Virtual Birthday Party

Yesterday was dad's 76th Birthday, and due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we had to celebrate in a different way - virtually.  We ended up with a video call using Facebook Messenger.  It was good to see everyone and celebrate.  Who would have ever imagined that this 'social distancing' would be the new normal.

Strange Days

Strange days indeed.  Haven't been keeping up on our daily items since the COVID-19 shelter in place happened as I had hoped.  

The President gave updated guidance that we should expect to be at home until April 30th.  I wasn't suprised at that recommendation, and had told my work team as much.  The media is trying to make hay out of the President's Easter hope - they are always looking for a way to put a negative spin on everything.  It makes me wonder if they have forgotten what country they are from.

This is now week two working remote - thankful that we still have jobs.  Have been hearing antecdotal reports of others who have lost their jobs.  These are truly unprecedented times.  It will get worse before it gets better.  Every company will have to restate their projections - and you can kiss the 2nd Quarter of this year goodbye.

Today happens to be dad's birthday - we are going to try to do a Zoom call.  This will be the second birthday in the family since this all began.  Seems weird to not be able to get together, go out for dinner, etc. 

Locally, the virus has low numbers here - but social media is full of stories of other suspected cases.  There is a lot of fear out there.  Best to stay away from the media or you will be depressed.

Trying to make sure that when I'm working remote that I remember to take a lunch, stretch my legs and not be "on the job" all the time.  In many ways I'm more productive from home, but it also makes it hard to shut off.

Social media is full of friends and associates that know someone who has been affected by the virus - I hope the measures that have been put in place reduce the projected number of fatalities.

New Normal : Sheltering in Place

Sheltering in place is the new normal in Indiana after the Governor ordered things to effectively shut down Tuesday at midnight.  It took Indiana longer than its neighbors to make that call in an attempting to "flatten the curve" of the COVID-19 spread.

A death from the virus hit close to home - the husband of Eileen's cousin passed away in Kokomo from complications of the virus.  He did have underlying health conditions.

Checking in with family via FaceTime and regular phone calls may become the new normal.  The President would like to see the economy back on track by Easter, but that is being too optimistic.  I feel we are looking at months of this "sheltering in place".

Town council canceled the meeting that was scheduled for this week.  In all my years on the council, I don't recall ever having one canceled.

Work still goes on remote for both Eileen and I, and we are adjusting.  I have had meeting after meeting, so have to keep my door shut so as not to disturb her with my loud videoconferences.  My team seems to be doing ok, we are doing daily check-ins on health.  So far, every one in the family seems to be ok, though we've all had a few scares.  This is also allergy season and any sinus problem makes you wonder if you have the virus.  I'm convinced that by now, we've all been exposed.

For the most part, there has been little change in our routines, other than working from home.  The struggle to find groceries is still real.  Stores seem to be stocked only to be stripped again by throngs of people.  We've had to use alternative sources for eggs and relying on non-traditional places to get meat.

Being a homebody in a rural area isn't so bad after all.

Changing Situations

So our personal situation has changed since the last post about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our lives.  Apologies to my descendants that I'm not doing well documenting everything in real time.

Thursday at work had several meetings to discuss allowing us to work remote.  While they had been letting people with special circumstances request the ability to work remote, the teams were unified that if everyone didn't have the option, they didn't want to be singled out and request it.  Then it came to light that one of my employees was exposed to someone who was exhibiting some symptoms and a second person in my immediate area also was home exhibiting some symptoms.  Nothing confirmed - it might just have been the regular flu, but out of abundance of caution, they allowed us to make the choice to work remote.

My entire team did so and worked remote starting on Friday.  That day was packed with meetings and emails as we kept hearing about state after state being on lockdown.  This will be affecting our customers and of course, cash flow.  How we manage through this will be critical.  Being in credit & collections and trying to make sure companies pay you is hard enough when the world isn't on fire.

Additionally, Eileen's work has suspended basic operations for the next month except for key individuals.  She has been designated one, so keeps working for now.  Fortunately, we've been eliminating debt in the past few years, so financially we should be all right - but a lot of people won't.  There is a government stimulus check coming, but it might be too late.

Social media is full of panic - from stories about martial law to empty grocery shelves.  People are starting to share stories of how it is hitting home because they know someone who has died from this.   Grocery store shelves are empty and you cannot request online pickup dates or order items from Amazon as they are marking things out of stock.

I'm checking in more with family via FaceTime.  We did go out yesterday to try to find some meat - went to the Amish market and was able to get some things.  Yeast is another items that is running low - too many people making their own bread now, apparently.

Today is a new day, and I wonder what new craziness awaits us.

Living Through Historic Times

The entire world seems upside down right now and we are definitely living in some interesting times.  The COVID-19 virus is beginning to spread in the U.S. and it seems all consuming in the news. All of the genealogy groups are reminding people to write about what is happening in their lives to document for future generations.  

What this reminds me of is the turmoil of what happened after the 9/11 attacks, except for the closures.  In 2001, they told you to keep doing your normal routine - shop, eat, etc. - don' t let the terrorists win.  In 2020, the enemy is an unseen virus and the economy is shutting down as businesses are beginning to be ordered shut down.

Back in 2001, I didn't write anything down for future generations - and to date, I've been lax about telling what has been going on here.

The grandkids' school is out and may be done for the year.  Both Eileen & I have been working - and worrying about who has brought the exposure into our workplace.  Her work has implemented some flex schedules for her.  My workplace has not allowed us to work remote, even though we have the ability to do so.  Frustration and confusion with that situation continues.

Social media is full of stories of folks whose work has either been closed, having them work remote or they are being self-quarantined.  Saw a Facebook post yesterday of a distant cousin which stated they were sick and described their conditions.  That made me realize we are going to watch this unfold in real time on Facebook, Twitter, etc. as it spreads.

Fortunately, Indiana hasn't had it as bad yet - but it will come.  Watching the COVID-19 Task Force urge people to stay home and then seeing reports of young people (even in my family) take trips and act like it is not going to be a big deal makes me want to shake my head.

Early in our marriage, Eileen & I were visiting a cemetery where some of her family is buried and we noticed all of the people who died around the 1918-19 time period.  She wondered what was going on during that time, and we talked about the Spanish Flu epidemic.  I fear we are getting ready to see a repeat of that situation here soon.

The panic buying of items such as toilet paper has put a strain on supply for the grocery stores.  We have tried to find alternative arrangements as the normal pickup at WalMart locally is unavailable.  We are not suffering any shortages at home.  I feel I peaked too early a few years ago with all of my canning.  Back then, I looked like a prepper - those who stocked up then are looking right now.

Saw a news article warning people not to pull money out of the bank and wondered why they are trying to warn us not to?  Obviously, they are afraid of a run on the banks.  Glad our financial situation has been good and our elimination of debt through the years will reap reward.

At work I'm dealing with trying to manage a team of people who have high anxiety over the situation.  Every news report brings another round of fear.  The governor called out the National Guard, closed restaurants to dine in customers, etc.  The havoc this is beginning to cause to the economy will be brutal.

The younger folks weren't adults during 9/11 and don't have any idea how quickly life as we know it in this country can change in an instant.