ELSIE DASHANNON LOVIN
May 04th, 20205/4/2020 Monday March 30- Last week President said he was going to relax measures and then yesterday he looked at the data and extended it until April 30. Cases are supposed to peak on April 15- 2200 will die, 250,000 hospitalized out of 330 million people. No vaccine. Hopefully by the end of 2020.
Stay Home. Flatten the Curve. The first documented person to die of Covid in the US was on February 29. As of March 31, 2020 3500 people have died of Covid in the US. As of April 1, 2020 the projected number who will die of Covid is at 100,000. New York and New Jersey is hit hard. CDC says to only wear face masks if you have the virus or symptoms. Supplies are limited. Social distancing = physical distancing but not social distancing. Come together and think of the greater good. When we don't trust the government or the media we think hunker down and worry about yourself. Flatten the Curve, Stay at Home Tuesday April 28- 1 million cases of Covid 19. National Social Distancing measures expire on the last day of April. May 2, 2020 Hair salons in Georgia opened. Florida- wedding, event planning, all cancelled Contact tracers funerals deaths Masks, data3/25/2020 Last weekend I think people started sharing sewing patterns for homemade face-masks for the public and for health care workers. They aren’t FDA approved but they are better than nothing and right now there is a huge shortage of Personal Protective Devices.
Verizon offers extra data through the isolation days. I had another chiropractor apt today and it provided some more relief. I’m still unable to move around without shooting pain. Still haven’t heard back from the MRI. I worked on my laptop today and tried to get caught up on paperwork for work. I’ve started to think about how quickly things changed. Looking back at normal things and thinking when was the last time I saw people going through a normal work day, the last time I sang mindlessly in the shower, John’s students heard him sing in class... Thursday March 263/25/2020 Dr. Amy Acton- her voice is so soothing, her words so hopeful, her story so inspiring.
The Stimulus package 2.2 trillion unanimously passed the 2nd time it was revised and now just needs to make it through the Senate. Neighborhoods are starting to move outside, practice social distancing while joining together for things like zumba, DJ led parties, and such. News weathermen have started broadcasting from their houses. Late night shows also are now from their houses. Personal protective gear is in high demand. The new normal?3/24/2020 Tuesday March 24 President Trump announces he'd like to reopen everything by Easter. The information coming from the national and local levels is so confusing. I felt like we were making progress as a collective society and then we wake up to massive casualties and a 'we should open back up soon.'
Our neighborhood is participating in a 'Bear Hunt'. They asked us to place bears in our windows while parents drive their kids around singing, "We're going on a Bear Hunt" and marking the houses. Watched DeWine at 2 and the President at 5ish I think. Watched some Vera in-between. DeWine reiterates the peak will probably not be until May 1. Stay Home! I worked on cleaning up some resource lists for work today mostly. I joined in a Zoom English class office hours. I published another blog posting for the library and shared some FB links. The pain is a bit better today so I tried to move around as much as possible. Tomorrow headed back to the chiropractor. Monday he said I have a rib displaced but he couldn't get to it with the inflammation so I've been icing it constantly. We picked up Chinese takeout Monday so we just ate that and leftover chili making for easy meals today. I've got to attempt to take off this SNS nail polish. I am not looking forward to that. I get most of my reading done when John isn't around. He's been around. I haven't read in about 2 weeks. I can't focus with the pain either so that has played into it but I'm getting no reading done. Tomorrow I'm going to set the alarm and read for an hour. First Day of (A New Kind Of) School3/23/2020 Today is the start of hands-on virtual learning with our kids. We have been out of school since Friday March 13. Last week was spent with the board meeting eliminating positions, and 3 onsite work days to plan for virtual learning. I did my work from home because of continued pain.
