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Author	Message Text
JJ47	03/23/2020 04:16PM   Essential. Medical, Agriculture, Food Service, First Responder manufacturing.
momike	04/01/2020 08:26PM   I like Threerivers work for a federal agency, Air Force, and currently deemed essential and work normal schedule. A majority of our people get to telework and glad they get this opportumity.....makes social distancing for us at work alittle easier. Hopefully when this passes we will have learned we did not miss all the meetings and realize a new way of doing business - less meetings. Wife is a teacher and doing my chores. 1 kid furloughed and 1 kid deployed to undisclosed location and just found out he is being extended. Through all of this I hope we all learn to be better people and more appreciative of what life experiences we encounter.
cyclones30	03/23/2020 07:38PM   Yep, as mentioned above we farm and I work for a Deere dealership - both listed as essential. Gotta keep the Ag sector moving or the grocery stores that are well-stocked now....won't be down the road. I work from home as much as I can, but do have to go in from time to time but trying to limit that as much as possible.
bfurlow	03/23/2020 06:57PM   Working from home until May. Hearing rumors that we might be out of the office until July. Time will tell.
Bearpath9	03/31/2020 10:35AM   Pinetree: "On the lighter side of things there is going to be a lot of Hippies running around with barber shops and hair salons shut down. Been keeping my hair very short in recent years,I don't know know if all of us want to go back to our hair style of the 1960's or 70's." Geez, I never got mine cut. Still have the pony tail.
Pilgrimpaddler	03/27/2020 08:22AM   I learned today that our factory is a "critical manufacturer" and so I'm required to come to work. However, the work I do can mostly be done from home, with the exception of a about one day a week I'd need to be onsite. So, I may be joining my wife in the "work-from-home" workforce. We're also considering going to four 10-hour days, so that would give me a 3-day weekend - that I can't do anything with other than stay at home! My daughter was laid-off this week and her husband was also laid off; my oldest son gets two weeks to work from home (paid and with very little actual work) and my youngest son was deemed "essential" by his employer so he has to come in to work, but apparently gets a 20% raise to do so. The "essential worker" designation seems to be very inconsistent from one employer to another; but overall I'm amazed at how everyone seems to be adapting well to the frequent and often dramatic changes we're experiencing.
andym	03/24/2020 01:11AM   woodsandwater: "I don't see churches in that list. A very vital service to their people." People are taking their services online and counseling over the phone or video chat. Except one of our friends who does some of her pastoring at a hospital. She’s still in person. The list of essential businesses are not the only ones that can operate. They are the ones that can operate. They are ones that can operate in person as necessary. Others can operate if they can do it remotely. Although that is a big change for religion it can be done. In Judaism there is a principle that if you save one life it is as if you have saved the entire world. That justifies breaking usual rules. My brother-in-law is mourning his father in isolation after returning to Israel from the US after the funeral. That is not the way it is done but it is the way we have to now.
justpaddlin	03/28/2020 04:38PM   pswith5: "Never thought as a stockboy I would be essential." You're more than essential. You're a hero. It's painful to see the stress in some of the responses. Some folks are working and wish they weren't and others aren't working and wish they were. I hope this ends soon for everyone's sake. The little girls next door (age 2 and 4) were out on their swingset and wanted to come over and play and I didn't enjoy telling them that we can't. Got out for some essential activity yesterday. Michigan's stay at home order allows outdoor activity (with social distancing) for health.
blutofish1	03/24/2020 11:18AM   I do plumbing and hvac among other trades. Boss said we are essential
cowdoc	03/23/2020 06:07PM   Essential and busy......I'm tired
Copperdog	03/23/2020 05:57PM   We live in central PA and my wife works at the hospital. I work for a consulting engineering firm that started full lockdown today by order of the Governor . All our offices including out of state are working from home. Construction has been shut down so the potential for layoffs at my firm are a reality in a couple weeks. We even have a Corvid 19 job number to charge time to when the engineering work dries up. Been paddling the rivers on the weekends though. Fly fishing is set to go off soon too. Yinz be well and absolutely paddle and hike whenever you can. I’m coming up in the Fall! Barry
BWPaddler	04/01/2020 07:46PM   Really interesting replies. Thanks all for sharing. I read almost all of them! I have two jobs and one is "essential" and one is not, but my essential job is always work from home, so no change there. Will miss the other income and hope the small business comes through it OK and still needs me. One child is "essential" at a store that supports farmers (livestock and planting) - they are crazy busy this time of year. One child lost two jobs (fitness center and spa both closed) - we think/hope kiddo will be re-employed when or if they re-open. One child lost job at vet clinic - vet being essential, but their boarding business being NOT. They don't know if or when they will be able to re-open that, so they let all related employees go with no promises to return. I hope hope hope we come through this OK as a nation. Hope that projected losses are overestimated and that economy bounces back quickly. BUT, meantime, as an introvert, I am happy to convert all in-person meetings to teleconferences!! And secretly happy that my laptop camera has something on the INSIDE and only shows me as a blurry blob!!
VoyageurNorth	04/10/2020 04:45PM   OldFingers57: " I am the Fire Chief and a Paramedic for a small volunteer fire department that responds to EMS calls. We see about 1200 calls per year and 90% of those are EMS calls. Luckily our run volume has been down due to the virus. But I still have to protect myself on EMS calls and have had some where the people are showing signs and symptoms of the virus. Hopefully we all get thru this OK. " Thank you for all you do and what you are going through right now to keep us all safe. Stay safe & well, we appreciate your service!
WhiteWolf	03/23/2020 01:00PM   Essential here. I provide the weather for the aviation community. Work with Air Traffic. UPS / FedEX and the such is crucial. Staying healthy is key. One of us gets "suspect" shuts down an entire segment of the air traffic. Doing the best we can to keep Cargo planes flying.
