reopening mail service and schools

Mail delivery here was very slow, and so was the various courier services. Part of the problem? Quarantine checkpoints, and decreased hours when offices were open.

This affected import and export trade, but since our rice deliveries are done by our own truck, it only stopped deliveries for a month then slowed it down because the usual three hour drive was increased by a three hour wait at the checkpoint. (food deliveries are a priority here).

Manila is still partly shut, but things are improving.

For overseas mail, the USPS shut down in April according to this article at the VOA. and yes, our mail was also affected by the virus shutdowns.

for over seas mail: the problem? No airplanes.

and even the courier services (Fed Ex, etc) had limited service.

well finally last week the postal service reopened, so I can send back a check sent to me from the USA in February that deteriorated so much in transit (3 months) that the bank couldn't read it.

This should, of course, make me prefer direct deposit

and indeed, most of our OFW use Wells Fargo or similar services to send money home.

but then I remember when an earthquake near Taiwan cut a major internet cable, and we were offline for weeks. And not just earthquakes, but terrorism, sabotague or acts of war.

hmm...  Bezos' satellite internet system prevent such a thing in case China decides to isolate the Philippines?

then all we'd have to worry about is a Carrington event strength solar flare.

In other news: Schools are reopened, part time, with distancing and some classes on line. 

I even heard the music of the daily exercize class this morning that is held in the plaza nearby. So things are opening slowly.

But until there is a vaccine, the economy won't reopen completely.

this article has a summary of all the jobs lost: Tranportation, service induestries, shops, etc. were affected.