I have so many thoughts running through this multi-laned highway, also known as my mind. I'm hoping that putting them down here on my blog help me clarify things for myself and I do wonder if other people can related to some of this. We'll see where this wander into the mixed up mind of mine goes...
I live in a state that has some of the most arbitrary and, in my humble opinion, stupid and unjust "mandates" related to covid-19 ever. We have friends in the health care fields that have been fired from their jobs because they refused to get vaccinated for reasons that are very valid. Some have had covid-19 already and caught it while helping save the lives of others, so they have natural immunity now, others filed for religious exemptions and even though they were granted those at first, they have now been "rescinded". We have a huge shortage of health care workers here already and this is just making it worse! We also know of police officers and firefighters, and people who work on college campuses, who are now also out of work. It is well known that Seattle was already struggling with crime in that city and now more officers have been let go and/or are leaving. Yakima has a huge gang problem and yet officers there are also being let go. Spokane has seen a dramatic increase in crime and now we see officers there also leaving. It seems to me that this whole mess is counter productive, unjust, and downright dumb. For the record, I am not anti vax and I did get the jab myself, but I do believe that people should have the right to choose whether they get the jab or not. I made the choice to do so, but I have also made the choice not to get other vaccines due to my personal medical history and on the advice of my doctor and other medical personnel. I have family members and friends who have chosen not to get the jab and some of them have gotten covid-19, as have some that have gotten the jab and still had breakthrough cases.
Onto another hot topic for me...jobs. I am so sick of people saying they can't find a job. I see help wanted signs all over the place with companies offering hiring "bonuses". McDonalds is paying more for people to flip burgers than my husband makes at a job that takes way more skill! Local long term care centers are offering bonuses and they will pay for and train you to get your CNA, plus they are offering good pay and benefits. Almost every store and restaurant in our area is hiring. We just had Target open this week in a town near us and they hired 100 people and are working around class schedules for college students as well as having full and part time employees who are not students. And yet I still hear people saying there are no jobs in our area...I call BS. Our government has been paying people to stay home so that they will come to rely on the government to take care of them...this is not good at all. Unemployment benefits should be there for people who genuinely need them when jobs are scarce and to help get them over a rough patch...not when there are plenty of jobs available. some of which also offer "child care" help. Jeff has told me stories of people coming in to "apply" for job where he works, but when offered a job, they turn it down and then say they only came in to apply so that they can show they did and still get their unemployment check. Some are actually honest and tell them upfront that is why they are there. There are others who will work for a few days and then quit or just not show up for work again because "it's too hard". This is just infuriating to me because that leaves the company short handed and then the other workers (like my husband), end up having to cover those people's shifts at work and/or double up on their workload. Jeff has been doing double duty almost daily and even worked on one of his days off to cover for someone that left suddenly without 2 weeks notice.
Rising food prices are also hitting us hard. Now I know that there are supply chain issues and the rising fuel costs are also contributing to this along with droughts etc. but come on... The other day I was shocked to see a pork roast at Winco (the lowest priced grocery store in our area) selling for $25! 😬 A few months ago, that same pork roast of that size would have been $12. I know because I bought some at that $12 price. The price of flour has doubled within the last year. Certain canned items have also doubled and there are many items that I can't even find anymore like canned tamales. No one in our area has those anymore. There are limits being imposed on certain items and I am seeing more and more empty shelves, and it is not just in the toilet paper aisles. When I see an item that I want for the upcoming holiday season, I am buying it and putting it aside since we are being warned that there is a good chance they will not be there come Thanksgiving or Christmas. This not only applies to food, but gift items as well.
Folks, things are not getting better...they are only getting worse. With talks of rolling brown outs over the Winter months and rising heating costs, we all need to get prepared. We know that the cost of everything is going up not just in the USA, but worldwide and there are shortages everywhere also. Please stock up on what you are able to now. Buy those gifts that you had planned on purchasing now, while they are still there. Get those shoes and clothing for your growing kiddos in the next few sizes up while they are still available. You can get clothing at the end of season clearance sale cheap or even hit the thrift stores for them. Have extra blankets on hand in case the power does go out in your area. Please make sure you have bottled water on hand too because if the electricity is out, many towns pumps will go down also. Stock your pantry and freezer on items you need and when you see a good sale...it is a hedge on inflation...remember that $25 pork roast? Ask your doctor about getting 3 month supplies on your medications. I am hearing about shortages again on certain medications, some of which I need to function on a daily basis. My doctor has been wonderful about working with me to get those 3 month supplies and have them on hand here at home. Our area is seeing a rise again on Covid-19 cases and deaths once again and with flu season also on hand already, I am trying to avoid crowds and possible exposure as much as possible. Our town has a high rate of cases of covid-19 at the moment and I have been told that one of my neighbors may have died from it here within the past few weeks. No library visits for me for awhile, but I have stocked up on books, magazines, etc. (from thrift stores of course) to read and enjoy here at home, so that is not a problem.