Savage Voyageur	03/24/2020 11:46AM   I am not an essential worker, does that make me expendable? Hmmmm
jfinn	03/24/2020 10:49AM   I own and run a fitness facility in MN and we were closed last week. Not fun having 20 employees that you don't know what the future holds for them or the business itself. I'm still doing 80% of what I usually do so there is that. Would like to get out on the big river for some therapeutic paddling this week. For you essential people, especially those with public contact such as the food/grocery supply chain and medical services, thank you for keeping things going. John
blutofish1	03/24/2020 11:16AM   woodsandwater: "I don't see churches in that list. A very vital service to their people." My church is streaming on Facebook and YouTube.
Bearpath9	03/26/2020 05:59PM   I really must be. I was given a piece of paper that is a "pass" that I am to show to the cops (along with my Postal I.D.) if I get pulled over going to work. Since my last day is the 31st, and I am off till then, I got a kick out of it.
missmolly	03/26/2020 06:32AM   tg: "I think I fall in the essential category. I'm a physician assistant working as a hospitalist at a couple large Twin Cities hospitals. A month or two from now and I won't have time to make this post. At least right now we have some time to prepare for the tidal wave (and preparing we are!). Now if we had a reassuring supply of PPE, ventilators and weren't way behind in terms of testing I'd feel better about our chances (conservative estimates are we have AT LEAST 10x the number of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota as are currently reported-287). I fully expect to get COVID-19 inspite of all the precautions, and I'm diabetic so I'm hoping for a glancing blow;) Sounds like Minnesotans have been some of the most compliant US citizens with respect to staying at home/social distancing. That gives me hope. Lets keep it up! Paul Wellstone (for the out of state readers he was a MN senator who died tragically in a plane crash in 2002) said "We all do better when we all do better." I agree. Stay healthy my friends! Rich aka tg" Oh, Rich, you stay safe. Please. And thank you so much for standing firm before the coming wave.
NotLight	03/26/2020 09:56PM   Observations: most of our neighborhood parents still seem to be allowing one friend over...who then has a different set of friends over at his house... and so on. The kids are not social distancing. Huge transmission vector there given how contagious the virus is. Day cares and the airport are still open too. So I don’t see how shutting “nonessential businesses”, which seem to be so few in number, makes any difference in the spread of the virus. Maybe it makes it easier to get financial assistance or insurance if you are a nonessential business and the govt forced you to close? I don’t see this whole thing ending anytime soon. Way too many ways for this to spread still out there. Keystone cops.
missmolly	03/31/2020 10:26AM   Bearpath9: "As of 11 A.M., I became non-essential. I retired." Hooray! I've asked many retired people if they had any regrets and I've never heard a single one. I'm retiring bit by bit and when I turn 70, I hope to be entirely retired. What was your profession?
merlyn	03/23/2020 02:26PM   Wisconsin is now shut down too. I'm kinda-sorta retired but still maintain a few vending accounts. Several of my accounts are still operating but have instructed their employees not to use vending machines. I don't see the difference between a bag of chips from a vending machine and a bag of chips on the grocers shelf but it is what it is. My dogs think I'm essential but strangely enough my wife doesn't. Snickers bar anyone?
missmolly	03/31/2020 10:27AM   Pinetree: "On the lighter side of things there is going to be a lot of Hippies running around with barber shops and hair salons shut down. Been keeping my hair very short in recent years,I don't know know if all of us want to go back to our hair style of the 1960's or 70's." Given how old most of us are at bwca.com, I suspect that many can't revert to be long hairs.
nofish	03/31/2020 10:23AM   Mocha: "in response to NoFish comment.... is that statement you made: "If you are sick you with Covid 19 you are entitled to 2 weeks of paid sick leave under the new Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) policy which is apart of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The EPSL pays 100% of your pay for those 2 weeks. If you need more then 2 weeks to recover or you need to start caring for other family members who are quarantined or kids that are not in school then you are are entitled to an additional 10 weeks of leave under the Emergency Family Medical Leave (EFML) policy, those ten weeks are paid at 2/3 of your normal pay." a fairly recent plan? is it a federal thing or state by state?" The FFCRA is a federal thing. You can read more about it on the Department of Labor website. It may mean slightly different things to each person depending on where you work as not all companies may be included. What I posted was just the bullet points laid out by my HR department so it pertained to my company specifically. Its also possible that there may be some slight inaccuracy in how my HR laid things out for that particular scenario. However, the basics of it being 2 weeks of 100% paid sick leave and 12 weeks of 2/3 pay for qualifying scenarios seems accurate. You'll just need to look at it closer to see if your work qualifies and how your individual scenario fits into it.
MikeinMpls	03/26/2020 09:25AM   Taxes, too. Of course liquor stores are not essential in the grand scheme of things. It would suck, but we could all get along two or three weeks without them. But this is government. Tax revenue will always trump a public health decision like this. Mike
Pilgrimpaddler	03/23/2020 05:56PM   I’m in MN, but from what I’ve been hearing this might be a banner year for home vegetable gardening, as long as the weather cooperates.
scat	03/24/2020 05:36PM   Nonessential. And not happy. Just when things were coming around. I’d rather have cancer again than have to worry about money. And I’m worried. Oh boy.
missmolly	03/23/2020 07:06PM   I'm thinking of expanding my veggie garden this summer. I built a new raised bed last summer and filled it with raspberries, but I could grow more tomatoes between the canes. It won't be pretty, but it should work. I'm also going to plant some dwarf cherry trees in my little orchard in case the hard times continue for years. I have literally bought tons and tons and tons of topsoil (semi-loads of it) over the last six summers, partly to be able to grow more food if need be. I also have flower gardens that wrap around my house that could become veggie gardens in a pinch and their soil is top notch. I've read that potatoes deliver the most calories. I'm mostly retired. I write for a few magazines still, but I've always done that from home, so the pandemic hasn't changed my work.
