Coronavirus Commentary, March 17th
St. Patrick's Day Among Coronavirus Casualties
US Cities Go Into Lockdown
Trump Pushes Sending Checks to Taxpayers
On this episode of....
[CVOC (JACKSONVILLE, FL) Original Posted 03/15/2020; Last Updated 03/17/2020 at 1:00 PM]
Story by W. Paul Alexander
COVID-19 UPDATE THREAD
US CITIES SHUT DOWN; TRUMP ADDRESSES THE NATION; GOV'T TO SEND CHECKS TO TAYPAYERS IMMEDIATELY
At approximately 1:00 PM on March 17, 2020, President Donald Trump addressed the press pool and a weary and anxiety-ridden nation as the coronavirus pandemic continued to ravage the global economy. In announcing tougher guidance on social distancing, including strong urging to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, the President also announced a bipartisan decision to get checks into the hands of each taxpayer in the nation, save those in the highest of income brackets, in order to ease the suffering caused by the coronavirus and its effect on the economy.
Trump stated that he hopes this stimulus package will be what it takes to bridge the gap between now and the time directly after restrictions are lifted, in which he predicts that the economy will "pop" back into shape due to pent-up demand from an isolated public.
Meanwhile, the new normal has spread to many more locations across the nation and the world, as San Francisco ordered citizens to shelter-in-place and large metropolitan centers like Miami have went into lockdown, with only essential businesses and services allowed to remain open, albeit with some very strict exemptions on when residents may be outside of their homes.
Please understand, folks -- this IS martial law disguised as emergency powers to combat a health crisis. While that may be the face of things, don't let anyone try to tell you that what is happening is anything short of martial law. The protections of the US Constitution are, for the most part, meaningless until this is over.
That's what we mean when we say "The New Normal."
Continue to prepare, not to panic. Get your important documents notarized and stored somewhere safe, in case you are later required to produce them.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY
FESTIVITIES CANCELED IN WAKE OF PANDEMIC
Since the WHO's announcement designating "COVID-19" a global pandemic, there has been no shortage of supply of the characteristic Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (of course, FUD).
Bitcoin initially dropped under 8K, and then the massive drop to under $5000 happened for the first time. Then, crypto markets rallied for a day or two, seeing the value go back over $5500 for awhile, until further Pandemic Restrictions were placed on restaurants, bars, gatherings, etc., at which panic in the market caused a massive sell off to take BTC back to under $5,000 BTC/USD, resulting in further panic.
Additionally, with today being St. Patrick's Day, cities across the nation have cancelled all festivities planned and have banned gatherings of, in some cases, more than 10 people (others have enacted 25, 50, and 100-person limits). Bars and restaurants are being order to close and remain closed until the pandemic has passed. With St. Paddy's being a holiday in which much alcohol is consumed, closing bars and restaurants will have a massive economic impact on the restaurant industry as a whole.
This type of knee-jerk reaction in financial markets almost always spells doom. We need to make sure the we do not lose all market capitalization and fade from memory as "an ambitious project the world just wasn't ready for." Like the Apple Newton MessagePad.
Don't let Bitcoin be the MessagePad of the 2020's. Shore support and confidence back up so that Bitcoin can become the safe haven it has purported to be.
This bizarre story describing BUSINESSES SELLING HOMEMADE HAND-SANITIZER AND POLICE RAIDS SEIZING IT, in which the culprits were discovered after neighborhood children reportedly were the victims of chemical burns, is just one characteristic example.
Fake Hand Sanitizer that will Net Its Burned Victims Huge Lawsuits Against 7-Eleven!
A quick look around any news site will give you a list of precautions you should be taking, a list of the latest disruptions in American life, and many other alarming headlines that seem like they have been ripped from the story-line of 28 Days Later.
None of this has been more prevalent and markedly visible than in our very own cryptocurrency communities, where built-in volatility that is characteristic of any new asset category has widened to levels that have had many investors fearing a massive sell off of BTC.
In another article, I posted pictures of the empty Wal-mart aisles that we have all heard about.
