rthstewart: (Default)
rthstewart ([personal profile] rthstewart) wrote2020-04-04 10:18 am

Waving the flag of surrender with my inbox

So for those who have followed me for awhile, you know that I work in the greater DC area and in food and drug regulation and policy.  There was my life prior to March 6 where I was sending cheery emails to clients about going to lunch at the Blue Duck Tavern and getting ready for big presentations on pharmaceutical supply chain regulation and logistics, drug importation, and cannabis. 

And then it hit.  Every day is wrestling with new problems, new urgencies, and conference calls.  So many conference calls with those trying to get food, drugs, and medical products to patients and healthcare professionals.  Invoking force majeure in contracts and helping clients cancel their events and conferences and hoping that the hotels won't be dicks about it and that insurers will pay up when someone actually had the foresight to get event cancellation insurance with a pandemic disease rider.  (And really?  You really think we're going to be able to hold an event at your facility in May when the Army Corps is building a hospital there?  REALLY?) And I'm not on the healthcare delivery side -- which is as grim as you would expect for those advising hospitals and clinics. 

Masks.  So many masks and everyone trying to get them.  As I've typed this, 3 emails on masks on a Saturday morning and I've already had one conference call.  Every night, about 11 PM, I bundle up the day's COVID events and send them out. 

If any of you need information on SBA, payroll protection, and some of the other things in the most recent CARES Act, let me know via email and I can send what I've got. 

Anyway, this is to say that I'm sorry I haven't been there to read your own posts and comments.  With my inbox at over 300 unread DW notifications and about 1,000 posts to the three sentence ficathon, I've given up.  I love you all and wish you all health and safety most of all. 

There are no days anymore, just yesterday, today and tomorrow.  There are only 3 parts to my day, caffeine, workout, alcohol. 

We're fine, so far, though our county has over 500 cases so far.  Periodically, my allergies really bother me and I panic but when they disappear after 2 diphenhydramine tablets, so I know it's just trees having sex.  I got pretty hysterical last night when I couldn't get my microphone to work to play D&D.  Damn it, it works for Skype, Zoom, GoTo Meeting, and Elevate.  WHY WON'T IT WORK WHEN I WANT TO PLAY?

I have noticed a lot of guest readers to my fic and a few comments.  Thanks so much to those that are reading.  It means the world to me when I'm on my 6th conference call of the day and hearing about the dire condition of the med-surg supply chain to see a notification of a comment pop up.  Thank you.  I've found I'm reading my own fics for comfort late at night when I can't sleep because of a shipment of KN95 masks being held up in Anchorage.  Which, arrogant, sure, but that's the way it is right now.  There is yesterday, there is today, and there is tomorrow.  Time to get back to work.

Love you all,
Ruth



oracne: turtle (Default)

[personal profile] oracne 2020-04-04 03:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope you are able to get a little break this weekend. That kind of endless stress can't be good for you.
jjhunter: Serene person of color with shaved head against abstract background half blue half brown (scientific sage)

I can't get my computer camera to work for D&D, aargh

[personal profile] jjhunter 2020-04-04 03:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Love you too, Ruth. You are one of the people bringing everyday joy to my life; thank you. Do what you need to do to take good care of yourself.

Warm regards,
J.J.
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[personal profile] branchandroot 2020-04-04 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
*offers virtual hugs and passes over the whiskey* I so hear you about the vid-calls. So. Many.
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[personal profile] gingicat 2020-04-04 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, that's amazing. Thank you for being one of the many taking care of us.
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[personal profile] yalumesse 2020-04-04 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry you're so horribly overworked, and I know it's weird to say I'm proud of you but I am PROUD. You're amazing. Take care of yourself <3
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[personal profile] yalumesse 2020-04-07 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
<3 Guess that settles the "is my icon in need of a change" question ;)
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[personal profile] corvidology 2020-04-04 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry you're so stressed out and hope things slack off for you. ♥

I also wanted to say thank you for being part of the effort to get things right.
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[personal profile] autumnia 2020-04-05 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
Sending hugs and good thoughts your way!!! And I hope you'll find some time for yourself in the midst of all this chaos.
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[personal profile] petra 2020-04-05 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you for doing what you do. I hope you get some breathing room soon.
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[personal profile] petra 2020-04-07 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Just don't start answering the phone with a verbal "What fresh hell is this?" and you'll be doing great. *Hugs*
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[personal profile] petra 2020-04-07 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
What a terrible dilemma you're facing. It seems like anything has to be better than nothing, but a whole bunch of imported metaphorical bandanas have their own risks, none of which are remotely trackable with things the way they are. Yes, it's all a hell of a mess.

Thank you, again, for doing what you do.
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[personal profile] beatrice_otter 2020-04-05 01:38 am (UTC)(link)
Take care of yourself, and thank you for doing important work.
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[personal profile] cofax7 2020-04-05 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you for doing good work, and make sure you take care of yourself!
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[personal profile] cofax7 2020-04-07 05:56 am (UTC)(link)

These people, and the people who enable them. I just... there aren't words enough for what they deserve. So much blood on their hands, for money, for praise, for power. While my friend's father dies in the hospital alone. I hate them so much.

st_aurafina: Rainbow DNA (Default)

[personal profile] st_aurafina 2020-04-05 08:28 am (UTC)(link)
There are no days anymore, just yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Oh, man, do I ever feel this.


<3 Fistbump of frontline solidarity. Hang in there.
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[personal profile] sewn 2020-04-05 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Wishing you strength during this incredibly stressful time.
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[personal profile] adaeze 2020-04-06 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Take care of yourself.

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[personal profile] loveandrockmusic 2020-04-07 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
Sending you all my love; things sound absolutely horrid and I'm sure it's much worse than you'll say in a post. Carry on my friend, you are amazing. xo