lindylair	03/23/2020 07:20PM   I manage a busy grocery store in the Twin Cities. Judging by the traffic levels and sales in the last 10 days or so , we are pretty dang essential. Grateful for the continuation of our employment and wages/salaries and the company has increased compensation for all considerably. But the downside is we interact closely with thousands of people every day and have been since this started. So far nobody has been reported as infected but when that happens the shit will hit the fan. We have taken many precautions but in the real state the odds are not in our favor. I am astounded by the morale and positive attitude of our employees, many of whom are in the higher risk group. Keeps me going.
nofish	03/23/2020 11:21AM   I'm not sure if my office would be considered essential or not. If its not we won't have a team able to be on site to get products out the door but our office staff likely have plenty of projects to work on from home.
A1t2o	03/24/2020 09:27AM   My work builds snow plows, agricultural equipment, and water vending machines. They are thinking that we might qualify for essential because of the agricultural and water vending, but it's not clear yet. We are just a factory and I don't agree that we are essential, not my call though.
inspector13	03/26/2020 10:24AM   Exactly. It is estimated that close to 13% of Americans are alcoholic. And alcohol withdrawal can be deadly. I wonder if the rate in Minnesota is higher or lower than 13%. I sure see a lot of "whisky plates" on the road.
riverrunner	03/26/2020 10:46AM   I am just a retired old fart. Not essential at all. And enjoying every min of it. I have thousands acres to run around where I will see no one else plenty of food and other supplies life goes on.
MikeinMpls	03/26/2020 11:24AM   inspector13: " Exactly. It is estimated that close to 13% of Americans are alcoholic. And alcohol withdrawal can be deadly. I wonder if the rate in Minnesota is higher or lower than 13%. I sure see a lot of "whisky plates" on the road. " I guess I have heard that, too. I wonder how many chronic inebriates are positive for the virus and are spreading it at liquor stores. Mike
justpaddlin	03/24/2020 10:28AM   I'm not essential. Thanks for reminding me. :) I'm glad they closed the local YMCA where I work part time. Almost every lifeguard got the regular flu over the winter; members would casually mention that "I think I may have the flu".
mr.barley	03/26/2020 11:36AM   My job (brewer at a large brewery) has been deemed essential. However, I have been on the shelf for the past 7 weeks after surgery, so personally I’m nonessential for the time being.
inspector13	03/26/2020 11:48AM   MikeinMpls: "I guess I have heard that, too. I wonder how many chronic inebriates are positive for the virus and are spreading it at liquor stores. Mike" I don’t know but I bet that would be a pre-existing condition for them. Excessive drinking can reduce and impair the function of immune cells, leading to an increased risk for pneumonia.
Pinetree	03/30/2020 09:57PM   Seeing more and more Nurses and doctors getting the virus and some not making it. Many giving so much and many knowing the potential harm to themselves. That is sacrifice. Also as of yesterday almost 800 Police Officers in New York have the virus.
missmolly	03/27/2020 12:14PM   From the Washington Post: "American farmers’ average age is 58; even beginning farmers’ average age is 47. “On the whole,” Modern Farmer reported in 2018, “it’s not a profession populated by young people.” Our self-isolation protects those farmers, upon whom we’ll depend to eat next winter, as well as the truckers who will deliver that food (median age 46), the utility line-workers (average age 48), and oil and gas workers (median 43) who deliver other basic necessities, and the registered nurses (average 50) we’ll need if we do get sick. Those people are already at high risk. If the rest of us were milling around, passing the coronavirus to each other, even more of them could get sick, and with hospitals overwhelmed, more of them might die. And some of those kinks in our supply of goods and services could tangle into knots, catastrophically."
nofish	03/26/2020 12:03PM   Learned today that my company was deemed essential so we're staying open although everyone that possibly can has been ordered to work from home and to not go into the office unless they have been authorized by a manager to preform some type of critical function. We do have a warehouse team still on site that is getting product in and out but they are running with as few people as they can and also potentially going to 2 shifts so that they can reduce the head count in the warehouse at any one time. The team is usually really spread out in normal operations anyways but more space between workers is better. Now how long we can stay open is another issue. With our china factories just coming online we're a few months behind in chinese production with Chinese New Year added in and now our India factories are closing down so we're not going to be getting any new product in for awhile. We'll see how long current inventory holds.
bwcadan	03/23/2020 01:08PM   As a retired individual, essential is not in my definition. The grands are not considered an essential babysitting job, except for the parents who may have a differing opinion. we will not be doing that either, for now.
offroadjeeper	03/24/2020 11:35AM   I work in the medical distribution industry. I've never seen so many respirators and masks going out as they have the last month or more. I will be stuck working unless ill. They did give us 2 weeks of pandemic leave just in case of illness or family quarantine.
motox380	03/27/2020 12:11PM   Yup our business is essential, I go into work but could work from home but with 4 kids i'd rather be at the office :) the wife is home with them so that good.
sns	03/23/2020 01:09PM   Not. My business can be run from home, but my corporate clients are focused on other things, understandably. I expect this year's financials to resemble a crater. My buddy owns 3 or 4 manufacturing plants in Ohio - looks like they are considered essential and open (industrial machine manufacturing...kinda surprised by that).