It is time to make a general plan. My advice? Pay attention to all the great resources but think about how they fit into your existing plan. Connect with great people and organizations so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Share. Realize your time is limited. You won’t get to everything. Monday March 16 Governor Dewine talks of daycares closing. I snag a massage appointment before going to our school board meeting. I am still in a lot of pain. Our school board meeting was moved to the board office limiting the number of attendees but with the looming vote our union members show up and either sit in our vehicles or try to keep social distance in the parking lots. This is difficult. It is not in our nature to space 6 feet apart. 12 positions are cut. My library position is one of them. We get a one call before the board meeting is even over telling us staff will report for work at the school buildings Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to prepare for extended remote teaching. We are concerned for health reasons. The governor asks Ohioans to fly those flags! Some people are putting their Christmas lights back up outside to brighten up spirits. Apparently there are Facebook groups dedicated to Sidewalk Chalk and now they are suggesting making trails or posting encouraging words for others in your neighborhood. Governor Dewine comes on everyday about 1:00 and the President at 5:00. John said it’s like a State of the Union everyday. The President asks people to work from home and avoid social gathering. Our school tells us to report to work Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday March 18 Ohio School Superintendent says school closures could be longer than the 3 weeks initially thought. BMV closed except to necessity- license renewals extended Thursday March 19 On top of the virus chaos tornado watches hit. Friday March 20 In the early morning hours a fire takes out a historic block of Blanchester. Huge fire, no injuries thankfully. The tax deadline is extended. Shutting down businesses. The first weekend in March I attended a scrapbook weekend for women. We had heard enough by then to be a bit more cautious about shared spaces. I used my own hand towels and stayed a distance away from people. I wiped things down with Clorox wipes. I remember thinking people were not being cognizant of germs and shared spaces. The likelihood that we haven’t spread this virus like wildfire with the way we live is slim. Saturday March 21 I started my online journal. New Jersey Shelter At Home neighbors have a bagpipe concert. Sunday March 22 Ohio’s Governor calls for a Shelter At Home directive effective Monday at midnight. Monday March 23 The senate tries to pass a bill to mail stimulus checks to Americans but it appears to democrats that it serves big business more. New normals… From here on out I will always keep active dry yeast, toilet paper, bread, hand sanitizer, hand wipes, Lysol, butter, and fresh fruit on hand. Stay connected… I connected with classes on Zoom today. I plan to try Google hangout. A couple of recommendations… Watch- The Amazing Life of Whitetail deer (Amazon Prime), Death in Paradise (Britbox), Father Brown (Britbox)- I’m caught up on both of those and love them- Vera (Britbox)- I’m currently watching~ The Holiday (Showtime is currently free apparently) Apps- for books both ebooks and audio-Overdrive, Libby I find comfort in routine rituals... Each morning I listen to The Skimm podcast to hit the top news. Each evening I reflect using The Examen podcast. Sunday Settling3/22/2020 Our 2nd day settling in. The pain is still way too intense to get much done on my part. John, however, is cruising along on those bookshelves. They are going to be amazing. I made a charcuterie for lunch and he made a big batch of chili for dinner.
I need to go back and catch up on the Covid-19 diary/timeline but not today. Today Sunday March 22 the Governor of Ohio called for a Stay in Place directive starting midnight tomorrow. Leave only for essential work, food, and medical. So this is going to be very restrictive. I'm all in. I want to slow the spread, flatten the curve. I'm hoping to get a call from my dr. and get some treatment for relief from the pinched nerve/disk/vertebrae though. The pain is too much. The UK announced they are closing all McDonalds. New normals- wiping down UPS packages and mail before opening and carefully discarding packaging. I'm working on a calendar of community online events and activity suggestions to share for my library peeps. Finding comfort in daily rituals and routines... Burning- Peony Petals candle Listening- iTunes 10 Songs for Summer, Artists to Watch, Poolside Watching- The Mentalist Writing- morning pages, journal, planner Reading- Lent LBB, devotional Drinking- Awake tea w cinnamon/honey/cayenne/lemon/ginger, Pepsi, iced coffee I've kept a journal/diary my entire life. For the last few years it has grown to include writing morning pages from Cameron's The Artist's Way, logging my weight journey, what I eat and drink, the weather, my financial standing, setting a daily goal, writing a daily Bible verse from YouVersion Bible app,.. Some things just get checked off in my bullet journal list of daily rituals. I read my daily mantra, meditate on my one little word, and pray over my prayer list. I do a sun salutation each morning. This has become down right painful with my pinched nerve but I'm powering through. I've come a long way in the last 2 years stretching most mornings. It helps me be calm. Enough for today. Covid-19 Coronavirus Stay Home3/21/2020 So here we go. I’m just going to let this be ugly and work on it as it goes. If I’ve learned anything I've learned I just can’t plan on everything.
