David Hammond wrote:maybe I should buy a gun (as police may be understaffed), fire extinguishers (as the fire department may be understaffed), etc.

Hammond,

A gun, maybe, if you are comfortable with guns. Fire extinguisher, absolutely. In fact if you don't already have a few around the house you should buy at least 3 tomorrow. Kitchen, garage, basement. Even if you have a fire extinguisher you should check the date, they start to loose effectiveness after a period of time.

Regards,
Gary 'Belt and Suspenders' Wiv

G Wiv wrote:

David Hammond wrote:maybe I should buy a gun (as police may be understaffed), fire extinguishers (as the fire department may be understaffed), etc.

Hammond,

A gun, maybe, if you are comfortable with guns. Fire extinguisher, absolutely. In fact if you don't already have a few around the house you should buy at least 3 tomorrow. Kitchen, garage, basement. Even if you have a fire extinguisher you should check the date, they start to loose effectiveness after a period of time.

Regards,
Gary 'Belt and Suspenders' Wiv

And please, don't forget flashlights, either!

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ronnie_suburban wrote:And please, don't forget flashlights, either!

Yes, Flashlights, always a good idea.

A little over a week ago, an apparent eternity in "science years," I was thinking about how restaurants and foodservice could become a central front line in this ordeal. Because so many people eat out, there's a naturally-wide net already cast. Combine that with the fact that so many workers in this segment of the economy not only lack healthcare but actually jeopardize their jobs by even calling in sick, and it all adds up to a situation that's ripe with negative potential.

Like many of you, over the past few days, I've been inundated with messages from bars, restaurants and other types of eateries pledging that, in the face of this crisis, they will act more responsibly than ever and focus seriously on doing the right thing (I've received five such emails in the few minutes since I started drafting this post). They promise that there will be more frequent, intense and diligent focus on hygiene and cleaning. Employees who are sick will be required to stay away from work, seek medical attention, and not return to work until they're cleared by a doctor to do so, etc.

Given the industry's reputation and the constant pressure on them to keep prices down, I don't know whether to be encouraged by it or not. Should I believe it? Do they really mean it? Are they serious? Or is it just lip service intended to rationalize the decision to stay open rather than fully suspend operations? The benefit of the doubt side of me truly hopes that they -- and everyone else, for that matter -- are genuinely concerned about the long haul and not just servicing the short one with rhetoric. Such a position might represent positive changes that could endure even after the current situation eases.

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I just got back from a shopping trip and found some ransacked stores! I've never seen "pandemic" shelves before but now I have. I basically was also only shopping for normal weekly items like bananas, yogurt, pasta, and bread. I found a wee bit of pasta and bread.

Clearly, people are panicked. I'm sure they are also adjusting to a possibility of working from home full-time (my office told people to do so next week at the very least) and having kids around. Still, the reality is really setting in on where things stand right now. Empty store shelves somehow bring it home more than cancelled sporting events or radio news reports (which can seem a bit distant).

In any case, I'm sorry I didn't read this thread earlier. Not because I feel I missed a chance to stock up, but because the suggestion of using this as an opportunity to clean out my shelves, my fridge, and my freezer would have been welcome. I honestly don't really need any of the food I bought over the last week and would have welcomed the challenge of working through some of my stores. Maybe I can help out some friends and neighbors in a pinch, so I guess having stuff isn't so bad.

Still, it's getting real, guys.

I had to go to Winnetka yesterday afternoon, and so I decided to stop in at the Jewel on Green Bay in Wilmette on my way home. That was a big mistake. I could not find a parking spot in the lot, and so I decided to park on Green Bay. I then carried a cart I found on the sidewalk with me to the store. When I got to the store, I found out they were out of carts anyway. People were in panic buying mode. I saw people buying lots of bottled water, toilet paper, and paper towels. I was going to get a loaf of bread, and there was practically nothing left. I did not have to stop there. I only went there because I was going right past the store. The only good thing was the express lines were a lot quicker than the other lines because most people had overflowing carts. I stock up when things are on sale, and so I did not need any paper towels or toilet paper.