tumblehome	03/23/2020 01:43PM   Essential is indeed far reaching. Sorry for the long post but... this is the list from the State of New York and their list of essential jobs from the Health Dept. 1. Essential Health Care Operations, Including: research and laboratory services hospitals walk-in-care health facilities emergency veterinary and livestock services elder care medical wholesale and distribution home health care workers or aides for the elderly doctor and emergency dental nursing homes, or residential health care facilities or congregate care facilities medical supplies and equipment manufacturers and providers 2. Essential Infrastructure, Including: utilities including power generation, fuel supply and transmission public water and wastewater telecommunications and data centers airports/airlines transportation infrastructure such as bus, rail, or for-hire vehicles, garages hotels, and places of accommodation 3. Essential Manufacturing, Including: food processing, manufacturing agents, including all foods and beverages chemicals medical equipment/instruments pharmaceuticals sanitary products telecommunications microelectronics/semi-conductor agriculture/farms household paper products 4. Essential Retail, Including: grocery stores including all food and beverage stores pharmacies convenience stores farmer's markets gas stations restaurants/bars (but only for take-out/delivery) hardware and building material stores 5. Essential Services, Including: trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal mail and shipping services laundromats building cleaning and maintenance child care services auto repair warehouse/distribution and fulfillment funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries storage for essential businesses animal shelters 6. News Media 7. Financial Institutions, Including: banks insurance payroll accounting services related to financial markets 8. Providers of Basic Necessities to Economically Disadvantaged Populations, Including: homeless shelters and congregate care facilities food banks human services providers whose function includes the direct care of patients in state-licensed or funded voluntary programs; the care, protection, custody and oversight of individuals both in the community and in state-licensed residential facilities; those operating community shelters and other critical human services agencies providing direct care or support 9. Construction, Including: skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes 10. Defense defense and national security-related operations supporting the U.S. Government or a contractor to the US government 11. Essential Services Necessary to Maintain the Safety, Sanitation and Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses, Including: law enforcement fire prevention and response building code enforcement security emergency management and response building cleaners or janitors general maintenance whether employed by the entity directly or a vendor automotive repair disinfection 12. Vendors that Provide Essential Services or Products, Including Logistics and Technology Support, Child Care and Services: logistics technology support for online services child care programs and services government owned or leased buildings essential government services
inspector13	03/26/2020 01:37PM   The small company I work for is the opposite. We’re owned by a Chinese outfit and manufacture medical testing equipment here in Minnesota.
nofish	03/25/2020 11:50AM   The money you get is based on your 2018 tax return. If you want to scam the system to cash in on this stimulus money you'll have to find a way to go back and change your 2018 filing so not exactly an easy scam to pull.
DKalis	03/23/2020 02:15PM   Essential here, I work as a service tech at a John Deere dealership. The crops still have to go in when spring decides to show up. We will keep working through this but I wouldn’t doubt if the store shuts down to customer traffic.
HowardSprague	03/24/2020 01:08PM   my position isn't but the industry is. I am working from home....tough, because we've had a million fewer customers than normal in March so far. Staggering drop, praying for no layoff though congress has some power there. From FB comments I've read, seems a large segment of people wants to let the companies in this industry go bankrupt (and tens/hundreds? of thousands to be out of jobs). It's a sort of nervous time.
WhiteWolf	03/23/2020 02:58PM   Tumblehome, #2 and #10 carry to my job. If ATC gets knocked out (like it has at Midway for 14 days and others at times) DSM has steadfast contingency plans in place put in place by myself and the local ATC/Airport Management) to continue services with no "ATC ZERO" when it comes to weather. My passion is the weather, and weather will continue at KDSM- and not just "computer weather". Medical/Food/ other cargo will continue at KDSM as long as ATC can provide- my side and weather will be there through "whatever". I worked 9/11 and this is new. We have plans for this and any aviation that can make KDSM - will make it and out regardless (some time delays?) but weather wise and ATC wise we have contingency plans better than most. Currently working graveyard and I assure any flights coming in and or out- the weather will be reported to a "T". My ATC team also shows the same passion.
nofish	03/31/2020 08:55AM   luft: "offroadjeeper: "They did give us 2 weeks of pandemic leave just in case of illness or family quarantine. " Not to hijack the thread but I have an issue with just 14 days of pandemic leave for families. We have 5 family members at our house. If we come down with this virus it will take a lot longer than 14 days for it to be over for the five of us. One person gets it and then some days later another and some days later another. 14 days might be sufficient for one person to quarantine but not multiple people in the same family. And while I might be well enough to return to work after 14 days I am going to need to stay home to nurse my husband and kids if they have it. Luckily I have FMLA (family medical leave act) time to use for that but not sure that everyone has that benefit at their job? " This was all just laid out for us by our HR at work. If you are sick you with Covid 19 you are entitled to 2 weeks of paid sick leave under the new Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) policy which is apart of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The EPSL pays 100% of your pay for those 2 weeks. If you need more then 2 weeks to recover or you need to start caring for other family members who are quarantined or kids that are not in school then you are are entitled to an additional 10 weeks of leave under the Emergency Family Medical Leave (EFML) policy, those ten weeks are paid at 2/3 of your normal pay. If you do not use the 2 weeks of EPSL time then you'd have 12 total weeks of EFML time you could use. Its certainly not a perfect system and there are times it probably won't make someone 100% whole from any potential lost wages but it could go along way to keep families afloat for 3 months while all of this plays out.
mschi772	03/26/2020 05:11PM   I'm a mobile auto detailer--on the premium end of things rather than the lower quality volume car washes and hack detailers--so despite having minimal contact with large numbers of people and my job involving very thorough cleaning, I'm not essential. I do also do detailing work cleaning commercial trucks (commonly sleeper cabs that are between drivers), and that's more of a gray area where I could probably still work. Those trucks are not the bulk of my business in any case.