We heard about Covid 19 in China back in December 2019 but it was just another news story. January- it was still going but still not really personal. When March started we began to be worried. Our college age son was supposed to leave for spring break to London England Thursday March 12 but luckily they cancelled Tuesday March 3. The corona talk was affecting international flights so we were getting nervous. Word started to spread. It's coming to America. Wash your hands. Cough in your elbow. Stop shaking hands. On Monday March 9 I shelve books all day in the high school library where I work. Our school announced RIFs on Friday and my position is one of them so I have to start thinking about my next step. Because of seniority I have the option to move back into a classroom or I need to start applying elsewhere for a library position. Students and staff stop by to express their worries and disgust. I’m also a building union rep so others have contractual questions. The first corona cases are confirmed in Ohio. The governor asks Ohioans to practice good hygiene and for older people at risk to exercise caution and avoid crowded events. According to WCPO- ‘The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.’ On Tuesday March 10 I am sequestered administering the makeup ACT to a small group of students in the morning and check out books to student walkins all afternoon. Again trying to calm others down and discuss how the RIFs are going to impact us. I wake up at 4 am on Wednesday March 11 with a pinched nerve in intense pain. I can barely move to the couch with a heating pad and ibuprofen. I can’t get a massage, chiropractor, or doctor’s appointment today. I don’t go to work but our students hold a walkout in protest of all the cuts. I have to cancel plans for a manicure with a friend and we talk if rescheduling and adding massages and pedicures. That evening I have a networking dinner I can’t miss. We have an enjoyable dinner and coffee at a bistro and after I think seriously about driving to the ER. I don’t. I don’t want to catch something worse than a pinched nerve. My left hand is numb. March 12- After not sleeping at all again Wednesday night, Thursday I am in intense pain and exhausted. John, my husband, goes to Kroger at lunch and buys dog food, drinks, granola bars, crackers, soup, ravioli, and cleaning supplies. The principal calls a short meeting after school to say watch for a one call or email with more instructions. John and I teach at the same school. I have a doctor’s appointment at 4:30. John has to drive me I’m in so much pain. There are numerous people in the office with face masks and I try not to touch anything. John drops me off and goes to Kroger to pick up a few more things. He comes out with sushi, coffee, and creamer. He says it’s a mad house with lines to the back of the pharmacy. He has to go to CVS for toilet paper. We do not keep much extra of anything at home for just the two of us. I don’t get into the doctor until after 5. He confirms a pinched nerve pressing into a vertebrae and disk. By now I’m in such pain I can barely understand his explanation. I am concerned about the numbness but he assureds me it’s the nerve. The doctor’s office and CVS pharmacy have communication problems and I have to have something stronger than Tylenol so we go through heck for over an hour before heading home with everything we need. By 7 the governor announces he is calling for an extended spring break shutting down schools for 3 weeks starting next Tuesday through April 3. We get a one call at 7:24pm saying our students will be out Friday and Monday and we should be getting an email about what staff should do. On Thursday by 9pm we receive an email staff will not report either Friday or Monday and we’ll learn more after a Monday board meeting. Spectrum and Comcast announce free wifi to student a who don’t have it. Some of our students would still be out of service areas. Schools scramble to figure out how to feed kids free breakfasts and lunches during this time off. We start hearing new phrases and words that take on new importance- Flatten the curve, ventilators, face masks, isolation, quarantine, social distancing... Many companies make their content free for the next 3o days including Beach Body, Great Courses... Once Harbor’s overseas trip is cancelled, he schedules several fishing tournaments because now he is stateside. Most of those tournaments also get cancelled once his college announces they will be on an extended spring break also. We have plans to travel the next few weekends to fishing tournaments and to see our son for our scheduled spring break. We go ahead and cancel reservations for one weekend with little