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…
My story shows we need to: --
Family apart
My son who normally goes back and forth between our house and his moms house isn’t around and it’s tough on me and his little brother and sister. His step dad still works in construction and both houses agreed it was best not to take any chances right now.
Creativity Rules
My coronavirus story began in early March. At that time, one of our families who has a child that comes to our shop for training had a member that was visiting Italy. When they returned, I asked the family to take a two-week break from bringing their child into the shop. From then on I started making all kinds of rules about keeping everyone safe. By March 14 or so, I decided to close the shop and bunker up at home. Also, around the same time I started to have a big problem with my knee and was in a great deal of pain so I couldnt really move around anyway. We all stayed home for a month. My son, who has severe autism, stayed in bed all day and I decided he was probably in a depression. So as I was starting to feel better, I realized I had to get him out and we went back to the shop to start working and making Chocolate. Eventually we decided we had to figure out a way to keep our revenues up and I invited some of our employees to also come back into the shop but stagger their schedule so nobody was there at the same time. We eventually put the word out to the community and we had a very successful Mothers Day truffle event. This is let us to develop new ways of marketing including curbside pick up and eventually were going to be doing delivery. And we have really boosted up our mail order business. My family is ultra safe. We do not go to any stores or any restaurants of any type. We eat at home every day and we wear masks when we go out but honestly other than our house and my shop, we dont go anywhere. Everything we need we get delivered. And my husband washes it off before comes in the house. We are both in our 60s and dont want to take any chances. Additionally, my son with the autism is very behavior really difficult and this change in routine has caused him a lot of problems. Hes been changing up his medications with the psychiatrist but the whole situation has just exacerbated the problems. Basically our whole family revolves around his needs and we have to be very careful that we are able to meet them no matter what. For instance, he only eat certain foods and snacks and I have to make sure I have them on hand. Additionally, no matter what, we have to stick with his routine. But I will say having him going back to work at our shop has made a big difference. I think this time is about creativity, consideration, and understanding of others needs as well. I hope everyone can come together and work on creating a safer and healthier world.
Life is an everyday experience.
The Corona Virus has changed my life drastically. It has created a new way of living, a new norm, as well as a sense of caution and panic within me. I am unable to do things that I normally enjoy doing, such as going to the movies, mall, out to eat, traveling, etc. I am forced to practice a new lifestyle that I am learning how to do day by day. Its a surreal feeling to know I cant pick up a gallon of milk from Publix without a mask on, or pump gas without gloves on. Its even a big deal to cough and sneeze. People give dirty looks and stare, or walk away. So many new rules to follow. Its tough, but I understand the importance of all the guidelines in place. The virus has also made me more aware of where I sit, what I eat, what I touch, where I stand, and even with whom I do these things. I am more aware of my surroundings. I wash my hands more frequently. I am very cautious. I am also using this time to spend more time with my teenager daughter. This experience teaches us to enjoy what we have, before what we have becomes what we had.
Less working
Paying my bills stoping my job
My story (Story #560)
The coronavirus has clearly affected everyone in so many way. In my case, I have had a lot of time to truly think about myself. Before this pandemic started, I was not in the best mental state. I had a lot of family problems and really needed a break from all of it. While the quarantine is making me stay home with my family, I have a lot of time to decompress and focus on me and what really matters. Family problems still happen but I feel I am able to cope with it all a little better due to the time I have to really think.
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
4 (Story #568)
the Corona virus had taught me how to be more understanding and great ful
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
#Change=Resiliency
As a mother, wife, employee and community stakeholder, balancing the needs of others is a way of life. The corona virus has amplified these needs given that families are home bound. This means that my role has changed to becoming a pseudo teacher to my child who is learning virtually, while at the same time attempting to get work done with constant distractions throughout the day. A few upsides include cooking with my son in the middle of the day, playing a game of Connect 4 or kicking the soccer ball around. When cabin fever becomes unbearable, I usually get groceries. My new wardrobe has changed from business casual to yoga pants, a t-shirt and my new life saving accessories includes gloves, masks and hand sanitizer. Shopping for food has become almost comical…when someone walks into a grocery without a mask, patrons will stare at the mask-less person with a look of disgust, anguish and/or judgment. Although people are aware of social distancing, I have noticed a shift in how people interact to that of more courtesy and patience. As a nonprofit stakeholder, we have seen the devastating financial effects on the most vulnerable populations in the community and decided to start a food pantry in April. It has been satisfying to serve food to hundreds of families in Lake Worth every week but disheartening to see the growth as the need has become so great. Because of COVID-19, systems such as the workforce, hospitals, schools, government and the like have been adversely affected but with change, comes creative ways to find solutions. The people of Lake Worth are resilient and I believe that the best is yet to come!