History happens today: Your COVID-19 life

ACHS received these responses from the public through emails and online surveys. We did not require a name for submission to ensure people could speak freely about their experiences, though we certainly do appreciate those who included their identity. Please continue to document what your time looks like during this pandemic—the historical record will be that much richer as a result!

It seems it provides a chance to focus on family and friends and future...when you are suddenly set apart from friends ... in forced proximity to your family (weeks without end) and provides time to think about future's options....again without the usual lightening pace of school days ending. Anonymous (June 22, 2020)

I think that it is too bad that so many of the traditional rites of passage were not available to our 2020 Graduates - but I am impressed with the level of effort that so many people nationwide and community wide that have been made to honor and recognize the impact of isolation has had on scholastic as well as social aspects of high school graduation. Anonymous (June 16, 2020)

I prefer one [a mask] that goes over my ears, because my hair gets in the way of one that goes over my head or ties in the back. My work has not been requiring a mask, but has recommended it. I usually wear one to work (I work retail), and I've been wearing one shopping. Anonymous (June 15, 2020)

I feel safer wearing one, though I can't breathe in the painters masks. It might not stop everything coming in and going out, but I can't take the chance with those water drops. Anonymous (May 26, 2020)

We should all be wearing a mask went out in a public place such as a bakery, gas station, liquor store, grocery store, etc. It's the least we can do for each other. The bigger issue regarding masks right now, I think, is people not wearing them properly. Not covering their mouth and nose completely, fiddling with it and taking it off to talk. Wearing a mask in public is a small sacrifice to make if it means keeping our friends, neighbors and family well and keeping the medical costs down as much as possible. How is a mask requirement infringing on our rights when being required to wear a shirt, pants and shoes when entering a store, not an infringement? Being required to wear a mask does not infringe on any of our rights. Anonymous (June 2, 2020)

I feel incredibly sad for the seniors. They have missed out on prom, graduation, being able to gather with classmates to say goodbye, the list goes on. Anonymous (May 28, 2020)

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This whole thing is bulls***t. It's ruined lives more people have committed suicide domestic violence is up again. Nothing should have closed. Stay home if you want let the rest go about their normal lives! Places requiring a mask should be closed I won’t go where one is required. I won’t deal with anyone in a mask. They are untrustable. Nothing is worth my inconvenience! Anonymous (May 29, 2020)

I have two Grandsons graduating, 1 in Hudson, Wi[sconsin] and 1 in Edina Mn. I hope that a positive for them will be the realization that humans must be flexible and adaptable. Anonymous (May 26, 2020)

I never dreamed that I would experience a pandemic. It's very different than what is portrayed in the movies versions and The Walking Dead show. I know life will never be the same after this. I've learned I can live with much less and spend much less. Faith (April 17, 2020)

It will get better. Summer will come. We can still go boating and get outside. Just hope I get my job back in the end. If not, I will find another and learn something new. Anonymous (April 17, 2020)

Jessie Rowles, Ramsey

I remember going to Target for the first time seeing the aisles empty of toilet paper, paper towel, and wipes. Luckily, my father in law works for Target and could help us get those items when the delivery truck came in the early morning almost like Black Friday sales. I remember picking up my kid's Chromebooks from their schools and watching them come home with their backpacks full of their school locker items feeling disbelief. I remember being panicked. What came of the next few weeks were a lot of quality family time and for that I am grateful.

Andi Sherek

I am an ER nurse at a major hospital. I also happen to have severe asthma. This virus is not a joke, I am on day 17 of illness and finally feeling better. The fact that healthcare and government organizations are making guidelines not out of the best interest but out of what is available is disgusting and horrific. (April 2, 2020)

I'm a busy, retired grandmother. Usually my calendar is filled with places and things to do. It's a huge adjustment for me to stay home, but I'm filling my time with yarn, fabric and books. I do feel bad for my oldest grandson who is a senior in high school this year. Prom and graduation are probably going to be cancelled. Anonymous (April 2, 2020)

As we have not yet hit the peak of this virus, I'm letting it sink in that this is not ending soon. Being a good human and thoughtful of others in my shopping trips is necessary now. Grateful for all that I do have and knowing that we're all in this together. We will be different when this is over. So much we took for granted. There is no going back - just be strong and move on. Anonymous (April 2, 2020)