Pinetree	03/31/2020 09:37AM   nctry: " Our county has listed criminal activity as non essential. So we don’t even need law enforcement because we’re so compliant here in Minnesota. Haha. On a side note, I see bitterness in people up here as people are thinking going to cabins and such are ok. But like yesterday there were like such people shooting across the lake on snowmobiles... if they get hurt and end up in hospitals that takes manpower and resources away from more critical situations. So if you do self isolate, maybe keep your activity to things like walking, paddling, hiking... Just had our first case in itasca county. Someone originally from our town. Starting to hit home!" We had our first case in Brainerd also. Yes agree Ben if people do venture Outdoors like hiking etc, watch what your doing like your care will depend just on you. Slow down a little.
walllee	03/23/2020 03:58PM   I own a greenhouse and garden center in central Illinois, we fall under agricultural, and we produce thousands of vegetable plants, and seed for the home gardener, and many individuals that truck garden for a living, so yes we are exempt and are able to operate.the problem I am facing is that we make 90 % of our yearly income in April, May, and June. Will people still come?... I do not know. Another issue is that unless customer traffic dramatically increases, my crop will be to big to sell. People do not want overgrown, root bound stock. We are known for quality material, I do not want to sell nothing that is not top notch. So we get up every day, go to work with a limited crew and trudge on. Will people have the money to spend on flowers and garden decor?? That is another question that remains unseen. Last season was terrible with rain, and cold. If I have a bad season this year, we may not survive . I am the 4th generation to run the business. I Just hope for the best.....
Podunk	03/23/2020 04:28PM   Nope, not essential. Automotive manufacturing. Shut down till April 8th. 1st week company paid, 2nd week take vac or no pay.l took no pay.
Pinetree	03/31/2020 09:39AM   On the lighter side of things there is going to be a lot of Hippies running around with barber shops and hair salons shut down. Been keeping my hair very short in recent years,I don't know know if all of us want to go back to our hair style of the 1960's or 70's.
Mocha	03/31/2020 10:15AM   in response to NoFish comment.... is that statement you made: "If you are sick you with Covid 19 you are entitled to 2 weeks of paid sick leave under the new Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) policy which is apart of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The EPSL pays 100% of your pay for those 2 weeks. If you need more then 2 weeks to recover or you need to start caring for other family members who are quarantined or kids that are not in school then you are are entitled to an additional 10 weeks of leave under the Emergency Family Medical Leave (EFML) policy, those ten weeks are paid at 2/3 of your normal pay." a fairly recent plan? is it a federal thing or state by state?
shawhh	03/23/2020 04:48PM   Critical Care RN. No way I'll get laid off.
Podunk	03/23/2020 04:33PM   I'm saving my vacation for a camping trip
Savage Voyageur	03/23/2020 04:54PM   I’ve been retired for 2 years now so no for me. My wife on the other hand is yes. She works in the dairy industry in her company based in Wisconsin. The product is low-fat powered milk, called Milkman. In the last month her company is having a hard time keeping up with the off the charts demand.
pswith5	03/25/2020 03:55PM   Never thought as a stockboy I would be essential.
KevinL	03/23/2020 05:18PM   Working from home online......Pretty hard to teach Tool & Die online.
Bearpath9	03/23/2020 05:23PM   I work for the Postal Service, so I suppose I am essential. Y' all need that junk mail in light of the TP shortage.
ThreeRivers	04/01/2020 07:16AM   I live in the Washington DC metro area and with one of the Federal agencies, we have cut down to "critical/emergency" (they changed the wording from essential/non-essential I think cause folks had their feelings hurt being "non-essential"!) personnel only and most on rotating weeks. Out of 24 people in my branch I am one of the 5 critical so I am in 6 of 10 work days. Everyone else is home, and yes, the feds are getting paid full salaries to sit home and watch TV, I know to the ire of many. That said, folks are taking this serious out here and without naming agencies, people would be surprised that ALL of them are down to critical staffing only, at least for the next month. All in all nearly everyone I know is itching to get back into work to do what we do. I do thank all the EMS folks, police, grocery workers, truck drivers/logistics folks and many more for staying on the job to keep up safe, fed, with electricity, and informed.
HighnDry	03/26/2020 07:19PM   Essential for now. We'll see how it all plays out as the situation is continually evolving.
quark2222	03/23/2020 06:00PM   I owned an industrial and food grade/pharmaceutical pump distributorship until late 2018. Small business, with only about 6 employees. Sold the business so I could retire. I am SOOOOOOO glad I sold then. We likely would have gone out of business during this shutdown. Likely our business would not have been considered essential. Tom
woodsandwater	03/23/2020 07:19PM   I don't see churches in that list. A very vital service to their people.
hobbydog	03/23/2020 07:14PM   Telecommunications so yes. I have been working from home for over a week. In that list it said "grocery stores including all food and beverage stores". Does that include liquor stores? Asking for a friend. I was really happy to see this one in the list. "household paper products". Keep them lines rolling.
Pinetree	03/31/2020 10:39AM   Bearpath9: "Pinetree: "On the lighter side of things there is going to be a lot of Hippies running around with barber shops and hair salons shut down. Been keeping my hair very short in recent years,I don't know know if all of us want to go back to our hair style of the 1960's or 70's." Geez, I never got mine cut. Still have the pony tail." Yes once a Hippie always a Hippie. Also we have the Outdoor look,natural and Free and wild. That is still in for a few.
