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/