CORONA Rural America braces for coronavirus as city-dwellers flee urban areas to counties with NO intensive care beds for the sick and patchy cell reception

[hunybee]

Rural America braces for coronavirus as city-dwellers flee urban areas to counties with NO intensive care beds for the sick and patchy cell reception for those forced to social distance

Rural America braces for coronavirus but has lack intensive care beds

Severe lack of access to medical care, no internet service or cell reception and no sick leave all among the fears for people in rural America as the coronavirus pandemic worsens.

www.dailymail.co.uk

• Outbreaks in cities have hit the headlines but rural America is still battling against the coronavirus
• Aging populations and lack of access to healthcare places these communities in severe risk
• 2.7 million senior citizens in America live in a county with no hospital
• Since 2010, 126 rural hospitals across 31 states have closed
• There are only 5,600 ICU beds in rural counties
• The average rural hospital had eight ICU beds compared to 20 in a city
• Some hospitals have only one, if any, ventilator
• Rural patients so far account for only 3 percent of U.S. cases
• Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Rural America is bracing itself for the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as fearful city-dwellers begin to run from the spiraling crisis in the country's urban centers and head for less densely populated areas.

Only three percent of the more than 63,900 cases in the United States so far have been in rural counties and deaths there have also accounted for less than three percent of national totals, a cities such as New York and Seattle dominate the headlines.

Yet with fears that those fleeing from the harder hit cities may bring with them an increased chance of infection, the aging population in rural America have growing concerns about their livelihoods, access to health care and how to stay in contact with limited internet access.

Since 2010, 126 rural hospitals across 31 states have closed and there are currently 2.7 million senior citizens in America living in a county with no hospital, some forced to drive hundred of miles for their medical care.

LaPaz Regional Hospital in Parker, Arizona. Rural hospitals are severely lacking in ICU beds

Rural areas reliant on the tourist industry have been hardest hit so far by the coronavirus

There are over 51,000 general intensive care beds in urban counties, compared with just 5,600 in rural counties and 8 million people live in a county with a hospital with no ICU unit

And if a severe outbreak was to hit a rural hospital, half of the counties in the country have no intensive care unit beds and an even more limited supply of ventilators, placing them in competition with larger, city hospitals battling to find more.

Some 18 million people live in a county with a hospital with no ICU unit, a quarter of those aged 60 or older, according to The Daily Yonder, which specializes on life in rural America.

The pandemic's toll in big U.S. cities like New York, Seattle and San Francisco has dominated headlines, but enormous swaths of rural America from coastal Georgia to the frozen reaches of Alaska are also deeply affected by the rapid spread of the new coronavirus.

Across the nation, there are over 51,000 general intensive care beds in urban counties, compared with just 5,600 in rural counties, according to data compiled by The Associated Press.

Those beds serve a smaller population than in urban areas, but it would still take fewer people in rural areas to overwhelm a typical hospital.

In fiscal year 2018, the average rural hospital had eight ICU beds, compared with 20 for a typical hospital in an urban area.

'This is the worst possible situation,' Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, a non-profit that provides leadership for rural health matters told USA Today.

'Rural America is older, sicker and poorer. Now combine that with 2,000 rural hospitals where 1,300 have 25 or fewer beds, half of which have just one ventilator on site. Our system was designed for efficiency, not surge capacity.'

A view of nearly deserted streets in downtown Greenville, Texas, after a shelter-in-place order

A few vehicles are seen parked along or navigating Main Street during the noon hour by the Tarrant County Court House in downtown Forth Worth, Texas, as residents stay at home

In Catron County, New Mexico, a county the size of Connecticut with only 3,500 residents, 41 percent of whom are over 65, doctors have been preparing to transfer patients to hospitals that can handle COVID-19 patients.

'What we have in Catron County are two primary care outpatient clinics with no beds or ventilators,' said Don Daniel, vice president of business development at Presbyterian Medical Services.

'It wouldn't be unusual for patients to travel 125 miles roundtrip,' to go to a clinic, he added.

Doctors have warned that some may need to relocate to the already struggling city hospitals as local facilities will quickly become overwhelmed.

