Life in the Time of Coronavirus, 6/18/21

Coming Out of the Darkest and Strangest Days of Our Lives 

Hooray for the Vaccines 

Since I last posted, my husband and I received both of our Pfizer vaccines from Kaiser. After the first dose, I caught a slight cold that lasted for a couple of days, he felt nothing, but we both had sore arms. After the second dose, he was very tired the next day, I was fine, but we both had sore arms again. The first visit to Kaiser was quite crowded, at around 75 people in line. The second was only a line of about 10 people. Everything was well-organized, kind and easy. We were both so thankful to receive our vaccines. If we need another booster or two, we’re in. We want to live to our fullest again, to socialize, to go where we want to go and to do what we want to do, especially to travel. 

Travel Plans 

We’ve taken the plunge and booked our 40 year anniversary  trip to St. John’s in late August. We’ll be staying at one of our favorite resorts, Gallows Point. 

I’ve also booked my volunteer and fun trip to Spain in mid-October. I’ll be meeting up with at least three other friends who are Scooby volunteers. We’ll do some sightseeing and volunteer at the shelter. I’d like to bring two dogs back for adoption, but with COVID-19 restrictions, it’s looking doubtful. I’ll keep watching the airlines and restrictions. 

Daily Life 

Since we are fully vaccinated and there are looser restrictions, we’ve been out more. California just opened  up, so we don’t wear masks, unless asked.  We carry masks at all times just in case. We are still very careful and cautious, as we know IT is still out there, wreaking havoc and killing so many people. Prayers for India and Brazil, and a host of other countries who are being decimated by the virus. It has been such a tragic year plus for the World.

Peace

I wish you all peace and healing as we continue through these trying days. Blessings to all of you!

Life in the Time of Coronavirus, 3/6/21

One Year Later

Almost exactly one year ago, we decided to lock down at home because the virus was marching across the Country, and the cases were rising.  In so many ways, I feel that we were extremely naive about what actions to take. We mostly stayed at home. The CDC was still saying that we didn’t need masks (which still makes me angry). We hardly knew anything about COVID-19. Now, we know a lot, yet we still have so much to learn.

We Didn’t Start the Fire

I think that Billie Joel should write a sequel to his 1989 song to capture how much has happened so quickly over the past year. Incredible!

In brief: virus outbreak, global infections, pandemic, sickness, death, quarantines, economic downturns, jobs lost, hoarding of essential goods, hungry families, unrest due to racial unfairness, protests, political division and unrest, insurrection, anger, hatred, polarization. Yikes!

Take Heart

We have hope.  We have a new government that is working to put humanitarian issues first. We have three approved vaccines in the USA:  Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.  We hope to receive ours within the next couple of months.

Everyday Life Is Every Day

After one year of this routine of mostly being safe at home, it will be so strange to be out in public, with a lot of other people.  Having commitments will be strange. Right now, we have very few demands on our time, free to do whatever we want. Once we can get out and be social, it will be a bit stressful.  When you think about it, we have become quite shuttered from society, and we will have to adjust over time. Since we still have to gently enter society again, it will help.

Things That I Think Will be Troublesome 

As I watch events unfold, these things are troubling to me:

- Will the vaccines have long-term effects that are yet unknown?

- How will we help globally to share our vaccines, to be fair to all?

- How will COVID-19 victims and families pay their medical bills? If they are in the ICU with such high touch care, it will surely be millions of dollars in healthcare, which they will never be able to repay. How will we help them?

- Again I ask, what happens with all of the extra garbage that we are generating, with masks, gloves, packages, plastic ware?

- What happens with the “long haulers” who have had the virus, and will likely have life-long health issues?

- Will the healthcare providers categorize COVID-19 as a pre-existing condition, which they will not cover? That would be horrendous.

- What’s our plan for vaccine boosters for variants and going forward, since this virus will probably be with us for the rest of our lives?

- What’s our plan for the next potential pandemic, so something like this doesn’t happen again? We were so ill prepared.

