The CORVID-19 pandemic has completely changed the route of my familys daily activities. In order to keep our family and community safe from the coronavirus, weve had to be receptive and adapt. Im a single working mom with three children (1, 5, and 8) and Im an MBA graduate student. Initially, the lifestyle changes were very overwhelming and challenging. In the beginning stages of the pandemic, my family experienced a death in the family. There was concern for the funeral arrangements due to the coronavirus. On the day of the funeral, the executive order of ten individuals or less was not mandated. However, there were still modifications to the arrangements for public safety. Our family opted not to host a repast to gather and fellowship, instead to-go dinners were provided to all that attended the funeral. It was an odd feeling to not stay for a traditional repast to celebrate the life of our loved one while consoling family and friends.Weeks prior, an announcement was made that schools for grades K-12 were suspended until further notice. As a working mom, childcare is a necessity to be able to work and provide for my family. My 1-year olds daycare opened their facility to grade school kids that were misplaced due to school closures. This was truly a blessing, but a couple of weeks later the daycare made an announcement that they were closing their doors to keep the staff and children safe until further notice. In order to keep working, I had to send my two oldest kids to Georgia to be with my mom. My 1 year old was able to stay with her dad during the day while he teleworked from home. During this time, my University announced campus closures and the transition to online classes.After two weeks of submitting a request to telework from home, it was approved! Even though my children were in good hands, I was eager to return them home and to able to help them with distance learning school. Then again, I had no idea how challenging it would be to telework with two children attending live classes twice a day, attend to my 1 year old, and attend a demanding online graduate class. Not knowing what to expect, the first week was extremely unorganized and challenging. There were missed assignments, I got caught up with telework and forgot to log one child into live class, lunch was served late, house was a mess, etc. We have since established a routine and balance to this new way of living, but it is still a challenging process. Nevertheless, Im blessed Im still able to work and provide for my family.Another adjustment to our lifestyle is how we attend worship service. We now attend worship services and bible study via Facebook live. I really miss attending church with my family and worshiping with my church family.It also stressful going to the grocery store not being able to find necessities for the family like toiletries and having a limitation on buying meats and produce. I cant leave the children at home alone, so I must take them with me to the grocery store. We all wear mask and the trips are quick, but I dont like taking them into crowded spaces. Over the past weeks, I have slowly seen improvement with challenge of finding necessities. Even though there has been many changes, challenges and struggles adapting to the impacts of the CORVID-19 pandemic, there are some positives. For instance, Im able to spend more quality time with my family. Instead of waking up early to get myself and three kids ready for work and school, I wake up early to make breakfast. Instead of rushing home from work and school to cook dinner, we can take walks together in the evening after having an early dinner to get out of being in the house all day. I also noticed a savings from not having to commute to work and school, also from not eating out and less entertainment activities. Also, a mini family vacation was planned for the spring and summer, which had to be cancelled. Sadly, those mini vacations were something we looked forward to attending for a while. Society and my family crave returning to their life of normalcy before the pandemic of CORVID-19, and it will happened in due time. However, as I watch the news, I hear concern about the upcoming forecast of a very active hurricane season. So, I just take one day at a time, pray, stand fast in faith, and count my blessings.
Solutions: --
Unknown Mystery
I’m trying to stay in and be obedient. I go to the store about every two weeks. It’s every scary. I don’t like wearing the mask. I make sure to put it on going indoors. I am a hairdresser. I’ve been out from work for three weeks. I’m getting behind. I was thinking about May 1st but I may not. A lot of my clients are older and cannot come out. Many call to say they are worried! I don’t like to sit still very often, so I’m hoping . Our church is closed, so Ive been watching on YouTube. My sons have taught me to use it. I am still having to pay bills with less income but I am trying not to let it worry me.
Coping With Corona?!
