Corona Virus Diary Day 18

March 31, 2020

I went to the bakery today. They're still open so I felt we needed to get over there and support them while we can.
We drove up to Auburn and did a corona dinner with Heath and Cori. Lucy drew a line on their driveway. We picked up some Mexican food and sat in the driveway about 12 feet apart and chatted for a few hours. I didn't feel great because I had terrible cramps, so I opted to leave early. We could have stayed for at least another hour. It was so good to just see them face to face.

Corona Virus Diary Day 17

March 30, 2020

I received my Dear Heart phone case today. That made the day a bit more tolerable.
I drove by yet, another park and it was full of kids playing basketball. The governor issued an order that parks are to be closed. Nobody is really listening. Shocker.
I called Henry and we played games and chatted for a long time. It was good.
After that Brian, Alex and I played Uno for what felt like forever. I forget how much I really enjoy that game.

Corona Virus Diary Day 16

March 29, 2020

Today was Chester's first birthday. We watched movies, (Cold Turkey) and I made a cake for all of us. I didn't frost Chester's cake and made him a little birthday hat. I have no idea what we would do without him right now.
It was a nice day at home.

Corona Virus Diary Day 15

March 28, 2020

Brian went through a bunch of old boxes today to look for his Nintendo. I'm going to buy Chip and Dale's Rescue Ranger so I can relive a bit of my childhood.
Brian took Weds., Thurs. and Friday off because he was tired and didn't want to risk getting anything while being so run-down. He napped, then got up and made us chocolate chip pancakes and sausage for dinner.
We finished Tiger King last Friday and now we're all obsessed with it.

Corona Virus Diary Day 14

March 27, 2020

Today I made it to the Post Office to send off some wet wipes that I bought for a friend.
As I was leaving work the food donation truck was at Prichard. People were in a large group and not staying six feet apart. What's it going to take for people to listen?

Corona Virus Diary Day 13

March 26, 2020

Shocker, today the power went out for a while. I was working about the Commissioners and boom, everything was off.
I ran out by the hospital to take pics of their sidewalk entrance. People had written messages of encouragement to them.
I then tried to attend a webinar on how to sell ads right now. It was geared more towards larger papers who can afford to get people to pay $10,000 for an ad campaign. As little guys, we are so often forgotten for stuff like this.
We got some awesome feedback on the heart in our window. Chris E. posted about it and that felt really good to  be 'seen.'

Corona Virus Diary Day 12

March 25, 2020

Things at work went a little haywire. Things were said and it was a difficult day.
I taped off the area around my desk so nobody can get within six feet of me. I'm taking this extremely seriously and don't want to get Brian sick. I worry that my lungs are not good enough to handle this, but I really worry about Brian. If people want to get sick, fine. Don't get me sick though. It makes me so angry.
I attended the Richardson County Health Board Meeting today at the courthouse. It was in the District Courtroom, We all spread out and tried to stay away from each other. They discussed a lot of the same things that were said in the Commissioner meeting, but a few new things that again, made me a little leery.
I drove by the park on my way to Sunmart for milk. It was packed with kids playing basketball. What else can you do?

Corona Virus Diary Day 11

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Today I had to go to the County Commissioners meeting to cover their decision on whether or not to close the Courthouse to the public. It was eye-opening to hear all the numbers thrown out on what they might expect. The Sheriff said that they expect at least 100 dead in Richardson County. That number is insane! I can't believe this is still an issue where people don't understand that this is so serious. A lot of what was covered was pretty eye-opening. They discussed how to care for people when this happens and how there is enough space in the parking lot of the hospital for a triage center for spillover. The Emergency Management Director discussed how they may need to get employees of the courthouse to do other work if a lot of people are sick. The Commissioners did decide to close the Courthouse to the public and operate by appointment only.
Alex called henry and chatted with him for a while tonight.
We grabbed food from Mutt's. It was the first cheese bar of the season and so delicious.
I watched Trump's press conference. He said he would like to see people in churches and work by Easter. I had to get up and leave. I started to cry because so many people will die over his stupid words. I didn't want Alex to see me that scared, so I left and drove around. So much evil.
Brian and Alex watched some WWE wrestling tonight. It was so odd to see them perform to nobody. The place was totally empty, yet they kept on with their cheesiness. I felt for them. They deserve an award for that kind of acting.

Corona Virus Diary Day 10

Monday, March 23, 2020

I ran to Runza for lunch today and sat in a long line of cars. They, like many other businesses in town, have decided to close their lobby. We also made the decision to close our lobby. A bit late, but better late than never.
The town lunch program started today. It sounds like it was a hit for the kids. They served hundreds of people.
Chelsie put up a large heart in the window for kids to look for during a scavenger hunt. We think we'll just keep it up there for the time being.
I came home and found that mom had sent some Reeses heart's.
I was able to get on a 'Houseparty' call with Angie, Jessica, Kate, Raquel Kendahl, Meg and Sabina. It was so nice to see their faces and have a mindless chat for a while. We chatted for an hour before I dipped out to fix supper. I had such a bad day that seeing them lifted that weight I had been carrying all day.

Corona Virus Diary Day 9

March 22, 2020

Today we did absolutely nothing. I pretty much sat in bed with Chester for a bit until I had to get some work done. I finished the paper so there wouldn't be much else to do when I got to work.
Brian worked a bit, but we mostly watched Last Man on Earth all day.
After being so beautiful and sunny yesterday, today we woke up to snow/sleet. It was insane! Lots of big flakes of snow, but it didn't stick. It was just wet out all day.
I drove around town a bit and took some photos for the paper. Some pics of an empty Stone Street and the churches that have stopped public services. A lot of them are doing their services online where you can watch. It's eerie.
We signed Alex up for messenger kids so he can connect to the entire family. Lucy, Ollie and Henry also got it. We were able to chat with them for a while today. It's so nice to be able to talk to them again.
I overheard Henry talking to Brian and telling him he loved it. It was too cute.

Corona Virus Diary Day 8

March 21, 2020.

I wanted to get Alex out of the house and into the sun today, so we made Coronavirus packages and took them to Dad and Rhonda; Uncle Matt and Aunt Amy; and Granny and Papa.
We put together stuff like beef jerky, candy, movies and games for them to have while they're on lock-down. They're abiding by the rules pretty well and social distancing.
We drove to Uncle Matt and Aunt Amy's and talked to them from the road for a while. They stood by the door and we stayed in the car.
Then we dropped everyone else's packages off and took back roads around Dawson and Nim City. Brian took us by the old farm Jerry used to own by Dad's house. We stopped by Miles Ranch to look at the river and stretch. It's so beautiful out there.

Corona Virus Diary Day 20

April 2, 2020

The coffee shop up the street bought us free coffee today at work. That felt really good. Somedays, if not most days I feel like nobody appreciates us. Especially now-journalists and newspapers are considered 'wrong' or 'the enemy.' No matter how I report-it's wrong. I can write something word for word as its spoken about this virus and it's, 'wrong.' This is such a battle.
I never thought that this virus that could wipe out so many people would literally become a battle of good vs. evil. It is absolutely shocking.

Corona Virus Diary Day 19

April 1, 2020

I got my soap today for the Film Festival. I really wish I would have done the hand sanitizer, but I have soap. I'm trying to decide if I want to hold on to them for next year or use them. I guess we'll see how long this goes.
Work has been insane on the news and writing end. I feel like I'm on a Ferris wheel. I just keep going in circles.
I can't wait for a vacation.