I am a 73 year old school librarian. Our school closed down in February. I am not a classroom teacher so I cannot do distance teaching. My 72 year old husband works at a local hospital. We brought his 91 year old mother into our home. My husband and his mother sleep on recliners. We are trying to empty a room so we can bring Mom’s bed from her Senior living apartment so she can have a bed and room. My sister in law has cancer. She and my husband are our most worried about family members because they have to make trips to hospitals. My son is quarantined in Saudi Arabia. My daughter, granddaughter, and great granddaughter are in Wisconsin. Last week I FaceTimed with both of them at the same time. It was so wonderful to see my son and daughter at the same time. My husband uses FaceTime to keep in touch with his daughters and their families too. Technology is a blessing. I have two great grandsons I can FaceTime with too. They play games with me on the phone. The oldest is doing distance learning. One of my adult grandsons is living with my youngest sister who needs a caretaker. FaceTime allows me to keep in touch with them too. My older sister and her family keep in touch by phone and messages too. Anonymous (April 2, 2020)

Wes Volkenant

Chalk messages have sprung up around Andover during these first two weeks of stay-home time, to keep the kids busy and involved. My pre-school neighbor and her Mom, the Gleasons, did this beautiful message for the walkers in the neighborhood, "Dear Hate, Love WINS!” (April 2, 2020)

I feel this strong frustration because I want to help, but I can’t. I live with an immune-compromised individual. The only way to manage this situation is to continue to study and care for my grandmother. I struggle with demotivation after being laid off. I struggle to manage my time well now I have nothing but it. I sit, hoping that despite cancelling two months of MCATs, perhaps my date won’t be cancelled. Perhaps if it works out, I will finally go to medical school this year. It gives me motivation that perhaps if I can get through this pandemic, just maybe there is another one, I’ll be alive for it, and ready and willing to help. Anonymous (April 2, 2020)

Judy Greenwald

For the first time in my life I am not afraid. I have all the security, supplies and health (so far) that I need to get through this. This is the first time I can feel like I am actually helping and making a difference by making face masks, donating money doesn't do that for me. I am also able to help my family with time and resources. (April 2, 2020)

My work has involved working from home for the past 15 years, but my wife works at the University and we've both had to adjust to her new role as an online educator. There is quite a bit of stress involved with this process to make sure things go smoothly as we enter into a new normal. As the domicile's "chief cook and bottle washer" I am adapting to her new schedule, which also brings with it a new caveat: she's home all the time and we tend to get on each other's nerves a bit and must be flexible with how we plan and interact. Complicating things is her asthma; while she has never been a serious asthmatic, we realize the virus presents a particular challenge for people with any sort of lung condition, so my role as househusband has expanded to include grocery shopping for the foreseeable future, a job my wife has previously enjoyed while for me it's not my favorite thing in the world to do. The one thing I think is important to add is that Governor Walz, our present governor, is handling things exceptionally well, even while the federal leadership in Washington has completely fallen down on the job, in fact, President Trump and his cabinet continue to bungle the job of handling this crisis. Anonymous (April 2, 2020)

Had heard about this early, from a KFAN radio interview with a man stranded in Wuhan, China due to the outbreak there. So started watching the counts spread in early Feb, and knew how potentially devastating this could be. All normal activity has now ground to a halt, I am fortunate to still be working from home, but can't go visit with my mom or son due to concerns of community spread. Worried my wife's health is in jeopardy as she is screening people coming and going from a locked down senior living facility. Hoping, we as a society can hang on for the next couple months and rebuild on the other side. Anonymous (April 2, 2020)

Teresa Nieswaag

I run a custom sewing and machine embroidery business out of my home. My main income is collaborating with a Florida home decorating company constructing drapery, pillow covers etc. via online orders. At this time, the pandemic has not affected the number of orders I am receiving. My husband is an essential employee of the state of Minnesota so he is also fortunate to be working. (April 2, 2020)

I just retired last August after 43 years as an account manager. My wife and I where lucky getting in a vacation to Jamaica just before the self quarantine. I keep busy finishing up a restoration of a 1908 Cadillac and home projects and am so fortunate to have plenty to do and occupy the time. Supplies and hardware are purchased online like basically everything that we need. We live on the Elm Creek Park Reserve so my wife and I have the good fortune to be able to get out and use the beautiful walkways the park affords. She and I have been strictly following guidelines for social distancing and cloistering being that we are in the not so good age group should we get sick. I thank the Lord everyday for our good fortune and pray for all that have been adversely effected by this tragedy which is pretty much everyone. I thank God and all of the health works, first responders, police and firefighters that keep us safe, truck drivers, the people that feed us all and everyone else that are working for an end to this horrible sickness. God Bless, good Luck to us all! Anonymous (April 2, 2020)

