Mass Layoffs, now what?

[Iamcruzin]

13 minutes ago, ONECRUISER said:

Think reason was Govt backed testing of CV even with Private Insurance. After, not sure many Insurances will cover it, but never know

I'm pretty sure this is temporary as well. The doctors would rather see patients in the office anyway.

[ONECRUISER]

7 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

I'm pretty sure this is temporary as well. The doctors would rather see patients in the office anyway.

Agree. Where I'm at my Ex has bad sinus infection and went to Dr Office. Shes shows up in parking lot, calls them and Dr comes out to car diagnose her and called in scripts

Edited March 25, 2020 by ONECRUISER

[Iamcruzin]

1 minute ago, ONECRUISER said:

Agree. Where I'm at my Ex has bad sinus infection and went to Dr Office. Shes shows up in parking lot, calls them and Dr comes out to car diagnose her and called in scripts

Our family doctor wasn't even seeing sick patients 3 weeks ago. He told my son to go to urgent care.

[ONECRUISER]

4 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

Our family doctor wasn't even seeing sick patients 3 weeks ago. He told my son to go to urgent care.

Just realized where you're at, stay safe. In Az here 45min SE of Phoenix, pretty safe, only left house take couple walks in Desert. Spending time with Grand Daughter, been out school 3+ weeks but School starts home lessons next week....

[Casino Comp Chick]

16 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I'm in Dallas county under full lock down. I forgot to file a paper with the irs and was feeling panic. No way I want to have it hanging over me until tax preparers are allowed to work. Luckily I found someone in a closed locked cpa office who did the amended filing. 0 customers in the post office. Grocery store they cant bag stuff for you. Wearing winter gloves and masks, with lines taped on the floor to keep carts 6 ft apart to check out. In the dark outside before kroger opened it looked like a scene out of a zombie movie.

 

Tax preparers aren't allowed to be open but dart running downtown and to the airport. Seems dumb to me. I heard there is a bullet train running in NYC spreading the virus. Dart riders are all touching the same surfaces, they should close. It's not safe.

 

I'll have to dig out my winter gloves . ...and its forecast to be 88 here today. Didnt think of that. Other shoppers will appreciate it. 

 

Bookstore, hair cut place, my sisters nail place. We will save money I guess, but hope people arent laid off, my guy who cut my hair was good.

 

I hope this doesnt go on too long. 

 

 

NYC does not have bullet trains, we have LIRR & MetroNorth commuter trains. The US does not have bullet trains because the country’s track infrastructure is crap. 

[The_Big_M]

Probably talking about Acela. It's a comparable version of the bullet train.

[Judyrem]

On 3/25/2020 at 4:41 AM, ARandomTraveler said:

Wow that’s really unfortunate, both for the agents who got laid off as well as the customers like you who were left in the lurch. If that travel agency is still open, you should write them a strongly worded letter about how you’ll never use them again

I love the that phrase " a strongly worded letter"  my daughter and I laugh when she s knows I am upset and says write tem "a strongly worded letter"!  That's great!

[MightyMike]

23 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

Try calling RC and see if they can take it over from your laid off TA.  Especially if you do not want to deal with the same agency.

 

I would recommend that everyone do this who is having trouble reaching their travel agent. I had to do it once for an agent who wasn't responsive. It's not fun, but it sometimes has to be done for your protection. Royal Caribbean won't be able to do anything themselves with your reservation until you start the discussion. Respect your agent, but look out for yourself as well.

[terry&mike]

Hello to the OP, and others who may face this problem, I am a travel agent.  Please call Royal and explain the situation, and have them take over the booking, and work directly with them on your cruise.

 

I disagree with the writing of a strongly worded letter, and other actions that have a negative connotation.  I am certain that this travel agent had no intention of being without a job this week, and could possibly be in an uncomfortable financial position. I am certain that this travel agency had no intention of shutting their doors this week, and may possibly never recover from this. I truly feel for people in the travel industry right now.

 

Being a travel agent is not a job that pays a lot of money to begin with, most people are attracted to it because they love what they do, they love helping people plan amazing trips and create great memories through travel. 

 

I am in a fortunate position in that I mostly work from home to begin with, so it is easy to continue to work from home full time. I am considered an independent contractor at my agency, which means I am paid commission only. Luckily, I am retired from the field of real estate, and this is my "happy job" to give me something to do that I love. (DH is also fully retired, but his personality doesn't need to be as busy as mine does, so he enjoys the relaxing life!) I am not financially dependent on it. I can say that not everyone who works at my office is in this same position, and I know they must be under great stress right now. I also wonder how long the owners of the agency will be able to pay rent on our storefront and so on.

