The United States is not under a lockdown. Even places like New York City, and some in California are not under a lockdown. I participate in some other forums with a more international membership/ focus. Some of the people are in Italy and Spain where going out to the grocery store is banned.
Yes, a lot people are out of work. But essential industries are still working, manufacturing is still working. Banks, drug stores, grocery stores, hardware stores are still working.
People are still selling and buying houses. And RV's. Fellow three spots over from me in the campground bought a golf cart and a boat within the past two weeks. Sure the dealers don't have the volume of customers they once had, but they are not shut down completely.
Another fellow took his Winnebago Tour over to the dealer today to have some warranty work done. Well be back tonight.
Factories are still open and working most places.
Tremendous numbers of people are working from home.
If anything, this situation has shown how fragile the 'great and wonderful strong economy' is. How many people in this country are not doing great with big paychecks and vast opportunities. That many Americans do live pay check to pay check, and our economy depends upon them to work for a minimalistic wage to make the rest of American to enjoy the abundant lifestyle.
The two biggest impacts are:
(1) Schools. Some places do not have the infrastructure to support remote teaching via computers. Many of those teachers and parents are getting creative with lesson plans, handouts and such so the teacher or parent can meet once a week to exchange completed work, and new assignments.
(2) Optional leisure activities. Restaurants. Okay, we don't eat out, but we get takeout now. Movie theaters. All kinds of entertainment and social gathering places. We should be at a Good Sam State Rally right now. And another one next week. The loss of social opportunities reminds me of the late 50's and early 60's when my parents spent almost all their evenings at home with the six children.
The lack of opportunities for social interaction does bother me. Frankly at my age and being retired, that's the biggest part of my life, and I miss it.
But it is an inconvenience, not an emergency.
Most of the complaints I see here are "I can't go have fun"
not "I'm being starved to death"
I assure you that our collective discomfort is much less important than many people who are finding themselves unable to feed their children today.
In general I find this forum a lot of "I want a T-bone, not a porterhouse' level of whining.
