Good morning, everyone! Here we are, in the coronavirus frenzy of 2020! Have you bought YOUR toilet paper yet? That seems to be what people are hoarding, along with hand sanitizer and bottled water. It doesn't matter that toilet paper is made in the USA and delays from China won't impact TP. People focus on something and ZOOM, off go the hoarders. Friends in Australia have told me it's not a U.S. thing, it's happening around the world. Spoiler alert: TP is made in your home country, at least in the U.S., Canada, Australia and many other BIG (population wise) countries. China shipments getting delayed a few weeks, or even a month, won't affect your local toilet paper supply.
We are seeing conferences and events canceled. A
conference we sponsor, and were looking forward to, was just canceled. We've got another couple of events coming up, including Mass Torts Made Perfect, that are still on the books. We shall see if they happen. The attorneys I know are still flying around the country filing cases and litigating. The courts are also slowing down. There are reports that some courts in Washington State are slowing down dramatically, or even staying some cases due to restrictions on the ability to call juries. The Ninth Circuit just canceled a bunch of meetings and this will likely be extended. Hopefully, we will see courts move to more virtual sessions.
Hard-charging attorneys are coming down with the virus and need to be very careful. One 50-year-old attorney we aren't connected to in New York is in critical condition. His family has tested positive but aren't having the severe reaction he has. Another Big Law (800+ attorneys) firm Quinn Emanuel also had at least one partner test positive for the coronavirus. It seems if you're under 50, have a healthy heart and normal blood pressure, you'll have a much easier time kicking its butt.
My recommendation? If you can work from home, do so. We canceled our trip to Disneyland and Universal Studios. I'd rather be cautious and healthy than risk getting infected and then spreading it around Phoenix, or get waylaid in California due to possible quarantines, canceled flights, etc. I'd rather play it safe and stay home! Disneyland will be there next year!
Be safe, my friends! Wash those
hands, stay out of mass gatherings of people, and stay calm. Support your family, friends and neighbors.
OK, on to more lawsuit and settlement updates!
That's all for now! Make it a great CORONAVIRUS FREE week!
Warm Regards,
Scott Hardy
President & CEO