Please take care of yourselves and your family (which of course includes your fur babies). Do what you are able to so that you are prepared for anything that may be coming our way. I pray for each and every one of your who is reading this. Be blessed and be prepared.
Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteWhen you said, "live in a state that has some of the most arbitrary and, in my humble opinion, stupid and unjust "mandates" related to covid-19 ever" I thought you lived in California, which is where I live but then I realized it was Washington State. I call California, Oregon and Washington, the Three amigos. Fr the most part, they are one in the same.
I totally hear you about the food prices and the jobs, and the mandates and getting stocked up. MY husband bout a portable reverse osmosis water treatment system in case we should ever lose our water supply. We could at least, get water from other sources. Let me say, we are NOT preppers. But lately things look a little scary and we just want to be as prepared as we possibly can without going into debt. At the least we could use that system for camping in remote areas.
So I guess it is happening all over. Good post. Take care and stay safe.
Debby, you are right...what one of those states does, the others seem to do the same. We have a Berkey water filter here, along with a generator to help keep the pellet stove powered if needed. We are not "preppers" either, but rather common sense people who can see what is going on in our world and are just taking precautions and being prudent. Take care!
DeleteRecent studies have shown the catching Covid does not give you natural immunity for very long, hence the need for those to vaccinate.
ReplyDeleteInteresting...I have seen studies that also show the opposite. My cousin and I were talking about this yesterday and he said he saw a study saying that it depends on how "bad" the case of covid was. He said that if you have a really bad case, for some strange reason, immunity is lower that if you have a milder case. He had a really bad case and then got long haulers symptoms. He did go and get the vaccine when he became eligible.
DeleteI read that also.
DeleteI’ve heard where a lot of those jobs are not available at the wages they advertise. Once you get in the door, you start at minimum wage and work your way up to that high level. I was one of those on unemployment. It helped tremendously! When my boss asked me about going back to work, i did. Did i want to? No! The pandemic is still worrying a full year later! It irritates me that so many people lump us all together as lazy and not wanting to work. As you said, there’s still a very real risk of getting covid so why should the unemployed be pushed to work through it? The government ended the extra money and the unemployed haven’t flocked back to the workforce. That speaks volumes! Sometimes, it’s not about the money.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Hi Debbie, I hear your concerns and I do agree that that there is still a risk out there with covid still being in the picture. I am glad that you were able to get unemployment when you needed it...we have had to draw on it in the past also (pre covid) when things happened that were beyond my hubby's control. I'm at high risk due to autoimmune issues and yes, both my hubby and I have been vaccinated. He has worked through the pandemic (essential worker when everything else was shutting down) and continues to and now with this new job, he is in contact with lots of people daily. All we and anyone else can do is the best we can to try and mitigate risks while still trying to support our families.
DeleteI am not qualified to say anything about your state's mandates; all I know is I took both doses of vaccines and I still don't feel adequately protected, because the virus is still among us. I can't do anything about what other people do; I can only control what I do, which is stay at home as much as I can!
ReplyDeleteI just bought two bags of store brand flour and the price ($1.99/5 lb. bag) has stayed the same since before the pandemic. Meat prices, however, have gone up. I also pay more for fresh produce because, these days, I don't go shopping in person, since I don't feel safe enough to do so. I shop at a grocery store that offers curbside pick up and their prices have always been higher than the lower priced stores where curbside pick up is not available. It is the price I pay for keeping myself as safe as I can.
I do agree with you on stocking up. As for holiday gifts, I usually make the majority of my gifts and this year will be the same. :)
(((((HUGS)))) Bless and knowing about what you have gone through health wise, I understand your concerns. I'm doing the same for the most part due to my autoimmune issues even with having both doses of the vaccine and still wearing a mask and doing the whole hand sanitizer thing every time I am out and about.
DeleteI'm glad your flour prices have stayed the same and I am so glad you have been stocking up. I'm also sure that everyone loves your gifts since you are so talented and they are made with so much love. :)
I hear that you have a bad storm coming your way so please take care and be safe. Much love!
I don't understand people not being able to find work. If I wasn't so immune compromised I would substitute teach school.
ReplyDeleteOh my sweet friend...and they would be blessed to have you! I miss teaching so much!
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