[johnta1]

[poncho-mike]

I don't see how the economy can maintain current levels with so many people working from home. When I went into the office every day, I drove about 60 miles a day when you include going out for lunch. My car gets 25 mpg around town, so I was burning about 12 gallons per week. I would often go to my employer's local manufacturing facilities to look at something, adding another 40 miles a week. So by working from home, I save about $8 - 10 per day on food, or about $200 per month. I also save at least $100 in gasoline. When you factor in that my wife and I no longer go to restaurants on the weekends, that's about another $150 per month. Actual savings are less because we have to buy food to cook at home. I would estimate working from home has reduced our living costs by $300 a month.

I used to go to lunch with three other guys. One is a bachelor, so he probably uses Grub Hub. But the other guys have families and are minimizing outside contacts. Even if you reduce their expenses, that amounts to about $1000 a month for four guys.

When you consider all of the lost restaurant revenue and reduced repair costs due to less wear and tear on our cars, that's a lot of money that isn't making its way into the economy. I don't think this is permanent because I'm dying for a nice steak and Cactus Blossom from Texas Steakhouse and Saloon;. I'm really looking forward to that steak when this dies down. But it's going to hurt a lot of small business owners who are shut down or are seeing their revenue drop sharply. Over time, that will lead to forclosures and reposessions. This could get ugly by early next year.

[400 4spd.]

At the supposed "height" of the pandemic a few months ago I closed my restoration shop for a week to see how the infection numbers would look. This was after discussions with my employees to get input from them. After that week we all felt we should go at it again. Everyone has been healthy until a new hire in his early 20's contracted it within a week of working here. He tested positive a week ago and is out on quarantine while the rest of us seem to be okay.
Customer inquiries are through the roof and I'm scheduling incoming work months out. Parts availability is a daily battle with too many hours spent online or on the phone each day.

[jwcfbd]

We were given the choice to take a voluntary leave but I never stopped working. That being said we did take a cut in hours which no one knows how long that's going to last.

[BDHABT]

My wife and I never stopped.

She is a buyer for a large scale gluten free granola bakery.

I`m an auto tech.

People have to eat,and people need their cars fixed,so it all works out.

Not a fan of not being able to do anything though.We had a few fairs we would attend every year;now thats not happening.

My bud is having a track rental on the 11th,so hopefully the weather is clear,and we get to see some racing,and some friends we have`nt seen in a while.

[mysticmissle]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

I don't see how the economy can maintain current levels with so many people working from home. When I went into the office every day, I drove about 60 miles a day when you include going out for lunch. My car gets 25 mpg around town, so I was burning about 12 gallons per week. I would often go to my employer's local manufacturing facilities to look at something, adding another 40 miles a week. So by working from home, I save about $8 - 10 per day on food, or about $200 per month. I also save at least $100 in gasoline. When you factor in that my wife and I no longer go to restaurants on the weekends, that's about another $150 per month. Actual savings are less because we have to buy food to cook at home. I would estimate working from home has reduced our living costs by $300 a month.

I used to go to lunch with three other guys. One is a bachelor, so he probably uses Grub Hub. But the other guys have families and are minimizing outside contacts. Even if you reduce their expenses, that amounts to about $1000 a month for four guys.

When you consider all of the lost restaurant revenue and reduced repair costs due to less wear and tear on our cars, that's a lot of money that isn't making its way into the economy. I don't think this is permanent because I'm dying for a nice steak and Cactus Blossom from Texas Steakhouse and Saloon;. I'm really looking forward to that steak when this dies down. But it's going to hurt a lot of small business owners who are shut down or are seeing their revenue drop sharply. Over time, that will lead to forclosures and reposessions. This could get ugly by early next year.

this is an excellent point there will be so many small business that never are able to reopen.

[mysticmissle]

Originally Posted by ponjohn

I've been remote since March 16. I, as others, feel very fortunate to have not stopped or been financially effected.

I am saving fuel costs plus the time to commute, 3 hours /day. Some of my colleagues are saving 225.00 / month in tolls plus fuel.

Car money!

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

I don't think this is permanent because I'm dying for a nice steak and Cactus Blossom from Texas Steakhouse and Saloon;. I'm really looking forward to that steak when this dies down.

Back in May, before the MN governor finally allowed our restaurants to open, my wife and I drove 100 miles (one way) to Wisconsin so we could go out for beer and pizza.

We used to live in that town 15 years ago and knew the quality of the pizza.

It was worth the trip.

[SRR]

Our local Italian place is still take out only but the food is still awesome. I do feel sorry for the waiting staff though, they really need those tips.

[locomotivebreath]

Locomotive engineer , never stopped . Our automotive freight was down some when the plants were stamping ventilators but they are ramping up now .

[400 4spd.]

Originally Posted by SRR

Our local Italian place is still take out only but the food is still awesome. I do feel sorry for the waiting staff though, they really need those tips.

We buy take-out from some of the local eat-in establishments. Considering what the employees have been dealing with for months, I always tip generously, 25% or better.

[Jonsie]

Warren Wilhelm had deeded, from on-high, that the restaurants in NYC may open, sometime, maybe, next year.............maybe......

[fyrffytr1]

I retired for the third and final time in March, 2019 and my wife works for the hospital. Her department was shut down for about a month but she still went in to work and made face masks. Most all restaurants here are open except for some of the buffets. But, business is down at all of them.

[Jonsie]

Buffets as we knew them are gone, for a long time

[67GTONUT]

Thankfully...... Wife and I never stopped.....

I work for Heavy truck repair and she is an Accountant

Miss the car shows..... and I miss my parents in Florida.

[johnta1]

and I miss my parents in Florida. and I miss my parents in Florida.

Where at in Florida?

[Ben M.]

Originally Posted by SRR

Our local Italian place is still take out only but the food is still awesome. I do feel sorry for the waiting staff though, they really need those tips.

I've been doing call in and takeout (with the occasional limited eat-in) with all of our local restaurants. The waitstaff really need help in this time and I'm doing what I can. One very awesome Mexican restaurant opened in late January and I've been buying from them every chance I get to do my part to help them out.

Several fast food joints have closed locally too, but I don't feel as bad for those as I do the actual locally owned places that aren't chains.

[poncho-mike]

Early in the pandemic, a local fast food place was one of the first places to report infected staff members. The Research Triangle Park area (Raleigh/Durham) was one of the earliest hotspots was due to Biogen workers becoming infected at a convention or company event elsewhere and bringing the infection into our area.

[Firedup6975]

Mike is, they were shut down for 2 weeks, but you can’t really stop construction. He does commercial or industrial construction, pipe repairs, sewer repairs, demolition, laterals, and now bridge replacement and road lifting. So they are on job sites, but must have a safety meeting every morning, must wear masks on the job site, and attempt to social distance. Yeah that works when your down in the ground. and need to work side by side.

[keith h]

Never stopped.
Fire Apparatus. Police cars and generators still have operate. Vehicles and offices are disinfected after every shift, or when repair is necessary.