[Fredslist] Don't Panic. (And thanks for all the fish)*

[Amparo Connors]

What a great post! Thank you Tessa for sharing your personal observations and positive outlook. Stay safe & healthy, best regards-Amparo
Amparo M .Connors, President
Allied Personnel Services, Inc., Green Staff NY
NY City & State Certified M/WBE
718.261.7979  ~  212.451.0235
Corp HQ: 118-21 Queens Boulevard; Suite 610 Forest Hills NY 11375
amparo at alliedpersonnel.com<mailto:amparo at alliedpersonnel.com>                      www.alliedpersonnel.com<http://www.alliedpersonnel.com/>

From: Tessa Marquis [mailto:tmarquis at newstandardinstitute.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2020 12:02 AM
To: Gotham Listserve
Subject: [Fredslist] Don't Panic. (And thanks for all the fish)*

I am in San Francisco, “sheltering in place”. This should not be misconstrued as “house arrest”. I am not wearing an ankle monitor. I am posting this to provide some tips from three weeks ahead of most of you.
Good news! There are loopholes to our safe confinement, purposefully created within the definitions of “essential needs” and “essential services”. The “needs” are work, food, medical, and family. The “services” are the providers of work, food, medical care, and those you take care of in your family/extended family.
We can travel by bus or taxi/rideshare or private car or by walking or riding bikes. We are able to go to markets, pharmacies and doctors (except for elective appointments), and any work that cannot be done from home.
Farmers Markets can stay open, Bars must close. Schools and Libraries are shut, the Parks are open. You can take your sailboat onto the Bay, but you can’t take the Ferry to Sausalito.
In fact, here in San Francisco we can get take-out food at most restaurants. Some are open for dine-in with limited seating. We can order food delivery, for as long as restaurants can afford to keep open.
The Supermarkets are starting to get control over their inventory and their time. We have lots of small stores of varied cultures which are excited to have our business. You will hear about problems in the toilet paper aisles, but you will not hear about the many “Gothamly” acts of kindness, sharing, and support that are in effect daily.
Neighbors are shopping for the elderly – people are buying gift cards from favorite stores to provide a cashflow so they can stay open – offers of free dog walking – facebook group story-telling for the little kids. There is a definite increase in socialization, rather than the isolation we have seen with increased internet use. I hear rumors that people plan to emulate the Italians by singing from their front doors and rooftops at a designated time each week.
Frankly, I had already expected and planned for this shutdown. It is a matter of setting your mind to understand what *may* occur, rather than just go with the flow or be afraid. I have been operating within a Risk Assessment Plan. I have not succumbed to hoarding or fear-based shopping. I do not buy everything all at once.
So remember: No Hoarding, just Plan things. No fighting, Just Be Kind.
This is an opportunity, not a punishment. Learn to draw, knit, sew. Read novels. Have long phone conversations. Write letters. Yes, Letters!
Take Deep Breaths.

PS Send me an email if you want my step-by-step guide on food selection for shut-ins.
Use Subject Line: Gotham     tmarquis at newstandardinstitute.com<mailto:tmarquis at newstandardinstitute.com>
* Read “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”
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