'It's just obvious people are going to need to move,' said Dr. Peter Graham, executive medical director for Physicians Health Plan in Michigan.

'If we're able to find a ventilator bed in Indianapolis, in Chicago or Minneapolis or wherever, it is go, get them there!'

In Georgiana, a small town in southern Alabama, the only hospital closed last year, so residents flocked to the health clinic instead when a person in a town 5 miles away was diagnosed with COVID-19.

More than 30 percent of Georgiana's 1,600 residents are over age 60, putting them at higher risk with limited medical facilities to serve them, said Mayor Jerome Antone.

Sign at the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park Thursday announcing the closure following the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in Gardiner, Montana

As of Thursday there are over 83,000 cases of the virus in the US and over 1,000 deaths

The number of cases in the US has rocketed over the last two weeks

continued...

 

[hunybee]

continued...



For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

Georgiana's older residents, Antone said, are 'aggressively upset', even though no one there has been diagnosed yet.

The social distancing rules repeated like a mantra in America's urban centers, where the coronavirus is spreading exponentially, might seem silly in wide-open places where neighbors live miles apart and 'working from home' means another day spent branding calves or driving a tractor alone through a field.

But as the pandemic spreads through the U.S., those living in rural areas, too, are increasingly threatened.

Tiny towns tucked into Oregon's windswept plains and cattle ranches miles from anywhere in South Dakota might not have had a single case of the new coronavirus, but their main streets are also empty and their medical clinics overwhelmed by the worried.

Residents from rural Alabama to the woods of Vermont to the frozen reaches of Alaska fear the spread of the disease from outsiders, the social isolation that comes when the town's only diner closes, and economic collapse in places where jobs were already scarce.

'Nobody knows what to do and the're just running in circles, so stay away from me is what I'm saying,' said Mike Filbin, a 70-year-old cattle rancher in Wasco County, Oregon, one of the few parts of the state that has yet to see a case of COVID-19.

'Right now, we're pretty clean over here, but we're not immune to nothin' - and if they start bringing it over, it'll explode here.'

Cattle rancher Mike Filbin stands on his property in Dufur, Oregon, after herding some cows and talks about the impact the new coronavirus is having on his rural community

Cattle rancher Mike Filbin, front, and his friend, Joe Whitesell, behind, prepare to herd cattle at Filbin's ranch in Dufur, Oregon, who believe the coronavirus could explode in the rural area

A sign indicates the distance to the nearest towns as cloud-capped Mount Hood rises in the background in this photo taken near Dufur, Oregon.

Tiny towns tucked into Oregon's windswept plains might not have had a single case of the new coronavirus yet but their residents fear the spread of the disease to areas with scarce medical resources
Seven out of ten rural counties which are hardest hit so far are those that rely heavily on the recreation and tourist industry, sparking concerns that it is those coming from elsewhere that will bring the coronavirus into rural areas.

As of data released Tuesday, there were only 1,1713 cases in rural areas and 18 deaths as the death toll across the country stretched well into the hundreds.

But with 83 percent of counties with aging populations classified as rural, they are still high at risk with many others working in industries such as farming that allow no working remotely, sick leave or health benefits if they do fall ill.

To make matters worse, some of the most remote communities have limited or no internet access and spotty cellphone service, with the pandemic highlighting the digital divide between rural and urban America.

That makes telecommuting and online learning challenging in an era of blanket school and work closures, and it eliminates the possibility of the FaceTime card games and virtual cocktail hours that urban Americans have turned to in droves to stay connected.

The routine ways that rural Americans connect - a bingo night, stopping in at a local diner or attending a potluck - are suddenly taboo.

'Rural people are reliant on their neighbors and have more confidence and trust in their neighbors,' said Ken Johnson, a senior demographer at the Carsey School of Public Policy and professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire.

'Now you have people who are supposed to self-isolate themselves. What does that mean when people you depend on, in order to help you, are going to put themselves and their families at risk? I don´t know what that will do in rural America.'

Neil Bradshaw, the mayor of Ketchum, Idaho, is starting to see the answer in his own community.

The rural resort town has struggled since the arrival of COVID-19, and he fears if the virus lingers too long, it could devastate it.

