A few Extra Things Might be in Order

3/15/2020:  It was a Sunday.  I woke up early per my usual schedule.  Actually, my dogs woke me up to go outside around 5:30am and I could not get back to sleep.  I thought…you know…it might not be a bad time to get a few more groceries as our cupboards are getting bare.  My schedule at the office has been just insane, having me work several 10-12 hour days for the past 2.5 months.  Little time to shop for groceries and cook healthy.  If we’re heading to a quarantine like they are doing overseas, we will need more food.  I figured I should arm my office for more protection, so I added hand sanitizer to my list so I can have my clients be sure to wash/sanitize their hands when they come in.  I have cleaning supplies already and plenty of toilet paper I thought jokingly, but I’ve always bought that in bulk, so there truly was not concern in my mind.  

No luck with the hand sanitizer, they were out. I should have known with all the hoarding that has started.  I did find some baby wipes that would work better than having nothing at all.  I decided to pick up some Tylenol as well, since it was reported that Ibuprofen could make symptoms worse and we didn’t have many tablets in the bottle.  The stores are starting to put limits on supplies, which is just fine by me!

Since it was a Sunday, I watched the news, and scrolled on Social Media, and searched the internet…The panic was not setting in, but my level of concern was definitely heightened.  Things were definitely worse than I had realized.  Likely because I was not watching the news as all this developed.  Social distancing became a “thing.”  Six-foot social distance and less than 50 people in gatherings. 

I don’t remember if there were any cases of the Coronavirus in Minnesota at this point.  There were definitely none in the Northland.  We stopped in for a short visit with Brian’s parents, but I anticipated it might be our last for a while.  I was adamant that Jim and Mary, my in-laws, not watch Neala, while school was closed as they were at high risk for not faring well if they contracted this virus.  They are both in their 80’s.    Kari and Eric, Neala’s parents, were going to have to figure something else out.  I knew I would be part of that plan.

Watch for my email titled:  “Unexpected Surprises”