Well, I got Corona. So, that has had a huge impact. I’m 26 days with the virus, and it’s been pretty rough. My business was also deeply affected, as our summer and fall enrollments were stopped in their tracks. I’ve also had many happy surprises and some awesome successes. My team got our students pivoted to an online learning environment seamlessly and well before the public schools did. I bought a new car from my living room and saved on my monthly payment. I’ve made some new friends, found some new business colleagues and discovered some new music online. Overall, I think the worst part (other than getting sick) is seeing the further divisions in political morals between my neighbors, some family, some friends and myself. I am not sure how the nation recovers.
Best part of my day.
Where do I start! Almost every aspect of my lifes schedule has been altered. Monday-Friday had the same schedule- gym, get kids and self ready for school/work, drop them off and then head to work all before 7am. At 7:15am, Is my favorite part of the day- I had the privilege of opening the Village Academys secondary gates to greet the students. There I would receive smiles, hugs, fist bumps and many check in conversations. I miss the daily connection with my students. My students need it! Many come from homes where they are unable to form connections with their parents/families/siblings as they work long hours. Even though I was only out there for a short period of time in the mornings, I made sure to check in with as many students I could as possible. August 2020 cannot come fast enough!
Taking this in stride
Well, like everyone else, it hasn’t been easy, however, I feel that I’m blessed. My husband and I are both able to work from home and my family is healthy. What more can I ask for? We have all the essentials, I love being in my home. Life is good.
Cant work ! Cant eat.
I cater for a living.social distancing,has pretty much eliminated my ability to earn income to support my family.
More than a Virus
Covid-19 not only impacted my physical life but it took a toll on me mentally. Not being able to learn in person is making my grades suffer drastically. As someone who enjoys keeping busy so I dont have the time to think about my problems. The staying at home order has made my anxiety 10 times worse. I have to face myself everyday And feel every ounce of my pain. Even when I tried to stay productive, I just dont feel okay. My worry is how many are feeling this way. Most of us are not really worried about the Virus its our mental health that is at a higher risk.
Staying heathy
The virus has affect alot of my community senior and lot of the kids having to be inside alot .myself lose work and found working is hard to go out and look for work .and trying to keep bills payed and staying healthy.
Hopeful for Change
Today I was at the gas station with my husband. We had our masks in my purse for when we would enter the grocery store. I also had hand sanitizer and wipes for when he finished pumping gas. I’m the furthest thing from a germophobe and I was actually impressed that I remembered not one, but two things that could allegedly protect us from falling ill. As I processed the need for these new objects that were now crucial from me to remember when I leave the house in addition to my phone, wallet and keys, I noticed something.An older white woman who was alone was clearly having car trouble. A black man ran right up to her with a smile on his face ready to help. Without hesitation, they shook each others hands. Normally, I wouldnt overthink or probably even notice the interaction. But in that moment of fear and wondering what all of us had to do to or should be doing to adapt to this new world and to keep ourselves safe, I stopped myself and thought…Stop thinking about how the man is at a much greater risk of infection because of the fact that inequity is already a pre-existing health condition. Stop thinking about the fact that the older white woman was also at greater risk being someone of her age. Just breathe. Admire the acts of selflessness that surround you during this time. Remember that if there is ever going to be a turning point in this dark, twisted world, its right now. Maybe, just maybe, that handshake between two people who may not have otherwise ever been connected may be a sign of things to come. I dont want to assume that this is hopeful anymore. For the first time, in a long time, I think that its possible.
# Renee’s Quarantine Chronicles
It has really impacted my life because not only am I a full-time high school teacher, I’m a mom of 2. Since being home all day and working full time, I have also become my son’s 8th grade teacher, my 3-year old’s preschool teacher, the cafeteria lady, the guidance counselor, and the janitor. These are all things I do regularly, but it wasn’t ALL day 24/7. It has made me worry about myself or anyone in my family catching the Corona Virus and how devastated I would be if that happened. However, On a positive note, it has allowed me to spend more quality time with my family, and appreciate things that we normally take for granted.