Life comes at you fast, but not stimulus checks

Total number of coronavirus cases globally surpassed 500,000. Cases in Europe topped 250,000 - more than half of which were in Spain and hard-hit Italy. Spain recorded 655 new fatalities over 24 hours, while Italy's death toll rose by 712 to hit 8,215. Kenya, Kazakhstan and Honduras all reported their first deaths. 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/timeline-china-coronavirus-spread-200126061554884.html

26 Mar 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
11:40am GMT	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	423,681	487,433	18,922	22,026	109,154	117,557
US	53,160	68,594	688	1,036	29	428
NY	25,647	33,013	210	366	0	40
CT	618	875	12	19	0	0
NC	477	592	0	2	0	0

Documenting specific time of day because real time data is constantly updating.
Tracking specific states: NY is US epicenter, son Reid lives in CT, and I live in NC. 
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/               https://www.coronainusa.com/  

After four senators – Graham (R-SC), Scott (R-SC), Sasse (R-NE), Scott (R-FL) – argued against the stimulus bill because they objected to people receiving unemployment benefits also receiving stimulus, concerned both checks combined would be a disincentive to work – the bill passed unanimously with 96 yay votes, 0 nay. Four senators currently in quarantine – Lee (R-UT), Paul (R-KY), Romney (R-UT), Thune (R-SD) – were unable to vote.
https://www.countable.us/articles/43277-dc-3-26-20

https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=2&vote=00080
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/25/bernie-sanders-4-gop-senators-threaten-to-hold-up-coronavirus-stimulus-bill.html

NOTE: Greg and his coworkers agreed with the four senators who argued against the unemployment clause. I understand their point of view but would rather give people a little extra money for a few months during this crisis than not. Here are some additional sources and perspectives on the bill:  Axios, CNBC, and Countable .

Next step house vote, then president will sign the bill, then the slow bureaucratic process of funds disbursement. It will probably be May when people actually receive money to spend. Some citizens will receive an electronic transfer to their bank account if the IRS has that information linked to a tax refund. If not then paper checks will be mailed. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2020/03/25/all-you-wanted-to-know-about-those-tax-stimulus-checks-but-were-afraid-to-ask/?fbclid=IwAR0oxqEstquDsZCcPbW93tPdMSDBcp7Gd_t-i0u8EFFpqIW43qbd74mZD4k#58a0df3a1f9c

Some on Twitter complained their stimulus checks would not be enough because the cost of living is significantly higher than average where they live. Below is my response:

I empathize with you, truly. This money will help a lot of other people though. And some don't need financial help at all. Hope you will be ok. Please don't begrudge what congress is trying to do to help as many people as possible. Peace.

Context: As a retiree, I receive a modest monthly pension. Husband Greg works for the city in an essential position so his job, income, and benefits are secure. We downsized a couple years ago so we have no mortgage, no debt of any kind. We worry about our health, and the health of our family and friends, but money is a secondary concern for us.

Technology has become a comfort during quarantine. Some of my women friends that I’ve known for 30+ years use a Google group and email listserv to stay in touch. They send email updates with pictures, helpful information about senior shopping hours, inspiring music, and funny jokes. One of them started writing a fictional story in a word doc and asked for others to contribute, campfire style. My authoring energy is focused on this blog though I love reading the story they are creating together. I’ve wandered into and out of the group multiple times over the years. They are like family to me, older sisters, always welcoming me back no matter how annoying I am sometimes.  I love the creativity and compassion and support of this group. These women individually and collectively nourish my soul and I love them for it.  

Before the pandemic, I was ambivalent about social media. Didn’t post much, didn’t consider it worthwhile because of trolls, scammers, bots, and fake news posts. I’m learning to manage my feeds better now, to find and share information, to winnow out hostile or misleading content, and to enjoy funny memes and videos as a welcome distraction from the deadly serious world around me. Facebook helps me stay connected with friends, family and acquaintances near and far. Twitter is different, briefer posts due to character limits, but more views and more engagement. A Facebook post might result in a few likes, comments, and/or shares but nothing I’ve written has gone viral. A series of travel posts got some unexpected attention a few years ago but never topped more than 100 likes. On Twitter, one of my tweets has been viewed more than 73,000 times, despite being not particularly good content compared to other things I’ve shared. Interesting tweets by other people routinely reach thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands. The scale is incredible. I’m on Instagram too but don’t like it much, partly because I’m still learning how it works.

Personally, I think social media are like guns in that they need to be regulated to protect society. I don’t begrudge people having them and using them responsibly. I know how to use some of them and I have access to them if/when I need them. I would use them to defend myself, but not to attack. I strongly believe sensible regulations are needed to keep people from hurting each other. That is all I have to say/write about that, for now.

I’ve been blogging for a little over a week and have content covering 3 months. The format and tone evolve day to day. I’m tempted to go back and edit older posts to make them better but don’t, except for fixing typos.

If you blog but no one reads it, does it matter? Well, 49 people are reading Pfafftown Corona Chronicles so far. Wish more would check it out and maybe even post some comments. We don't have to agree on world views or anything else, but it sure is comforting to connect with people and to have online conversations during this quarantine.

Aside from the blog and gardening, I'm working on creating a series of bingo cards. I've got three so far: one family friendly non-partisan version for all to enjoy (available online now), one for liberal progressives, and one for Trump supporters. Doing my part to help folks get along a little better during pandemic game nights. ;)

Yesterday I learned there are 8 cases in Southington where Reid lives, and 7 cases in Meriden where his girlfriend Lauren and her family live. UConn sent Reid an email advising him to retrieve the rest of his belongings from his dorm room by Sunday or else his things would be put in storage. Reid heard the dorms might be used as field hospitals but I haven’t found anything online to verify; plausible but unconfirmed at this time. https://www.courant.com/coronavirus/hc-news-map-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-connecticut-20200313-blvwwnjisjearocpv2ddysmxtu-htmlstory.html

Also learned there is 1 case in Caldwell County where 99% of my family lives. Many of them are conservative Trump supporters. I’m concerned they might not think the virus is a threat to them. I’m worried for all of them and hope they are all safe and healthy, especially my brother and his family and our 90 year old grandmother. As of this morning, Caldwell County is now at 3, and Catawba County where my brother works is 4. I’m thankful he is able to work from home right now.  https://www.hickoryrecord.com/news/local/covid--update-caldwell-now-at-confirmed-cases-catawba-county/article_26c054dc-6eb0-11ea-b597-a3083f1e272d.html