Quote:
Originally Posted by nikon
I'm a dog walker, working for myself, and people aren't allowed out except for food/medical things. I have also done online transcription, but now there is such a flood of people trying to earn online that it is really hard to get any work, or the stuff that is available is so terrible you want to tear your ears off. Before lockdown I was applying for a lot of other jobs, and I still am, but I don't even know when or whether those jobs will actually exist again. I managed to buy enough non-perishable food for a few weeks but have no money left. As far as I can see, registering for unemployment where I live requires that you have been working and have been let go from your job. I basically employ myself (and it's not a proper business at all) so can't claim unemployment.
With not working I'm doing a looooooooot of art. We're locked down for three weeks and I'm nervous that after this I'm going to find it even more difficult to leave my place than usual (anxiety, depression etc).
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Yes, I am really concerned about people's food situations. I notice that in many stores, the inexpensive items are what is out of stock--the stores that I go to have stopped offering rainchecks, etc. I hear our food banks are running out plus the church groups that a lot of charity are on lockdown as well. Can you ask a family member to send you an Amazon or Walmart shipment. Also, on the radio here, I heard one county sheriff tell the community to call if they are unable to get food. There is a portion of our city which is a food desert so this puts the residents without vehicles in a bind. Please don't be afraid to ask for help.
I have noticed that my online work has slowed down a bit. What helps is that I have some regular students but I am not getting any new students lately. I am thinking that I have to find another niche. Many people are going to be changing what they do because of this. I bet a lot of small restaurants never open back up but new businesses will be born too. Would it be an interesting topic to teach how you do your art online? Sometimes if you teach an art class on Youtube well, you can get endorsements from places that sell you your art supplies. I was looking at Outschool (
https://outschool.com/teach#abk8e4et7l) the other day thinking--I should create some type of course as a learning experiment (to see what I am capable of learning/doing).
Hang in there and reach out. Maybe Covid-19 will bring some of us together.