 

Currently, I am spending a lot of time cancelling trips that I previously spent a lot of time putting together, and each day that I work I am reducing my income.  That can be difficult to process and depressing at times. If you were to add to that the stress of someone who had bills to pay, children to feed, etc, I can imagine it would be a very tough time.  

 

I think we'll get through this and come out the other side, and travel will begin to strengthen and grow again. But it will require patience. 

Edited March 26, 2020 by terry&mike
typo

[SRF]

4 hours ago, Casino Comp Chick said:

NYC does not have bullet trains, we have LIRR & MetroNorth commuter trains. The US does not have bullet trains because the country’s track infrastructure is crap. 

 

Acela is bullet train speed.

 

Heck, Amtrak is bullet train speed.

 

When I was in Japan, the Kyoto - Osaka train ran at 135 MPH.  Amtrak runs at 125.

 

Acela hits 150.

 

 

[Sunshine3601]

18 hours ago, rtazz17 said:

Ok,im a health care provider. Dont wear gloves when you’re out and about. What ever you touch sticks to the gloves and contaminates every single thing you touch including your face. Much less will stick to your skin if you dont wear gloves. You are not going to get the virus transdermal through your hands. Just wash your hands frequently. The reason we as health care providers wear gloves is only for the moment we are evaluating a patient. They are then removed and thrown away because if we touch anything then that is contaminated. You are not doing yourself any favors wearing gloves in public unless you change them with a fresh pair every time you touch a different surface. Again,just wash your hands. It takes all I have not to tell people I see doing this every where. Its much much worse when you wear winter gloves. You wont even see all the crap,literally that is stuck in the fibers of the glove.

 

dont even get me started on the people I see wearing ski masks inside stores. Just imagine what you have stuck in the ski mask or scarf you are breathing through.

 

its all way overboard. If you werent wearing this stuff before when you had a greater chance of catching the flu every year then why now? Much much greater chance of getting the flu.

Very good information.  Ty for posting this.  One thing I would like to add.  If you have any open cuts  small paper cut on finger or torn cuticle please wear a bandaid.  Common sense but some have to be reminded.  

[Judyrem]

21 hours ago, firefly333 said:

 

 

Bookstore, hair cut place, my sisters nail place. We will save money I guess, but hope people arent laid off, my guy who cut my hair was good.

 

I hope this doesnt go on too long. 

 

 

LOL, my hair needs cut, my roots need help, my nails are terrible, no dental hygienists appt.  Doctor won't see me unless I am very sick. 

 I like Kroger, it is nice and spread out and there are hardly any other people nearby to worry about.

 

I am making up for it by eating comforting pasta all the time and drinking wine sometimes🤪

[firefly333]

7 minutes ago, Judyrem said:

LOL, my hair needs cut, my roots need help, my nails are terrible, no dental hygienists appt.  Doctor won't see me unless I am very sick. 

 I like Kroger, it is nice and spread out and there are hardly any other people nearby to worry about.

 

I am making up for it by eating comforting pasta all the time and drinking wine sometimes🤪

Speaking of booze some one needs to explain to me why a liquor distributor is a essential worker and not a tax preparer.

 

My neighbors husband is considered essential, even she thinks its wierd that dallas considers it essential to get drunk at home.

 

My sister is the type who thinks her life is in the hole if she cant get her hair and nails done.

 

Even my 97 or 98 year old aunt who was getting her hair done every friday is complaining lol.

[Newleno]

20 hours ago, rtazz17 said:

Ok,im a health care provider. Dont wear gloves when you’re out and about. What ever you touch sticks to the gloves and contaminates every single thing you touch including your face. Much less will stick to your skin if you dont wear gloves. You are not going to get the virus transdermal through your hands. Just wash your hands frequently. The reason we as health care providers wear gloves is only for the moment we are evaluating a patient. They are then removed and thrown away because if we touch anything then that is contaminated. You are not doing yourself any favors wearing gloves in public unless you change them with a fresh pair every time you touch a different surface. Again,just wash your hands. It takes all I have not to tell people I see doing this every where. Its much much worse when you wear winter gloves. You wont even see all the crap,literally that is stuck in the fibers of the glove.

 

dont even get me started on the people I see wearing ski masks inside stores. Just imagine what you have stuck in the ski mask or scarf you are breathing through.

 

its all way overboard. If you werent wearing this stuff before when you had a greater chance of catching the flu every year then why now? Much much greater chance of getting the flu.

