the silver lining of the coronavirus crisis

[nemesis]

It seems all the news is doom and gloom, but oddly I have been very much at peace and far less stressed than I ought to be.  I guess part of it is that due to our family's frugal lifestyle we have built up a nice cushion and we use so little environmental resources that the normal household supplies we have will last us a very long time with no change in shopping or consumption habits.  The other positive thing I see is the reduction in environmental consumption due to folks driving less traveling less, and spending more time with their loved ones / family instead of being a wage slave and leave early in the morning and come home late at night being all stressed from work.

So I'd like to suggest we all add the positive things we are seeing out of this crisis, and future positive outcomes as well.

1. More robust health care network to defend against emerging natural and man-made dangers like the coronavirus.

2. More robustness in the national infrastructure to have folks work remotely instead of being concentrated in office cubes doing productive work where possible.  The work from home culture will hopefully finally have arrived and people will have more freedom to get work done at home when possible, eliminating wasteful costs on cars and fuel to get to work just so they can work 8 hours and get back home.  Also - less accidents means less medical bills and less stress on hospitals, lower insurance, etc.

3. Reduced pollution, better air quality, less traffic, and less energy dependence due to folks traveling less in day to day commutes, and unnecessary air travel for business that can be done remotely.  (I was a traveling consultant for a time and the vast majority of my work could be done remotely for less cost, but I billed clients for the wasteful travel because they wanted me on-site, at a cost of $2k - $4k per week).  I am so much happier to be working remotely and able to spend more time at home with family and friends.

4. I hope people will learn to use less and conserve more.  We are very frugal in how we use paper products, such as toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc.  We use just enough to get the job done, and don't throw away excess paper products just because we can afford it or it's there.  I bring home partially used hotel soaps from the hotels, shampoos / conditioners, lotions, that lasts us forever.  I haven't bought personal cleaning supplies for years, all with the smart use of cleaning supplies and using every last ounce of cleaning product before we toss it.

I think we were FAR too wasteful with resources...I'd go to restaurants and see people leave tables with a stack of unused napkins, only for those to be tossed by the workers.  What a sad waste.  I'd go to the gym and see people leave nearly full bottles of body wash, shampoo, soaps, etc in the men's showers, for the workers to pick up and toss.  Such an outrageous waste of resources and their money.  I'd see people leave shoes, shorts, underwear, socks, shirts, etc in the men's lockers / showers for the workers to pick up and toss...simply shocking.  I'd see people leave showers running after they are done and just walk away, not caring how much water is wasted for zero benefit.  I've seen it all, in terms of humans literally destroying all those things that benefits them.

Some people have no understanding of the value of money and resources and squander it way too easily.  They need to go through some scarcity and lean times to appreciate the luxury of being able to have those things and not take them for granted and waste them.

Americans as a whole were far too good at wasting resources than reasonable.  Hopefully this changes that mentality forever.

5. I hope people are far more efficient with food waste.  I think restaurants / stores toss 40% - 50% of food which is shameful. Hopefully this will make people be even more resourceful with the precious food that arrives and use them more effectively which would increase nutrition and reduce environmental waste.

6. I hope we all learn that we are in this boat together, and really learn to appreciate our neighbors, our government, our local businesses, and our family / loved ones and take care of each other better.  I have seen many people volunteer to go out shopping for their elderly neighbors, help provide critical supplies such as distilled water for oxygen machines, diapers for families in need, etc, it's incredibly heart warming.

So count me as an optimist and I really think society will be better off in the long run having gone through this crisis and come out stronger at the other end.

What silver lining things can you add?

[Linea_Norway]

I am also happy for the positive climate effects the lockdown has in the countries it has been done. I also hope that companies realize how much money they save by having skype meetings with customers, instead of letting their employees drive or fly to the customer and stay in a hotel.

We may be happy that this virus is not lethal for everyone. But it is extremely contagious.  Maybe we have a chance to learn for the next virus which may be even more vicious.

[deborah]

It is possible/probable that flu and colds will occur less because the precautions that reduce the number of people with colds and flu are the same as the ones being undertaken for the coronavirus.

[2sk22]

Good topic! As it happens, I was just thinking this morning about how much of our economy is dependent on people spending more than they can afford. Changes in mindset will be extremely painful and will probably be drawn out.

