Octopus Overlords

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:09 am**

The discount grocery next door had about 80% of its stock this morning. Everyone's probably going to the larger locations... I'm definitely seeing pictures of local empty shelves on Facevbook. There were about ten times the number of people there for a Saturday morning, though. More the size of a crowd I'd except on Christmas Eve. Yesterday morning (or was that two days ago?) they still had some of the house brand gargbage-TP. Now there's nothing. The dollar store is sold out, too. I get it. But it's still so frustrating. Luckily we have a pack and a half left. But what if we didn't? We can't usually stock up due to money/space constraints. Thankfully I'm blessed to have just gotten my tax refund, so at least that's not a concern. But I mean... if 3.4% of the world's population dropped dead it would be devastating. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't topple the tissue paper industry though.

In other news, we sent our first employee home to self-isolate last night. Pretty sure she's not infected, but she recently returned from a tip to a non-hotspot country and had a cold with a cough. Things could quickly spiral out of control. We're an alarm monitoring call center... we're not designed for work-from-home. The bosses are working on a plan, but I doubt it will implement smoothly or quickly enough. Also, my hands feel like they're made out of sandstone from all the washing and sanitizing. And I've to work an extra 12-hour shift this week due to absences, so I'm exhausted.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:29 am**

Someone in line with me was hoarding cat litter. People may laugh at him now, but when they run out of litter and their cats are pooping all over the place, they will be begging him for a scoop.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:31 am**

Hmm, I'm thinking I need to find something unlikely to corner the market on. Toothpicks? What you won't pay for sweet relief after eating that cob of corn....

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:34 am**

Our local grocery was slammed and the TP shelf was bare.

Except for one brand was still sitting there almost entirely untouched.

Scott brand TP was still nearly fully stocked.

I had to laugh.

I mean it’s desperate times but not Scott level.

Then it struck me that surely some people must buy Scott.
What goes through those people’s minds when they see all the TP gone, but none of the Scott even touched.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:42 am**

News from Atlanta Suburbs....

Grocery store was wiped out by 2 pm yesterday, buddy sent me a picture of the produce section. There were a handful of overripe Guacamoles, some ginger roots, and some other unrecognizable fruit/vegetable. That's it.
Dinner last night out, figured maybe last chance to eat out for awhile. It was Friday night packed, which was surprising due to the above. Waitress was worried about dwindling crowds, we left a huge tip.
Nephew went to Dr. this morning, yesterday he had cough, body aches, sore throat, and slight fever. No fever today, flue test was negative so they called it upper respiratory infection and sent him home with antibody script. He works drivethtough at Mcd's and exchanges payments with every customer. He said as much and they still not going to test him. WTF.
I told him to call into work and tell them he might have it as a precaution, they seemed annoyed he wasn't coming in. WTF
I am also paying him to stay home and play video games instead of work because he can't afford to miss work and because he said "I don't have it" WTF.
Imagine this exact scenario playing out nationwide... we are screwed.

My daughter started her Corona Diary last night. 2 pages for her first entry. I'll share on here at some point if it's good

Final preps for me..
1. hit bookstore and stock up
2. go check on 78 year old, overweight, diabetic Uncle and bring enough things he needs for 3-4 weeks.
3. Go get a few more supplies for my 94 year old Aunt who is incredibly good health for her age (lives in my neighborhood on her "own")
4. go get wifi extenders and old desk out of storage to setup a second office in guest bedroom since I expect both wife and myself to be working from home by mid next week if not sooner. Kid is all setup already and they have 2 hours online classes every day starting Monday.
5. Weather is getting nice so I am getting all the bikes out prepped for riding
6. Plan and plot out the backlog games I have been building up in anticipation for the last 5 years.+

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:44 am**

Unagi wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:34 am Our local grocery was slammed and the TP shelf was bare.

Except for one brand was still sitting there almost entirely untouched.

Scott brand TP was still nearly fully stocked.

I had to laugh.

I mean it’s desperate times but not Scott level.

Then it struck me that surely some people must buy Scott.
What goes through those people’s minds when they see all the TP gone, but none of the Scott even touched.

More than likely they just got a shipment of it but none of the other brands. Luckily for us there are about 500 rolls at the office I can help myself to.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:46 am**

morlac wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:44 am
Unagi wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:34 am Our local grocery was slammed and the TP shelf was bare.

Except for one brand was still sitting there almost entirely untouched.

Scott brand TP was still nearly fully stocked.

I had to laugh.

I mean it’s desperate times but not Scott level.