A sign near the Breckenridge Ski Resort gondola in Breckenridge, Colorado. Rural areas that are home to ski resorts have been among the rural counties worst hit by the virus

It is mostly deserted after the Vail Ski Resort closed for the season amid the COVID-19 pandemic as rural areas that rely heavily on the tourist industry come to a standstill

The town is nestled next door to the tony skiing destination Sun Valley Resort and is known as the second-home haven for dozens of celebrities.

It's also become the epicenter of Idaho's caseload, with at least 35 cases and known community spread of the virus.

At least 14 of the cases are among health care workers, forcing the town's small medical workers to bring in replacement staffers from nearby cities.

'Our town thrives on people coming to town, and for the first time in our history we are discouraging visitors,' said Bradshaw, of the town of 2,700 people.

'Initially people had different levels of adoption, but there's tremendous community pressure that we´re all in this together. We've gone from being a vibrant town to a ghost town.'

The town's coffers rely on a local option tax, and if that drops by half the city will have lost $700,000 in revenue, he said.

Some communities have pushed back on shutdowns that have brought daily life to a standstill.

Leaders from seven Utah counties, for example, sent a letter earlier this week to Gov. Gary Herbert urging a 'return to normalcy,' and said the closure of schools and business was causing panic and hurting the economy.

'As of (Monday), the total deaths attributed to the virus in the United States stands at ninety,' the letter states.

'Not nine hundred, not nine thousand, not ninety thousand. Ninety. This number is sure to rise in the near future but we need to keep our wits about us.




In Alasksa's Point Hope, an Inupiat whaling village at the edge of the Arctic Ocean nearly 700 miles north of Anchorage, tribal leaders have been preparing and discussing potential issues such as air travel into town.

The state's limited road system doesn't reach the community of 900 people, which relies on planes for much of its connection to the outside world.

This week, one of the two airlines that serve Point Hope will begin restricting flights to cargo and passengers with medical or other essential needs.

Still, residents worry the recent deaths of two elders will bring out-of-town mourners for the funerals.

'We have all kinds of different people who come into our village,' said acting Mayor Daisy Sage.

'This coronavirus is serious.'

Whale bones from past hunts sit in the village Point Hope, Alaska. Tribal leaders held a meeting this week to prepare and wrestled with whether or not to ban air travel into town

Asign outside a fly fishing shop in tiny Maupin, Oregon, advises customers of new policies to limit the spread of the new coronavirus in rural areas as residents fear the worst

Mike Johnston, a clerk at the Maupin Market in tiny Maupin, Oregon, wipes down the ice cream case to protect customers from the new coronavirus on March 20. Tiny towns tucked into Oregon's windswept plains and cattle ranches fear the spread of the disease

Thousands of miles away, in South Dakota, falling prices for beef are generating as much - or more - worry than the virus.

Sam Stoddard, a cattle rancher near the town of Kadoka, population 650, said futures markets for beef have dropped up to 30 percent because of the coronavirus.

He's worried about longtime ranchers being able to hang on.

If the market remains terrible, he said, ranchers can put off selling their calves until later in the year - but no one knows how long the economy will be in upheaval, leaving everyone stressed.

At the same time, the state has not shuttered businesses, leaving residents wondering what to expect next.

South Dakota has 30 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

'Normally this time of year we´re more worried about a big blizzard coming in and killing 10% of our calves. You know it´s coming, and you can prepare for it,' Stoddard said.

'With this, you don't know what's coming or what you should be doing.'

 

[hunybee]

now THIS makes me start feeling the "they are gonna close the state borders" thing. even the county borders.

 

[hunybee]

Since 2010, 126 rural hospitals across 31 states have closed and there are currently 2.7 million senior citizens in America living in a county with no hospital, some forced to drive hundred of miles for their medical care.

and huh.....look at that. what an interesting sentence. 2010....i wonder what happened in 2010......it must have been something important for such a large number of rural hospitals to close. what could it be?

 

[Tripod]

now THIS makes me start feeling the "they are gonna close the state borders" thing. even the county borders.

That would be a very good idea.
Mike

 

[Blacknarwhal]

God willing, Trump will fix this early next week with those new guidelines.