[Morning Glory]

I am hopeful that this will bring about better worker protections in the US such as paid sick time and maybe even a "public option" for health insurance.

I am skeptical about long term climate impact, especially after reading about the ghost planes. The answer for social distancing here also seems to be drive up everything, which is not good for environment or health in the long term.

[soccerluvof4]

I am glad it is revealing some of the weaknesses in our system so we can be better prepared in the future and hopefully some industry's realize the importance of things being manufactured at home. I.E. prescription drugs. The fact that one of our largest financial enemies holds if i read right 97% of the drugs we need is ridiculous. So hopefully , more jobs in alot of industries will return home.

[frugalnacho]

I'm hopeful this will usher in sweeping health insurance reform and maybe a single payer system.  Lots of people have been scoffing at it for years, but the shit is about to hit the fan and we are going to have bodies in the streets of major metropolitan areas.  There are going to be TONS of uninsured and underinsured people inundating the system, and when the dust settles a good portion of the debt incurred won't ever be repaid because people will be dead, or broke, or unemployed.  It's unconscionable that some people are going to get legitimately sick in the midst of pandemic/epidemic and can't seek medical care because they don't have insurance and are more worried about bankrupting themselves via medical care than dying.

[nemesis]

It is possible/probable that flu and colds will occur less because the precautions that reduce the number of people with colds and flu are the same as the ones being undertaken for the coronavirus.

That is spot on.  I suspect this flu season will be far better as a result of all of this.

I am hopeful that this will bring about better worker protections in the US such as paid sick time and maybe even a "public option" for health insurance.

I am skeptical about long term climate impact, especially after reading about the ghost planes. The answer for social distancing here also seems to be drive up everything, which is not good for environment or health in the long term.

I think long term impact on climate will be positive, as there will be a greater acceptance of remote work and less travel / travel expenses / office rent expenses while people realize that work still gets done as effectively, if not more so, by having healthier and happier employees who can work productively remotely.

I am glad it is revealing some of the weaknesses in our system so we can be better prepared in the future and hopefully some industry's realize the importance of things being manufactured at home. I.E. prescription drugs. The fact that one of our largest financial enemies holds if i read right 97% of the drugs we need is ridiculous. So hopefully , more jobs in alot of industries will return home.

amen

I'm hopeful this will usher in sweeping health insurance reform and maybe a single payer system.  Lots of people have been scoffing at it for years, but the shit is about to hit the fan and we are going to have bodies in the streets of major metropolitan areas.  There are going to be TONS of uninsured and underinsured people inundating the system, and when the dust settles a good portion of the debt incurred won't ever be repaid because people will be dead, or broke, or unemployed.  It's unconscionable that some people are going to get legitimately sick in the midst of pandemic/epidemic and can't seek medical care because they don't have insurance and are more worried about bankrupting themselves via medical care than dying.

This might be the straw that breaks the camel's back, and causes real reform.

[BECABECA]

With the TP crisis, a lot of people have installed bidets and have been talking about it so the concept is now known and viewed more favorably in the mainstream. After the supply of bidets gets restored, I think we’ll see a lot of people installing them and so we’ll have a lot less paper waste as a result.

Speaking of TP crisis, I think we’re going to see people quickly understanding that “flushable” wipes aren’t actually flushable and paper towels will clog toilets. So afterwards, we’ll see a lot less people flushing wipes and putting paper towels down public toilets.

With supply chains down, we are going to see a lot more people figuring out how to fix things around the house instead of buying a replacement.

With shelter in place, a lot more people are going to learn how to cook at home, so nutrition and health will likely be improved after this.

[the_fixer]

1. This will hopefully help my workplace and others see that they do not need butts in chairs to keep things running. We have an old school mentality at my place of employment that is very anti WFH but almost our entire workforce if either WFH or at remote locations isolated for protection.

2. We started batch cooking last year 1 day per week and have a freezer full of food. I have been pretty good about taking my lunch and not going out but the wife always gets dragged out by friends. No one has been going out and now we are both WFH and she mentioned how happy she was that she started eating the food we made as she dropped several pounds in a couple of week from just not going out to eat every day. We will also save some major $$$ so that is win win.


