The coronavirus is rearing its ugly head again as more and more people head out in to the sunset with or without a mask, no social distancing or simply not washing their hands. The NY Post put out this recent article (click here) compiling out a list of where’s it safe to be (singles at the tennis court) and where is it the most riskiest, most dangerous (anywhere people gather en masse).
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the safest and 10 being the most riskiest, here’s the list:
- takeout (food), tennis
- pumping gas, walking/running/biking
- libraries, grocery stores, hotels, museums, gold courses
- busy city sidewalks, dentist offices
- planes, beaches, bowling alleys, backyard BBQs
- movie theaters, hair salons, barber shops
- public pools
- gyms, sports stadiums, amusement parks, churches, buffet
- bars
- concerts, sports arenas, theaters, wherever people gather in crowds
The most that hubby and I have been doing lately is going to the grocery store twice a month and pumping gas on those two days we leave the family compound. We did get an invite to attend a BBQ next month but hubs and I aren’t sure we are going to attend. We also got an invite to join some fellow RVers down in Delaware for a week or two and we haven’t come to a decision on that either. It’s more of a ‘wait and see’.
The way things have been going lately, DH and I are very content to just stay at home, do DIY home repairs and maintenance, tend to our new garden, take walks and chat socially far apart with our neighbors and take a dip in our new, above ground (kiddie) pool.
To avoid the deadly disease, scientists say people should consider five risks before they venture out, including proximity to people; the likelihood others will practice safe behavior; indoors or out; exposure time, and personal health risks.
“Until we have a vaccine, we are going to have to move forward with risk-reduction strategies.”
Stay safe, everyone!
Ciphers From Cindi 
I guess I’m pretty safe then. I walk every day and go to either UPS, the grocery store, or the bank. Occasionally I’ll do a curbside pick up at a restaurant. I plan on visiting my parents later this summer, but that is all the travel. (Aside from making sure I see my son 😉 ). I’ve even cut my own hair to avoid hair salons. (I see they are lower on the list).
I continue to wash my hands raw but have limited my concern with the virus being on all surfaces. (It’s hard to know, really what is real and not real). I’m dubbing 2020 the year I make up for lost time building up my savings account. ( i.e. no vacation, new clothes, etc.). With hubby having to take a 10% cut, I’m beefing up all savings.
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Oh, I didn’t know your hubs had to take a pay cut. Bummer. Sorry.
We’ve been beefing up our savings account. Since we are going nowhere this summer and not really spending much money other than food and home maintenance, we’ve been fortunate to sock some much needed cash away! I guess this is a real new normal for the near foreseeable future. It’s fine. I’ll take it! Could be worse!
Stay safe.
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Yeah, very early on they did a 10% cut, cut out 401k contributions, and any bonus. It works out to be about 25% of his total compensation. Thankfully our major expenses (i.e. college, weddings, etc.) are past (except for my younger two, but I have time with them). Hopefully, once the pandemic is officially over, they will change their policy. Although I’m not banking on it.
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Oh Sharon, I had no idea. That’s a triple whammy. So sorry. We got hit with a disappointment also. Nick had to take Social Security now rather than in 2 years. We’ll be permanently hit with a reduced income for like forever! All his jobs evaporated.
As for this pandemic being over, I think we have a good 1 to 2 years of this new ‘normal’, which BTW is starting to get to me. UGH!
Now, more than ever we need Kate! I miss her so much. She had to stop vlogging because a foster child came through. Kate is so uplifting. I do love her spirit. I was wary of her in the beginning but she really is the real deal. If she can do it (live well on very little money) we all can!
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I do enjoy watching Kate. I’ve gotten a few ideas, although nothing I didn’t already really know. I enjoy her blog more than YouTube. I agree that it will take some serious time for us to go back to somewhat normalcy, although I’m sure there will be some permanent changes. I’m sorry about having to get Social Security early. BUT, Nick can relax, enjoy being home and you cook like a chef, how bad can it be? xoxo. I’m more optimistic than some, and I refuse to fall into the trap of all the news and fear. Perhaps I am naive, but I believe things will be fine.
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My DD attorney/ exec and SIL large corporation cut everyone 20%, 15 furlough days ( no pay) all bonuses and will still have layoffs next week. I hope Sharon your husband 10% is enough for his law firm to stay in the green.
I am with you and Cindi not taking any new chances or expanding my circle of contacts. I had Put aside in savings for a list of Summer projects which I am working through myself. I am viewing You Tube to sharpen my DIY skills.
There should be leftover savings since the labor cost is always so much more then the materials cost. I had interviewed cleaning services in January but got sick and never had them start and not going to. I am going to trim my own hair too.
Sincerely, Lara
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Thanks Lara for your additional tips. I’m having my husband cut my hair since I love, love, love the pixie cut. He’s been doing it with his buzz cutter. He’s been cutting his own hair for years. Hubby does all the property and car repairs and maintenance, including cutting the grass. I do all the interior cleaning and maintaining of the home. Lately, I’ve been thinking about hiring a main/cleaning service but I really don’t want the added expense. As long as I do my daily cleanings (2 hrs a day) I can keep up with the routine.
Some things we need to hire out. Or at least hire an assistant for hubby because neither I can help him or he can’t do it alone. Like the pool. The ground needs to be level and we’re not renting a $500 piece of equipment for a kiddie pool. LOL! So, for $45 a hour, hubs has this guy come in and do it. He’ll also help in setting up the pool. Either way, it’ll be a whole lot cheaper than any thing else. 3 to 4 hours tops!
Thanks for your comment.
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Hi Lara, my husband works for a law firm that is particularly fiscally responsible. They did it so early on, that I’m sure they will be fine. The did end up furloughing 25 administrative employees (who had nothing to do at home), but I have a feeling they used the pandemic as an excuse.
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Sharon that’s great your husband’s law firm has always been fiscally responsible. Covid19 and all it’s repercussions has truly impacted businesses in unforeseen circumstances. Sincerely, Lara
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Interesting conversation with my family on them extending their circles of contact to go for doctors appointments and kid’s activities and the kids seeing their friends. Would I still come over to watch my grandkids? Do I want to take more risk also? This is not an easy decision .
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I haven’t seen my children or grandchildren since Christmas. FaceTime doesn’t cut it. It’s starting to bother me now but my kids insist they don’t want me to get sick. I think we are just going to drive in to see them but stay in our car. Crazy? Insane? Sad really.
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I’ve been to the dentist and see my grandkids all the time. I made a rule that seeing family is fine. I’m going to see my parents in early August, as long as we are all healthy. There is something to be said for keeping up with your mental health, and that’s one way we are doing it.
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I went three months without seeing my DD family forty miles Awlful!
If you get your pool up will they come to your place? You have a perfect setup with an RV to keep social distances for 14 days quarantine. You would enjoy watching your GD instead of birds! By maintaining two location close by and all wearing mask you would be almost 99% safe. And especially with your daughter being able to work from home., she could work from the RV. After that hugs and kisses for all. The rental car agency’s have disinfectant procedures Between renters and they could rent one to come out to you. On the way they could do a ShopRite big order pickup and probably pay a lot less for their food. Lara
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I’m hoping they come for the pool! We’ve discussed staying in the RV. Ditto for the car rental. I’m hoping the July 4 th weekend will entice them. Fingers crossed.
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