refund. Disney announces they will release Frozen 2 early on Disney Plus. Thursday is another sleepless night. John has a fishing trip planned and leaves at 4am Friday morning March 13. I am still awake. Friday by 1pm muscle relaxers and pain meds kick in and I am more comfortable. A friend brings me a TENS electrotherapy unit that brings much relief to my back and shoulder. John decides to come home early. Our administration meets on Friday to discuss a plan. We receive a one call at 3:04 pm from our principal about an email forthcoming- no assigned work. No grades. For 3 weeks. Staff can come by school anytime to pick up belongings but students will be limited to 2 separate hours on Monday. We teach in a rural impoverished district and not all students have internet access so virtual learning is complicated. There is talk of absorbing our spring break and extend our school year. The mayor of Cincinnati has a press conference with numerous religious leaders. The governor breaks in with a press conference update. I have tickets to the a theater production of Pride and Prejudice. All shows are cancelled and we donate our ticket money to the theater. Grocery stores begin to limit number of items like toilet paper, hand sanitizers... Another rough night Friday so Saturday March 14 I try to move around a bit more. We call our neighbor who has a daughter in a wheelchair making it tricky to get around to see if they need us to pick up anything from town. I ride with John to Lowe’s to pick up supplies for a bookshelf he has been working on all week. We go through the Chic-Fil-A drive thru- very efficient. John pops in Kroger again for meat, fruit, and fresh veggies. They are out. He snags some expensive shredded meat. John works a second job so we stop by his office to let him get some work turned in. By Saturday night numerous officials have made statements about social distancing, self isolation, avoiding large crowds, and staying home. Our school board announces they are moving the board meeting to a smaller venue with limited attendance while streaming on Facebook live. We are upset we won’t be able to visibly show our concern when they vote to eliminate 12 to 13 jobs. At 1:46 on Saturday we get a one call update from the school. UC and other universities announce going virtual for the rest of the semester. Sunday March 15 union members try to discuss how to proceed. Numerous churches preach to empty sanctuaries and stream their sermons to their congregations. Some proceed to congregate, shake hands, and hug. John and I watch streamed services. People are still posting pictures at Disney, restaurants, bars, and out with friends. There are 2 very distinct viewpoints. We need to be cautious because this is headed into uncharted territory and all of America is overreacting. The governor of Ohio announces all dining rooms of restaurants and bars will close at the end of the day. They can still provide carry out and drive-thru. Nashville officials recommend closing their bars and limiting restaurant diners but they don’t comply until later. Sunday 3:54 we get a one call students can pick up items and scholarship information and transcripts on Monday. According to WCPO- ‘Although only 36 Ohio cases of the novel coronavirus had been confirmed by the time they addressed the public at 3:40 p.m., Acton compared the virus to the light of a distant star — by the time it becomes visible, it's already been traveling for weeks. Carriers may remain asymptomatic for up to 14 days.’ ‘COVID-19 was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has now been detected in 45 countries across the globe, including in the U.S., according to the CDC.’ ‘The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised Sunday that organizers should cancel large events of more than 50 people that are scheduled in the next eight weeks.’ Los Angeles closes entertainment venues and gyms Monday March 16- New York follows suit and begins o close restaurants, bars, schools NBA plays to empty stands then cancels season. Reds delay opening High school tournaments play to empty stands, then cancel. Authors start reading their books online. Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems... Trying to process today and find comfort in daily rituals and routines... Burning- Peony Petals candle Listening- iTunes Top 25 Most Played, Dailies playlist Watching- Vera, Parks and Recreation, Prodigal Son Writing- journal Reading- Lent LBB Drinking- Awake tea w cinnamon/honey/cayenne/lemon/ginger, Pepsi I'll need to revisit this and get it caught up but here's a start. I do have an older blog... https://dashannon.blogspot.com/I haven't started this blog yet- stay tuned. ArchivesCategories |