Then it struck me that surely some people must buy Scott.
What goes through those people’s minds when they see all the TP gone, but none of the Scott even touched.
More than likely they just got a shipment of it but none of the other brands. Luckily for us there are about 500 rolls at the office I can help myself to.

It was absolutely not recently restocked.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:47 am**

Ok that is just weird then.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:53 am**

Hey, I use Scott tissues here.

Soon you'll be learning that a person can get used to anything.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:59 am**

Unagi wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:34 am Our local grocery was slammed and the TP shelf was bare.

Except for one brand was still sitting there almost entirely untouched.

Scott brand TP was still nearly fully stocked.

I had to laugh.

I mean it’s desperate times but not Scott level.

Then it struck me that surely some people must buy Scott.
What goes through those people’s minds when they see all the TP gone, but none of the Scott even touched.

That really rubs me the wrong way.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:03 am**

Jaymann wrote:
Unagi wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:34 am Our local grocery was slammed and the TP shelf was bare.

Except for one brand was still sitting there almost entirely untouched.

Scott brand TP was still nearly fully stocked.

I had to laugh.

I mean it’s desperate times but not Scott level.

Then it struck me that surely some people must buy Scott.
What goes through those people’s minds when they see all the TP gone, but none of the Scott even touched.
That really rubs me the wrong way.

Don't be so abrasive. Great Scott, man!

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:19 am**

Holman wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:53 am Hey, I use Scott

Ouch
I’m Sorry

Also, I apologize

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:37 am**

Our next shopping day is Tuesday. That means one of two things: either the initial panic shopping will be over and stores will have reasonable (although low) stock of things, or everything will be so picked over that I'll have to introduce the family to the joys of hardtack.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:41 am**

Blackhawk wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:37 am Our next shopping day is Tuesday. That means one of two things: either the initial panic shopping will be over and stores will have reasonable (although low) stock of things, or everything will be so picked over that I'll have to introduce the family to the joys of hardtack.

Based on what I saw last night (after visiting stores every night over last 5 days) is that there are going to be a ton of people wondering what they're going to do with 6lbs of iceberg lettuce and 4lbs of bananas. My next prediction: there's going to be a run on garbage bags.

Seriously though, I do think stores are going to get restocked and the "panic" buying (hopefully) will peak this weekend. Again, most people still seem to think this is a 2 week affair. I really don't think people are considering this is much longer - at least based on what I saw people buying.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:42 am**

FWIW, my local Kroger dude said their issue isn't that they haven't restocked yet, but that their suppliers are largely out of stock. So we'll see how it goes from here.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:54 am**

Smoove_B wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:41 am Based on what I saw last night (after visiting stores every night over last 5 days) is that there are going to be a ton of people wondering what they're going to do with 6lbs of iceberg lettuce and 4lbs of bananas. My next prediction: there's going to be a run on garbage bags.

I imagine that there are going to be many people who think that they have three weeks worth of food, only to find it all spoiled after a week. My childhood experience (homeless and in shelters as a child, a few years with my grandmother who raised nine kids during the depression, certain hobbies) works in my favor here. I know how to store food, I know how to ration, and I know how to improvise. I fully expect that we will have full menus of store-bought foods (although likely a little different selection than normal), but if worse comes to worst, nobody will starve.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:56 am**

Yeah I've been to 7 different stores with no luck getting toilet paper. I don't want to hoard it, we just ran low on toilet paper in the course of everyday life. So it's beyond irritating. I think we can hold out another week if we ration, but beyond that we're in uncharted territory.

I never dreamed that my chief concern during an impending apocalypse would be how to clean my ass. The Walking Dead did a horrible job preparing me for this.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:57 am**

It's gotta be putting a tremendous strain on manufacturing, adding to that if/when the employees for the manufacturer's have to isolate. Can you imagine being the lead for toilet tissue manufacturing right now? Or working for the company that makes Purell??

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:58 am**

I imagine that there are going to be many people who think that they have three weeks worth of food, only to find it all spoiled after a week.

This is what I was trying to explain to my wife. She was asking if I was getting foods that she and my daughter like. For reference, this is about 5 different things, none of which are long term / shelf stable. I have plenty of food. I probably don't realistically need to leave my house for 3+ months and that's without getting deliveries. I figure when they're hungry enough, they'll eat. BTW this was a HUGE problem during Hurricane Sandy when we lost power for 3 days (and were lucky). I had so much shelf-stable food ready to go and they turned up their noses.

