So Now What...

Now that we are officially a shelter in place, social distancing nation, what are we doing to cope.

First off, my oldest son who lost both his jobs when restaurants were closed here in Minnesota, has been called back to work three days a week.  It seems the carry-out business at the bar & grill is booming.  He was pleased, as three days a week are far better than no days a week!

I talked with my oldest daughter over the weekend.  She is working from home. Her son is home from college and will be taking his classes online.  I am relieved he is home rather than still at school.  They have a table set up with a huge jigsaw puzzle on it.  My family for the most part are avid readers, so books play an important part in passing the time.  Jill said if I need anything, she will get it for me and leave it outside my aprtment door.  She is taking this virus thing seriously.

My youngest granddaughters, both teens, called me.  Both will be happy when they are no longer under "house arrest."  Being teens, they miss spending time with their friends, but are able to stay in touch via phone and computer.  Apparently their Dad is keeping them busy with some household chores and they are seriously considering shredding his 'To Do' list.  :)

My youngest daughter is in Montana where her boyfriend is doing some construction work.  They are just fine, but I hope they are able to get back home to Minnesota fairly soon.  I have heard rumors of travel bans between states.  I hope that is just rumor, but those two are well equiped to cope with whatever comes their way and for that, I am grateful.

Me...aside from limiting access by others to my apartment, life continues as it has the past couple of years when I have been mostly housebound.  I have decided to put a hold on canning and dehydrating for a time.  I don't want to be one of those people who selfishly clears a store shelf, leaving nothing for others.  I had become lazy about baking bread but the baking will commence this week.  The bread on the store shelves can be used by those who don't know how or can't, for one reason or another, bake their own bread.  I am keeping my grocery order as close as possible to the items on sale, with only minimum amounts of staples like milk and eggs.  Luckily, I have enough food stored that if I am unable to get groceries, we will be just fine for a long time.

I find that although I am a bit of a news junkie, I am in danger of being overwhelmed by the virus news everywhere, all the time.  So I read enough to keep myself informed, but then move on to other things.

I do think there are some positive effects of this shelter in place thing.  Families are spending time with each other rather than everybody going off in oppposite directions.  Meals together as a family that had nearly become a thing of the past, are now happening.  I wonder if some will find the benefits of online classes outweigh the costs of physically attending a university.  Homeschooling of younger kids might see an upturn.

In my travels through cyberspace, I have noticed that there are those who thought preparedness was something to laugh at, have now had a 'come to Jesus' moment when they were caught without enough food or water.  Granted, grocery stores are still open, but there are shortages on all levels and no guarsntees that supplies will reach their intended destinations.  And those who relied on restaurants for most of their meals are finding life has changed considerably for them.

My street is still very quiet.  There are only two cars parked on a street that is usually full.  At the construction site across the street, I saw one construction worker walking about.  All the cranes and other equipment are parked in a row.  Even the kids on skateboards have vanished.

That being said, we will get through this.  We are Americans and Americans are some of the most resiliant, determined and resourceful people on the planet.  We didn't forge this nation of ours by curling up in a corner and sucking our thumbs when things got bad.  We met each crisis head on and we will do so again.

One thing that gives me hope is how some are reaching out to help those who are the most vulnerable.  My grocery service that is run by volunteers, will continue to see to it that their clients get what they need to stay healthy and survive.  I have heard of individuals who are quietly and without fanfare, preparing and delivering meals to neighbors who need help.  Others are volunteering their services to pick up much needed medicines at pharmacies and deliver them to those who need them.

We can do this.  We are all in this together.  God bless.