Paranoia or common sense?

[Clipper]

I was telling a friend yesterday that I avoid shopping near the interstate whenever possible. I try to avoid shopping at our major shopping areas adjacent to I-81 in Virginia. Walmart and Sam's Club, Target and many major retailers are located there, along with many of the major chain restaurants, gas stations, and hotels. The last time I was at Sam's Club, I noticed that there were several tractor trailers on the outlying edges of the parking lot and in the Walmart lot next door, taking their break and sleeping. The lot at Sam's Club had campers and motorhomes overnight camping in the parking lot with a wide variety of out of state plates.

I tend to view the interstate as a flowing stream, possibly polluted with Covid19 as people flow through town from all over the country. I just take precautions and try to shop AWAY from the interstate exits when possible. I try to shop locally at markets and other businesses that tend to be patronized mainly by local people rather than transients passing through.

Georgia threw open the doors in what some regard as a reckless abandonment of any caution. They are to our South. Tennessee is beginning to cautiously and gradually reopen in a responsible manner. Virginia, to our North is still locked down with severe restrictions allowing only the most essential of businesses to reopen today for the first time.

Salons and barber shops are allowed to reopen today here in Bristol. I am in need of a haircut and Kathy wants to have her hair colored and trimmed. Salons have to use only every other station, and have to maintain a minimum of 12 feet between customers. Appointments are necessary and no one will be allowed to lounge with a magazine while they wait for their haircut. Some businesses are requiring customers to wait their turn while sitting in their car, and the business will call them on their cell phone when it is their turn to enter.

Kathy and I have an appointment today with our lawyer to update our wills which were made over twenty years ago. The lawyer is doing business in a conference room where people can sit far apart, and the surfaces can be readily sanitized between clients. Masks are required by clients and temperatures are being taken when you enter the office. Over reaction? I don't believe so. In my estimation it is simply common sense caution.

Is there any major progress in reopening of businesses in CNY as of yet?

[BHU]

I haven't heard of any concrete plans to reopen around here. I will continue to avoid crowds either way because all this talk of reopening is based on economic not health reasons i.e., it's safe to resume life somewhat as before. There are too many people out there who are carriers & don't know it because only a small number of people are being tested. This reopening so soon is insanity. It's too soon, there will be a resurgance within months & thousands of people are going to die. All the experts on infectious disease are warning of what's coming but people won't listen. If it was safe to reopen Mitch McConnell wouldn't be seeking immunity for employers from legal action against them if an employee catches the virus at their job & gets sick or dies. It's CYA & workers are going to pay for it.

[clarencebunsen]

One permanent closing is the Black Cat Restaurant.

Here is the NY Guidelines for regional re-opening:
www.governor.ny.gov/new-york-forward/regional-guidelines-re-opening-new-york