I then went to Sams Club to buy gas. It was $2,28 a gallon. I then decided to go in the store and buy some cone coffee filters since I am almost out. There was no toilet paper or paper towels left at that store, and they were out of egg, and whole and 2% milk. Well they were out of coffee filters too, and so I ended up going to Food4Less where I bought my coffee filters, some sugar and a pineapple. I think I will stay out of the grocery stores for at least a week. Jewel reminded me of Dominick's when they had their going out of business sale. I found all kinds of groceries that people decided they did not need, and just left them where ever.

A little related NSFW comic relief from George Carlin back in 2011 . . .



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NFriday wrote:I had to go to Winnetka yesterday afternoon, and so I decided to stop in at the Jewel on Green Bay in Wilmette on my way home. That was a big mistake. I could not find a parking spot in the lot, and so I decided to park on Green Bay. I then carried a cart I found on the sidewalk with me to the store. When I got to the store, I found out they were out of carts anyway. People were in panic buying mode. I saw people buying lots of bottled water, toilet paper, and paper towels. I was going to get a loaf of bread, and there was practically nothing left. I did not have to stop there. I only went there because I was going right past the store. The only good thing was the express lines were a lot quicker than the other lines because most people had overflowing carts. I stock up when things are on sale, and so I did not need any paper towels or toilet paper.

I then went to Sams Club to buy gas. It was $2,28 a gallon. I then decided to go in the store and buy some cone coffee filters since I am almost out. There was no toilet paper or paper towels left at that store, and they were out of egg, and whole and 2% milk. Well they were out of coffee filters too, and so I ended up going to Food4Less where I bought my coffee filters, some sugar and a pineapple. I think I will stay out of the grocery stores for at least a week. Jewel reminded me of Dominick's when they had their going out of business sale. I found all kinds of groceries that people decided they did not need, and just left them where ever.

I decided to stock up for the house and to help my mom as she's 75 and in spite of her perfect health, I don't want her to go out for a while. If that wasn't enough I'm doing an Atkins/Keto diet now so all I have is meat, eggs and vegetables. Nothing processed. My main goal was Costco, to get lots of eggs and steaks, plus Wild Planet Tuna (the best!) and whatever else. I tried the Glenview store but the lot was overflowing, so we detoured up to Mettawa where it was nothing more than a busy weekend. I got my tuna, 6 dozen eggs (which will last into mid-April), and nearly the last of the 10 strip steaks. That was a close call. I also topped off my tank for $1.94 a gallon. We also hit Aldi (I bought 5 of the $5 Buona Italian Beef buckets - perfect for the diet), Trader Joe's in Vernon Hills and Northbrook (they were out of frozen vegetables in VH, but not in Northbrook), Mariano's (my Mom said TP was on sale - and I laughed - telling her there will be nothing left even if not on sale), and Sunset in HP (next to her house). Was it over the top driving all over? Yes. But I had nothing else to do that day, so there was nothing wrong with trying to get specific items we like. Normally Aldi is not in my rotation, but they are the only ones with the beef deal. I have an insider at Jewel who let me know when the TP delivery was coming in so I ran over to get some as well last night.

So I am going to remain on the low carb menu for weeks to come and I'm ok with that!

I have a friend who likes her food fresh, fresh, fresh. She is a daily visitor to Sunset Foods in Highland Park. She reported they were rationing toilet paper. The chicken bin was empty and pretty much all other meat. This was yesterday, so things may have changed.

My Dad suggests this morning I pick up toilet paper in the next week or two. I checked the bathrooms and basement, we have 18 rolls of toilet paper. I will wait a few weeks on that. We typically buy those big bags of TP at Costco.

When I did visit Costco on Monday, I picked up dishwasher detergent. If I have to wash dishes by hand, I will not be happy.

