Today is Tuesday, April 28, 2020.
- In Virginia, we are on day 42 of social isolation/quarantine. In the US alone, there are just under 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases with 55,000+ deaths as of this morning.
- Schools have been closed here since March 17th and we are teaching remotely, “Distance Learning.” Schools will not reopen for the 2019-2020 school year.
- Only “essential” retail stores are open such as grocery stores, hardware stores, and pharmacies. Amazon delivery windows average 3 - 4 weeks on certain items, when they used to be max, 2 days. No gyms are open, and it’s almost impossible to find weights, exercise equipment, bikes, etc.
- All extra curricular/volunteer/business meeting and other gatherings are now on virtual meeting platforms i.e.(Google Meet, Zoom, House Party, Go to Meeting, Whatsap, Webex, Google Duo) the list goes on. Hang in there, life will continue and eventually, all together, we will get to a new normal!
- There are lines / tape inside the stores on the floors to keep people 6 feet apart.
- Bars and restaurants are open only for takeout, home delivery & drive through.
- Playgrounds and sports fields are closed. Most beaches, parks and cemeteries are closed to the public. No visitors are allowed in hospitals.
- All major and minor league sports competitions have been canceled as well as kids' sports. The NFL draft was done virtually this week. It was special.
- American Idol was done virtually this week.
- All festivals and entertainment events have been banned.
- Weddings, family celebrations, and graduations have been canceled. Funerals limited to 10 people graveside.
- People are doing drive-by parades to celebrate birthdays.
- Young kids can’t understand why they can only see grandparents & other extended family and friends on a screen or thru a window if someone visits in person or on Facetime online.
- Visitors are prohibited at nursing homes and assisted living residences. But Hot Spots are popping up all over in these places.
- Hugs and kisses are not exchanged.
- Places of worship are closed or online.
- We have to stay away from each other more than six feet.
- Shortage of disposable masks and gloves in hospitals.
- People are wearing masks, some places REQUIRE that you wear them to enter! People are even sewing their own cloth masks for sale or donation to medical facilities. Illinois announced that as of May 1st, face coverings are required in public over the age of 2 where social distancing cannot be maintained.
- Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bleach, antibacterial wipes, and anything Lysol or Clorox is in short supply and limited per person.... IF you can even find them! (This goes the same for flour and yeast).
- Stores are closing early to disinfect everything. (24 hour stores are even closing by 8 or 9pm)
- Store check outs, pharmacies, and even fast food drive thru windows have added plexiglass between the employee and the customer. Have to reach around or under to pay!
- You can't find isopropyl alcohol easily. .. the supply per person is limited.
- Australia, USA, Canada, and Europe have closed their borders.
- Western Australia has been divided into 9 territories & an instant $1,500 fine issued for crossing the border without a valid reason. (Transport workers, Essential services etc)
- No one is traveling for leisure. Airports empty. Tourism has the worst crisis in history.
- Wi-Fi and cell phone providers have extended their limits to provide connection to the Internet for people to continue to work from home and for students to learn from their teachers.
- Many public pool access, concerts, and summer activities will not be allowed/take place.
- We don't know if baseball seasons will start, hockey season will continue/end, or any summer camps, etc. will run. Lots of teen/college summer jobs are up in the air.
- Colleges have not made definite decisions about whether to take their classes online, in person, or open at all for the fall.
- K-12 has ended their in-person school year and plans to open for the fall have so many unknowns, social distancing, new guidelines for keeping everyone safe. How will it be scheduled? Can sports and activities continue as they have?
- Society appears to be divided about whether or not we should continue to isolate or open back up and get the economy going. It's an election year and politics are messy and complicating this issue.
Why do I post this?
Next year & then every year after, this status will appear in my Facebook memories feed. And it will be an annual reminder that life is precious & that nothing should be taken for granted. We are where we are with what we have. Let's be grateful.