Maybe I'll make some hardtack as well. Excellent idea. I bet you never thought all those food skills and experiences would come in handy.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:04 pm**

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:29 am Someone in line with me was hoarding cat litter. People may laugh at him now, but when they run out of litter and their cats are pooping all over the place, they will be begging him for a scoop.

If he can't find toilet paper then I suppose cat litter will do in a pinch. I mean, who is going to know?
"Who pooped in that box?"
"The cat."
"We don't have a cat."
"Some mysteries are best left unsolved."

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:05 pm**

YellowKing wrote: So it's beyond irritating.

Wait till you're actually out!

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:52 pm**

UPDATE: My brother just called and told me he had "scored" some TP from a neighborhood friend who runs a corner store that only the folks within a block or two radius really know about. He's going to run it by this afternoon. Hopefully he brings some armed friends along to protect the stash.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:57 pm**

We installed a bidet last week.

I'll be splashing and laughing while the rest of you are wiping your butts with printer paper.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:03 pm**

YellowKing wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:56 am Yeah I've been to 7 different stores with no luck getting toilet paper. I don't want to hoard it, we just ran low on toilet paper in the course of everyday life. So it's beyond irritating. I think we can hold out another week if we ration, but beyond that we're in uncharted territory.

I never dreamed that my chief concern during an impending apocalypse would be how to clean my ass. The Walking Dead did a horrible job preparing me for this.

If you have extra rolls of paper towels just cut them into thirds with a some sort of saw you have at home. Your sewer system will be able to handle that size better. Pray you do not have a septic system.

Local news reports say that pedestrian traffic in downtown Minneapolis was down 70% last night. With all sport and concerts cancelled, no reason for people to eat or drink out. The food truck at my local taproom made a killing last night. I am sure they are hoping for a similar turnout today. I am suppose to meet a bunch of friends tonight for a night of hell raising and support of publicans.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:09 pm**

Supposedly waiting to pick up TP at the factory.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:10 pm**

mori wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:03 pm
YellowKing wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:56 am Yeah I've been to 7 different stores with no luck getting toilet paper. I don't want to hoard it, we just ran low on toilet paper in the course of everyday life. So it's beyond irritating. I think we can hold out another week if we ration, but beyond that we're in uncharted territory.

I never dreamed that my chief concern during an impending apocalypse would be how to clean my ass. The Walking Dead did a horrible job preparing me for this.
If you have extra rolls of paper towels just cut them into thirds with a some sort of saw you have at home. Your sewer system will be able to handle that size better. Pray you do not have a septic system.

Local news reports say that pedestrian traffic in downtown Minneapolis was down 70% last night. With all sport and concerts cancelled, no reason for people to eat or drink out. The food truck at my local taproom made a killing last night. I am sure they are hoping for a similar turnout today. I am suppose to meet a bunch of friends tonight for a night of hell raising and support of publicans.

My local was normal yesterday. Today is the big St. Patrick's day event. They're still on with band and everything. No idea if it will be more or less crowded than usual. On the one hand, all the parades are cancelled. On the other, where are all those people going to go?

Unusually give amateur nights a miss anyway so not going but will probably stop by outside to see how my friend who is working the door is holding up.

Normally we'd already have people puking out of Ubers on our street by now. So far no one is out.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:13 pm**

mori wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:03 pm
YellowKing wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:56 am Yeah I've been to 7 different stores with no luck getting toilet paper. I don't want to hoard it, we just ran low on toilet paper in the course of everyday life. So it's beyond irritating. I think we can hold out another week if we ration, but beyond that we're in uncharted territory.

I never dreamed that my chief concern during an impending apocalypse would be how to clean my ass. The Walking Dead did a horrible job preparing me for this.
If you have extra rolls of paper towels just cut them into thirds with a some sort of saw you have at home. Your sewer system will be able to handle that size better.

That is a really bad idea.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:31 pm**

stessier wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:13 pm
mori wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:03 pm
YellowKing wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:56 am Yeah I've been to 7 different stores with no luck getting toilet paper. I don't want to hoard it, we just ran low on toilet paper in the course of everyday life. So it's beyond irritating. I think we can hold out another week if we ration, but beyond that we're in uncharted territory.

I never dreamed that my chief concern during an impending apocalypse would be how to clean my ass. The Walking Dead did a horrible job preparing me for this.
If you have extra rolls of paper towels just cut them into thirds with a some sort of saw you have at home. Your sewer system will be able to handle that size better.
That is a really bad idea.