Callie Pulvermacher

The feeling of frustration towards people who have a total disregard of the stay at home order. I am a retail work at a national tool store and can't believe what some people deem essential and come shopping for (car wash supplies, rope lights, scissors, yard work supplies and many other non essential items). My health is at risk 100's of times a day with them shopping for these non essential items. I can't see my brother, who has emphysema, that I help with laundry and cleaning once a week for fear of infecting him. I miss seeing my children and grandchildren during the stay at home order. Thank goodness for video calling. (April 2, 2020)

Juanita Reed-Boniface

My husband and I are fully retired living on Lake George. Since Mid-March we have been in "stay at home Minnesota mode" only going out for groceries, medicine and the post office. We have tried to keep abreast of the pandemic as it unfolds, reading the daily paper and listing to broadcasts including the daily update from the Governor on occasion. Except for the fact that we are home all the time, our routine hasn't changed much--we get up, have breakfast, get dressed, do our morning household chores and then whatever the project is for the day. I co-teach an adult Bible Study class at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist church weekly and one of the challenges has been to deliver our study via electronic media. My co-teacher and I are doing the lessons via e-mail, sending the Scripture study portion of the lesson out on Mondays and follow that on Thursday morning with key points from the author of the study book along with guides for application of the key points. It is working and students are sharing their reflections via e-mail. Also to keep connected we are doing a M&J News Notes weekly with some inspirational and humorous thoughts as well as sharing joys and concerns of the group. IT IS WORKING!! although we miss the hugs and face to face interaction! As the weather has warmed and snow melted, we've started to do a few clean-up jobs in the yard in preparation for our lawn service to come. Facebook, e-mail and the telephone have been very much appreciated!! I have a large FB network and read, respond and pass news along daily. Of course there is always the daily mail-sometimes just 'junk" and money solicitations, but occasionally a package or personal letter. Speaking of packages I do a fair amount of shopping on-line mostly non-food items. And keeping abreast of household finances and business matters is part of the routine. Having been raised in a rural area where until I was 5 years old we had no phone, no radio, neighbors were 5 miles away, and I had no siblings-I learned to spend time alone and make my own entertainment--now I have a husband here with me and all the electronic "toys"-before it was my dolls, my dog and cats, horses and cattle! (April 2, 2020)

A.G., New Brighton

The unprepared nature of the world's greatest super power threw everyone off. The reality that we were either waiting to live or waiting to die is drawing closer to many. Everyday things like not being able to go to my favorite restaurant, grocery store or a theater, some due to fear of getting the virus and others because they're shut down has altered what kind of freedoms we think we have and what kind of freedoms we do have. Living in the 21st century United States, but not having the means to get tested, or know that our health professionals don't have the basic necessities to protect themselves is daunting. Wiping down groceries, sanitation, and how this country responds as a country to Epidemics/Pandemics in comparison to how we view ourselves and how we view other countries, has been eye-opening. We want to be the greatest country in the world, but we care too much about capitalism vs our people to be close to it. Countries like Singapore, Germany, and S. Korea have taken the lead in "flattening the curve" of how many get infected and the seriousness of their early response to even the notion that this was on the horizon, while our leadership didn't take it seriously until it was glaringly obvious. Those of us who have the option to stay at home are, but with the fear of what may come in on our packages or groceries or even in the air. Our government is focused on the economy vs healthcare and keeps sliding the false notion that we are prepared, but the reality is that we aren't even organized in our response let alone prepared. It is a very tense time in the history of the world, that will very much be written in our history books as the Third World War. (April 1, 2020)

Heather Anderson

Since this pandemic started with COVID-19 there has been may jobs that have laid off most of their workers or jobs have end. Our household has been lucky so far! In Minnesota we have a stay at home order from the governor and President Trump’s social distancing order is that we are to stay 6 feet away from others to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With these orders in place, we have to have a letter to show that we have essential jobs. I do home health care, as a certified Nursing Assistant and thankfully I able to still see my clients. All our schools have close for now and our kids are doing online classes till we can get this pandemic under control. This has been a scary time for people not knowing who has COVID-19 and if they have been exposed to it. A lot of the kids, teens, young adults don’t understand, that this is not a time to hang our with bunches of other people to help stop the spread. All we can do is help each other as much as we can and PRAYING hard for healing of the sick and stand by the families that have lost loved ones to this horrible virus. R.I.P to all of the people we have lost! (April 1, 2020)

