Today Marks the One Year Anniversary of the ‘Pandemic’

On March 12th 2020, President Trump announced the complete international travel ban. Over the next couple weeks thereafter, these restrictions were set in motion: lockdowns, quarantining, business closures and mask mandates. It was the travel ban that really kicked things off. One year ago today.

I’m going to share my personal story over the last year. I can’t help but think of the positive turn this had on my life. I’m hoping others have success stories, as well. On the flip side, my heart goes out to the majority of those, that don’t have success stories. This thread is to hear your voice just as much.

I own a biz in tourism. I had drastically expanded it 5 weeks before March 12th. Up until March 12th last year, I fielded around 5 phone calls a day for bookings. All of which I took deposits for. On and after March 12, and for the next 2+ months after that, I fielded roughly 3 phone calls a day. None of which were for bookings. All were for refunds on deposits I’d collected. Basically, I went into reverse income status. I wasn’t like the airlines and only offered credits.

I had been living in Scottsdale (Snottsdale) for the previous 4 years. Longing to move back to Sedona. But that couldn’t happen because it would essentially make my Father and I competitors, as he does the same thing from Sedona.

So March 12th happens and I immediately see the writing on the wall. I knew there was no way to pay the bills living with reverse income. So I acted fast. Called the landlord and asked out of the lease. They begged me to stay and only pay 50% rent. Even though the house was in a very desirable area.

I pondered over everything over the next few days. Still came to the conclusion, I needed to bail. I had been in dialogue with my father constantly. We saw the compounding of events over just several days. He said to me “KK, fu## it (about being competitors)! Move up here. We will figure it out when the smoke clears.”

My landlords end up giving me my entire deposit back. I didn’t even ask for it, and didn’t expect that. Then around March 21, talks of lockdowns. I didn’t know what this meant. But I knew I had to get out of Scottsdale before March 30th, when it all went into effect. Packed up my house and biz in a furry, and move back to Sedona on March 27th.

So there I am, 40 moving in with my 70 year old father. Whom is a total pain in the ass. But that’s another story. So we go through 2 months of lockdown together. Just he and I. It wasn’t pretty with two alphas in the same house on lockdown. However, in hindsight I’m so grateful I had him. Just me and my dog in Scottsdale in isolation, would have been rough.

End of May comes, and Ducey announces the mild reopening of AZ. Which was amazing, in the fact it didn’t negatively affect our tourist destinations for our tours. Biz starts booming big time!

I moved into my own house in early June and love it here. Quickly thereafter, Ducey shuts us all down again for 30 days. Thankfully, we were smart enough to not collect deposits when we opened back up. So no reverse income this time.

After the last lockdown ended in early August, we have been so busy we are expanding again - separately. Additionally, all my debts are paid off for the first time in 20 years.

As much as I’ve hated this whole Covid experience with all the draconian overlord control, I can’t deny the positives that have come from it for me.

I am also, in no way happy that others have suffered. This is not the way I wanted to get what I desired out of life.

Share your story. Good or bad. It’s an anniversary — whether we want to acknowledge it, or not. 🥂

a reply to: KKLOCO

It's felt like a long ass two weeks

a reply to: Bluntone22

Did you really believe that when they said it?

a reply to: KKLOCO

On March 12th 2020, President Trump announced the travel ban. Over the next couple weeks thereafter, these restrictions were set in motion: lockdowns, quarantining, business closures and mask mandates. It was the travel ban that really kicked things off. One year ago today.

Trump had travel bans in place prior to March 12 2020.

I think March 12, 2020 was the start of the EU travel bans ??

Can somebody confirm the Trump travel ban(s) date(s) ? 🛤️

a reply to: KKLOCO

I'm a clinical engineer. I specialise in anesthesia and vents. I have worked with the equipment and on the patients from the very beginning.

Interesting note; I know of NO respiratory therapist who will take the vaccine.