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[frugalnacho]

I hope they close my plant and send us home so I can finally play more guitar.  Maybe I'll be posting some more guitar videos.

[jjandjab]

I hope the most obvious silver lining will be a serious analysis of this whole scenario so that governments world-wide can develop a clear and coordinated plan for future response -  not a few weeks of back and forth about whether its real or will be a problem or who started it - followed by willy-nilly daily ramping up of restrictions from disparate local/state/national sources - all of which has only added to the chaos. Given there has not been a large scale pandemic in the lifetime of most persons in developed nations, hopefully we will all share knowledge and experience and create a real plan that doesn't allow for hoarding of supplies or large scale economic disruptions, much of which is occuring because there is no plan in place.

[Sibley]

Probably not popular, but in some very specific cases, dying from this virus might significantly reduce suffering for the individual. For example, someone who is already dying, slowly and painfully, of cancer or some other terminal illness. If their suffering is cut from 6 months down to a few days for example. That's a silver lining. And if our society was better at dying with dignity in general it might not be the case, but we generally suck at it (and you don't even have to get into euthanasia, just doing hospice for someone vs subjecting them to chemo/radiation that can only make them sicker and miserable would be a massive improvement).


More happily - I want a new job. Assuming hiring processes aren't frozen, it's much easier to do phone screens or interviews from home than finding a spot in the office.

[Buffaloski Boris]

I see a lot of great things happening.

First, WFH has taken off.

Since restaurants are closed, folks are having to relearn the art of cooking.

Since food markets are being stripped, people are having to learn to do without a bit and be more creative. Good for the soul.

Lots of time to get caught up with TV shows and books.

International travel has been very cheap for the last decade. Too many people traveling long distances in my opinion. This’ll slow it down for awhile. It should be something you look forward to and appreciate.

Budgeting is about to become very cool. So is washing your hands and going home when you’re sick. All good things.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are about to become very uncool.

Maybe I’m just a Pollyanna, I just don’t get the despair.

[Watchmaker]

I see a lot of great things happening.
...

I like your list. One thing I'm worried about is that this will push people to be more isolated in the long term.

I think this was a problem we were already facing (The Loneliness Epidemic), and it was something I was already worried about. But if, when this is over, people spend even more time on Netflix, and less engaged in their community, I think that's a real loss.

[frugalnacho]

Gas was $1.57.   too bad we can't drive anywhere.

[John Galt incarnate!]

Some people will have more control of their own time due to rearrangement of work schedules, school closings, etc.

Martin Seligman and Sonja Lyubomirsky specialize in the field of positive psychology.

 According to them  one's control over their  own time conduces to happiness.

[Buffaloski Boris]

I see a lot of great things happening.
...

I like your list. One thing I'm worried about is that this will push people to be more isolated in the long term.

I think this was a problem we were already facing (The Loneliness Epidemic), and it was something I was already worried about. But if, when this is over, people spend even more time on Netflix, and less engaged in their community, I think that's a real loss.

Loneliness will be one of the bad things. But that’s also a fixable bad thing. People crave interaction with other people. Once this pestilence blows over, and it will, there will be an opportunity for social entrepreneurs to work on that.

Chaos is just another word for opportunity. My God is there opportunity out there!

[charis]

I see a lot of great things happening.

First, WFH has taken off.

Since restaurants are closed, folks are having to relearn the art of cooking.

Since food markets are being stripped, people are having to learn to do without a bit and be more creative. Good for the soul.

Lots of time to get caught up with TV shows and books.

International travel has been very cheap for the last decade. Too many people traveling long distances in my opinion. This’ll slow it down for awhile. It should be something you look forward to and appreciate.

Budgeting is about to become very cool. So is washing your hands and going home when you’re sick. All good things.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are about to become very uncool.

Maybe I’m just a Pollyanna, I just don’t get the despair.

Clearly you and everyone else pontificating in this thread about the great things happening are not part of the many facing widespread layoffs and the decimation of the local restaurant, service, and music sector.  I have many friends and family members who own restaurants and bars or are service workers.  Their lives are being torn up right now.  Yes, they should have been prepared for a downtime but this is quite different.

[American GenX]

I think it's a terrible ordeal and am not interested in looking into any "silver linings" involved with massive amounts of personal and financial suffering and deaths.