My wife and I have 2 boys, one in second grade and one in preschool. She is a stay at home mom with a teaching degree and is well prepared to help with our children's education, but it is hard to adapt to what the schools want and provide and how we are the ones responsible for carrying it out. On top of that, I am a property assessor and have to review property valuation, take calls and deal with concerns while hoping my children aren't screaming in the background. Today I was helping out with my second graders schooling so my wife could have a break and I received a dozen calls or emails throughout the day and I had to walk away from helping him out. We are some of the lucky ones. Some parent we talk to are overwhelmed, working their jobs and trying to teach 4 kids. One said, "It feels like I am in a one room school house teaching stuff that I didn't put together." We will all get through it, adapt and do the best we can, but the rapid change in society and the change in the day to day life and social fabric of the community is also a large shock to absorb. More than once we have broken down thinking about the safety of our parents and grandparents, the unknown outcomes from all of this, and the lack of confidence that our national leadership will be able to do what it has to to get us through this. Then we get it together and move on to the next task and hope for a good tomorrow. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

As a snowbird I am sheltered in place 1500 miles from home and family, trying to figure out a safe time to travel home. We have felt safe in a small closed community up until now but are anxious to be near family. We have a dozen friends facing the same dilemma. At the same time, given our agss and ailments we are wary of travel and exposure, and afraid some of our number will get quite ill and not survive. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

Working from home while getting a 3rd grader prepped to complete her online school work. It’s very surreal - going into stores with people wearing gloves and masks, shelves empty of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, Lysol wipes. Hard to imagine 100 years ago my own great grandmother died in the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic leaving behind a 1 year old (my grandma). Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

Brian Jewett

I am a Museum Professional working for the Minnesota Historical Society at the Oliver Kelley Farm site. Like many sites, OKH closes in the winter and this prolonging of the off season has made me restless and worried. I don't know what the future of my place of employment is and it feels like something we as an organization, as a country, and as a planet should have been better prepared for. (April 1, 2020)

I am a 911 dispatcher. I am lucky to continue to work, but not from home as most people are doing. I go in to work as usual. Being essential is stressful, worrying about the first responders I work directly with. Staying home is hard, trying to keep occupied, not going anywhere, but we are lucky to have ways to keep in contact with relatives. I haven’t seen my grandson in person in over a month, only on FaceTime. I pray the virus doesn’t affect anyone in my family. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

Debra Higginbotham, RN

I am a nurse at Mercy Hospital and I don't think the hospital thought it would come to our town. I think it was March 9th, 2020. It was so scary because we were not prepared for what was to come. (April 1, 2020)

Walking outdoors has been so helpful. Fresh air, people to greet, new things to see. Chalk drawings on the sidewalk. I decorated our mailboxes for Easter today. Phone chats with friends. Cards to shut-ins encouraging them. Sometimes we feel helpless, but with thought there are things we can do to help our neighbors. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

Julie Engen, Wyoming, MN

We are now into our second week of being home except for a rare trip to the store for milk, bread, etc. We have found some outstanding nature walks close to home that we previously had not been aware of and seldom meet anyone on them. We try to get out in the sunshine as much as possible. With Spring finally here we should be able to be outside more. It has been confining however and we really miss our friends. Since retiring we have become involved in various activities with friends such as playing cards, golf, bowling, meeting at restaurants, etc. Now all that has changed and we've missed the concerts, bus trips and other activities that had been on our calendar. We know it could be so much worse if we got this virus and we are willing to do our part, but it has been life changing for both of us. We are worried because of our age and having other compromising factors such as diabetes and heart problems so we are taking this very seriously. We miss our children, grand children and great grand children so much and worry about them all. Hopefully financially they can pull through this nightmare. We are well aware of how lucky we were and will not take things like going to church or the store or the YMCA for granted ever again. (April 1, 2020)

 I am a 32 year old wife and mother of 3. I am a full time graduate student, have a full time career leading a company of over 5K through this and now a home school teacher. My husband and I both now work from home while our home life and work life have blended into one. We are in an affluent neighborhood where neighbors do not believe this pandemic can affect them. They hang out in groups, have dinner together and more. They joke that my family is paranoid, but the truth is my husband is considered high risk with his bad asthma. My parents who also live in Anoka County are also high risk. My mother is hospitalized every few months with complications with COPD. We can’t risk her to this so we social distance. We have an almost one year old and an almost two year old. We couldn’t find formula. We stopped at every Target from here to Hudson, Wisconsin and that is when we finally found formula and diapers for our children. It’s a crazy time to be alive. Anonymous. (April 1, 2020)

