How's everyone doing amongst the Coronavirus shut down? (Philadelphia, Wall: foreclosure, hotel)

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

Likely a recession that will make the last one look like a children's birthday party. They're saying it could hit 20% unemployment, double the Great Recession. There's no question that the financial toll and unemployment will be very heavy. It may change this country in ways we don't yet know. I'm praying for the best but preparing for the worst.

Yes. Sigh. It was about 25% during the Great Depression.

And, as I said, I was crazy with worry last summer because of the ongoing trade war and tariffs. But this could be worse.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

Service and tourism/travel are going to be hugely impacted for sure. I do agree on the acceleration of virtual work, but that's already happening. Organizations that had remote capabilities partially in the past are now making a huge investment into hardware, software, network and licenses to equip employees. I don't think it will wait a month.

On the other side, the mortgage industry is literally blowing up because of low rates, which may not be available for long due to volume and lenders trying to slow new applications.

This will accelerate everything Andrew Yang was talking about and will create an even bigger gap between those who are already fully equipped to cope with new tech and those who aren't and never will be.

[PHL10]

With this type of mind set at the top, it's no wonder PSD schools are for the most part (use whichever negative adjective you like).

Philly teachers told to halt remote instruction due to equity concerns
Philadelphia teachers may no longer offer remote instruction to students, according to a memo sent by the Philadelphia School District to principals Tuesday night.
“To ensure equity, remote instruction should not be provided to students, including through the internet, technology at home, by phone or otherwise,” said the memo, which was obtained by The Inquirer.
“Students should not be required to complete new assignments or homework activities. Schools may not make independent decisions to provide remote instruction at this time. As guidance and circumstances continue to unfold, we will provide updates as necessary.”

https://www.inquirer.com/health/coro...-20200318.html

[g555]

If the PA or NJ governors implemented shelter-in-place (similar to San Francisco), how different would it be from the current restrictions?

The shelter in place is intended so that people stay at home, but residents are still permitted to go outside to exercise, shop at drug store or grocery stores, and order and pick up take out from restaurants.

I suppose that means there is more enforcement, limiting people just walking aimlessly around or loitering. And, businesses that do not provide "essential" services must send workers home.

I noticed also Greyhound is still selling tickets for bus trips this week. Isn't it crazy that we can still take a Greyhound bus from Philly to Baltimore, even though it would seem very likely to catch the virus on a bus. I've been to the bus terminal in Atlantic City last year and it was the grossest terminal I've been to, yet it's still open.

And the airlines are still running their domestic flights with no restrictions.

The lockdown in Italy is more a true lockdown.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

Service and tourism/travel are going to be hugely impacted for sure. I do agree on the acceleration of virtual work, but that's already happening. Organizations that had remote capabilities partially in the past are now making a huge investment into hardware, software, network and licenses to equip employees. I don't think it will wait a month.

On the other side, the mortgage industry is literally blowing up because of low rates, which may not be available for long due to volume and lenders trying to slow new applications.

It makes me sad when I think about how well Philadelphia was doing from a tourism standpoint (record hights), new hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. now all with uncertain futures. And there is so much construction in and around Center City, I sure hope these projects don't stall or die because of this...

[TownDweller]

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

Service and tourism/travel are going to be hugely impacted for sure. I do agree on the acceleration of virtual work, but that's already happening. Organizations that had remote capabilities partially in the past are now making a huge investment into hardware, software, network and licenses to equip employees. I don't think it will wait a month.

On the other side, the mortgage industry is literally blowing up because of low rates, which may not be available for long due to volume and lenders trying to slow new applications.

The home buying market is in an interesting place. Rates have risen already because there was to much activity to process. I think a lot of it is probably due to refi's because the supply is incredibly tight. Hard to say what will happen when the panic subsides.

[jessxwrites89]

Originally Posted by Muinteoir

I agree with really feeling for those in the service and medical industries, as well as the many people who can’t stay home. I hope companies with employees that can’t work remotely have a plan for anyone 60+ to receive paid time off until this is settled.

Right now I’m fine with social distancing, I’m just worried about how sustainable this is long-term. I went to the Wegmans in KoP this morning, and although I dodged the crowds, the store was well cleared of many essentials.

Really? Ugh, I hope they restock for Sunday. I am GF and will need to restock. No panic buying here... I'll continue my normal weekly shopping trips. I can't afford to panic buy.

[selhars]

Philly teachers told to halt remote instruction due to equity concerns
Philadelphia teachers may no longer offer remote instruction to students, according to a memo sent by the Philadelphia School District to principals Tuesday night.

Thank goodness as of about a decade ago all my nieces and nephews in Philly were in private school or cyber school.

[selhars]

IF you were stocked up on everything you need -- for at least two weeks -- would you still go out and shop for food right now....OR use your in-house stock of produce and staples for two weeks, see what the next two weeks bring....and then go out and food shop?

I have at least two weeks worth of food (not including produce).
I'm curious about a shopping strategy....

I tend to be a pack rat and stocker-upper in general. So even before this issue hit, I had YEARS of trash bags, toilet paper and paper towels, tooth paste, cleaning supplies, laundry and dish detergent, copy paper for a printer stocked up. You name a non perishable, I've probably got plenty of it. (I have lots of storage space.)

I'm leaning toward staying in for at least a week and seeing what develops.

[jessxwrites89]

I'm Gluten-free and I can't stock up on a lot of stuff because it goes bad quickly. Same with fresh produce. I can't eat a lot of the perishables; not only GF issues, but dairy issues and I have to watch my liver.