Desperate times and all

. Right? I do not advocate doing this but most people are not going back to pioneer days when we were mostly agrarian and had resources. And there will be more TP in 7-10 days! Hold on, there will be more! Not like you need a 3 month supply.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:32 pm**

Saw a tv commercial for some convention in town. I thought the entire time that was a bad idea. "Come on down and join us!"...not the brightest convention.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:33 pm**

Zaxxon wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:17 am We have moved past TP hoarding... This is 6 am local, after overnight restocking.

That’s about how every store looks around here too. It’s depressing, and a little scary.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:49 pm**

Zaxxon wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:17 am

For a second I was like "what an odd place to put TP, and why hasn't any shopper grabbed it yet?" until I realized that was a plastic bag dispenser.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:04 pm**

Why are people cleaning out the produce and meat sections? A little early for grilling season.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:09 pm**

Daehawk wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:09 pm Supposedly waiting to pick up TP at the factory.

I love that one car in line - planning to clown car full of TP?

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:21 pm**

Yesterday somebody threw out dozens of TP rolls along side the freeway. What a mess. Why would someone do that?

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:21 pm**

From the New York Times Is There Really a Toilet Paper Shortage?

If there’s one image that captures the panic seeping through the United States this week, it might be the empty store shelves where toilet paper usually sits.

Shoppers, preparing for the possibility that the coronavirus could keep them quarantined for weeks or months, have been snapping up every roll they can find. The more images of stockpiling that emerged on social media, the more panicky buying that ensued. The result: The household staple has been consistently out of stock, whether at big box stores, at bodegas or on Amazon.

In an age of instant shopping gratification and same-day delivery, the idea that something so mundane could be unavailable seemed downright scary, and an ominous sign that a basic supply chain is under stress because of the pandemic.

But is there really a toilet paper shortage?

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:47 pm**

This was posted by the dinner theater we attend in Fort Myers, FL. Sounds rather reasonable:

Hello,
As a valued Broadway Palm customer, I wanted to update you on the measures we are taking to ensure the health and wellness of our guests, cast members and employees during the current COVID-19 (the coronavirus) health crisis.

We are continuing to monitor the situation very closely. We have been part of calls hosted by the Florida Department of Health that included Governor DeSantis and we are getting the most up-to-date information and suggestions from the CDC. My team and I are taking this situation very seriously and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to make some significant changes to our operation beginning on March 13, 2020 until further notice including:
• The hot buffet line will no longer be customer served; we will now have attendants with gloves serving the buffet items as customers walk through the buffet.
• All guests will be served a choice of tossed or caesar salad to their table.
• The dessert buffet will now consist of pre-plated desserts.
• We will be sanitizing regularly touched surfaces such as handrails, door handles, etc. along with all tables, chairs and restrooms numerous times throughout the day/evening.
• We have discontinued the use of all reusable table linens and are using only disposable paper products.
• We are stressing the importance of regular handwashing to our employees and customers.
• We will have door greeters to open doors as customers enter the building.
• We are strongly encouraging guests to use the hand sanitizer stations prior to entering the theatre.
• Management is requiring sick employees to stay home and sending them home should they arrive to work with any signs of illness.
• We are offering an extremely flexible cancellation/exchange policy to all ticket holders free of charge.

Again, please be assured that we are monitoring the situation very closely and we are prepared to alter these procedures further should the condition warrant. In addition to these measures we are taking, we would also recommend that anyone not feeling well to call the box office to reschedule or cancel your reservation. As they say, the show must go on and I thank you for your understanding and trust in us as we do our very best to continue to bring you the exceptional entertainment and customer service you deserve.

Sincerely,
William T. Prather
Owner & Executive Producer

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:59 pm**

You know it's bad when people are reduced to buying organic produce.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 3:07 pm**

Kraken wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:59 pm You know it's bad when people are reduced to buying organic produce.

Tis true! There always seems to be plenty of that

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 3:07 pm**

Kraken wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:59 pm You know it's bad when people are reduced to buying organic produce.

Blackhawk wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:54 am I imagine that there are going to be many people who think that they have three weeks worth of food, only to find it all spoiled after a week.

Make that five days.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2020 3:11 pm**

From Gizmodo: Disney, Universal Shut Down Film Production Over Concern About the Novel Coronavirus [Update: The Batman, Too]

Shutdowns continue to sweep film and television, as alongside TV producers like Netflix, Amazon, Apple, and the CW, Disney and Universal have suspended production on nearly all of their live-action films.

Octopus Overlords

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