Joy Paulson

I'm a 911 dispatcher, so am lucky to have no real paycheck worries. I'm concerned about COVID getting into the dispatch center - 911 is not a place a temp [worker] can hop in and do. I'm amazed at the empty store shelves - no beans ? No rice? Good grief. I also was brought up to be prepared, so I could last quite a while locked in at home. Wouldn't be happy about it, but know I could. I hope people learn a few lessons from this. (April 1, 2020)

Nicole Hedman

I am a middle school teacher teaching MN studies to 6th grade students remotely. I don't know how we would be doing this without all the technology that the families and the district has. I spend a lot of time on my computer answering student emails and posting work in google classroom. I take breaks to take walks with my dog at least twice as day. It's strange to have everyone at home all the time. (April 1, 2020)

My husband is an ER nurse. We have a system in place for when he comes home — he knocks on the door and doesn’t touch anything. Then he immediately hops in the shower. I go behind him with Clorox wipes to sanitize the light switches and doors just in case. We adopted a dog since all of our vacation plans are canceled and I get to work from home. I work remotely in the museum industry. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

I have been full time WFH [work from home] since 3/16 & expect it to continue thru [sic] April. My spouse is employed at a small shop in Ramsey making essential medical equipment. One son is home taking online college courses. His NCAA season cut short. His Jr World team aspirations kaboshed. He is directionless. Other son works at a homeless shelter Up North. A client tested positive. I worry about his exposure. He is young & healthy but may not be following all safety protocols. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

I'm retired and as as a matter of routine I don't leave the house all that often. But these days, I don't go out at all - and that feels a little frustrating. I rely on various delivery services for basic supplies. I know those delivery services are overstretched now - probably more than most of the medical personnel. But they are a lifeline, and I'm very grateful for them. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

I live alone so have really relied on technology to keep in touch with family and friends. I use Facebook, Google Hangouts and telephone. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

Lori Higgins

I am burning the candle at both ends during this COVID-19 pandemic. As a chamber of commerce, our mission is to support the business community and I've had no greater test in the past 11 years to meet that mission statement than right now. The majority of our members are small, family-owned companies. Helping them with loan assistance, employee support, individual promotion, marketing, etc. while trying to determine how we, as a nonprofit membership-based organization, stay financially viable when businesses are closing, is overwhelming. Trying to reconcile the immediate health concerns of our citizens with the long term financial repercussions of our entire society is hard to fathom. I hope that when we've come through all of this, our chamber is still standing and our local business community is thriving. That is my story and my wish. (April 1, 2020)

John W.

I am single so feel isolated in my house alone. I worry about my mother who lives by herself but is much more of a social creature than I plus she lost her husband of 53 years about a year ago. On the phone, I can tell this is tough for not seeing people. I am working from home but feel the passage of time much more harshly than when I worked in the office. It is odd but when working at home I feel like I've missed most of the day (or wasted it working) while at work I never thought about it. Hmmm... (April 1, 2020)

I was taught to take household inventory at a young age. This gave me a heads up on how others hoard. I have a medical condition and have been out out work due to it without pay. I have learned to be frugal, waste is not good and how to be by myself because if my illness. I have cancelled doctor appointments because of the virus I can and will survive a few months more. I have a group of friends we talk weekly to see how they and there families are doing; and if they need anything. Just caring about someone other then yourself is important. What’s next, I’m not sure but I want to be positive about life. Hopefully in the future we will be prepared for what will effect us. Hopefully we as people will be a kinder nation to one another and more helpful to one another. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

Jo Rohady

[I’m] 75 years old, trying to deal with loss of all of usual activities knowing we will never go back to what was. [I] believe this is Mother Natures response to how we have been destroying our world. Uncontrollable virus will positively affect our environment by reducing the population and decreasing the harmful things we have done. (April 1, 2020)

I work with special needs adults, they do not understand why this is happening. They are unable to go to their day programs and visit with friends, they are unable to go shopping or see their families, besides talking on the phone. It's easy for government to just say "everything is shut down" easy for them to say when they can just stay home or go up to their lake homes. People working with special needs don't have that pleasure. I think they could have shut down high areas 1 at a time thus helping some of the communities affected. Also helping those individuals deal better. I also felt like their is too much negativity on the news and it is meant to scare people into doing what government wants. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