 

[Dozdoats]

The truck driver in the food service truck delivering to our small local supermarket had a heart attack this afternoon. The grocery store is right across the street from the fire department and help was there for him quickly. They called for a helicopter but it was windy and none of the three regional air ambulances could fly.

Medics here will call an air ambulance at the drop of a hat because our small town hospital has no ICU. And drive time to a regional hospital is over an hour.

Haven't heard any further about him, I hope the driver is doing OK.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

So not feeling sorry for urban refugees.

IMHO rural clinics, fire stations and first responders are treated like healthcare's red haired step children. When the Dems came to power in PA funding was cut for county health departments, they were striped of medical equipment and staff. Obamacare further limited what healthcare remaining staff could provide. Locals wanting to donate cash or medical equipment or supplies to county nurses (according to a county nurse I talked to) can and will be arrested for bribery.

Obama made sure federal funds for new fire fighting and other emergency equipment went to liberal cities not rural areas. Rural fire departments are trying to replace million dollar firetrucks with bingo and bake sales. Rural volunteer firefighters are inundated by insane amounts of unneeded required training. This scares away new recruits and older fighters are retiring so staffing is an ongoing problem.

Now urban refugees can't find services they're used to in rural areas? Welcome to the country!

 

[Jackpine Savage]

and huh.....look at that. what an interesting sentence. 2010....i wonder what happened in 2010......it must have been something important for such a large number of rural hospitals to close. what could it be?

Yep, the answer is 'What is Obamacare?'

 

[mistaken1]

and huh.....look at that. what an interesting sentence. 2010....i wonder what happened in 2010......it must have been something important for such a large number of rural hospitals to close. what could it be?

Communism perhaps? As is a communist assault on medical care?

 

[mistaken1]

So not feeling sorry for urban refugees.

IMHO rural clinics, fire stations and first responders are treated like healthcare's red haired step children. When the Dems came to power in PA funding was cut for county health departments, they were striped of medical equipment and staff. Obamacare further limited what healthcare remaining staff could provide. Locals wanting to donate cash or medical equipment or supplies to county nurses (according to a county nurse I talked to) can and will be arrested for bribery.

Obama made sure federal funds for new fire fighting and other emergency equipment went to liberal cities not rural areas. Rural fire departments are trying to replace million dollar firetrucks with bingo and bake sales. Rural volunteer firefighters are inundated by insane amounts of unneeded required training. This scares away new recruits and older fighters are retiring so staffing is an ongoing problem.

Now urban refugees can't find services they're used to in rural areas? Welcome to the country!

Wow that sounds like the dems weaponized government against their political enemies. Almost like they are working some kind of plan to destroy rural communities and drive people into the cities.

 

[juco]

I can’t say how accurate that map is for the rest of the country, but it’s not accurate for Virginia.

 

[hunybee]

I can’t say how accurate that map is for the rest of the country, but it’s not accurate for Virginia.

in small print on the map, they say that virgina may be incorrect, and the reason why.

 

[Hognutz]

They are closing Myrtle Beach to tourist.

 

[WalknTrot]

Thanks, hunybee. Good in-depth article!
Here's from some of the local authorities up north.

'It's not that we don't want you': St. Louis County (MN) urges visitors to stay home as third COVID-19 case confirmed

Written By: Tom Olsen
Mar 25th 2020 - 4pm.

'It's not that we don't want you': St. Louis County urges visitors to stay home as third COVID-19 case confirmed

As spring sets in, local officials are usually welcoming tourists and seasonal residents to the Northland. This year, they're telling people to hold off on planned visits.

www.duluthnewstribune.com

As spring sets in, local officials are usually welcoming tourists and seasonal residents to the Northland. This year, they're telling people to hold off on planned visits.

Tourists, cabin owners and even snowbirds are being discouraged from venturing into the Northland as COVID-19 cases continue to increase exponentially across the nation.

A third case was confirmed in St. Louis County, the Minnesota Department of Health announced Wednesday. The individual is a woman in her late 30s and is currently recovering at home, according to St. Louis County officials. Like the first two cases, her infection is linked to domestic travel and not community transmission.

