March 25, Covid - 19 Pandemic

I wish I could say things have changed, but they really haven't. We're still only leaving the house when we need to. I went to the grocery today to get groceries for the week. The good news is, they had most everything someone would need. The meat case wasn't completely filled, but there was still plenty to choose from. There were lots of fresh fruits and veggies. They even had some toilet paper. And I was able to get another container of Clorox Wipes - they are limiting these to 1 per customer.

We've been taking care of Emma's friend, Lily, on Monday's while her parents work. They own a Physical Therapy Clinic. This shut down is extremely difficult for them. As of now, they are only allowed to provide services through telehealth - over devices and the internet. Tonya said their clients' appointments are dwindling as people are less willing to participate online.  We did allow Emma to go visit Lily on her farm this afternoon. While we probably shouldn't, we're all limiting our exposure to one another and our world is smaller. Lily is the only friend Emma has seen in nearly 2 weeks. When they play they help each other with their homework and actually get outside to play.  It's helping us get through this.

My parents have finally stopped running all over town and doing unnecessary shopping. This is such a relief. I know my dad is very upset - he believes the government doesn't have the right to order private businesses to shut down and that he should be able to go wherever he wants. My poor mother keeps trying to tell him that this is for his own good. He still grumbles and complains, but he's staying indoors. I'm not sure how long we can keep him there though.

The government has waived all standardized testing for the end of this school year. Our governor, Andy Beshear, has ordered the schools remain closed until April 20. I'm somewhat concerned that we won't be able to finish the school year with our students. I don't know what that might look like, but I know this isn't how I want to finish this year. I miss my students. Tomorrow I'm having my first video conference with one of my classes just so I can see some of their faces and hear their voices. I never imagined I'd really miss my students. A month ago if you'd told me I could work from home and teach my kids remotely for a month, I would have asked - begged - for it. Nope!  Lesson learned. Seeing them in person is MUCH better than trying to teach them remotely. Thankfully I am in communication with many of them via email, text, or through the digital classroom we use. But it's not the same as seeing and talking with them.

So it seems we're in this holding pattern for a while. The number of cases in KY is climbing - as expected. Not sure when it will peak.  Hopefully soon.  Today's KY Covid count: 198.

March 21, Covid-19 Pandemic

It's Saturday - Day 8 of the social distancing, unofficial quarantine for Emma and myself. Day 3 for Andy.  For the most part, it was like most rainy Saturdays around here. I woke up, did my college classwork, took a nap, and watched movies. We cooked dinner at home and just enjoyed some downtime.


 Even though we're staying home and limiting our exposure to other people, for the most part, our daily lives haven't been drastically impacted. Yesterday Emma played outside because the rain stopped and it was finally warm enough to get out of the house. She and Andy practiced softball.  Sadly, although she was so excited to play her first season of softball this year, that likely won't happen. We don't have the heart to tell her that yet, though.

My family is fortunate. Right now we are still earning our paychecks while we work from home. I worry so much about those that are suddenly unemployed or scared of losing their small business. The waiting period for applying for unemployment has been waived for now, and the Federal Government is allowing small businesses to apply for Emergency Disaster Loans to keep them afloat until this passes.  It's all so scary. We are used to sections of the nation having to rely on disaster relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes, tornados, etc. But this is affecting nearly everyone nationwide.  It's unheard of.

Kentucky seems to be missing the brunt of the Covid-19 havoc. We still have only 87 cases statewide. Much credit is being given to our governor for emphasizing social distancing beginning nearly two weeks ago. He ordered the shut down of schools for at least two weeks last Thursday, March 12. And earlier this week he ordered restaurants and bars to offer only drive-thru or carry out services.  Likewise, Tennessee, our southern neighbor, has done none of those things. They currently have over 200 confirmed cases in their state - and have tested fewer patients than Kentucky.

Credit: Stephanie Jolly

The worst impact is occurring in New York City and in the state of California. Hospitals are overrun and don't have anywhere to put patients that need critical care because of the virus. In fact, a naval hospital ship has docked in New York to help with the overflow. The governor of California has asked for the same thing. At least 5 state governors have called for a Shelter In Place order for their entire state - this means people can only leave their homes for food, pharmacy, and other essentials.