Regards,
Cathy2

At Shop and Save in Niles (Golf Mill) they had only 1 brand of toilet paper left on the floor and they had plenty in stock as I saw the outrageous (maybe illegal pricing, Scott's 36 pk. for $39.99):

Jewel Mount Prospect was cleaned out of paper towels, toilet paper, any cleaner with bleach,.
Oddly, they were also very low on bread, tortillas and packaged sliced cheese (plenty in the deli). So that makes this a Grilled Cheese Emergency, versus the usual French Toast Emergency (eggs and milk were well-stocked)

JoelF wrote:So that makes this a Grilled Cheese Emergency

Ha, I'm ahead of the game. I made Ellen grilled cheese with tomato for lunch and I had hummus with a couple of hard boiled eggs and flatbread toasted on my gas stove burner.
No pics, with the prospect of shortages I don't want to use up the Kodak film in my phone on random home lunches.

G Wiv wrote:Weird, verging on eerie, none, zero, nada, toilet paper, bottled water or Bounty paper towels at Costco Niles today around 3pm. I went for my regular run which includes Kirkland toilet paper, Bounty paper towels and the 20oz cases of water, they were wiped out.

Now, about ten days later, I'm thinking maybe I should have gone a little overboard when I had the chance.

Speaking of overboard, was at Fresh Farms Niles yesterday, Saturday, around 2pm, lot full, store full, zero packaged bread, few scattered packs of flatbread, milk/butter/meat low, carts insanely full. I was just there for regular shopping, milk, eggs, fresh fish for dinner, veg, but lots of folks were really digging in. No fights in the shopping aisles though more than one person seemed right on the edge.

Had a nice convo with a fellow in the checkout line, he was shopping for both his household and elder moms. Interesting fellow, we pleasantly chatted while an older couple in masks held hands and smiled with their eyes. Store personnel seemed stressed.

G Wiv wrote:

G Wiv wrote:Weird, verging on eerie, none, zero, nada, toilet paper, bottled water or Bounty paper towels at Costco Niles today around 3pm. I went for my regular run which includes Kirkland toilet paper, Bounty paper towels and the 20oz cases of water, they were wiped out.

Now, about ten days later, I'm thinking maybe I should have gone a little overboard when I had the chance.

Speaking of overboard, was at Fresh Farms Niles yesterday, Saturday, around 2pm, lot full, store full, zero packaged bread, few scattered packs of flatbread, milk/butter/meat low, carts insanely full. I was just there for regular shopping, milk, eggs, fresh fish for dinner, veg, but lots of folks were really digging in. No fights in the shopping aisles though more than one person seemed right on the edge.

Had a nice convo with a fellow in the checkout line, he was shopping for both his household and elder moms. Interesting fellow, we pleasantly chatted while an older couple in masks held hands and smiled with their eyes. Store personnel seemed stressed.

CostcoTP1.jpg

I went there at 8 AM yesterday and saw a line of people with empty carts out the door waiting to get in the store. I turned around and went home as I was also just doing regular shopping and didn't really *need* any of the items that much.

This is a demand problem. It will not remedy itself until people become a little less afraid. I assume that the only thing that might mitigate it is time.

What I don't understand is how people think that:
a) social distancing
b) going to a store with lots of people/ waiting in long lines

are in any way compatible.

If I were the CEO of a toilette paper company, I would be preparing to shut down operations for a while because no one is going to be buying any for the next year after this panic stops.

I have problems with people being told that they are supposed to stay away from large crowds, but when you go to Jewel there are no carts, and there are 10 people waiting in each line with their carts filled to the brim. I heard that some grocery store chains are limiting the hours they are open to give them time to restock shelves. What is the sense of staying open until midnight when the shelves are empty?

I remember when Dominick's was going out of business, toilet paper was the first thing to go. One day I was at the Morton Grove store, and a shipment of toilet paper had just come in. 15 minutes later it was 90% gone. People were leaving the store with two shopping carts of toilet paper. Does Jewel put any limit on how much toilet paper people can buy at one time? I am going to run out of bread in a few days, but I am afraid if I go to Jewel they will be out of bread.

NFriday wrote:What is the sense of staying open until midnight when the shelves are empty?