You can find that article here: I WENT TO WALMART DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. THIS IS WHAT I ENCOUNTERED.
However, if you do not have time, here are a couple of eerie pics from the Walmart trip that put the new normal of American life into a daunting perspective
The shelf-stable snack foods and breads aisle
Canned Foods Aisle
Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers Almost Empty
Don't Even Attempt to Look for Hand Sanitizer
Use rubbing alcohol instead. Isopropyl 70% will do.
No More Breakfast Cereals
The Scariest Site of All
This Used to be the Toilet Paper/Paper Towel Aisle
Taken only 3 Days After Pandemic Declaration
Crypto-focused news outlets have already published stories analyzing the recent drop in BTC/USD value that occurred so drastically after the number one cryptocurrency initially seemed impervious to traditional stock market collapses that occurred in the wake of the pandemic declaration. However, with President Trump's announcement that these "restrictions" will increase in scope and severity and will last through the summer, at least, with August being the month thrown out in which life will go back to normal.
No matter what happens, everyday life is now forever changed, and will remain forever changed even after the virus is controlled.
Resist The FUD!!!
Prepare. Don't Panic.
Readers, allow me to speak directly to you for a moment. I know these are scary times. I know there are a thousand horror movies that start with the headline "WHO DECLARES PANDEMIC," and I know that many of us are seeing these headlines, the 6-figure infection numbers with the thousands dead, and the restrictions in daily life and start thinking that it may be a good time to panic.
Please resist this urge.
I always advise anyone who will listen to me to prepare for the worst case scenario in any way you can, because even the slightest bit of preparation puts you in a better position than those that did not prepare at all. In my house, I have been stocking antibiotics, antivirals, and other medications for quite some time; as well as stocking up on normal maintenance medications that I take every day.
Furthermore, there is nothing like a public health emergency to light a fire under our asses. It is the perfect time to make certain that your important documents are current and up-to-date. If you do not have a will, now is the perfect time to create one. The same goes for DNR election forms, end-of-life preferences, medical proxy designations, powers of attorney, as well as other documentation that will make it easier on your loved ones if you happen to be a victim of COVID-19.
As a freelance paralegal, I have teamed up with a notary who can witness signatures remotely (over a webcam session), and we will be waiving our normal fee for after hours services.
If you would like to have a consultation to determine if you need to update your documents, or if you simply need notary services for a different reason, you can schedule an appointment with my notary
While things are still normal, I suggest that everyone within my sphere of influence take steps to increase your medication, food, and supply stock so that you can hunker down for awhile with as little contact with other as possible.
As far as the cryptomarkets go, at BTC drops to under $5,000; I personally think that there is not a better time to get started in crypto than when markets are low. This has historically been the case with gold, silver, other precious metals; and with bitcoin. Those who buy it low and have the patience to "HODL" will always reap the highest rewards.
So, in the meantime, just be smart, everyone!. Keep arm's length from everyone outside of your household. Wear a mask if you are feeling sick and be responsible enough to at least keep yourself self-isolated if you are sick from anything. Getting tested for coronavirus means you will be quarantined if you are found to be positive, so be prepared for that if you report for testing.
But above all...
Stay positive. This thing is not going to turn is into The Walking Dead, so let's try to keep the FUD to a minimum while taking proactive and practical steps to prevent the spread of this crazy coronavirus.
RESIST THE FUD!!!!
-W. Paul Alexander
for
NOTICE
TO MAKE SURE ALL OF YOUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS ARE VALID AND CURRENT, SCHEDULE A REMOTE APPOINTMENT FOR NOTARIZATION WITH US TODAY!
CLICK HERE: LAUREN ROSE, FLORIDA NOTARY PUBLIC (MOBILE, IN-PERSON, AND REMOTE)
This is not an attempt at self promotion. Rather, I am doing my part to use the skill set I have to ease the burdens of my clients during this time. So, please forgive me for advertising my own notary, but as I said, I am doing so in an attempt to help out in a way that I know I can! Thank you for understanding!
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