[Sibley]

Clearly you and everyone else pontificating in this thread about the great things happening are not part of the many facing widespread layoffs and the decimation of the local restaurant, service, and music sector.  I have many friends and family members who own restaurants and bars or are service workers.  Their lives are been torn up right now.  Yes, they should have been prepared for a downtime but this is quite different.

The bad does not negate the good, and the good does not negate the bad. Seeing and acknowledging the good can be helpful for everyone suffering under the bad. Humans do not do well with unrelenting despair.

[tooqk4u22]

I see a lot of great things happening.

First, WFH has taken off.

Since restaurants are closed, folks are having to relearn the art of cooking.

Since food markets are being stripped, people are having to learn to do without a bit and be more creative. Good for the soul.

Lots of time to get caught up with TV shows and books.

International travel has been very cheap for the last decade. Too many people traveling long distances in my opinion. This’ll slow it down for awhile. It should be something you look forward to and appreciate.

Budgeting is about to become very cool. So is washing your hands and going home when you’re sick. All good things.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are about to become very uncool.

Maybe I’m just a Pollyanna, I just don’t get the despair.

Clearly you and everyone else pontificating in this thread about the great things happening are not part of the many facing widespread layoffs and the decimation of the local restaurant, service, and music sector.  I have many friends and family members who own restaurants and bars or are service workers.  Their lives are been torn up right now.  Yes, they should have been prepared for a downtime but this is quite different.

That and when companies figure out (FYI they already know) that WFH means we can do with less lets see how happy you are.  This isn't a f'in snow day.   I do not view the OP's message as silver linings but instead preachy and snarky.   These are uncertain times and many many many people will be affected negatively (health or financial or both). I am glad to be in the position I am in but for a moment want it to continue for a long period (or even a short period) for the sake of everyone.   

[GreenToTheCore]

I think Google has updated their default search results format.
When I search Coronavirus it is a nice page of information, quick facts, and safety info from reputable sources (I still wish the news section was lower, but I'll take it). All the junk sources have been pushed to pg2 and beyond.

[moneypitfeeder]

This has forced my boss, who was against remote work, into wanting us to go full digital only! He is actively working towards video chat-messaging-telework. As a remote worker who was implanted into a paper-only department, I'm thrilled at the turnaround.

[Metalcat]

My government just announced that it's going to give me money for staying home, so that's pretty neato. As a self employed person, I'm just kind of used to getting the shaft when I'm unable to work.

I suspect this will also lead to more movement on updating our unemployment system, which is increasingly ineffectual for the rise of the self-employed gig economy.

[John Galt incarnate!]

1. This will hopefully help my workplace and others see that they do not need butts in chairs to keep things running. We have an old school mentality at my place of employment that is very anti WFH but almost our entire workforce if either WFH or at remote locations isolated for protection.

How much fossil  fuel has been combusted and pollution spewed   because
WFH  hasn't been widely adopted?

Too much.

How many draining  hours have commuters spent in vehicles?

Too many.

[Askel]

I was just about to shitpost some thread along the lines of "THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS MUSTACHIAN IDEALS REALIZED" or some such, but this is much more constructive. 


Get this. Las Fucking Vegas closed down. 

The very temple of wasteful spending is on hiatus! 

On one hand, it sucks because a lot of folks are not in position to enjoy this radical change.   

On the other hand, maybe we'll all learn a little about what's really important out of this?   

[charis]

Clearly you and everyone else pontificating in this thread about the great things happening are not part of the many facing widespread layoffs and the decimation of the local restaurant, service, and music sector.  I have many friends and family members who own restaurants and bars or are service workers.  Their lives are been torn up right now.  Yes, they should have been prepared for a downtime but this is quite different.

The bad does not negate the good, and the good does not negate the bad. Seeing and acknowledging the good can be helpful for everyone suffering under the bad. Humans do not do well with unrelenting despair.

That's not really what this is though. The OP is basically humble bragging and pointing out that people in a shit situation will hopefully learn to be more like us, who are also lucky enough to not see our life's work go down the drain, lucky enough to have unemployment benefits if we need it, paid administrative or sick leave or work from home, not have to rely on elderly parents to watch our kids because we are first responders or health care workers and there is no daycare etc, etc. 

