May,20202020 had begun so happily as all New Years do! A two week visit with our daughter and one year old granddaughter had been a joy! February birthday celebrations , Valentine love and of course intense Black History remembrances! Whispers of a deadly virus in China had caught my attention from the MSNBC news coverage since mid January. But that was somewhere else for someone else to be concerned with. In passing, I asked my daughter to be careful going through the airports from Md. on February 2 with my granddaughter because of a new virus outbreak amongst travelers.As a hemodialysis patient on treatment 3x weekly for the last eleven years, I am always mindful of my health. Along with kidney failure, there are several other co- morbidities to consider as well. Patients started getting educational handouts about the CORONA (COVID-19)virus. Look for fever,sore throats,shortness of breath and coughing. Although you might have these symptoms you could also be fine, asymptomatic, but still able to pass it on to others.!The virus seemed to be an invisible foe hanging in the air, living on surfaces and who knew what else. Even though I seemed to be in the high risk category, (over 60 with other underlying health issues) you put your faith in God and go on. It all seemed possible. Life seemed do-able as it had always been. BUT it all changed starting on March 11 when the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed the novel (COVID-19) Corona Viral Infectious Disease 2019 was a Pandemic. On March 12, all dialysis patients were required to wear facial masks and complete a screening inventory sheet before entering the building. Temperature checks normally done at the treatment chair were now done at the door. Anyone with a temperature of 100 or more would be turned away.It was uncomfortable to wear the masks for the four hour duration of treatment but after two months, it seems like a part of getting dressed. It wasnt long before people wore masks and gloves to pick up groceries with sanitized wipes at the ready.Everything started moving so fast. People started forecasting that the virus was spreading quickly and the government was going to shut us down and shut us in. Everyone started panicking going into the retail stores to get sanitizers,cleaning solutions,toilet paper, paper towels and food!Delrays lockdown began on March 30 (curfew in the city was from 9p-6a…later changed to midnight – 6a) to end April 16 and statewide onApril 2-May 2.The mandated shut in orders or lock down seemed extreme but did seem to help stem the tide of virus cases and not overwhelm hospitals with the sick. Hospitals nationwide suffered from a shortage of personal protection equipment and ventilators for COVID patients.Testing for the virus had a slow start here. The first Palm Beach County testing site launched on March 31.The federal government issued social distancing orders (6 feet minimum between you and someone else) and no gatherings of ten (10) or more. This mandate closed bars,restaurants and churches!On April 23rd our 45th President, Donald J. Trump, wondered out loud to the nation if ingesting Lysol or Clorox bleach could kill the corona virus internally or using ultraviolent rays internally to kill the virus!Our state government, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, seemed slow to react to this pandemic. It seemed to the observer as if the revenue the state expected from Spring Break visitors,golfers and beachgoers mattered more than keeping Floridians safe. Our state was among the last to lock down and among the first to talk about re-opening. The Miami Herald is on the governor now about the misleading COVID-19 death reports (especially from long term care facilities) to make things appear more rosy than is true.As I write this over 83,000+ Americans have died. Each of those 83,000+ were individuals with stories just like mine. Those of us who live now wear masks,others choose not to. Some are still choosing to stay at home while others could not wait to get outside. People have been willing to stop and speak (at a distance)and are more willing to lend a hand. They tell us to brace for a 2nd or 3rd wave of the virus soon.A workable vaccine may be 12-18 months away.Over 30,000 Americans are unemployed because of the virus. There is food insecurity for some. Children are all home schooled, church is carried out online and no one knows when or if this situation will change.Florida has over 41,000 cases of COVID-19 and over 1700 dead (as of 5.12) only God can help us!Many more hurdles ahead…
Concern: Being alone
Bills
My job was making things and product hands on THATS how I was making money by making clothes and plenty other things but less movement and stores clothes less money
Family (Story #564)
Bonding with my daughter and family but seems like we cant get alone without us traveling being as a family
Pros and Cons
Corona has had a positive and negative impact on my life. Negatively because of the loss of income, positively because it allowed me to reach out to my love ones more often and show my concerns
The boredom
Well first of all, life isnt the same since he whole coronavirus thing going on, I been at home for about two months now and I dont get to see my friends plus Im scared for my life. The virus have changed my whole life for instance online school instead of going to school all of this because of the social distancing.
#rip2020seniors
COVID-19 has impacted my life by changing the entire nature of my senior year. The last semester of your senior year is meant to be the most rewarding and memorable part of high school. Having my graduation, prom, senior nights, and grad parties taken from me has been extremely difficult to deal with. I have found myself struggling more and more with what I like to call corona depression, everyday is a challenge but I’m glad to be taking said challenge. Luckily I have been able to go back to work and I feel as though I can finally see the light at the end of what seems like the longest tunnel I have been in.
Half full (Story #533)
The virus just giving me time off to think about my next moves and actually workout and catch up to where I need to be in everything Yea it is bad but I look at the glass half full
Its ok
The virus really made me great bad habits more because I have more time. I cant get a job to make money which sucks but overall Im not tripping
It dont stop nothing
The corona hasnt stopped anything for me due to the fact that I am a agricultural worker. It makes my son be home from college which I like but also dont because hes away from football and his friends
#Night job
I work at night. I stay home dont go out side unless I have to. I take my dog for a walk and enjoy life at home. I spend time with family and friends they come by and see me. I buy paper towels and tissue paper to give to the elderly people that dont have or cant go get it.