Tours as courses for the entire year. My new School teaches more of these than any other in the faculty. So my first introduction to an academic this morning was a rant about this choice. /Sigh
Wondering how long it will be until we shut too (I just saw Ireland just announced 30 mins ago to close all schools and unis). Which will be a brilliant way to start the new job.