I'm not spending more time with loved ones, apart from my immediate family, due to the risk of spread. My children have to talk to my parents and siblings via video chat and my parents are miserable about it. Of course I'm lucky they have such a close relationship. My oldest has a birthday in two weeks that is drastically different from what she imagined.

[Askel]

I can see no positives from this virus and I think it's ludicrous to say there are any.

I get it that some people want to conserve the planet's resources.  But to have people die and suffer in order to encourage them to do it?  Hell no.  Only a sadist would like that plan.

Cripes, nobody is liking "the plan" that people are suffering, dying, or even being inconvenienced about this whole shitshow. 

It sucks.  And we're all gonna do what we can to get us through it with the least amount of all that as possible. 

But if we all have to wallow through this quagmire, let's hope we can maybe gain something from it. 

[ender]

I have enjoyed the conversations about a bottom-up bail out instead of the top-down variety issued after 2008.  The crooks who got the country into the mortgage backed securities mess were deemed "too big to fail" and were given massive bailouts.  They took the money, handed out huge bonuses to each other (retention bonuses no less) and clapped themselves on the back for being so clever. 

Today I heard talk among smart people of spending the same amount, only giving it to the front line employees to assure they can hang on through this obviously transient situation, and CEOs are talking about a 50% pay cut through this time.  Way, way different than 10 years ago and damn refreshing.   

I'm just glad there's complaints about the airline industry wanting a bailout after spending so much on share buybacks.

[laserlady]

I hope this finally puts an end to the tradition of handshaking, which I have always detested.

[nemesis]

Clearly you and everyone else pontificating in this thread about the great things happening are not part of the many facing widespread layoffs and the decimation of the local restaurant, service, and music sector.  I have many friends and family members who own restaurants and bars or are service workers.  Their lives are being torn up right now.  Yes, they should have been prepared for a downtime but this is quite different.

Holy shit, you don't think we recognize that?  What fucking planet are you living on?

Of course we are in some unprecedented times.  But does that mean we can't benefit from the experience and improve our situation?

So what do you want us to do, beat ourselves and each other down with crying and negativity so it will help the situation??

I swear, most mustachians are some of the smartest people I have read online, and some of the very dumbest people I've read online.

Another poster posted the same shit you did, and his comment got deleted.  Do you want to drag this thread down with doom and gloom because you feel like shit and you have nothing of value to contribute??

[nemesis]

I can see no positives from this virus and I think it's ludicrous to say there are any.

I get it that some people want to conserve the planet's resources.  But to have people die and suffer in order to encourage them to do it?  Hell no.  Only a sadist would like that plan.

Cripes, nobody is liking "the plan" that people are suffering, dying, or even being inconvenienced about this whole shitshow. 

It sucks.  And we're all gonna do what we can to get us through it with the least amount of all that as possible. 

But if we all have to wallow through this quagmire, let's hope we can maybe gain something from it.

EXACTLY.  Jerks like that poster want us to be totally depressed about the situation and feel completely helpless and like victims...like that will help the situation.

[lutorm]

Gas was $1.57.   too bad we can't drive anywhere.

You can hoard some for when you can. Buy some drums.

[deborah]

The travel section of one of our papers is reporting that the water in the canals in Venice is now clear. Fish have been seen in the water. There are few boats, so the sludge isn't being stirred up nearly as much. Tourist hotspots may have a much needed break from the overwhelming impact of tourists, and be better as a result.

[Fresh Bread]

I was reading this article about the Australian Federal bank and it reminded me of the discussions around "what if everyone cuts their expenses, won't the economy collapse?".

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-19/reserve-bank-coronavirus-response-losing-control/12071872

Well it's kind of looking like everyone has just been forced into mustachianism - no overseas holidays, no eating out, or at least a lot less right now in Australia. So we get a temporary vision of what it would be like.

The result isn't actually great (for Australia at least). It makes me question what I was doing being a part of it.

Also all the grocery hoarding has made me realise that I've hoarded money/ capital. Self reliance is good but it's not actually what I want. I want to be part of a community that supports, gives and receives.

