An Overdue Covid-19 Update

 January 15, 2021

Here are some words from Heather Cox Richardson:

"The pandemic has reached appalling levels, with well over 3000 deaths and more than 200,000 infections every day. Almost 390,000 of us have died of Covid-19 to date, and a far more contagious version of the disease is spreading."

It's been almost a year. I feel like we're further from the solution than we've ever been. Vaccinations has started but are behind schedules promised. And we've learned that there's been no coordination by the federal government. President Trump and his administration have stopped governing. All he's doing is waging a war against democracy with outrageous lies and disinformation. And people are paying with their lives. 

It's beyond disgusting. 

Covid 19, Day **

May 13, 2020

Our city has told us we can gather in small groups of no more than 10 but must keep 6 ft apart. Some people are doing more; some people are doing less. Most people still think wearing a mask means you're afraid for your own health. We cannot seem to understand that wearing masks is what you do to make ALL of us safe. We do it for others, to prevent the spread. Because we could be the infected ones who have no symptoms. Testing is very hard to get. Test results take a long time, and are spotty and unreliable

And in "Midwest nice" we don't speak out when others violate the rules. When they step too close, hand us their baby to hold, or wear their mask wrong (if they have one at all). We have 40, 50, 60 years of behavioral conditioning that mandates us to "be nice, don't offend." So we say nothing. Do nothing.

Covid-19, Day 40

Sunday, April 19, 2020

It was a lazy Sunday but with some productivity. I did laundry and fixed the washing machine. Ed fiddled with his bees. The boys stayed on screens, though Gill did have a violin lesson and a brief in person visit with Dylan who rode by the house on  his bicycle with his dad. We had a backyard / driveway fire pit evening with the Johnsons, complete with smores.

Ed made bread. We all took a turn at Beat Saber on the VR system. I've been reading Ann Patchet's The Dutch House and am engrossed.

In the news:

• 2,297,712 cases worldwide, 158,202 deaths
• 764,177 cases in the U.S., 40,591 deaths
• 5,667 cases in Missouri, 171 deaths, 55,837 people tested

Covid-19, Day 36: Tax Day (not)

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

We did not file taxes today. There was an extension because of the pandemic. 

Ed's homemade bread with mom's homemade figs. 

Karla's Drunkard's Path quilt with clean to-be-folded clothes

In the news:

• President Trump halted U.S funding for the World Health Organization because he apparently believes that it mis-managed the corona virus. 
• The Florida governor declared professional wrestling as an essential business which allows contact.
• Barack Obama endorsed Joe Biden for president. 
• The University of Missouri System (4 universities, including the one I work for) must cut $180M in the next 60-90 days. Furloughs and layoffs are coming. 

Covid-19, Day 28: 3-hr WebEx Meetings

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

I'm sitting at my desk on a 3-hour interactive presentation (i.e. I have to pay attention) on data analytics. And my view from my desk is the street. And the weather is gorgeous, sunny and 80. And I keep watching people walking their dogs, riding bikes with their kids, and strolling with their spouse. It's miserable. But I did eventually get outside to take a look at these pretty gals.

More photos of my free, surprise tulips

And I had a great lunch break.

Leftover chicken and sausage gumbo with potato salad

When I finally broke free of work for the day, Ed and I went for a walk. As we typically do, we hunted pokemon.

An Apom photobombed my Raquaza

As we walked through the neighborhood, I noticed, with pleasure, the quiet. Few cars, no loud music, no sirens. All of the houses were lit from inside. As we headed back home, we stopped to look at the moon. A couple were outside their home, also looking. They were friendly, and chatted with us. I find that people are more aware of each other these days. 

Full Pink Moon - brightest supermoon of the year

In the news:

• 3,307 cases in Missouri, 53 deaths, 31,654 tested
• 219 in Kansas City, 1,203 in St. Louis
•  900 cases in Kansas, 27 deaths, 223 hospitalized
• 422 in Kansas side of the KC metro
• 16,284 cases in Louisiana, 582 deaths, 1,996 hospitalized

Covid-19, Day 27: Just another manic Monday

Monday, April 6, 2020

Worked until 6:30 (7 for Ed) then pulled the Easter decorations down from the attic. We have a ton of plastic eggs, and I spent about 2 hours placing fine wires through the holes at the top so that we can decorate the trees outside.

Eggs in a basket, ready to be hung in the trees

I also bedazzled our front door with some paper hearts that I cut out from a red folder. The flowers and birds nest are holdovers from last year. We have two real bird nests on the drain pipes on the north and west side of our house. I can see the mother bird sitting in the north-facing nest. Years ago when I was pregnant with Jonas, they nested in the same place. We can see them from our bathroom window. It was affirming to see new life at that personally significant moment. 

