This started for us back in March...the beginning of March. And then came a whirlwind of change. Now I don't want to imply that I was unaware of world events at the time. And by "world events" I clearly mean the coronavirus, COVID-19. It was devastating China, and was spreading. People were buying face masks and no one in the area could acquire them. On March 4, we and friends were flying to Orland to start a 5 day trip to Disney World. The night before I ran to Walgreens to pick up a few supplies and realized that hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes were in low supply. I should have purchased what I did see in the store because upon my return from Orlando, things would be different.
I would like to say that Disney was wonderful and the trip went too well...it's a long story. I did come home with a virus. Was it COVID-19? I don't know. I did speak to my health professional and he felt that it was a viral cold...neither the flu or COVID-19. I am unaware of anyone else that caught the virus from me though it's possible my husband caught it. His symptoms were milder than my own. If it was COVID-19, our symptoms were very mild.
It was at this point, once we returned home that toilet paper was sold out of every store. Other items, like hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes, were becoming depleted as well. The first day back from vacation I had stayed home sick from work and my mom brought me supplies (some of which were Chicken Noodle Soup and crackers, which I have been unable to find in the store since). The following day I returned to work and worked in my alternate office through the week, and then at home on Friday by request of my employer (to test our systems). My employer wanted all employees that could work from home to start doing so that following week. Over the weekend the State of Illinois closed schools beginning on the Tuesday of the following week so I took my opportunity that Monday to go to my alternate office and pick up supplies. That Monday the Alternate Employer chose to ask all employees to work remotely, including me. I left that office and went to my regular office, picked up more supplies and began working from home that Tuesday. It was also the first day of home school.
That particular week where we started working from home and homeschooling was also the kiddo's black belt test. We had worked hard all month on intensity...the thing that we NEEDED to work on in order for her to pass. When she pre-tested in February, she was considered borderline. But, she brought her A-game and PASSED. She is officially a black belt! She did a 4-hour test including rigorous fitness routines, self-defense, kickboxing, sparring, sparring with her teacher, and two weapons routines (kamas and bo staff). I am so proud of her! We had a modified graduation ceremony in our best efforts to distance. And the week after that, the State of Illinois closed all non-essential business and issued a stay-at-home order.
So the time has gone on...work from home, school from home, entertain ourselves. Find toilet paper when you can! Let your kid lose another tooth. Pop your own tooth crown off!
The last weekend in March we took the kiddo to the school parking lot and taught her to ride her bike. Again, so proud! And now every night we ride bikes around the neighborhood.
Today the State of Illinois extended the stay-at-home order to April 30.
We can hope beyond all hopes that our loved ones stay well. We can enjoy our time home, do what we can, and make the most of our time. We have ups (black belts, bikes, and family time) and downs (health, financial, and well-being fears). We have a little while to go.
