Are we "essential" workers?

[Shimmy1]

Hey guys, sorry I'm late to the party. We've been done with our corn since early January, but have done over 1000 acres of custom work, trying to help the neighbors finish up. Yields have been decent, about average for our area, but test weight has been crappy. Lots of 50 lb corn. We may have reached the end of the road, as of now we have no more waiting for us, but that could change as there is still a little left out there.

Probably a topic for the shooter's thread, but had some fun today. Took the oldest boy, he's 10, to the gun club where I passed hunter's safety 30 years ago. Figured he was old enough to learn how to operate his new Silverboy, and I had to dial-in my new 10-22. He was a pretty proud young man this evening. This was his second round with the Silverboy, pretty fair I thought for iron sights and only about 50 rounds under his belt. This was his after 2 clips through mine with a scope. And of course, Dad had to show off.

 

[Welder Dave]

Pretty darn good! Is your scope very slightly off? I always wished I could have seen my dad shoot. He always talked about teaching us how to shoot but it never materialized. He started target shooting in his teens and was one of only 3 masters in Canada (at one time) and the youngest by a fair amount. They used to keep him in the car when the gun club had friendly competitions with the military. He always wondered why but later figured they were making bets on who would win and then this teenage kid would come out and beat them all. He hand carved his gun stock to fit him from a blank. It is quite heavy. He sold the Winchester 22 target rifle from it though. He won the Alberta small bore championship so many times in the 50's they gave him the trophy permanently but he retired from shooting because it wasn't fun anymore. Other shooters just wanted to beat him and he just happened to be good at it. He didn't have a big ego and certainly didn't have to prove anything to anyone. Some others got way too competitive. He said prone position is the most accurate and he could hit a target about the size of a dime from 100 yds. with iron sights. He also said breathing is very important when shooting. I asked him about scopes one time and he said if the scope is off it will magnify how far you are off the target. I only went to a shooting range once and 100yds. is a long ways!

 

[Natman]

Idaho is now locked down, not a restaurant (other then takeout) is open, nearby West Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks both closed. They are asking all non essential workers to stay home for 21 days. 2 days ago I did a HVAC lift at the local county jail, that count as essential? My next job is scheduled for Friday, a large custom home 80 miles away, if the builder is in, I'm in. I'll not stop anywhere on the way there and back, and stay in my cab. Local news is reporting "permitted activities are still being decided on." It will interesting to see how the local builders comply, or not.

 

[old-iron-habit]

Idaho is now locked down, not a restaurant (other then takeout) is open, nearby West Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks both closed. They are asking all non essential workers to stay home for 21 days. 2 days ago I did a HVAC lift at the local county jail, that count as essential? My next job is scheduled for Friday, a large custom home 80 miles away, if the builder is in, I'm in. I'll not stop anywhere on the way there and back, and stay in my cab. Local news is reporting "permitted activities are still being decided on." It will interesting to see how the local builders comply, or not.

Our contractors are considered essential workers in Minnesota. However the rental centers and lumber yards, etc. are not. The state said they are reviewing things and are not enforcing anything.

 

[Welder Dave]

Here some places are voluntarily closed and other places are open but have shorter hours. Most people keep their distance but some don't seem to concerned how close they get to you. I've had 2 e-mails asking if my MX track is open yet. The ground is frozen and there's about a foot snow. These people must have been in hibernation and living under a rock? I don't even know if I'll be able to open until the Covid 19 is under control. I don't know what kind of rules they might put in place for recreational activities. They are enforcing all the RVers who return to the province to self quarantine for 2 weeks which means you don't go visit family, you don't pick up your pet at the kennel, you don't visit friends. You go straight home and do not pass go and do not collect $200.

 

[Natman]

We, construction trades anyway, are on the GO list here. My last job, Friday, while still in the truck I told the crew to stay the heck away from me, and no I wasn't kidding. Got the job done, and had them trow the rigging up onto the truck bed, didn't touch it myself. A cash job, I had brought an envelope that I set down on a saw horse, and told him to put it in there. Didn't count it until the next day (all there). Washed my hands before leaving (2 gallon Solar Shower hanging from the sideboards, soap in a rigging box). Got diesel on the way home, didn't go inside. Crazy I guess but at least I'm still working. NOT touching your face is a huge part of all this I keep hearing, go figure.

 

[John Griffin]

We, construction trades anyway, are on the GO list here. My last job, Friday, while still in the truck I told the crew to stay the heck away from me, and no I wasn't kidding. Got the job done, and had them trow the rigging up onto the truck bed, didn't touch it myself. A cash job, I had brought an envelope that I set down on a saw horse, and told him to put it in there. Didn't count it until the next day (all there). Washed my hands before leaving (2 gallon Solar Shower hanging from the sideboards, soap in a rigging box). Got diesel on the way home, didn't go inside. Crazy I guess but at least I'm still working. NOT touching your face is a huge part of all this I keep hearing, go figure.

Did you wash up after touching the diesel pump?

 

[Natman]

Kept my gloves on while fueling, which I do most times anyway. Diesel and hydraulic oil smells like money, but I'd just as soon not get it on my hands.