While officials won't reveal more specific information on the cases, people should not assume that any area remains virus-free, St. Louis County Public Health Division Director Amy Westbrook said.

"As testing remains limited, we're suspecting and we want to encourage everyone to assume that we do have community transmission within all communities of St. Louis County," she said Wednesday.

Officials strongly advised people to stay home at a news conference held at the St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth about an hour before Gov. Tim Walz announced he would issue an executive order banning non-essential travel for a two-week period beginning Friday night.

"Anyone coming into our county from somewhere else risks bringing the virus with them," County Board Chair Mike Jugovich said. "That includes people coming to spend time at their cabin or favorite rental getaway spot, and even snowbirds coming home. Please pause and ask if this is really the best time to travel. We all need to do our part to stop the spread of this virus."

Jugovich noted that can be a tough ask, especially as spring sets in and people normally start coming north to stay at their second homes or to take advantage of recreational opportunities. Residents are still encouraged to go outside for fresh air and exercise — as long as they don't go far and stay 6 feet away from others.

"Normally the Northland is so welcoming and you want to have people come here. One of our greatest assets is that we feel this is probably the most beautiful place on earth and we try to get as many people here as we can," Jugovich said. "It's not that we don't want you. It's that we want to get through this health crisis and this is another one of our avenues to ensure safety for our residents."

Cook County also issued an advisory Wednesday pleading with visitors to stay away. While it will almost certainly harm local resorts and shops that rely on out-of-town business, the North Shore county is one of the smallest in the state by permanent population, which also skews older than average.

"This is an ever-changing and very serious health situation," the advisory read, "and Cook County needs to be diligent in its response."
In Wisconsin, Bayfield and Ashland counties are among those who have also urged cabin owners and others to hold off on travel plans.

Like all communities, the Northland's health care system could become overwhelmed with patients experiencing severe respiratory symptoms, warned Dr. Andrew Thompson, an infectious-disease specialist at St. Luke's.

Thompson said St. Luke's and Essentia are working together to prepare for a "low-level spread," but planning for the possibility that the region needs to double or triple its number of hospital beds for critical-care patients.

He said that includes reorganization of staff — particularly those who work in units that have postponed procedures during the pandemic. Staff is also working to purchase or produce personal protective equipment and consider how some gear may be sanitized and reused, given a nationwide shortage. Some buildings also may need to be repurposed, he said.

"We've been working very closely with our partners at the county, at hospitals throughout northern Minnesota, and between Essentia and St. Luke's, to make sure that we're giving consistent messaging and that we're working together in case we need to help each other out," Thompson said.

"That might mean transferring patients between smaller communities in the Northland to Duluth and vice versa. But we're all focused as a community on working together."

None of the three people who have tested positive in St. Louis County have had close contact with anyone outside of their immediate family members, who are self-quarantining and being monitored for respiratory and fever symptoms, according to Westbrook.

The first confirmed COVID-19 case in St. Louis County was reported Saturday and the second was reported Monday.

At this point, the Minnesota Department of Health has reported that 287 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the state; 122 of those people no longer need to be isolated and one person has died. More than 11,000 tests have been completed at the state's public health lab and at external laboratories.

Anyone with questions regarding identifying symptoms or whether testing is needed can call Essentia Health at 1-833-494-0836 or St. Luke's at 218-249-4200.

Non-clinical questions, such as preventative steps to take or anything travel-related, can be directed to the St. Louis County Public Health information line at 218-625-3600 or the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-3920.

 

[juco]

in small print on the map, they say that virgina may be incorrect, and the reason why.

Thanks, didn’t see that (because of the small print LOL)

 

[ambereyes]

Our county has no hospital, grocery stores or much of any shopping. Doctors are come to the local clinic twice a month otherwise it's a PA and a couple of nurses. There isn't much in the way of housing, no apartments. The area is mainly large ranches. Don't think we will have much in the way of city people moving in.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Wow that sounds like the dems weaponized government against their political enemies. Almost like they are working some kind of plan to destroy rural communities and drive people into the cities.

With politics sometimes it's hard to distinguish between; agendas, greed and self interest.