I cannot take the vaccine myself, have been tested twice and quarantines 3 times.

Covid is real but not the doom virus the politicians or Karens make it out to be.

a reply to: xuenchen

The NBA announced the stoppage of the season March 11th.

The very next day, Trump announced the travel ban. Which ushered in everything.

ETA, you’re partially correct. He announced the complete international travel ban on March 12th. 6 other countries were banned in late January.

a reply to: KKLOCO

I think you are going to see the biggest travel demand ever in the next few years!
Every person I’ve talked to is talking about vacations.

a reply to: DBCowboy

Interesting note; I know of NO respiratory therapist who will take the vaccine.

I had a group of doctors on my tour Tuesday (8). All professed to being ‘vaxxed’. Stated it at the very beginning. I thought, this must be the dumbest group of doctors on the planet....

a reply to: JAGStorm

I hope you’re right. If we are allowed to perform tours, is the only question I have.

Additionally, not many people can afford vacations if they are broke. Due to where the economy is heading. You can’t just keep printing money.

originally posted by: KKLOCO
a reply to: Bluntone22

Did you really believe that when they said it?

No... Not really

a reply to: KKLOCO

14 days to flatten the curve. lol

originally posted by: KKLOCO
a reply to: xuenchen

The NBA announced the stoppage of the season March 11th.

The very next day, Trump announced the travel ban. Which ushered in everything.

ETA, you’re partially correct. He announced the complete international travel ban on March 12th. 6 other countries were banned in late January.

Yeah January rings a few bells and I remember lots of criticisms at the time.

Thanks. 😎

a reply to: seeker1963

Only bright individuals remember that statement.

The rest are immersed in the latest and greatest propaganda. Via your MSM.

a reply to: KKLOCO

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the USA was on January 21, 2020.

It began spreading within the USA from around that date.

Not reacting for two months, and then, still not doing anything at all about it already spreading within the country, is fairly incompetent, if not culpable.

originally posted by: chr0naut
a reply to: KKLOCO

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the USA was on January 21, 2020.

It began spreading within the USA from around that date.

Not reacting for two months, and then, still not doing anything at all about it already spreading within the country, is fairly incompetent, if not culpable.

what date did NZ shut down?

Is it today, yet?

yes it has now been a year since real lockdowns (as opposed to the quasi, not quite lockdowns in places like the US), started.

of course it was originally thought to only need to last two weeks. then 4 weeks, six weeks, and in the end two months. a time where ALL forms of public transportation was completely banned and shut down. from airplanes and ferries, right down to pedicabs. and passengers on motorcycles was also banned, (motorcycles being about the most popular vehicle for people to have).

where all malls and anything but essential businesses and services were shut down. although exceptions were made for foreign service businesses such as call centers. although they did have to not only reduce staff, but also had to house and quarantine said staff on site for the duration. all hotels were also shut down, except for current guests, although they were allowed to take essential workers, such as medical staff. all churches and religious service attendance was also completely banned. restaurants only allowed to do take out and delivery. and while not right away in most areas, sales of alcohol was also banned (which of course saw idiots getting nailed at checkpoints for smuggling it.)

when unless you were going to and from an essential job (documentation from job and ID required), only one person per household was allowed to leave home at all. and those requiring a local government supplied quarantine passand of course ID to do so. and only allowed to do so to buy needed things such as food and medical supplies. on top of that all children under the age of 21, and adults over 60 years old, completely banned from leaving the house at all. unless of course to work at an essential job, or no one of appropriate age in the household. and of course all travel between areas was also banned. except for essential workers going to and from work, and of course essential goods carrying. with hours long lineups at the checkpoints as they checked every person's ID, documentation, and took their temperature (have a fever, not allowed to pass). and of course a curfew in place. and everyone having to wear a mask whenever outside their private home.