Front door is all flowers and hearts - do boys live here?

The boys attended online classes in the morning. They generally stay at their computers when they're done, so all 3 (Ed, Gill, and Jonas) are on the side-porch office for most of the day. It's a bright, cheery room with plenty of desk space to spread out. They each have their own chair and their own mess. As much as I fight against it, they bring food in there. I'm trying to teach them to sit at the table or bar when eating, away from screens. I want them to eat mindfully, and not get in the habit of stuffing food in their mouths, barely noticing what and how much they are eating. Also, we have ants in that room.

Apparently, another problem with bringing food in that room pertains to how loud the food might be. Hence the Dorito problem referenced in Ed's tweet below.

In the news:

• 1,347,892 cases worldwide, 74,808 deaths, 284,802 recovered
• 368,196 in the US, 136,675 in Spain (2nd)
• 16,523 in Italy, 13,341 in Spain (2nd)
• 2,722 cases in Missouri, 39 deaths, 31,654 tested
• 845 cases in Kansas, 25 deaths, 198 hospitalized
• 14,867 cases in Louisiana, 512 deaths, 1809 hospitalized
• 70% of those who died are African American; they make up 32% of the population
• Dow Jones closed at 22,656

Covid-19, Day 25:

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Today was house-cleaning day. Our target...bathrooms. We have four, so Ed + Gill took two and Jonas + me took the other two. Gill said it was much easier than emptying the dish washer, which is shocking. I disagree as I despise cleaning bathrooms.

After cleaning, I made a gumbo, from scratch.

Homemade roux

It was chilly outside, but we sat down on the patio to play Throw Throw Burrito which is a strange combination of card game + hot potato. It was hilarious and fun. Everyone but Ed achieved the Fear Me badge status. And yes, Jonas was wearing his onesie pajamas. He has 4 pair, and rotates one per day. He is not the least bit concerned about being outside in such attire.

Jonas was the 1st to win the Fear Me badge

I was the 2nd to win the Fear Me badge

Gill was the 3rd to win the Fear Me badge

We ate dinner (gumbo) together. Gill likes the rice and gumbo juice, but no meat. Jonas only likes the rice. He sometimes puts cheese on the rice. We had potato salad, which the boys declined to try, and french bread, of which they eat their weight on regular occasions.

Today, I continued to enjoy the flowers in our front yard. This one makes me think of my dad as he loved the color yellow.

Yellow tulip at sunset

In the news:

• 1,203,099 cases worldwide, 64,774 deaths, 246,893 recovered
• In first place: 312,146 cases in the U.S., 15,362 deaths in Italy
• 2,291 cases in Missouri, 24 deaths, 27,193 tested
• 698 cases in Kansas, 21 deaths, 172 hospitalized
• 12,496 cases in Louisiana, 409 deaths, 1726 hospitalized

Covid-19, Day 29: BBQ & Bagpipes

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Not much happened today. Work for the adults, school and video games for the kids. We did have a break at 5:30 when John Toddle came by to play the bagpipes. We rustled up an audience of about 40 people, and he asked for a whiskey so I obliged. I am my father's daughter after all. (Kids - your grandfather like his whiskey with a little ice, and had his own still). 

I usually put Easter stuff in this basket; instead,
it is full of provisions, right next to the front door.

Desi made Ed a mask with nuts and bolts.

Gill likes his LSU mask from Aunt Desi

It fits me too!

Covid-19, Day 26: No hike Sunday

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Ed went for a walk this morning, and the boys slept in so the house was uncharacteristically quiet. I slept until 10:20, awakened by Ed's loud voice; he was greeting the boys. I cannot remember when that last happened, and it was GLORIOUS.

I had grand ambitions to go on a hike with the family today. But we could not convince Gill to leave the house. So none of us went anywhere. It was very frustrating. At least Gill moved around a bit while playing VR.

Gill playing Beat Saber, a VR game we all love

Ed spent much of the day working on a concept he has for storing energy. He is quite excited about it. It would be a gamechanger in the energy industry. 

There is no news today because I didn't check it.

Add caption

Covid-19, Day 24: TGIF

Friday, April 3, 2020

It was another day of working hard. I was at my computer or on the phone all day. Though I felt satisfaction at being so productive, I felt guilt about ignoring my kids. Being home with the kids has been a joy. Being home with the kids and having to work is not a joy.

I read something today that really resonated: "We are not working from home; we are home, coping with the stress of a pandemic + raising/educating kids, trying to work."

