When we look back on this we will find a lot of mistakes were made. I think that is to be expected with something new like this. People were already shutting things down before the state did here in indiana. 2 weeks before the shut down our church had about 20 people out of the usual hundred or so and most of those the younger crowd. There was no handshaking or visiting just an abbreviated service and out the door. The next week there was no in person service and that was before the shutdown. People were already skipping eating out and the run on groceries had already begun, and all this in a very rural area. Things were going to shut down anyway. At least with the official shut down workers and business were able to get money from the govt.
My company's business was going to shit long before there were any government mandates. We manufacture goods that are used in large corporate gatherings, conventions, awards ceremonies, etc., and those activities were being cancelled beginning in February. We had gone to a reduced work week (with consummate reduced pay). When the stay at home orders came out, we went on full furlough.
We came back full time this week. My owner is promising a full 40 hour work week for the staff, which I am sure is mandated by the terms of the PPP loan/grant he was able to get. We don't have anywhere close to the amount of work needed to be fully staffed, but no matter -- everyone is drawing a paycheck, and the place is getting a long overdue cleanup and clearout of accumulated junk.
In the meantime, based simply on the number of inquiries and actual orders we're seeing, it's seems like things are loosening up. Whether that's good or bad or right or wrong I won't get into here. We're doing everything imaginable to reduce the risk, with the masks and gloves and distancing and temperature checks every morning. One production gal has been retasked to spend her entire day cleaning and wiping down common touch surfaces.
Me, I'm high risk due to age and compromised respiratory function. My wife checks every high risk box except obesity. Am I concerned about infection? You bet. Nevertheless, you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm playing by all the rules and not doing anything foolish, and most everyone around me is doing the same.
We have actually made out well financially -- my income on the enhanced unemployment was more than my normal salary. And that $2400 that showed up last week bumped the bank balance nicely too.
Discussion and debates about policy are fine and dandy. Anyone who reads the Cooler knows no one likes that stuff any more than I do. But in the final analysis each of us has to decide how we're going to act based on our own circumstances. Government has a role to play; we need to prevent the reckless douchebags from endangering people, but at the same time we need to be able to do what's necessary to take care of ourselves and our families. For some, that means staying isolated. For others, that means going to work. For others, that means finding a middle ground.
In the meantime, I'm hoping they figure out a way to play football. I'm a selfish bastard that way.