TL/DR: So the silver lining is that
1) I have answers to what were previously rhetorical questions and
2) I know myself better

[charis]

Clearly you and everyone else pontificating in this thread about the great things happening are not part of the many facing widespread layoffs and the decimation of the local restaurant, service, and music sector.  I have many friends and family members who own restaurants and bars or are service workers.  Their lives are being torn up right now.  Yes, they should have been prepared for a downtime but this is quite different.

Holy shit, you don't think we recognize that?  What fucking planet are you living on?

Of course we are in some unprecedented times.  But does that mean we can't benefit from the experience and improve our situation?

So what do you want us to do, beat ourselves and each other down with crying and negativity so it will help the situation??

I swear, most mustachians are some of the smartest people I have read online, and some of the very dumbest people I've read online.

Another poster posted the same shit you did, and his comment got deleted.  Do you want to drag this thread down with doom and gloom because you feel like shit and you have nothing of value to contribute??

I feel great because I'm lucky and my life is going pretty well. And think I think I have a lot of value.  Your comments are particularly mean and full of vitriol. There's nothing wrong with my comment, why would it be deleted? Others have posted similar reminders that everyone is not as privileged as us. That's important

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Well, dogs are generally having a good time, with their people home. My cat is not thrilled. I'm eating into his me time.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Gas was $1.57.   too bad we can't drive anywhere.

You can hoard some for when you can. Buy some drums.

Petrol goes off doesn't it? I mean, I've read a LOT of doomsday books and seen a lot of zombie movies. Pretty sure petrol goes off.

[Watchmaker]

Loneliness will be one of the bad things. But that’s also a fixable bad thing. People crave interaction with other people. Once this pestilence blows over, and it will, there will be an opportunity for social entrepreneurs to work on that.

It is fixable, but we were already doing a bad job of fixing it before this, so I'm not sure we'll do any better after this.

[GuitarStv]

Silver lining - pretty sure my dog is having the best time of her life.

Everyone is home all the time with her to sit with and pet her.  She's getting two 15 minutes walks during the day, and a 45 minute walk every evening.  And we're doing more cooking at home which means more dropped food, which means she's happier.  This is especially nice, as she's an elderly dog now and has been slowing down - probably won't be with us for too much longer.  It's good to have this time together.

[Watchmaker]

Silver lining - pretty sure my dog is having the best time of her life.

Everyone is home all the time with her to sit with and pet her.  She's getting two 15 minutes walks during the day, and a 45 minute walk every evening.  And we're doing more cooking at home which means more dropped food, which means she's happier.  This is especially nice, as she's an elderly dog now and has been slowing down - probably won't be with us for too much longer.  It's good to have this time together.

My dog (also elderly) is very social with humans. SO teaches in the house and so he expects a parade of children through each day to pet him. And part of his walk routine is to stop at our 90 year old neighbor's shop for a treat. He can't understand why we've stopped going in there, and where all his students are.

[Junco]

As an introvert who generally is happy seeing friends in person just once a week and otherwise prefer to avoid people, I'm happy social distancing is being encouraged haha.

Also I'm happy to be fulltime WFH, fulltime cooking from home, no longer forced to drive, still able to go out and run (for now).

[Dogastrophe]

Gas was $1.57.   too bad we can't drive anywhere.

You can hoard some for when you can. Buy some drums.

Petrol goes off doesn't it? I mean, I've read a LOT of doomsday books and seen a lot of zombie movies. Pretty sure petrol goes off.

Yup, it can get gummy after a while but can be mitigated by adding a fuel stabilizer

[StarBright]

I was reading this article about the Australian Federal bank and it reminded me of the discussions around "what if everyone cuts their expenses, won't the economy collapse?".

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-19/reserve-bank-coronavirus-response-losing-control/12071872

Well it's kind of looking like everyone has just been forced into mustachianism - no overseas holidays, no eating out, or at least a lot less right now in Australia. So we get a temporary vision of what it would be like.

The result isn't actually great (for Australia at least). It makes me question what I was doing being a part of it.

Also all the grocery hoarding has made me realise that I've hoarded money/ capital. Self reliance is good but it's not actually what I want. I want to be part of a community that supports, gives and receives.