Happy One Year To You and Me

We did it! We made it through a global pandemic for one whole year, and all of the bullshit that went with it. Congratulations! Pat yourself on the back, keep wearing your mask, and get your vaccine when you can. Fingers crossed that things keep getting better for all of us.

Peace
I wish you peace of mind and soul during these trying times.  Please keep the faith. Hold on and hold fast. 

#holdfast #itwillgetbetter #buildbackbetter #staystrong

Life in the Time of Coronavirus, 1/16/21

Navigating Life in Such Uncertain Times

Welcome to the year 2021, a year of new hope for the beginning of the end of the virus, with vaccines and other measures, and for a new, more caring government that will help right so many wrongs that have been done over the past four years.  

Happy New Year?

But wait...  we are already off to a very rocky start. Thousands of people are still dying every day and the vaccine distribution system is in chaos.  The transition of leadership in our government has been a complete nightmare, with a bully who refuses to accept his defeat.  In addition, last week, we had a group of our own citizens attempt to attack and overthrow our government.  Not only that, but we have had to protect all of our capitols with military forces because of the threats of violence to come January 17-20.  I'm certain that there will be scuffles, but I pray they will be settled peacefully and quickly.

As in many other places, we have to lock down in our homes in SoCal because the virus numbers are so high, the new strains are horribly contagious, and our hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients in the ICU's. Being at home is a comfort, but every day still feels like Groundhog day.  It feels as though we are existing, but not really living our lives as we would love to do.  We've only been out for a few Vet visits, grocery shopping trips, picking up food from local restaurants and taking an occasional drive to the Oceanside Harbor and then along the beaches.  

We observe that many in our area still do not wear masks, many restaurants are defying State guidance by still serving outside, and if you didn't know that there has been a deadly virus for over a year now, you'd never know it here because it looks to be business as usual all around us.

I don't know how you all feel about this, but frankly, it frightens me that everyone is still taking it so lightly. 

Wondering When We Will Get the Vaccine

I hope that we will get the vaccine in April or May, if this supply and logistics mess can be sorted out, but if it's later than that, we'll wait. We've waited this long, we can certainly wait a little longer.  I think that I will probably cry when I get it because I will be so relieved.

Markers

When I think about it, I haven't:

• driven our cars in four months (Darrell always drives us)
• had my hair done since July
• worn makeup or jewelry but two times in the past four months
• curled my hair to look presentable twice in the past two months
• worn shoes but maybe seven times in the past two months
• worked out -- I twisted and strained my knee seven weeks ago and am icing and bracing it

Sometimes, I feel as though I'm becoming a shut-in. Thank God for Darrell and our doggies to keep me company. Can't imagine being alone.

Sad News

Our first Spanish Galga, Bless, whom we've had for almost ten years, fell ill on Christmas Eve.  We've since learned that she has several tumors, the worst of which is one on her spleen.  She is on four medications to keep her strong and comfortable.  We aren't certain how long we have, but we'll take every day that we're given.  She is doing well so far. Still eating good, happy and pretty active.  We know that the days draw short with our precious, gentle girl. She has been such a great dog, and we love her so much. 

My Wishes for 2021

• That everyone in every country has access to and is able to give the vaccines to its citizens as soon as possible.
• That COVID-19 becomes nothing but a horrible memory to us.
• That the citizens of the U.S.A. will stop hating and fighting against each other and begin working together.
• That we'll be able to be together with our families and friends once again, to hug and kiss once again.
• That we'll be able to go out to movie theatres, shops, concerts, public gatherings, restaurants, pubs, wineries, etc, and enjoy our social lives.
• That we'll be able to travel again. Whether it's across town or across the World, I yearn to be able to safely travel, to experience other places and people. This is something I now dream about and am so glad that I've done everything that I have thus far in life.

Peace
I wish you peace of mind and soul during these trying times.  Please keep the faith. Hold on and hold fast. 

#holdfast #itwillgetbetter #buildbackbetter #staystrong