school of course went completely online. although why they didn't just cancel it completely, right away, is a mystery to me. since there was only a few weeks left before summer vacation (summer vacation being April and May, the hottest of the year). and within a week or two most schools stopped completely since so many kids didn't have access to internet service, with some even going out onto their roofs to try to get cellular internet. (and trust me a steel roof is no place to be during the day, with temperatures in the 30's C. it gets damned hot).

like many places paying rent was put off for the time of lockdown. with tenants and landlords needing to work out a payment arrangement later. although at least a couple of the bigger mall companies actually completely canceled the rent on businesses that were not allowed to be open, in their properties. and businesses like McDonalds and some of the bigger store chains that could afford it, continued to pay their non working staff. and after the first week or so, once they figured out it was going to be longer than just two weeks, the government started to deliver free food to every household, every two weeks. no small feat, especially in a city of over 14 million. it was rather amusing to see pictures from friends showing lines of chairs out (no contact delivery), with live chickens perched on top of the other food on them.

it was really amazing how well people adapted to the restrictions. no real protesting or anything over it. just a few small ones with people who felt they weren't getting their food fast enough (understandable, as is the fact that there were some issues at first when you consider the scope and amount of those food delivers which had never even been considered before). areas where there were no close major food stores (although generally speaking you can't seem to turn around without seeing at least one or two sari sari shops. basically a small booth in front of houses people basically run tiny variety stores, bakeries, veritable stalls, meat or fish, motorcycle parts, and almost anything else), stores and local governments got trucks, and set up traveling food/ basic supply stores to bring the stores to the people.

stores and everyone else started selling pretty much everything using delivery over the net. using amazon type sites, Facebook and other similar platforms. lots of people basically opened up their own businesses. many doing things like using their vehicles, going out to the provenances and buying vegetables, fish and meat from farms.then selling it over the net for delivery, or even taking it around in carts to sell. others opened things like home bakeries, for delivery (seriously the bakery supply store was as busy as it gets around Christmas for most of the year, with long lines of people waiting to buy stuff). even getting, beans, roasting or having it roasted and then selling the coffee online and to those they know.

and now here we are a yer later. and it shows how effective a proper lockdown was. and how it was ended too soon and to fast. as restrictions were lifted cases have correspondingly gone up. to the point where we are possibly looking at the necessity of doing it all again.

most of the restrictions had been lifted with at first churches allowed to have 10% and then 50%capacity. malls restaurants and stores open, at reduced capacity, temperature checks and contact tracing forms, as well as hand sanitizer or alcohol to use (our local hardware store actually has a sink and soap to use, and go so far as all coins are given an alcohol bath). you still have to wear a mask whenever outside your home, with the addition of a face shield mandatory as well. the age restrictions have been loosened with only children under 15 and adults over 65 banned from leaving their homes (that's right it's been now a year since kids and older people have been stuck at home, like my father). everyone else can go out. public transit, at reduced capacity, and depending on type physical shields between riders have been running since those first two months. cashiers and other stationary people dealing with people have plastic shielding between them and the public.

a reply to: generik

Holy crap! What country do you live in?

I can’t believe you outlined all those restrictions — then followed it up with ‘we weren’t locked down long enough’.

Your overlords say: mission accomplished.

originally posted by: network dude

originally posted by: chr0naut
a reply to: KKLOCO

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the USA was on January 21, 2020.

It began spreading within the USA from around that date.

Not reacting for two months, and then, still not doing anything at all about it already spreading within the country, is fairly incompetent, if not culpable.

what date did NZ shut down?

The first case of COVID-19 in New Zealand was on 28 February 2020, a woman who came in from Iran. The second case was 4th March, a woman who came in from Italy. On 19 March, all borders and entry ports were closed. On 21 of March a 4 level lockdown procedure was established and agreed upon. On 25 March we went into a nationwide level 3 lockdown.

New Zealand went from having no cases, to level 3, national lockdown, in 26 days, but they began staged lockdowns prior to that.

Subsequent outbreaks in New Zealand have been responded to in a time-frame of hours.