1. It’s been another week. Share an update about how your city/state is reacting to the Coronavirus.
I wrote about the impact the Coronavirus has had on our community here in Washington State and some of the fears I had about what might happen next. I did not intend on writing about this again, but I can’t escape the topic. It is everywhere. I removed Facebook from my phone because I found myself constantly logging in to see how people were doing and if anything new had been reported. I am a pretty even keel human and can typically keep myself from panicking, but with the constant flood of information (some misinformation) I did start to freak myself out.
My mom called to talk me down when in a text I was like, “NOBODY IS SAFE, SAVE YOURSELVES!!” She was all, “Listen, just relax. Stop watching the news. You’ve done everything you can to keep your family safe. Go for a walk, soak in some Vitamin D and enjoy your children.” Moms have a way of just knowing the right thing to say. Which is why I can’t lose her to the Coronavirus. Our matriarch must be protected at all costs!
Last week when I wrote about the virus the kids were still in school, but they canceled school the next day and the kids are officially out until April 24th. There is talk that this will be extended to summer and that the kids will not go back. I hope that is not the case because it would be a shame to end a year of school so abruptly (especially for the seniors who have worked hard for three years to get to this point).
Since my kids are all teens, they just log in to their Google classrooms and complete any work their teachers have assigned. I don’t have to actually homeschool them at all…a blessing for all of us. They can also swing by the school and receive breakfast and lunch Monday – Friday. It is passed through the window of your car and you move along your quarantined way.
Local restaurants and bars are no longer permitted to seat guests. You can order take out, but cannot go in. All major theme parks, community centers, and museums have been closed. Concerts have been canceled, flights have been canceled, appointments have been canceled. God knows, my hair will be full silver by the time this over without access to my hairstylist.
I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s unnerving and scary and unchartered and…I think I need another walk and some Vitamin D.
Abby says
Hang in there, Kat! Tthe toughest part is all the uncertainty, having never dealt with this before. Strange how some of the calmest people are the elderly who are most at risk. Wise mom you have.
madamdreamweaver says
Dressing like Mad Max movie was my favorite. Gave me chuckle.
Astrid says
Those were some wise words your mother said. I really hope you’ll keep her with you for a long time still to come. So glad you can still go for a walk. I’ve heard in some countries, it is prohibited to go outside unnecessarily Now.
Schools are out here until April 6 at least, but this may be extended too. I really hope the final exams for high school graduates will still go on in early May, as indeed it’d be sad if they don’t.
Patty says
Living less than two hours from Manhattan, a slow, steady, increase in COVID-19 cases are happening here where I live and, in counties further North, each day brings a scary update in numbers. It was inevitable and, for the most part, people are doing their best. So far.
New York’s governor issued a mandate last week, closing down all “non-essential” businesses, hair salons on that list. My job on that list. That’s okay, for now. I can cope, but a lot of salon clients…can’t! The phone calls asking, pleading, complaining….holy hair spray, Batman! I mean, really. How do people not understand the seriousness of this virus situation? Worse yet, how do some not grasp the fact that both salons and stylists can lose their licenses and suffer significant fines…just for “sneaking” someone in to get their hair done?
And, some stylists, in order to keep clients, will go to their home to provide hair services. Commendable, in some ways, dangerous in other ways. Anyone can be an unsuspecting carrier of Coronavirus and, too easily, pass it along, and along, and along.
Frankly, this almost makes me ashamed of my industry and so many of the self-absorbed clients who come through some salon doors.
I’m grateful that supermarkets are open and doing their best to stock everything and implement safe practices for everyone. I’m thankful that restaurants can try to survive by offering take-out for customers.
I want people to be safe, slow the spread and flatten the curve of this virus.