The weather was bitterly cold outside today, and drizzling. There is ice on the plants and the temperature is 32 but feels like 23.

Mom's car needed new brake pads so I took it to our local garage. It seemed like I was their only customer today. I wore a mask and disinfected my car. Wearing a mask makes me feel like a freak. Our culture norms do not reinforce wearing masks. It will be interesting to see how that shifts.

Started the evening with drinks and a fire, and then watched the Disney movie, Onward, with Gill and Ed. It's a lovely film about 2 brothers who lost their father and try to work magic to bring him back for a day. It made me miss my mom.

 

An Old Fashioned and a warm fire

In the news:

• 1,097,909 cases worldwide, 59,131 deaths, 225,942 recovered
• 2113 cases in Missouri, 19 deaths, 24,727 tested
• 620 cases in Kansas, 17 deaths, 151 hospitalizations

Covid-19, Day 23: Just another Thursday

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Started the day by sweeping out the garage where the Corvair sat for a year. It was filthy. I put the Corvair back in the garage as rain was expected. This time, I was smart enough to keep the cover on to protect the car. Then I grabbed a cup of coffee and got to work. I took a break for breakfast at 10:30, checking on the kids briefly in between. Then I broke for lunch at 2:30. Back from 3-6pm.

I was totally negligent with the kids. They were truly free range today. Sadly, I don't think any of us left the house today. Ed probably walked to the raised beds to check on his garden. And I swept the garage. But that was it. The kids are totally content to stay inside. In fact, it's very difficult to get Gill to leave, for any reason.

No photos today.

In the news:

• 1,013,157 cases worldwide, 52,938 deaths, 210,263 recovered
• 243,453 in the U.S.; 115,242 in Italy (2nd place)
• 1,834 cases in Missouri, 19 deaths, 21,191 tested
• 552 cases in Kansas, 13 deaths
• Dow Jones closes at 20,943

Covid-19, Day 21: Neighbors being neighborly

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Gill needed rosin for his violin. We could have ordered it from Amazon. Instead, we asked Adam, our neighbor and Gill's violin teacher.

The weather has been so nice; I'm eager to plant something. Our longtime neighbor, Phyllis, offered up some tiger lillies recently dug up from her yard.

Both gifts involved emails and no contact. Items were left on the stoop or side of the house. Friendly, but lonely.

Ed and I worked hard today, and the kids attended their online classes. Things went a bit more smoothly for Gill though we are still working out kinks.

Gill at his new desk (my old spot) using the Chromebook
and his gaming headset which glows green

In the news:

• 857,957 cases worldwide, 42,139 deaths, 178,091 recoveries
• 12,428 deaths in Italy, 8464 in Spain, 3,532 in France
• 1,327 cases in Missouri, 14 deaths, 15,645 tested
• 368 cases in Kansas, 8 deaths
• 5,237 cases in Louisiana, 239 deaths, 1,355 in hospital
• Dow Jones closes at 21,914

I read the Times Picayune to stay in touch with what's going on in Louisiana. It's very dismal there so I was happy to see this. 

This is how you Covid in NOLA - bikes and violins

Covid-19, Day 20

Monday, March 30, 2020

Gills first day of school. Similar to Jonas' experience last week. Confusion, mayhem, chaos. Hoping tomorrow is better. Ramping Gill up is way more time consuming and hands on than it was in Jonas, who is 2 years his senior after all.

Ed had a 4 hour conference call followed by an hour and a half conference call. I had a few phone conversations and a lot of desk work. The kids would not join us on our walk, which we took at 4:30. Ed and I hunted Pokemon and took photos for this weekend's photo scavenger hunt challenge.

About 6 years ago, Ed planted and espaliered 3 pear trees on the west side of our house. He manually pollinates them, and this year, for the very first time, he got a bloom!

I went out to the grocery for a few more supplies, many cool ranch doritos which I've been craving, and Fresca, which I REALLY crave.

Ed made steaks for dinner and we added special intentions to our grace.

In the news:

• 784,716 cases worldwide, 37,639 deaths, 165,370 recovered
• 1031 cases in Missouri, 13 deaths, 15,645 tested
• 368 cases in Kansas, 8 deaths
• 4,025 cases in Louisiana, 185 deaths, 1,158 hospitalized
• 163,807 cases in the US, 3,008 deaths
• Trump extends social distance guidelines through 4/30
• Dr. Fauci (NIH Director) warned that we could see millions infected with 100,000+ deaths
• FDA approves a 5-minute COVID19 test
• Coronavirus can travel from bats to human lungs
• Moscow in Russia is now practicing social distancing
• Dow Jones closed at 22,333

covid-19, Day 19

Sunday, March 29, 2020

I started this day by watching CBS Sunday morning and thinking of my mom. In far-away Atlanta, Desi does the same, and we text. 