 

[colonel holman]

copied from another thread, but fits better here:

Here is Maine (inland far from souther Maine which long ago became a suburb of Boston) we are seeing lots of vehicles from out-of-state, loaded with gear headed north. Our local grocery parking lots with a growing % of NY, MA, CT license plates. It is almost comical to see these folks emerge wearing brand new flannel shirts or camo, with Carhart coats with the tags still on, trying to appear “native”. They own second homes or camps (they call them cottages) and are calling up their local plumbers and caretakers to get their water systems running from being drained and prepped for winter... and these locals are widely refusing them if they have already arrived here from their primary home infected shitholes. That will put these refugees into a panic when they cannot re-start their running water (including toilets). I expect local grocery stores will soon limit trade to locals only. Many are pulling campers. Good luck with that, as we still have plenty of snow, and no campgrounds are will to open to them.

 

[WalknTrot]

Many are pulling campers. Good luck with that, as we still have plenty of snow, and no campgrounds are will to open to them.

Darn. I was hoping our still plentiful snow pack would keep them out. For sure, the forest roads, and summer roads in the way-back aren't plowed. More than a few of these peeps are gonna be looking to be rescued after they get their pristine 4WD's stuck up to their azzes in snow and then immediately after the thaw, the mud.

 

[colonel holman]

Just this minute got notice from our Masonic lodge that a family that just arrived to their “summer place” in the neighboring village all got sick and tested positive. The notice was to reinforce everyone’s social distancing and stay-home orders. Our lodge is acting as a local first-person intel gathering source.

 

[NHGUNNER]

Just this minute got notice from our Masonic lodge that a family that just arrived to their “summer place” in the neighboring village all got sick and tested positive. The notice was to reinforce everyone’s social distancing and stay-home orders. Our lodge is acting as a local first-person intel gathering source.

Would it be wrong to ask what neighboring village?

 

[20Gauge]

Just this minute got notice from our Masonic lodge that a family that just arrived to their “summer place” in the neighboring village all got sick and tested positive. The notice was to reinforce everyone’s social distancing and stay-home orders. Our lodge is acting as a local first-person intel gathering source.

That must have gone over well....

 

[20Gauge]

Would it be wrong to ask what neighboring village?

Looking to do the pitchfork and burning thing?? Not really a bad idea you know..

 

[colonel holman]

Would it be wrong to ask what neighboring village?

Farmington. Tested at FMH, not at RH. Very reliable source.

ADDED INFO:
Observation post watching I-95 in Orono (3 hours drive north of the Maine border, so certainly misses lots of refugees) calculates 2000 people per day is Massachusetts-tagged vehicles are invading Maine, this far north. Additional data in the article. This OP counts only those on one route, 3 hours into the state, missing those who split off before reaching that far inland.

DEEMI tracking visitors to Maine

ORONO – A group in Maine is tracking who is traveling up Interstate 95 into the northern part of the…

foxbangor.com

 

[hunybee]

Darn. I was hoping our still plentiful snow pack would keep them out. For sure, the forest roads, and summer roads in the way-back aren't plowed. More than a few of these peeps are gonna be looking to be rescued after they get their pristine 4WD's stuck up to their azzes in snow and then immediately after the thaw, the mud.

yah, no....not keeping people out. and you know as i do that because we have agriculture and I35, people form the texas and mexico area are up here a lot during the summer. well, those license plates are growing from down south, only much earlier than normal. i noticed it a couple of days ago.

 

[NHGUNNER]

Farmington. Tested at FMH, not at RH. Very reliable source.

ADDED INFO:
Observation post watching I-95 in Orono (3 hours drive north of the Maine border, so certainly misses lots of refugees) calculates 2000 people per day is Massachusetts-tagged vehicles are invading Maine, this far north. Additional data in the article. This OP counts only those on one route, 3 hours into the state, missing those who split off before reaching that far inland.

DEEMI tracking visitors to Maine

ORONO – A group in Maine is tracking who is traveling up Interstate 95 into the northern part of the…

foxbangor.com

At least it isn't officially "here". Although I just assume it is. I don't plan on going to any stores for a while. Thanks for the info. Stay safe!