DeanL	03/24/2020 08:14PM   I'm a carrier for the USPS and after that help my dad and brother on our family farm. Both jobs are considered essential so for now I'll be working.
colddriver	03/24/2020 08:55PM   Essential worker, I make separators for refergeration units. But I am staying home with my handicapped 4year old daughter. She is usually in school during the day Wich she receives alot of therapies (OT,PT,Speach) also take her to swimming and extra pt throughout the week. School is canceled and so is the pool and other therapies. So I am now a physical therapist, ocopational therapist, Speach therapist all day everyday. Just hope I am good enough so she doesn't fall behind. She is making huge progress the last two months I just pray we can keep it up.
Portage99	03/28/2020 06:12PM   I feel really bad for those who’ve lost jobs. Several of my friends are in bad shape with no paychecks. Right now, I am working from home. I’m really grateful to have an income. I moved all my classes online. It’s interesting because I’m getting to know some of the students better this way. The ones who are shy in class seem to open up in the online setting. I feel bad for this class because they are seniors in college. So, many of them were planning to move to new places and start new jobs. A lot of that is on hold, delayed or uncertain. My best friend had to close her business. I hope they help people who’ve had to close small businesses and might not reopen.
hobbydog	03/23/2020 09:19PM   lindylair: "I manage a busy grocery store in the Twin Cities. Judging by the traffic levels and sales in the last 10 days or so , we are pretty dang essential. Grateful for the continuation of our employment and wages/salaries and the company has increased compensation for all considerably. But the downside is we interact closely with thousands of people every day and have been since this started. So far nobody has been reported as infected but when that happens the shit will hit the fan. We have taken many precautions but in the real state the odds are not in our favor. I am astounded by the morale and positive attitude of our employees, many of whom are in the higher risk group. Keeps me going. " I went to Cub at 6 AM today, not too busy and mostly older people tryin to avoid the crowds. Lots of restocking going on. People were keeping their distance. The checkout lady was very friendly. Your work is very much appreciated.
OldFingers57	04/10/2020 09:32AM   I am the Fire Chief and a Paramedic for a small volunteer fire department that responds to EMS calls. We see about 1200 calls per year and 90% of those are EMS calls. Luckily our run volume has been down due to the virus. But I still have to protect myself on EMS calls and have had some where the people are showing signs and symptoms of the virus. Hopefully we all get thru this OK.
Pinetree	03/26/2020 09:39PM   Just seen in Boston Hospitals 160 essential hospital staff have the Virus. Now they say some might of got it outside the hospital while others may not of. Either way they are sick. We have to pull together and help each other. The above is very scary to me. These are the front line folks.
Freeleo1	03/23/2020 10:12PM   I was. I'm a recently retired pharmacist from a grocery store pharmacy. I'm feeling a little guilty, but worked through several Hurricanes and the Swine flu epidemic, so I put in the time during other disasters. I do feel bad for the employees left. The company has been working to reduce employees (especially older, more experienced ones) so the number of workers has been drastically reduced making them much less flexible, especially if people start going out due to illness. They are trying to hire cashiers in a hurry, but it takes time to train them and it's not like they have people with free time to do it. It's not even possible to hire Pharmacy techs or pharmacists in a hurry, due to required background checks and trainings. It's going to be rough for a while, so be understanding to your pharmacy people.
luft	03/24/2020 12:48AM   I am a nurse at a hospital so I am an essential worker. I will not be laid off and will likely be mandated to work more than my contracted FTE. So that is both a blessing and a curse.
schwartyman	03/23/2020 08:25AM   My company supplies packaging for medical devices and grocery stores. We have been told if/when the shelter in place is announced we are considered essential and will continue operations.
MikeinMpls	03/23/2020 08:34AM   I'm in an interesting position. I do psychological evaluations for the courts, but as a solo, contract practitioner. I have an office near my home. We are now doing examinations via video, so I can do these from my office instead of going into the government center, hospitals, or jails. However, I cannot do video at home because I do not have an internet connection that meets the security requirements mandated by the courts. So I guess I consider myself essential insofar as I cannot work from home. Mike
GopherAdventure	03/26/2020 06:27AM   I found it comical that liquor stores were listed as essential. After the MN governor enacted the shelter in place order, I saw liquor stores on the list of places that could stay open. I was surprised, then my wife said, “the state doesn’t want you going out of state to buy your booze, and they don’t want you traveling all that far. So they make the liquor stores essential to help keep people local.” They’re totally right, can’t have us driving over to Sconnie for our booze! Tony
luft	03/29/2020 01:12AM   offroadjeeper: "They did give us 2 weeks of pandemic leave just in case of illness or family quarantine. " Not to hijack the thread but I have an issue with just 14 days of pandemic leave for families. We have 5 family members at our house. If we come down with this virus it will take a lot longer than 14 days for it to be over for the five of us. One person gets it and then some days later another and some days later another. 14 days might be sufficient for one person to quarantine but not multiple people in the same family. And while I might be well enough to return to work after 14 days I am going to need to stay home to nurse my husband and kids if they have it. Luckily I have FMLA (family medical leave act) time to use for that but not sure that everyone has that benefit at their job?
BearBurrito	03/26/2020 06:42AM   Short answer, yes.