TL/DR: So the silver lining is that
1) I have answers to what were previously rhetorical questions and
2) I know myself better

I'm with you! Our family very rarely eats out, but we live in a really nice little town that has a busy and charming downtown with several cute restaurants.  The cute restaurants and shops help make our town a lovely place to live, and their draw (and taxes) help fund the nice things that are "free" to us - summer movies in the park, a wonderful library and beautiful walking trails and parks. We've decided to buy takeout and coffee at least once a week from our various downtown eateries to support them. We've also decided that if the Gov. really does end up cutting checks to every adult that we will absolutely use it to spend money and help keep our neighbor's businesses running.

[Buffaloski Boris]

Clearly you and everyone else pontificating in this thread about the great things happening are not part of the many facing widespread layoffs and the decimation of the local restaurant, service, and music sector.  I have many friends and family members who own restaurants and bars or are service workers.  Their lives are being torn up right now.  Yes, they should have been prepared for a downtime but this is quite different.

Holy shit, you don't think we recognize that?  What fucking planet are you living on?

Of course we are in some unprecedented times.  But does that mean we can't benefit from the experience and improve our situation?

So what do you want us to do, beat ourselves and each other down with crying and negativity so it will help the situation??

I swear, most mustachians are some of the smartest people I have read online, and some of the very dumbest people I've read online.

Another poster posted the same shit you did, and his comment got deleted.  Do you want to drag this thread down with doom and gloom because you feel like shit and you have nothing of value to contribute??

Some people aren’t happy unless they’re unhappy. And they spread their message of misery with an evangelical zeal.

[ender]

I'm with you! Our family very rarely eats out, but we live in a really nice little town that has a busy and charming downtown with several cute restaurants.  The cute restaurants and shops help make our town a lovely place to live, and their draw (and taxes) help fund the nice things that are "free" to us - summer movies in the park, a wonderful library and beautiful walking trails and parks. We've decided to buy takeout and coffee at least once a week from our various downtown eateries to support them. We've also decided that if the Gov. really does end up cutting checks to every adult that we will absolutely use it to spend money and help keep our neighbors businesses running.

I ordered delivery yesterday from my favorite local restaurant because I really don't want them to go out of business.

[vand]

I really do feel that we will see a lot of the good side in humanity over the coming weeks and months.
We will all pull together and remind us that whoever we are and whatever our stake in society there is far more that unites us than separates us.

[tooqk4u22]

I have enjoyed the conversations about a bottom-up bail out instead of the top-down variety issued after 2008.  The crooks who got the country into the mortgage backed securities mess were deemed "too big to fail" and were given massive bailouts.  They took the money, handed out huge bonuses to each other (retention bonuses no less) and clapped themselves on the back for being so clever. 

Today I heard talk among smart people of spending the same amount, only giving it to the front line employees to assure they can hang on through this obviously transient situation, and CEOs are talking about a 50% pay cut through this time.  Way, way different than 10 years ago and damn refreshing.   

I'm just glad there's complaints about the airline industry wanting a bailout after spending so much on share buybacks.

The airlines will definitely be bailed out, and they need to be, but I hope that whatever it entails isn't a free pass.   Maybe debt for warrants or equity in the company or higher capital requirements going forward (like what was required for banks), a profit sharing/unemployment pool for employees, etc. 

[Dicey]

Probably not popular, but in some very specific cases, dying from this virus might significantly reduce suffering for the individual. For example, someone who is already dying, slowly and painfully, of cancer or some other terminal illness. If their suffering is cut from 6 months down to a few days for example. That's a silver lining. And if our society was better at dying with dignity in general it might not be the case, but we generally suck at it (and you don't even have to get into euthanasia, just doing hospice for someone vs subjecting them to chemo/radiation that can only make them sicker and miserable would be a massive improvement).

Funny, I thought something similar when the facility in Kirkland experienced multiple fatalities early on in this crisis. Specifically, there was a grieving woman quoted, and a picture of her with her 85 year old mother published. The mother was gripping a baby doll, probably indicating that she was suffering from some form of dementia. Having first-hand experience with same, my immediate thought was that at least the mother was spared the indignity of forgetting how to manage every facet of everyday life, including how to swallow and finally even how to breathe. While her death was certainly sad, it was not tragic. In some cases, hastening death is a tender mercy. If it was me in the same situation wiith no hope for recovery, I believe I'd opt for a fairly speedy demise rather than long, drawn out process.