 

[WalknTrot]

yah, no....not keeping people out. and you know as i do that because we have agriculture and I35, people form the texas and mexico area are up here a lot during the summer. well, those license plates are growing from down south, only much earlier than normal. i noticed it a couple of days ago.

Thanks for the observations. I've been staying in the general neighborhood and avoiding town and the freeway.

 

[hunybee]

Thanks for the observations. I've been staying in the general neighborhood and avoiding town and the freeway.

the weather here has been unusually warm for this time of year. i am NOT complaining hahaha

we have less snow pack than normal. it is making things easier for some things, but once people tell others how nice it is already, that will make the warm weather people scurry up here faster.

P.S. you do not have pm's enabled. if you could, then i could give you more info from my area, if you wish.

 

[Groucho]

Just got this note from a friend farms in a very remote area close to Kentucky and Virginia. This is what he wrote;

"All the national forest campgrounds in our county ..and all over the state are filled with new yorkers escaping the shutdown.
Local grocery store is full of out of state plates.. So it is being brought to our town by the refugees...there is some serious grumbling locally about removing them..before they crush our 25 bed rural hospital.
I am understanding the refugee problem we all talked about a lot better now..too late to seal the state borders.
back to farming.

fyi. no local cases yet but that cannot last long with all the new arrivals."

So sad. What the F is wrong with people.

 

[20Gauge]

Just got this note from a friend farms in a very remote area close to Kentucky and Virginia. This is what he wrote;

"All the national forest campgrounds in our county ..and all over the state are filled with new yorkers escaping the shutdown.
Local grocery store is full of out of state plates.. So it is being brought to our town by the refugees...there is some serious grumbling locally about removing them..before they crush our 25 bed rural hospital.
I am understanding the refugee problem we all talked about a lot better now..too late to seal the state borders.
back to farming.

fyi. no local cases yet but that cannot last long with all the new arrivals."

So sad. What the F is wrong with people.

You now have 1st hand experience in what will happen when things to TU

 

[Dozdoats]

Re. #7 - checked on the driver, he was transported by ambulance to the regional medical center the next county over and had two stents put in. He should be going home in a couple of days.

I love small towns...

 

[Ping Jockey]

Living somewhat close to the snowbird pipeline (I-75, N. Ga,) I can say the southbound lanes are filled with cars with yellow NY plates headed south towards Florida.

They need to keep on truckin’!

 

[Meemur]

I'm still seeing vans with MN plates, older women in their 40s and 50s. I assume they've come down to the Des Moines area in search of supplies.

 

[patriotgal]

Living somewhat close to the snowbird pipeline (I-75, N. Ga,) I can say the southbound lanes are filled with cars with yellow NY plates headed south towards Florida.

They need to keep on truckin’!

Friends who were at their Florida RV location were "evicted" from the state and told to go back to their home state. Florida may not be welcoming to NY plates.

 

[colonel holman]

Gov of RI has ordered her NG to patrol the streets looking for NY license plates, then knock on the doors where thye are parked to order them either go home or self quarantine 14 days. She’s a lame-assed uber-lib, revealing how extra-constitutional she is willing to go. But it reflects how this crisis is unfolding

 

[colonel holman]

One huge concern here, in Maine, we have a total of only 125 ICU beds in the entire state

 

[Millwright]

A blend of two notable points in American history.

Yankee carpetbaggers with smallpox blankets.

 

[IRoberge]

Just got home from doing the early senior shopping at the local grocery small town, rural part of CT. Very few cars in the lot but saw 2NY and 1 PA plate.

 

[lakemom]

Running away from the big cities they love soooo much so that they don't get "trapped" there, and yet bringing the virus with them because they've probably already been exposed. No thought to the fact that they're over-burdening a system that prepared for their OWN, not a bunch of panicked outsiders coming in to wipe out the supplies. Then, they're gonna scream to the high winds when they can't get what they consider adequate healthcare. (Sorry, folks, things are different in the rural areas.) But, once this is all over, they're going to run right back to those big cities (thankfully) so that they can have all of this big-city conveniences and entertainment that threatened to trap them there in a real crisis. Morons....