My benevolent employer has extended our work-from-home mandate to April 7, 2020. Who’s surprised? No one. However, it is odd to me that they’re being so conservative about the length of time. Schools in Washington State are closed until April 24… so something’s gonna have to give way here.

So, sticking to the plan, here’s what’s on the docket for today:

Activity	Score
Wake up at the same time – 5:00am	YES! I did it!
Work out	YES! I did it!
Eat breakfast – make something at home	Success!
Morning pot of tea	Success!
Shower + full skincare routine	Success!
Get dressed – wear something special	Half-credit – nothing really special
Mascara + lipstick	Success!
Eat lunch – make something at home	Success!
Take a walk – 30 minutes	Success!
Re-pot that poor orchid on the kitchen windowsill	Nope.
Fold laundry	Nope.
Eat dinner – make something at home	Success!

Mostly out of curiosity, this morning, after my workout, I went to a restaurant supply warehouse. It’s in an inconvenient location, nowhere near any residential areas… but it was very picked over. The guys there said that small restaurant folks are coming in to get all the delivery/takeout containers, but that their cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer stock was wiped out early by “a bunch of hysterical white ladies.”

It was a good reminder that while restaurants are restricted to takeout and delivery, we should consider how and where we spend our money. It’s important, during an unpredictable economic strain, to be thoughtful about finances. We can’t count on job security. We can’t count on anything. So being mindful about spending is smart.

Watch the temptation of online shopping. Be considerate of how much you really need to stock up on (I MEAN REALLY). Having savings is going to be important. Having cash to invest while the stock market is struggling isn’t a bad idea either, but you better make sure you’re covered first. Keep the debt low, pay your bills, save as much as you can.

But, please do look out for your local entrepreneurs. Get takeout from the taqueria (I will be, at least once this week), or the teriyaki spot you love, or even see if your favorite bar is able to do takeout of whatever gastro-pub goodness they might still be making. Just please don’t spend your money at the Taco Bells, the Subways, or the McDonalds. Those places are going to be fine. Plus, they’re the worst perpetrators of creating risky conditions for employees and customers. They don’t offer paid sick leave. READ, LEARN, CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR. Also, please keep the independent places alive. Give them a shot. They’re part of our culture, our communities. We need them, right now they need us.