Jax and Coronavirus

[Adam White]

As an aside, one takeaway from all of this is that we don't need as much 'stuff' as we are probably used to having.

Considering missing a couple of paychecks resulting in mass mortgage/rent non pays, I fully expect that  financial lessons will finally be lear——what's that ? The new $200 Air Jordan's just came out?

Yeah, that's the problem, isn't it? Of course, the fact that so many people are always looking for a way to sell you something you didn't realise you 'needed'.

Nothing will change without systemic change, I don't think.

[BridgeTroll]

It would be interesting if COVID-19, bad as it is, saves us from the catastrophic effects of unchecked global climate change.

I posted the above comment in the thread about the FDOT's First Coast Expressway.  To follow up, this article is pretty interesting about air pollution over Jacksonville being favorably impacted (50% improvement!) by the situation with COVID-19:

https://www.news4jax.com/weather/2020/04/30/inadvertently-covid-19-cleans-jacksonvilles-air/

Well it is certainly good to know that all we need to do to get global warming under control is shut down nearly all business and travel...

..because we're not investing enough into developing renewables and reducing our carbon footprints.

As an aside, one takeaway from all of this is that we don't need as much 'stuff' as we are probably used to having.

I think this just proves that "minor reductions in carbon footprint" is not nearly enough and paralysis inducing reductions are required. Renewables?  While I am 100% in favor of such things it is completely unrealistic to believe anything we can actually comprehend will  make any difference at all.
I think the effort may be better spent dealing with the consequences...

[Ken_FSU]

The media isn't really picking up on it, but I'm a little concerned about our numbers in the last three days.

Hopefully it's an abberration and we see fewer new cases in the next couple of days.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

The media isn't really picking up on it, but I'm a little concerned about our numbers in the last three days.

Hopefully it's an abberration and we see fewer new cases in the next couple of days.

Nah - since they've opened up testing to all, you're going to see the numbers absolutely spike.

A positive test doesn't equate to a sick person - and that's been my biggest issue with the reporting. 

[Charles Hunter]

The media isn't really picking up on it, but I'm a little concerned about our numbers in the last three days.

Hopefully it's an abberration and we see fewer new cases in the next couple of days.

Nah - since they've opened up testing to all, you're going to see the numbers absolutely spike.

A positive test doesn't equate to a sick person - and that's been my biggest issue with the reporting. 

But it does equate to someone who can infect someone, who might become a sick person - especially if they are older and/or have underlying health issues. 

The numbers to watch are hospitalizations and deaths, to get a handle on severity. Infections tell us how widespread the infection is.

[Ken_FSU]

The media isn't really picking up on it, but I'm a little concerned about our numbers in the last three days.

Hopefully it's an abberration and we see fewer new cases in the next couple of days.

Nah - since they've opened up testing to all, you're going to see the numbers absolutely spike.

The number of positives in the last four days (60) has more than doubled versus the four days prior than that (28).

Was almost positive that overall local testing couldn't have doubled during the same four-day period, but I pulled the numbers and it turns out you're right, it actually did nearly double. So yeah, I stand corrected, this mini spike in the last four days is likely (and hopefully) the result of more widely available testing rather than a true upswing in the local outbreak.

Looking forward to seeing today's number at 11.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

The media isn't really picking up on it, but I'm a little concerned about our numbers in the last three days.

Hopefully it's an abberration and we see fewer new cases in the next couple of days.

Nah - since they've opened up testing to all, you're going to see the numbers absolutely spike.

A positive test doesn't equate to a sick person - and that's been my biggest issue with the reporting. 

But it does equate to someone who can infect someone, who might become a sick person - especially if they are older and/or have underlying health issues. 

The numbers to watch are hospitalizations and deaths, to get a handle on severity. Infections tell us how widespread the infection is.

I don't disagree with you.  Even though I'm not particularly fearful for myself or my immediate family, I have resisted the urge to go visit my mom or any of my older relatives and have pretty much abided to the SD guidelines socially. 

