- The United States is no longer accepting travelers from the Schengen area of Europe, including Ireland and the UK and my personal expat home of Germany. If I were to find a flight back, according to the consulate in Frankfurt, I would have to self-quarantine in the US for two weeks, though it's unclear how that's enforced. Basically, this renders all vacations into the US impossible.
- Germany has closed its borders with France, Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland.
- Restrictions are going up on businesses, including restaurants, clubs, gyms and shopping centers. Many will be forced closed, while others will only be able to operate in shortened time windows.
- The stock market had its worst one-day crash since the 1987 crash.
Over the weekend, there was a clear shift in tone about this outbreak. Friends who posted skeptical memes about the virus aren't posting that stuff anymore. I have a colleague who felt safe enough to travel outside the country over the weekend and is now worried about if and when he'll be able to get back. I've been saying no to social engagements in an effort to practice "social distancing," and no one has pushed back. My employer has suspended most in-house work for the time being. My wife's work is drying up. I will continue to be paid my salary, but we are facing a definite reduction in income.
On the upside, I've had more time to contact friends and family in the US. They're less busy, and so am I, so it's been good to reconnect. There's also less temptation to spend money! So I got that going for me, I guess.
I'm continuing to hold my stock positions, but it hurts. Many have been hit much harder than the market as a whole, and I have to remind myself why I purchased them. Focus on the picture 20 years out, and it becomes easier to sit tight.
Otherwise, my wife and I are having to adjust to our new realities of being complete homebodies. And of course, we hope that we don't catch this thing.
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