GopherAdventure	03/26/2020 06:50AM   tg: "I think I fall in the essential category. I'm a physician assistant working as a hospitalist at a couple large Twin Cities hospitals. A month or two from now and I won't have time to make this post. At least right now we have some time to prepare for the tidal wave (and preparing we are!). Now if we had a reassuring supply of PPE, ventilators and weren't way behind in terms of testing I'd feel better about our chances (conservative estimates are we have AT LEAST 10x the number of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota as are currently reported-287). I fully expect to get COVID-19 inspite of all the precautions, and I'm diabetic so I'm hoping for a glancing blow;) Sounds like Minnesotans have been some of the most compliant US citizens with respect to staying at home/social distancing. That gives me hope. Lets keep it up! Paul Wellstone (for the out of state readers he was a MN senator who died tragically in a plane crash in 2002) said "We all do better when we all do better." I agree. Stay healthy my friends! Rich aka tg" Rich, Know that you and your hard work are and will continue to be greatly appreciated as we navigate through this crazy time. Thank you for all you do and for administering the care that will save lives on the front lines of this pandemic. You are an amazing dude! Tony
blutofish1	03/27/2020 08:05AM   They say I am essential. My old instructors were wrong.
boonie	03/23/2020 10:36AM   My SIL had to close his bike shop in PA. He still has some repairs/builds he can work on for now, but I hope it doesn't last too long.
moustachesteve	03/24/2020 08:55AM   My company manufactures medical devices and we're classified as essential. Employees who live in Wisconsin received a letter explaining the situation in the event that they get pulled over on their way to/from work (I live/work in the Twin Cities) due to the WI safer-at-home order.
allfish	03/23/2020 11:05AM   I work in water-quality for a private water utility, our company sent a lot of people home, the WQ guys are still here. We have to go out and take water samples around the system most of the month. Easy commute now...
nofish	03/26/2020 10:11AM   I've also heard that sadly liquor stores are allowed to stay open so that those that are dependent on alcohol are not cut off cold turkey causing a bunch of withdrawal related medical issues that they don't have the time or capacity to handle right now.
unshavenman	03/27/2020 10:26AM   Yep, I'm an essential worker because I buy from factories and sell to general contractors doing commercial construction in the upper midwest.
andym	03/23/2020 11:55AM   I'm a federal government scientist. Part of my work is "essential" and I can (must) do that part even if there is a government shutdown. Fortunately, I can that and my "non-essential" work from home and so am working full time.
ZaraSp00k	03/25/2020 10:52AM   of all the dirty rotten luck, I just learned I am essential, unless the governor shows up with the national guard to close us down, we will stay open, we have government contracts but then what would I do at home with my unemployment compensation plus $600 a week plus the $1200 they are saying they will give each adult. I wonder if I can take in a dozen kids to get the $600/ea. and then send them back after I get the check? You just know there are going to be people scamming the givernment to get in on the $$$$$
OtherBob	03/23/2020 09:08AM   My canoes are asking how essential they are. I tell them that they are part of the health profession, keeping us sane when everyone else goes crazy (says a guy who talks to his canoes). Corona virus is a long, rocky portage, but there are nice lakes on the other side with lots of fish and 5 star campsites. Let's pick up the packs and start in.
andym	03/24/2020 10:58AM   justpaddlin: "I'm not essential. Thanks for reminding me. :) " Welcome to the world of government employees who every time there is a government shutdown hear, "why does the government have non-essential employees. Fire them." But essential means that your job has an immediate impact on life safety. Food: obviously essential. Water: they have a saying in the water industry, "no water no life." Setting building codes (which my work contributes to doing): definitely saves lives but can be done a few weeks later. So not "essential."
nctry	03/31/2020 02:07AM   Our county has listed criminal activity as non essential. So we don’t even need law enforcement because we’re so compliant here in Minnesota. Haha. On a side note, I see bitterness in people up here as people are thinking going to cabins and such are ok. But like yesterday there were like such people shooting across the lake on snowmobiles... if they get hurt and end up in hospitals that takes manpower and resources away from more critical situations. So if you do self isolate, maybe keep your activity to things like walking, paddling, hiking... Just had our first case in itasca county. Someone originally from our town. Starting to hit home!
nofish	03/23/2020 02:27PM   Well based on the list above I'm still not sure. We don't fall directly into one of those categories but we do supply products directly to one of those industries.
singlebladecanoe	03/24/2020 03:48PM   Essential here. I've had our Homeland Security paperwork in hand now for a couple of weeks. People don't like it when their cell phones don't work, especially when now everyone has nothing to do but be on them.
Bearpath9	03/31/2020 10:20AM   As of 11 A.M., I became non-essential. I retired.
Pinetree	03/31/2020 10:31AM   missmolly: "Pinetree: "On the lighter side of things there is going to be a lot of Hippies running around with barber shops and hair salons shut down. Been keeping my hair very short in recent years,I don't know know if all of us want to go back to our hair style of the 1960's or 70's." Given how old most of us are at bwca.com, I suspect that many can't revert to be long hairs." Och-that's'funny. No, I still have all mine,I just keep it super short so all the grey doesn't show.
Bearpath9	03/31/2020 10:32AM   missmolly: "Bearpath9: "As of 11 A.M., I became non-essential. I retired." Hooray! I've asked many retired people if they had any regrets and I've never heard a single one. I'm retiring bit by bit and when I turn 70, I hope to be entirely retired. What was your profession?" I was with the Postal Service for 33 years. Planned on fishing a lot this summer with my grandson, along with a trip up to the BW with him in June. But we will see about the trip, fishing plans are still on.
deepdish71	03/24/2020 07:18PM   I’m a manager at a grocery store, I’ll get to keep working.
520eek	04/01/2020 09:24PM   Myself and wife are both essential, I am primary support for law enforcement agency, she is a nurse. We are both dismayed about the people who seem to not notice whats happening... We are in Tucson and for the first time in our lives, we can't wait for summer to get here. Will it help? Don't know how much, but there is hope. The hospital she works at is starting to see a lot more suspected cases, supplies are low and we are just out of the starting gate compared to other cities....
bobbwca	03/25/2020 06:40PM   Podunk: "Nope, not essential. Automotive manufacturing. Shut down till April 8th. 1st week company paid, 2nd week take vac or no pay.l took no pay. " In illinois were essential. Not sure why, but as of now were to report to work Monday. 3000 people assembling Jeeps side by side doesn't make sense to me. Especially when the dealers are all closed.
