Coronavirus fallout so far in The Long and Winding Road
- March 10, 2020, 8:31 p.m.
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- Public
We’re only a couple of weeks into the Coronavirus here in the Seattle area and already the effects are starting to be devastating. It’s most likely only a matter of time before it comes to your town, wherever you are.
I know of several (if not all) downtown hotels that have closed at least 1/3 of their floors, so the rooms don’t need to be cleaned or heated. House cleaning staff and other hotel employees have been either laid off or had their hours cut. Small restaurants and cafes in downtown Seattle that depend on the lunch crowd for their livelihood, have let employees go because their customer base has fallen dramatically. Several (I don’t know how many) larger, popular restaurants may have to close temporarily. It’s been taking me half the time to get to and from work as it usually does because there are so few cars on the road. This means people aren’t buying gas or paying tolls, or supporting our mass transit system. Flight attendants and pilots are being laid off. Major events have been postponed, meaning millions of dollars in lost revenue. All those people who have been laid off, especially lower income people like hotel cleaning people and wait staff, won’t be able to pay their rent or their power bills. Landlords who depend on rental income to make their own mortgage payments will be in trouble.
The list goes on and on. This is very serious, and it doesn’t look like the end is in sight. It likely will get worse before it gets better. I am glad that our president has assured everyone that we should not worry, that it will go away.
My friend Nancy decided to self-quarantine at least until she sees her doctor tomorrow. (I might have mentioned this already). I don’t blame her, but it’s created quite a hardship in the office because there are only a few other people who can substitute for her at the reception desk, leaving their own work behind. Vivian is one of them and she is pissed. She never said one word to me today, even when we almost bumped into each other. She wears her emotions on her sleeve, for sure.
That’s the update from Kirkland, Washington.
GypsyWynd ⋅ March 10, 2020
It's not that bad here (yet). But don't worry......it'll go away. (sure)
Flame is Love ⋅ March 10, 2020
I've noticed the lack of traffic in Portland already. It's weird.
Marg ⋅ March 11, 2020
I think the ripple effect will only get worse. It’s not too bad here yet although we were in an Italian restaurant on Monday night and apart from one other family, were the only ones there :(
Just Annie ⋅ March 11, 2020
Our governor declared a state of emergency here in Ohio. Colleges are suspending in-person classes. Organizers are canceling some gatherings. Katie and I stocked up yesterday and I'll go out today for a few other things, but I will limit my exposure to others as much as I can. It could be deadly if Robert gets it, he struggles with breathing as it is. I'm feeling a little guilty about not canceling our trip to Disney, but I didn't know there were so many cases.
Anaiss Just Annie ⋅ March 11, 2020
You're smart to stock up. It doesn't hurt to be prepared. I have a "quarantine" box of food in my bedroom (partly because I don't have room in my cabinets for more food and partly so I don't touch it). I have extra dog food, a few canned meats, soup (if I do get sick, that's usually what I want), etc. And my freezer is full. So far, even though the fallout is already devastating, the illness itself seems to be moving slowly through the population. So we don't know how long this will last. If there aren't any confirmed diagnoses in your area, any major issues (if you're going to have them) are probably at least several weeks away. NOT that I really know what I'm talking about. I can only share our experience here!
plushcreep ⋅ March 12, 2020
Washington state definitely has it the worst right now. I worry about all my family and friends living there!
Deleted user ⋅ May 12, 2020
I am so over Covid-19. I hope it goes away soon.