But in regards to the hospitilizations,  I haven't seen much data locally to support it.  From what I've seen hospital admits here have been way down.

Now a lot of that is due to voluntary surgeries being put off.  Some of that is due to people not wanting to go the ER for fear of getting sick.  And then as more numbers come out as testing becomes more available, it paints a picture to me that all of the Covid related deaths may not have been caused by Covid to begin with*.  And without going full-blown conspiracy theorist regarding false reporting for cash, I think that there is something to it.   

(*disclaimer - I am not a doctor)

[jaxlongtimer]

The big news is that Nordstrom has decided to permanently close 16 of its 116 full price Nordstrom stores. It did not release a store closure list.

It is also restructuring regions, support roles and its corporate organization to "increase speed and flexibility" which will save $150 million annually. That on top of $200 million to $250 million in previously announced cuts, means the company is reducing non-occupancy overhead expenses by 20%.

Announced today.  Store list not revealed.  This represents 14% of all full service Nordstroms.  I hope Jax's store isn't one of them.  We waited for decades to get a top level department store here like Nordstroms, Macys, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, etc.  Wouldn't be great to lose one after only having it for a few short years.  I know department stores are an endangered species in the retailing world but surely a few will survive.  Hope we have one of them.

[Lostwave]

  I know department stores are an endangered species in the retailing world but surely a few will survive.  Hope we have one of them.

I would think ours would be safe as it has no competition.  Many cities have tons of competition at this level, even multiple Nordstrom stores.  I am pretty sure some of those places that have multiple stores in the same MSA would get closed before ours.  Los Angeles has like 9 (non rack) Nordstrom stores.  A few of those would surely close before ours... 

[thelakelander]

LA also has more than 13 million in its MSA compared to Jax's 1.5 million. Number of stores within a market likely will matter less than how one location performs in comparison with most in the chain. The ones that get the ax, are likely the lower performing locations.

[Steve]

LA also has more than 13 million in its MSA compared to Jax's 1.5 million. Number of stores within a market likely will matter less than how one location performs in comparison with most in the chain. The ones that get the ax, are likely the lower performing locations.

Agreed. Now, there are 117 full line Nordstrom stores. Given how much retail has changed in 15 years, it wouldn't surprise me to have 16 of their stores at places like dead malls, etc. Jacksonville's being at the "hot shopping center" does help. Additionally, Nordstrom is one of the best department stores when it comes to Omnichannel Retail. Erik Nordstrom spoke at a conference I attended in January (Remember conferences, everyone?) and he talked about the relationship between online and stores. Two interesting things he shared:

- Manhattan was Nordstrom's biggest online market to begin with and any store opening typically coincides with an online bump. The interplay of the two was part of the business case for the store.
- More than half of Nordstrom sales have an online component and over a one-third of its online sales involve a store experience.

Now, putting all of that aside the dollars and cents will make the decision. But, especially right now the decision will likely be made on current and future dollars and cents. Nordstrom isn't alone when it comes to retailers seeing an online boost when a retailer enters the market with a brick and mortar store.

So yes, I think it helps Jacksonville's case. All else equal, a retailer would choose to shutter a second store in a market versus leaving a market. However, it doesn't "make" the case entirely.

[Tacachale]

If Nordstroms closes where will I get my monocle polished?

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

If Nordstroms closes where will I get my monocle polished?

Faith Jewelers on Edgewood.

Just had mine done and it was f-n SPARKLING!

[Ken_FSU]

Nordstrom Jax not amongst the closures.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/nordstrom-st-johns-town-center-is-not-part-of-our-store-closures

[sandyshoes]

Accompanied my husband to his dr visit the other day and NO ONE, including the dr was wearing face mask or gloves.  They made us both fill out and sign a questionnaire and get our temperatures taken, as soon as we got in the front door, before we even sat down.  So...we're supposed to protect them from getting COVID-19, but the dr and assistants can breathe all over patients in close proximity during an exam?!?  I feel like reporting them to the health dept or somebody.