Strange Times - Something to Remember

This is a post to signify a remembrance for the strange times we've been facing recently, due to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic.    I did not post this because I love reveling in darkness or  want to impose fear.  It is here for when we look back, we can be reminded that life is precious.  Family is precious and to be cherished.  We shouldn't take things we dearly love for granted - we have so much!  We should always be thankful, to each other and to God.  We need to practice grace and be grateful.  It's a reminder to be kind to one another.   And, support each other as a family and a community!

Below are some notes from the goings-on of late.

As of April 3rd, 2020:

* Gallon of gas: $1.88 (took a big tumble, due to recent fallen oil prices - some places more south are as low as $1.00 and $1.35/gallon)

* The DOW Jones today is around 21,000, after extreme fluctuations (2000+ daily drops).   The high on February 12, 2020, prior to the crash, was an all-time high of 29,551.  The low (at close) on March 20,2020 was 19,173. 

* School: Cancelled until May 1, potentially later.   Seniors may not have a normal graduation ceremony.   South Dakota schools have approved curricula and parents are home-schooling their children.

* Sports: Spring sports have been cancelled or pushed back.  No tennis for Connor, unsure about soccer for Ramsey.   Professional sports have been cancelled.

* Grocery stores have tape on the floors and have "one-way traffic" notations, to help with social distancing (staying 6' away from another person).   There have been mandates to limit the number of people inside establishments.

*  Parks, trails, and, in many cases, entire cities have been locked up.  Many states have already implemented "shelter-in-place" procedures.  To date, South Dakota is one of the six states left that has not done this state-wide.

* Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events have been cancelled.   

* Most non-essential retail business have been closed.  Restaurants are still open for drive-through or curb-side pick-up only.  Connor is still working part-time at Qdoba.

* Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings have been cancelled.   Families and friends are using the Zoom app to have video-conferencing calls with loved ones.

* Church services have been cancelled, but online sermons and get-togethers have been implemented.  It is rather sad because this is the holy season of Lent, nearing the celebration of Easter.  This is a rather emotional time, as Easter represents a new birth and renewal and is a poignant time for church-goers and Christians.

* Social-distancing denotes that we should not integrate with others outside of our homes.  The "experts" in the CDC and WHO have stated we should not have gatherings of 50 or more, then it was downsized to 20 or more, then 10 or more, now 5.

* Many people are either working from home or have been laid off temporarily (unemployment has skyrocketed).   The exceptions are workers who have careers deemed "essential", such as doctors, nurses, firemen, police officers, caregivers, and construction workers.

* Children's outdoor play parks are closed and silent.

* There are shortages of masks, gowns, and gloves for our front-line workers.  Many people who are at home are sewing masks for healthcare workers.    Companies, such as 3M in our town, are working 24/7 to produce masks and sending them where they are most needed.

* There is a shortage of ventilators for the critically ill, whose lungs the COVID-19 virus are under duress.  Vehicle companies, distilleries, etc, have shifted their manufacturing plants to produce visors, masks, ventilators, and other necessary supplies.

* Panic-buying set in and there has been a shortage of toilet paper, disinfecting supplies, paper towels, laundry soap, hand sanitizer, Tylenol, Vitamin C, rice, and more.  Many shelves are barren. 

*  The US closed the border to all non-essential travel. A travel ban to China was enacted on January 31st and additional bans have been established since then.

* Stadiums and recreation facilities open up for the overflow of COVID-19 patients.  Naval hospital ships have been brought in to the coasts to care for patients as well.

* There are daily updates from President Trump and his coalition of doctors and experts who are fighting this crisis.   Updates are constant for new cases, recoveries, and deaths.  The numbers rise as test kits become available.    

* Many companies, worldwide, are working nonstop to create and test vaccines and treatments for the protein-based virus.

* In many locations, the roads are bare and traffic is nonexistent.  

* Doctors, nurses, and first-responders are working tirelessly to assist those in need.   They are afraid, stressed, and have seen many horrors throughout these times.  They are scared to go home to their families.   Retired medical professionals are coming out of retirement to assist in this great time of need.

* Women who are having babies, those who are ill in the hospitals, etc, are alone, as family members are not allowed to be with them.

* There are no funerals for those who pass.

*  The US Government officially declared the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on March 11th, 2020.

* To date, the US government has issued a $2 Trillion dollar "Relief Bill" to help small businesses, unemployed workers, families, and other government-funded entities.  

Again, when we read this after the pandemic has ceased, we can remember how we were affected.  But, moreover, how we reacted, stayed strong, and prevailed.