Those stores with late or 24-hours expect to restock during off hours. If anything, you don't find someone ready to check you out. You have to do a little shout to attract any attention.

I have a feeling this cutting of hours is related to staffing. If part of your workforce is ill or in self-quarantine, you cut your public hours to have enough staff to run the store.

Life is indeed strange presently.

Regards,
Cathy2

My friend works at Jewel. He is so stressed along with the employees and it's taking it's toll on them. They were not putting a limit on TP as of Thursday which was the last time I was out (and the last time I expect to go out for 2 weeks). I was fortunate to have hit Costco at the end of February to get a 30 pack of TP and a 15 pack of paper towels. When the crisis hit I bought another 18 pack of TP just in case other members of my family are low. I bought a bidet last year so I barely use TP anymore (another member of the household does use it a little bit more).

I heard Woodman's had to shut down to restock the other day.

NFriday I have to ask - if you are running out of bread why not start making your own? Try making a bunch of varieties? Make the most of it. You could become a baker!

This was just posted in the Chicago Tribune:

“So we’re actually looking hard at that decision making today. We obviously saw what happened in Europe,” Pritzker said. “Nowhere in the United States really has there been a lockdown on bars and restaurants, but it’s something that we’re seriously looking at.”

“People aren’t understanding that, even if you’re healthy, even if you’re young, that you may be a carrier,” Pritzker said. “And you’re going to hand it over to somebody else. COVID-19 is spreading because even healthy people can be walking around, giving it to other people. So we need to go on lockdown.”

CSD

gastro gnome wrote:What I don't understand is how people think that:
a) social distancing
b) going to a store with lots of people/ waiting in long lines

are in any way compatible.

I'm thinking shopping in a crowded store, when I really did not need to, was not the best idea I've had. Fresh Farms fresh cod was really tasty though. And, at $7.49/lb for spanking fresh cod, a pretty good deal.

I've been using this recipe/technique from Scott Rea via Youtube for a few years.
How To Cook Cod.Pan Fried,Skinless Cod Fillet

Ram4 wrote:My friend works at Jewel. He is so stressed along with the employees and it's taking it's toll on them. They were not putting a limit on TP as of Thursday which was the last time I was out (and the last time I expect to go out for 2 weeks). I was fortunate to have hit Costco at the end of February to get a 30 pack of TP and a 15 pack of paper towels. When the crisis hit I bought another 18 pack of TP just in case other members of my family are low. I bought a bidet last year so I barely use TP anymore (another member of the household does use it a little bit more).

The latest post on the Jewel/Osco Instagram because of the influx of the store stock being depleted so quickly they are hiring in all locations immediately! I never saw a job posting that said "work for us as long as you need."... This is really an interesting time in history!

"We're hiring at all of our locations--immediately! Work for us as long as you need. We are looking for cashiers, stockers and deli associates for all shifts! We WILL be flexible with any needs you have at home. Apply online [application link in bio] or stop by your nearest Jewel-Osco location today!"

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9u0AVUBuEf/

Same out here at Stracks—saw a post that you can just show up and they’ll put you to work (and pay you of course ). Interesting times, for sure.

G Wiv wrote:

gastro gnome wrote:What I don't understand is how people think that:
a) social distancing
b) going to a store with lots of people/ waiting in long lines

are in any way compatible.

I'm thinking shopping in a crowded store, when I really did not need to, was not the best idea I've had. Fresh Farms fresh cod was really tasty though. And, at $7.49/lb for spanking fresh cod, a pretty good deal.

I've been using this recipe/technique from Scott Rea via Youtube for a few years.
How To Cook Cod.Pan Fried,Skinless Cod Fillet

Good looking recipe. I do much the same with cod and other whitefish. Glad it was tasty!

Hi- Actually I used to make bread occasionally. It has been over a year since I made it. I don't have any yeast right now, and so I would have to go to the store for that. I only live two blocks from Bennison's, and so I could go there tomorrow morning and buy a loaf of bread. The only other thing I am going to need is milk in another two days and I am out of peanut butter, but I could live without that if I had to.