As I'm writing this, I'm dumbfounded on how we got here so quickly. Last Monday, if I were to be asked if this could happen here, I would have laughed.  If anyone told me we would be going to the grocery store on a Friday night to find there was no fresh meat, no bread, very little canned goods, and no toilet paper, I would have thought they were crazy. But here we are - less than two weeks later.

The citizens of Italy tried to warn us last week. Our country seems to be on the same trajectory that they've been on, and that's frightening. This week there have been images coming out of that country of military trucks driving through neighborhoods to gather the dead and take them to be disposed of. The entire country is in a shelter in place mode.  It's scary. The only people I've seen are my parents since all this started. I probably shouldn't be seeing them either. If either of them were to contract the virus it would likely be deadly. I don't know how long this is likely to last either.                                     

   Credit: Neonnettle.com

While Kentucky seems to have a decent handle on the spread of the virus, we are very much dependent on our neighboring states to do their part. I can't imagine opening up restaurants and shopping centers again if neighboring states are still experiencing outbreaks of Covid. Citizens would simply drive across the border and eat and shop, possibly reintroducing the spread here.  It's a very weird- disconcerting-scary time.



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Italian Military Trucks

March 20, Covid - 19 Pandemic

A week ago our lives were putting along like they usually do each spring. We were on a daily routine - counting down the days until Spring Break. This year we had splurged and purchased plane tickets to fly to Florida to visit my Mother-In-Law rather than drive. Things were moving along smoothly.  Then we started to see the governor do a daily briefing discussing the impact that Covid-19 was having on the state. He gave a daily update on the number of cases, etc.

Next, the president, the governor, and the officials from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control began issuing guidance to not only wash our hands but to keep a "social distance" of at least 6 feet from other people. There was a mad rush on toilet paper and other supplies. There are no Clorox Wipes, disinfecting cleaner, or paper towels to be found.

courtesy of OCregister.com

On Wednesday, March 11, the NCAA announced there would be no spectators for the NCAA tournament this year. This was unheard of and sent shockwaves throughout the US.  The NBA followed suit and ultimately decided to suspend their season indefinitely after two players were diagnosed with the Covid-19 illness. The NCAA followed suit and canceled their tournament as well. This was unheard of in the US. We had heard of the drastic measures being implemented in Italy and the crazy accounts of quarantines and cancellations, but we didn't think it would ever happen here.

On Thursday, March 12, Governor Beshear asked all schools to close for at least two weeks. Our district decided to close for the three weeks prior to Spring Break, plus the break week. We are currently scheduled to go back to school on April 13.

On Friday, March 13, teachers and staff worked to create lessons, communicate expectations with students, and get ready to work from home for the next month.  Surprisingly, the kids were calm and receptive to the changes. He also asked churches to consider cancelling services to protect those most at risk from contracting the virus.

Since then the Centers for Disease Control have recommended no more than 10 people gather at any point in time for up to 8 weeks, the Governors of many states have ordered restaurants to cease indoor dining options and only serve customers via carry-out and drive-thru, and in Kentucky, Salons - Nail Spas- Gyms- and on Friday, Child Care Centers - will be closed. It is eerie and unnerving. No one knows what to expect.  All of these precautions are taking place even though there are only 36 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Kentucky. Those are only the confirmed cases. There are wide-spread reports that medical facilities are ONLY testing those that have ALL the symptoms of the virus and are in a high-risk category. There is a wide-spread belief that there are many more cases walking around out there undiagnosed.

This week I have been checking in with at least one of my classes each day, while I help Emma with her classwork. Andy is now working from home part-time as well, and our dining room table has been converted into a 3 person desk. The only people I've been in physical contact with, besides Andy and Emma, are my Mom and Dad. Mom has been going to the grocery store in the mornings and picking up what we need.

We are trying hard to keep our risk low and prevent the spread of this virus. We have canceled our plane tickets - but are still hopeful we can drive there and see the family. Experts expect the pandemic will peak in the US in about 2 - 4 weeks. I am hopeful that the extreme measures Kentucky is taking will help it peak sooner rather than later.

Images:
https://www.ocregister.com/2020/03/02/costco-crush-water-toilet-paper-dwindle-on-coronavirus-fears/