Gill's friend, Declan came over for a walk around the neighborhood with Gill. I had them both wash their hands and sent them off with things to occupy their hands so that they would not touch. They had pocket Purell and wipes and headed out to collect photos for a virtual scavenger hunt. When they returned, they washed their hands and stayed outside. I hate it, but I think these visits will have to end. 

Declan and Gill go hunting / walking with staffs

Gill finds a clue: the shortcut

10:30 a.m. brought another round of Coffee Girls, and online girl group of friends. Ed went to the grocery store and it took an extra 20 minutes to disinfect everything he brought home. 

Jonas, Gill and I spent some time outside raking the last of the leaves and picking up the last of the gumballs. I vacuumed both cars and did more laundry. We moved a piece of furniture up 2 flights of stairs to Gill's room, another sure-to-fail effort at helping him keep his room clean. 

Gill starts school tomorrow; I know he really would prefer to go in person. He really misses people. 

I worked a bit tonight to make up for some distracted work last Thursday. As the sun was setting, I found this in Gill's room:

Door knob beauty

In the news;

• 721,817 cases worldwide, 33,968 deaths, 151, 204 recoveries
• 142,328 cases in the United States, 44k more than Italy (2nd)
• 903 cases in Missouri, 12 deaths
• 319 cases in Kansas, 6 deaths

Covid-19, Day 18

Saturday, March 28, 2020

So, this is how my day started:

Crepe (gouda cheese, brussel sprouts, eggs) made by Chef Ed

The weather was beautiful today with a high of 72 and wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour. Yep. That's right. So the sun lured people out, but the wind made things difficult.

I was working on the blog today at the bar in the kitchen. Jonas noticed and asked me what I was doing. When I explained that the blog goes all the way back to his birth, he was very intrigued and read several early entries. He was embarrassed by the stories about poop and nursing.

Jonas reading this blog; had to sneak the
picture as he did not want me to take it. 

We went to Shawnee Mission Park today, and it was busy. Things I learned at SM Park:

1. We don't really know how to social distance yet
2. Especially with dogs and bikes
3. Cyclists do not know to announce themselves on busy trails when passing
4. People in Johnson County are very white
5. SM Park has a beach

Gill posing with the Blue Gill;
that's the wind giving his hair such height!

Jonas loving the wind on Shawnee Mission Lake

A highlight of our visit was getting to walk the trail with Aimee and Amelia, though conversation was difficult. See wind, physical distancing, dogs, and bicycles above.

Came home and worked on bee hives (Ed), laundry (Shelly), picking up the many sticks dropped by the river birch (all but Gill), unloading dishwasher (Gill and Jonas), loading dishwasher (Ed), planting flowers (me), changing bed sheets (me).

I took Jonas to Swope Park so that he could fly a kite with Emmett. They did not do a great job of PD (physical distancing). *sigh* It's probably too much to ask. I did make him use hand sanitizer and wash hands before and after.

Things I learned at Swope Park:

1. Social distancing is lot easier with wide open spaces
2. It's a great day to fly a kite

Can you see the kite?

In the news:

• 662.073 cases worldwide, 30,780 deaths, 139,426 recovered
• 838 cases in Missouri, 10 deaths, patients tested 12,385
• 261 cases in Kansas, 5 deaths

Covid-19, Day 17

Friday, March 27, 2020

I did not blog "same day" so forgive me for the lack of "news" and brevity.

Work in the morning, then a family walk after lunch. We walked in our neighborhood and hunted Pokemon. We found the abominable snowman along with some new Pokemon.

Gill poses under the trolley trail bridge

Family Pic with neighborhood Covid Snowman

Ed and I worked until close to 6 and then I made myself a snack on the patio, then cooked fish for Ed. I can't remember what the kids ate. They never eat what we eat and it is beginning to drive me nuts.  It was the first night in a while that we didn't eat dinner together. 

Chips, guac, and a margarita

Later in the evening, we spoke with Eli who was visiting Dexter. I was saddened to learn that Jennifer, Eli's mom, did not want to let Eli visit his father (per court-ordered visitation) because of the virus. But Dexter has been very careful with cleaning and has been staying home, except to work but only 3 days per week. So he persisted and she gave in, which relieved us all.

Gill (upper left) and Eli visit via Facebook

Gill plays the violin for Eli and Uncle Dexter; 

Dex played the fiddle for us. 

In the news:

• Dow Jones closes at 21,363
• The United States now has more Covid-19 than any other country in the world
• I took a break from reading the news today