Everyone is talking about COVID-19, at least where I work. Our global supply chain is interrupted. We’ve stopped all travel, even domestic travel in the US. No one is allowed to shake hands, and there are hand-sanitizer stations every 10 feet.
I don’t really have anything to say that hasn’t already been splashed across the news.
I had a whole post on this, then everything changed.
Yes, we had already made a few changes because of it.
For example, we canceled all our vacation plans as they would’ve taken us to a high-risk area. We are currently trying to figure out what to do on our week of vacation that will be fun but not in large public spaces. My kids like the idea of unlimited video game time. I may not say “no”.
No, a cruise was never in the plans. I can honestly say I had never liked the idea of a cruise ship. Not surprising that I, as an introvert, would not want to be in tight quarters with thousands of people I don’t know. After everything that has happened, I can all but guarantee I will never go on a cruise. Ever.
It’s a scary time, made worse by the misinformation and fear-mongering.
I had taken some other precautions. I bought extra fever reducer and allergy medicine in the event of supply disruption when we would most need them. I picked up an extra jar of peanut butter and some rice and beans. I had planned to keep picking up a little bit more each week on my grocery runs until we have two weeks of non-perishable food on hand in the event of quarantine.
When this is over, we’d just incorporate it into our regular meal rotation if we don’t use it.
I knew others are doing a lot more, but we were trying to be smart without giving into fear. Maybe I was not as terrified as others as I actually have colleagues in China. While not in the Hubei province, they are within a four-hour train ride of the epicenter, and they were on all but lock-down for a month. Yes, it was hard, but they and their families are all okay.
And then everything changed.
Our governor declared a state of emergency. All events with more than a certain number of attendees were canceled.
Our federal government declared an emergency.
Our state further acted on emergency measures and canceled all public and private schools for the next month.
Grocery stores are empty.
My work went from a, “we are not allowing telecommuting” policy to an urgent e-mail over the weekend asking anyone who can telecommute to do so for the next few weeks.
Trying to stick to prepare but not panic mode. Trying to be the rock for my department as I called each of them over the weekend to explain all that was happening, what they needed to do today, and to try to keep them from panicking.
There really is little more I can do. So I’m losing myself in my pretend worlds. Both reading and writing. Playing a bit of Outer Worlds (which is like Fallout is space. Highly recommend it so far).
And reminding myself of the Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times.”
My characters are calling it karma for all I have done to them. But I did give them all a happily-ever-after, so let’s hope it is karma.
Until some kind of official rationing is brought it, food and other essentials will be in short supply pretty much everywhere. Our local supermarkets here have started voluntary rationing, kinda, but the big Coles store is making things worse by forcing people to stand in lines to get 1 large packet of toilet paper. I tried ordering and paying online, but when so much is ‘unavailable’ you literally have to show up in person to see what /is/ available.
I read that in the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, health workers made masks out of 5 layers of gauze. They also discovered that laying patients out in the open, in the sun, made more of them recover than those kept in close confinement in a stuffy ward. The sun is vitamin D, so even in isolation we should get some.
Stay healthy. -hugs-
We’ve been taking a 30 minute walk outside each day. Not by other people and easy to maintain the 6ft distance.
We were able to get supplies. It meant going to the small store near us for essentials. but they had everything we needed. No, they didn’t have paper towels, but we’ve been using rags in the basement to save on the ones we have for really gross things.
Finally got our “regular” weekly order, and it had most of the stuff we’d ordered. We’re saving cleaning supplies for in someone get the virus, and I have a whole bottle of bleach. Mixing that with water the CDC says is highly effective.
We’re fortunate. It’s just a big adjustment for everyone.
That’s excellent. I’m so glad you’re pretty much set for the duration. The Offspring and I go out into the garden for our dose of vitamin D and fresh air and exercise. Pantry is okay, but on going food supplies haven’t really been sorted out yet. Next couple of weeks are going to be critical.
Was just thinking about kids and how to keep them ‘usefully’ entertained. How about starting a story telling blog tour for kids? Start with a ‘seed’ story idea and then every day, the next part of the story is ‘told’ at another blog.
The story will be mad, bad and hilarious, but the older kids can help the younger ones and it will give them something to look forward to besides games.
If you know other parents of young children you could start the ball rolling with them. 🙂
It’s going to be a long siege, and the kids will appreciate the structure in their day.
Apologies for all the suggestions; once a teach always a teacher.
May you not have to live in interesting times for too long. And get lots of words written.
Thank you!
And yes, I would love to say I have gotten more words written than I have. Having my job in my living room is not easy…I need to learn distance on that, too.