Shortly before the pandemic I went on a medical leave from work. It is an unpaid leave because my employer does not provide paid benefits for leaves of absense, though they do comply with FMLA rules and keep me employed. Financially it was a difficult, though necessary action to go on leave. My husband is disabled and the uncertainty of how my medical leave will affect his government benefits, during a time of economic uncertainty for the country, has been extremely stressful. Changes in medical insurance, unemployment benefits, and aid packages are hard to keep on top of, especially during a time when both of us are coming from a place of reduced ability, compared to the rest of the people in the country. They are struggling as well, emotionally and economically. Also, having reduced access to medical facilities because of the need to provide care for the most critical cases, as well as the need to reduce the possibility of contagion, has left us very anxious. The present feels disorganized and chaotic, and the future feels like a fearful place to think about. We are also fearful for our parents who are in their seventies. They have additional risk factors too. Two have major health issues, and one still works part-time in the store of a pharmacy. The latter works out of economic necessity and is told by her employer that she can take a leave for her safety, but can't apply for unemployment benefits because she would still be employed by them. Our state is under a stay in place order, but until the governor orders all people of a specific age not to work, she will have to wait to apply for benefits, because she works at a place that is considered a critical necessity to the public. All of this economic information though, may be inaccurate. Fear and confusion has made businesses and individuals trying to interpret the situation with inconsistent and sometimes inaccurate information. The federal government is not providing clear rules and guidelines for the country, and the states and individual cities are applying measures as they see fit. As this is a global issue, it is hard to stay positive for what the future will bring. Hope for the best, and thoughts that all this upheaval may bring about good change, is what keeps us afloat. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

Jeff Reinert

I’m in a unique position to have access to current information and resources during this pandemic and I feel it’s my responsibility to share these resources with as many people as possible. I’ve been mostly doing this using social media but also with audio and video conference calls. Outside of my responsibilities, my greatest concern is my family. I have one daughter living in New York and another daughter living in Seattle, two of the hot spots for this virus. I also have parents that are in their 80’s. Although I am concerned, I am also confident we will all make it through this challenge. (April 1, 2020)

Ellyn Erickson

Blaine /Spring Lake Park district #16

My high school age son had just gotten back March 14, from his band trip to Cuba over spring break. That’s when the governor announced the first school closure until March 27. I was so glad he got back without incident, and that he’d gotten to get away for a bit. Now, I wish I’d gotten away! My high school daughter Goes to different school, and so had her break during the 1st week Of staying home. I wonder how much schools will be able to count on this online Learning. Glad there is that, at least. I’m also wondering if schools will announce a different end date. It’s a lot of unknowns. (April 1, 2020)

Just had a knee replacement right before this hit. Had to cancel therapy and doctor appointments. Feel it was not taken seriously at first which is going to make it worse. Feel so sorry for all the effected workers and our future. Anonymous (April 1, 2020)

Gina Overacker

During this COVID-19 experience, I have found it has forced me to look at the way I live my life. Do I save for emergency situations? How do I react? etc.
Since we own a plumbing company and people need their toilets working and water running, we are open for business; however, we are more diligent in sanitizing our work space and our technicians are also doing more on the job sites to protect themselves and our customers.
I'm an extrovert, so it has been difficult for me to have no social outings; but I am staying connected through Facebook, emails and even phone calls.
Also, there is a request for sewing masks for our local hospitals, and as a sewer, I jumped right in. It gave me something to help with the limited time and resources I have. I even had a request for some of my masks for someone to mail to her nurse friend in NY where no one is sewing and they don't have masks. This person has never sewn but is pulling her sewing machine out of the box and learning to sew so she can make more for her friend. It was fun helping her with some tips on how to get started.
This has not been an all bad situation.
I love seeing our community come together and really care about each other and show their support in whatever way they are able. Even if it's just a smile and good cheer.
Lastly, I feel very fortunate, in that no one I know has the virus, as far as I've heard. That's reassuring. (March 26, 2020)

March 25, 2020

It’s scary to see how quickly the number of deaths has increased.

Vickie Wendel

March 16, 2020

Empty shelves in the paper goods aisle of the Wal-Mart Supercenter located at 11505 Ulysses Street NE in Blaine. (Image ID 2020.1348.001)