The Big 5-Oh

Today is Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Some of this info was gathered from other people. But I wanted to include it in a blog for future historical reference.

- We are (at average) at 42 days of social isolation. It is DAY 50 for Jim and me. Yup, the big 5-0!

- In the U.S. alone, there are just under 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases with 55,000+ deaths as of this morning. In Wisconsin, we have 6,289 positive cases and we reached 300 deaths today. In Wood County, we remain at 2 confirmed (and recovered) cases and 410 residents testing negative.

- Schools (including universities) have been closed since March 17 and are teaching remotely online. Schools will not reopen for the 2019-2020 school year. Some have called off graduation ceremonies and others, like Lincoln High School here in Wisconsin Rapids, are postponing to August.

- Only “essential” retail stores are open such as grocery stores, hardware stores, and pharmacies. Some other essential stores like liquor stores have curbside pickup.

- Amazon delivery windows average 3-4 weeks when they used to be a maximum of 2 days. However, I am getting some deliveries fairly quickly now compared to a month ago when everyone was ordering toilet paper.

- 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 – including my Book Club and Church Council – are now on virtual meeting platforms (i.e. 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 for us.

- There are lines/tape inside the stores on the floors to keep people 6 feet apart. Some stores like Walmart have one-way traffic down aisles and require their workers to wear masks.

- Bars and restaurants are open only for takeout, home delivery, and drive through. There is a big push to buy local and support small businesses. We've enjoyed some really tasty food from Mo's Bar and Grill and our locally owned Dairy Queen, of course.

- 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 college and high school spring sports. The NFL draft was done virtually this week. Pretty different but not bad.

- All festivals and entertainment events have been banned. Many summer events have been canceled already. SummerFest has moved to September. State fairs in August are considering their options.

- Weddings, family celebrations, and graduations have been canceled or postponed. Funerals are 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 and other extended family and friends on a screen or thru a window if someone visits in person or via online video.

- Visitors are prohibited at nursing homes and assisted living residences. Anywhere really. I haven't seen my mom (or most of my family) since before Christmas. This is very hard.

- Hugs and kisses are not exchanged. Very hard for us huggers!

- Places of worship are closed or online. It's a new way to do things, but my church has successfully transitioned to YouTube and I still l feel like we're gathered together on Sunday mornings.

- We have to stay away from each other more than 6 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, families, and friends. 

- 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 6, 8 or 9 p.m.)

- Store checkouts, pharmacies, and even fast food drive-thru windows have added plexiglass between the employee and the customer. You 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 and an instant $1,500 fine issued for crossing the border without a valid reason (transport workers, essential services etc).

- Gas is cheap – about $1.25/gallon in Wisconsin Rapids. But we have not place to go. No one is traveling for leisure. Airports are 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.

- 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.

- 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.

So much has changed since I shared the "status of things" a month ago. It's almost scary to think of where we'll be in another month. I know I'll still be working from home since Wisconsin is mandating that until May 26. Hopefully, I and my loved ones will still be healthy then, too. And, as I do today, I will take nothing for granted.

We are where we are with what we have. Let's be grateful.