Keystone State Thread

I think (hope) that more places will embrace telework and leverage it. As part of my job I actually try to promote it where appropriate, and even leading up to this whole thing there has been a trend of more and more businesses moving to that model. There are so many advantages to it that many people don't even consider, though it needs to be implemented with the right change management and support.

In terms of reimbursement...
My wife works from home full time; necessity of her job. Her company pays 100% for our internet. I can't imagine that would be the norm though. Some employers may be willing to pay a portion? I think for many of the places that didn't have a telework policy prior, they probably won't reimburse, as they are not reaping the benefits of a smaller office footprint that typically comes with a telework policy.
For those that are not reimbursed, talk to a CPA. You can deduct a portion of your utilities, internet, etc. on your taxes. The caveat, however, is that it requires you to calculate depreciation for your home, which can affect you if/when you go to sell your home.

 

Happy Hump Day from Northeast PA!! Thankfully, I have an amazing team of leaders - trying to run a college totally remotely is a challenge.

 

Welcome . I'm about 40 minutes east of you.

ANF is endless with forest roads, but this time of the year it is hard to say what they have open. Some get in pretty rough shape and they will shut them down. I highly recommend stopping by the ranger station and grabbing a map. Love it up there and planning to take a few "mental health days at camp if the weather gives a few days without rain.

 

Mail Lady delivered these today!

 

Thinking about getting them. let me know what you think after install.

 

WIIL do. Headed out to install now.

 

Yes.

 

I need to get a tiller but I don't know how bad the deer are going to be for my garden.

 

The whole WFH idea i good for less traffic on the road,which could lower your insurance and fuel bill.But looking at it from a companies stand point.Why would i (company) pay for internet for you to work from home.You are the one staying home.The other issue for a company is they are still paying the electric,heat,A/C,water and support staff.So if you press too hard they might just say.Come into the office.
I have a secratary that is now working from home right now.Which kinda irritates me because we made so many accomadations for her to work for us (we never needed a secratary).Her own office her own bathroom,she complains about the smells coming from the shop,and has to go home because she cant take it. But now when the shit hits the fan she needs to work from home.We are deemed essential services.

 

If I could work from home, I'd save a small fortune in gas/wear and tear/the value of my time commuting. I'd recommend just shutting the hell up and accepting that your power bill might go up $5 a month.

 

Probably more than you think. Most cases are pretty mild

 

At bare minimum, 10x the confirmed cases.

 

You can get a remote/solar fencer and cable pretty cheap. That is what the Amish do around here for large gardens

 

I generally prefer .30-06

 

I work from home and have for the last 5-6 years. The good outweighs the bad. No commute, wear and tear as others have mentioned. The downside is that it's invasive. Once it's in your personal space it's around 24/7. I'm a regional facilities manager so the nature of the job is on call 24/7, so that complicates things as well. Alarm calls, fire/flood, disaster recovery, all become part of the "home life". It's challenging to seperate the two - especially in times of pandemic. I recall Super Storm Sandy and the 70 hour work weeks...... brutal.

My company does not pay my internet but I'm OK with that. They are very supportive of work life balance so I've been able to punch out at 3 and catch my kids high school games, doctors appointments are a breeze - so again, good with bad...... more good IMO. I'll gladly take the 3AM high temp alarm and pay for my own internet to have the flexibility to be there for the kids.

It's tough now because the wife is now working from home - daughter is home from college doing online study for the rest of the Spring semester and my son is home from high school..... gaming like a crackhead until his online learning starts next week. Good new is that no bandwidth issues so far......

 

I sure hope you all are right. The sooner we reach something resembling "herd immunity" the better. It will show in the number of new cases.

 

AFAIK, the way that it is being handled in Bethlehem is that if you are confirmed, you will be quarantined at home, only if you are severe will you go to the hospital.
There is only one severe case at St. Lukes Network, Bethlehem Campus, which is on the border of Lehigh and Northampton Counties.
I do not know the quantity or type of cases at the Lehigh Valley Hospital Network (conflicting info, I do NOT want to misinform).
I did hear that all maternity was moved to St. Lukes Anderson building (about 10 miles away), and that any severe cases in Northampton and Lehigh counties will go to the Bethlehem campus. I do not know if they will transport to Bethlehem from the NJ campuses.
Hope this helps.
Let me know if you want updates, or would rather not know.