Bushpilot	03/23/2020 07:48PM   cowdoc: "Essential and busy......I'm tired" My brother is also a veterinarian....he said they have been told no more use of ventilators on animals. He works for a medical company and they maybe use ventilators more with animals because of research. He wonders if a time will come when the government picks up his ventilators. Yes the ones used with dogs and pigs.
4keys	03/24/2020 09:39PM   Not essential here - substitute teacher. My husbands company is considered essential - forest products /paper goods, and because of technology (phones, computers) he can work from home. We have some savings, and the house is paid for, so I'm not too worried about finances short term. Both my kids are in other states, and are currently still employed for now. But their other halves are out of work. Being in their early20's they haven't put together any savings, and have rent etc to pay. I worry about all that, as well as the health issues. Nothing much I can do about any of it, but still..
nctry	03/24/2020 04:12AM   I’ve got my friend’s boys coming later hauling canoes. I’m hoping they somehow can be stuck here a few days. I’ll put them to work cooking sap and getting some stuff done I’ve been physically unable to do. I keep our community center maintained including the fire hall. I also am exempt when a fire or EMR call comes in. But we are restricting who, how many and take extra precautions obviously. I’m a bigger risk so I’m more in the background supporting my fellow responders.
Mocha	03/23/2020 08:18AM   I guess the MN governor is speaking again this afternoon. Perhaps our state will shut down or he will wait another week. The company I work is considered essential, as I just read an official posting from the company president, so no time off for me! I also heard from my paddle partner that there is still 5 feet of snow on the Gunflint Trail and the temp was -15 the other morning. I guess no camping up there for awhile??
Gadfly	03/23/2020 08:42AM   Mocha: "I guess the mn governor is speaking again this afternoon. Perhaps our state will shut down or he will wait another week. The company I work is considered essential, as I just read an official posting from the company president, so no time off for me! I also heard from my paddle partner that there is still 5 feet of snow on the Gunflint Trail and the temp was -15 the other morning. I guess no camping up there for awhile ??" I work in administration in the medical field. I would be surprised if we were not considered essential. I can Was just up the gunflint last week. My tripping partner decided to leave his snow shoes at our vehicle when he saw how well the lakes were crusted over. I brought mine as I knew it would be different in the woods. Needless to say his first trip in the woods he was up over his waist in snow. They had also received 2-3 more inches on our day out.
jcavenagh	03/23/2020 08:58AM   As a lawyer, my business is considered essential under Par. 12 r of the IL Executive Order But I will work from home as much as I can. I don't do criminal law so I do not have the time pressure associated with that. I do civil law and my cases can wait a while to be resolved. No client meetings, but I can do telephone and email with the clients. Courts are closed, but I still am doing pleadings and discovery by electronic filing. So when the courts open we will have a backlog and we will be quite busy...
Blatz	03/23/2020 09:05AM   In Illinois Essential is very far reaching. You have to remember it also includes a business that supports the obvious essential business's. Even bicycle shops are considered essential. Bikes are a mode of transportation for many city people and the bike shops also service the police bikes.
SevenofNine	03/26/2020 05:03AM   Yes, our company makes devices that are installed in respirators, monitor hospital room air quality, respirator testers and laboratory monitors and controls. I feel for others that will be out of work these past/coming weeks.
SaganagaJoe	03/26/2020 05:19AM   jcavenagh: "As a lawyer, my business is considered essential under Par. 12 r of the IL Executive Order But I will work from home as much as I can. I don't do criminal law so I do not have the time pressure associated with that. I do civil law and my cases can wait a while to be resolved. No client meetings, but I can do telephone and email with the clients. Courts are closed, but I still am doing pleadings and discovery by electronic filing. So when the courts open we will have a backlog and we will be quite busy..." Same, except I have criminal responsibilities (prosecution) so we won’t be shutting down either.
MikeinMpls	03/25/2020 07:09AM   They should just make a list of who is not considered essential. The above appears to be 2/3 of the work force. Mike
tg	03/25/2020 09:36PM   I think I fall in the essential category. I'm a physician assistant working as a hospitalist at a couple large Twin Cities hospitals. A month or two from now and I won't have time to make this post. At least right now we have some time to prepare for the tidal wave (and preparing we are!). Now if we had a reassuring supply of PPE, ventilators and weren't way behind in terms of testing I'd feel better about our chances (conservative estimates are we have AT LEAST 10x the number of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota as are currently reported-287). I fully expect to get COVID-19 inspite of all the precautions, and I'm diabetic so I'm hoping for a glancing blow;) Sounds like Minnesotans have been some of the most compliant US citizens with respect to staying at home/social distancing. That gives me hope. Lets keep it up! Paul Wellstone (for the out of state readers he was a MN senator who died tragically in a plane crash in 2002) said "We all do better when we all do better." I agree. Stay healthy my friends! Rich aka tg
x2jmorris	03/26/2020 06:09AM   Yeah nothing really changes for my household. Both my wife and I are essential and daycares are so yeah same old same old for us.
missmolly	03/27/2020 08:37AM   blutofish1: " They say I am essential. My old instructors were wrong." Ha!
Boppasteveg	03/27/2020 08:46AM   The company I work for provides support to individuals with mental health diagnoses. We are deemed "essential".
butthead	03/23/2020 11:11AM   I'm self employed in the retirement industry, so yes essential! Sorry, my sense of humor is morphing under the current conditions. butthead
inspector13	03/23/2020 11:17AM   I’m not sure. The tests we make are needed for patients on respirators, but all our products are exported. And the relatively new owner of this place is based in Wuhan.