I moved here in 1981. A few weeks before I moved here, I had gone back to school and gotten a second degree at Michigan State, and I was living at my parents in Michigan and job hunting. My parents went to a meeting at Lansing, and they had to stay an extra three days because I-94 was shut down due to a blizzard. People were x-country skiing down Grand River in E. Lansing. The local radio station in Benton Harbor opened up their phone lines so people could call in and say what roads were closed and where to buy milk. Somebody called and said they were out of bread, and so was their grocery store, but they heard you could make bread out of beer and did anybody have the recipe. Somebody called in with the recipe. People then called up asking for the recipe again several times.

Actually Walmart is not currently open 24 hours right now. I think they close at midnight. I often shop late, but I am not a fan of Walmart, and go in the store maybe twice a year. I am more of a 10:00 pm shopper at Jewel. I've heard that grocery stores would rather have you order online right now, and pick it up at the store. I've heard there are a few clothing stores that are temporarily closed.

Concerning restaurants I've heard that if you are high risk you should stay clear of them, and it is safer to order take out than to dine there. I am sure that movie theaters are hurting right now.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavi ... story.html

CSD

chicagostyledog wrote:https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200315-tn4rchjbazb73h6x2i4vz7v3xq-story.html

CSD

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will order all restaurants and bars across the state to be closed to dine-in customers in a further attempt to curb the coronavirus, effective end of business Monday, sources told the Tribune.
Restaurants will remain open to drive through and delivery, sources said. In his announcement, he said the closure will be in effect until March 30.

Coronavirus in Illinois: Pritzker to close all bars, restaurants for dining in Monday night through the end of the month

at chicagotribune.com, Gregory Pratt and Dan Petrella wrote:Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will order all restaurants and bars across the state to be closed to dine-in customers in a further attempt to curb the coronavirus, effective end of business Monday, sources told the Tribune.

Restaurants will remain open to drive through and delivery, sources said. In his announcement, he said the closure will be in effect until March 30.

The announcement came hours after Pritzker said on a Sunday morning television program that he was considering closing bars and restaurants, following crowds of St. Patrick’s Day revelers being out at bars. Lightfoot’s administration also issued a directive that caps any Chicago establishment that serves liquor to 100 people, or half their regular capacity, to help limit the spread of coronavirus, but Pritzker’s order will go further.

Pritzker made the announcement at 3 p.m. alongside Lightfoot.

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ronnie_suburban wrote:Coronavirus in Illinois: Pritzker to close all bars, restaurants for dining in Monday night through the end of the month

at chicagotribune.com, Gregory Pratt and Dan Petrella wrote:Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will order all restaurants and bars across the state to be closed to dine-in customers in a further attempt to curb the coronavirus, effective end of business Monday, sources told the Tribune.

Restaurants will remain open to drive through and delivery, sources said. In his announcement, he said the closure will be in effect until March 30.

The announcement came hours after Pritzker said on a Sunday morning television program that he was considering closing bars and restaurants, following crowds of St. Patrick’s Day revelers being out at bars. Lightfoot’s administration also issued a directive that caps any Chicago establishment that serves liquor to 100 people, or half their regular capacity, to help limit the spread of coronavirus, but Pritzker’s order will go further.

Pritzker made the announcement at 3 p.m. alongside Lightfoot.

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That really sucks for restaurants to have no warning to sell thru their perishable food.

What do people do who are travelling and don't have a kitchen to cook in?

While Pritzger is shutting down everything he can (for the most part probably wise), but how does he not postpone people gathering to vote in usually fairly cramped spaces on Tuesday? Because it affects politicians???

Al Ehrhardt wrote:While Pritzger is shutting down everything he can (for the most part probably wise), but how does he not postpone people gathering to vote in usually fairly cramped spaces on Tuesday? Because it affects politicians???

I am supposed to be working the election on Tuesday. I am not to keen to be there, especially with elderly family. As a coordinator, already four people have cancelled to work and only one replacement. Those who worked early voting advised it has been slow going the whole time.

Regards,
Cathy2