Hmm I went to the grocery, I got out of the car cleaned my hands and put on latex gloves, got a wet wipe and wiped down the cart, got my groceries, outside the store, took off my gloves,  i cleaned my hands,  put a new pair on, put the groceries in the trunk, drove home, took off those gloves, cleaned my hands put on new gloves and put all groceries in the garage, took off those gloves washed my hands, took off all my clothes, left them in the garage and took a shower downstairs, walked up stairs, washed my hands again before i put on my new clothes, went back downstairs to the garage 3 days later to retrieve the groceries.   For me having gloves on remind me not to touch my face, i just dont itch my face with gloves on.  Yet all the professionals on tv are telling me not to wear gloves.  Yet i see all the health professionals doing it.  I dunno, does not make a lot of sense to me, I will just take precautions and isolate myself as much as possible, see what happens.

[firefly333]

People here are wearing their cloth winter gloves. I think I'd rather someone touch the apples before me wearing cloth gloves than bare hands... but I'm not a health expert. 

[Judyrem]

BTW, my doctor who said he would phone in my meds has changed his policy, actually he is part of a large practice and it was their policy  recently applied,  that we now we have to have an appt. BY PHONE and they will charge me for a regular doctor's visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Words fail me at this time.🙄

[lovescats5]

I am surprised they are not working.  We just called our TA to change a room on our Sept. 4 cruise and he was pretty busy with helping his clients with their FCC's and looking at other cruises in a different time frame.  I did not think a TA just booked the cruise and after that you were on your own.

[ReneeFLL]

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Speaking of booze some one needs to explain to me why a liquor distributor is a essential worker and not a tax preparer.

 

My neighbors husband is considered essential, even she thinks its wierd that dallas considers it essential to get drunk at home.

 

My sister is the type who thinks her life is in the hole if she cant get her hair and nails done.

 

Even my 97 or 98 year old aunt who was getting her hair done every friday is complaining lol.

I also thought the same thing about liquor stores as not being a necessity. Apparently, the alcoholics need it so they don't go thru massive withdrawl. 

[mayleeman]

16 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

I also thought the same thing about liquor stores as not being a necessity. Apparently, the alcoholics need it so they don't go thru massive withdrawl. 

Is it you who has that nice reserve of bottles at home that created envy in my heart?

 

Some of us have the Unlimited Deluxe Beverage Package (a.k.a. "anything I can get") at home, so liquor stores are important, indeed!

[SandiLynn]

26 minutes ago, mayleeman said:

Is it you who has that nice reserve of bottles at home that created envy in my heart?

 

Some of us have the Unlimited Deluxe Beverage Package (a.k.a. "anything I can get") at home, so liquor stores are important, indeed!

We in Louisiana can buy whatever we drink from any store( grocery store, pharmacies, Doller Stores, gas stations). I have never been to a liquor store. I need my glass of wine or Titos and diet Sprite. 

Edited March 26, 2020 by SandiLynn

[davekathy]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

People here are wearing their cloth winter gloves. I think I'd rather someone touch the apples before me wearing cloth gloves than bare hands... but I'm not a health expert. 

Someone else wearing gloves dose not protect you.   For example; they touch their mouth with their gloved hand then pick up the apple and decide to put it back for you to pick up and buy. 

Edited March 26, 2020 by davekathy

[Sunshine3601]

I live in PA and 2 weeks ago our Fine Wine and Spirits (liquor stores) that are state run closed down, but beer stores were allowed to stay open.     That doesn't make any sense.    Now, we do have some food stores that are allowed to sell beer and wine - just not "hard" alcohol such as rum or vodka.    I consider a mojito to be life sustaining substance!

[SandiLynn]

58 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I live in PA and 2 weeks ago our Fine Wine and Spirits (liquor stores) that are state run closed down, but beer stores were allowed to stay open.     That doesn't make any sense.    Now, we do have some food stores that are allowed to sell beer and wine - just not "hard" alcohol such as rum or vodka.    I consider a mojito to be life sustaining substance!

My cousin uses this site in TN 

https://www.acespirits.com/full-case-deals.html#respMenu

[Sunshine3601]

7 minutes ago, SandiLynn said:

My cousin uses this site in TN 

https://www.acespirits.com/full-case-deals.html#respMenu

Thank you!   Great information I thought we could only order wine online.   I will definitely check out this ace spirits.    

Stay Healthy!

[SandiLynn]

3 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Thank you!   Great information I thought we could only order wine online.   I will definitely check out this ace spirits.    

Stay Healthy!

You are welcome! Prices are not bad.