What Has This Pandemic Taught Us? And Finding Options

Hi, Sweet Friends,

As you know, if you have been following this blog for years, we focus on teaching skills to others and keeping up with the growing and processing of our own foods. We live simply, we enjoy a quiet life, and we honor God as our Creator and Sustainer. We too have been affected by this pandemic.

 

When the Covid19 Pandemic hit, most of us (people in general) were not ready for it. It took many of us by surprise. When the World shut down, country by country, we learned that we are all fragile beings. We learned that some of us panic, some shelter in a type of hibernation, some go on with life as usual, and some quickly adapt. We changed habits to cope with the consequence of personal contact that resulted in sickness and even death. 

 

Some restaurant businesses failed and others thrived. We went from eating out in restaurants with family and friends to take-out/take-away bringing food home. Some restaurants shut their doors and others adapted with outdoor dining and pick-up-meals. 

 

Some retailers failed and others thrived. We went from "popping-out" to the stores and shops daily, to shopping only when we "had to go". We became unsocial beings. We were mandated to wear protective masks. We were to wash our hands and use hand cleaners, and to stand at a distance of 6 feet away from others. 

 

Even some big retail stores had rules for customer flow with direction signs in the isles so that people would follow the same path; showing us which way "not" to go. If you forgot something and wanted to go back for it, you were to circle around in the direction of the flow to get back to the isle it was in. We were encouraged to take the first item on the shelf, so not to spread germs to others. There was no "standing around" or "window shopping" and benches were removed from stores. Hand wipes and sanitizers became "prized-commodity" and toilet paper was nonexistent. Digital shopping, store phone-order to home-delivery, and store text/net order pick-up became the way to shop. Special parking areas were made for pick-up orders at the larger retailers.

 

Flying to anywhere stopped. For the second time, that I can remember, there were no planes flying across the skies. The first time was during 911. No one flew anywhere. Airports were closed. We were told that Covid19 came to the USA from someone traveling from another country. Boarders became shut with no one in or out.

 

National parks and recreational places were closed to the public. Yellow "Do not cross" tape was stretched around playground equipment, across parts of parks, across walking/motor trails, and at park entrances. Blockades were set up to keep visitors out of parks. Taking our children to the park was prohibited and frowned upon. Port-a-potties were locked down and closed. Sight-seeing became  dangerous for our health. Family outings stopped. Dog parks closed. Public restrooms, water fountains, and walking trails were closed.

Socializing, as we knew it, stopped all together. Anything deemed "unnecessary" was shut down. We no longer "popped over" to see our neighbors. Some were forced to move from their homes by landlords and housing prices became extremely high for both renters and buyers. 

 

I have not met my new neighbors and I have lived here for over 1 year. This would, normally, be unheard of in my family. We would, traditionally, greet our new neighbors and invite them, into our home, for conversation and a cool drink. We would spend time "getting to know" our neighbors. Over a year now and this still has not happened. Most of my neighbors won't wave "hi" or acknowledge that I am even standing in ear shot of them.

 

 Schools were closed and online learning became the way our children attended classes. With virtual teaching, children with learning disabilities fell through the cracks. Home Schooling, for those who could manage it, was no longer frowned upon. Parents had to find in home daycare for their children. Nurseries, Daycare, and Babysitting were stopped. 

We took action. We washed everything. We cleaned our groceries coming into the home. We found ways to keep ourselves from getting sick, but sadly many of us did not and died from Covid19.

 
As many of us look for hope in these strange times, here are some suggestions to help you see a brighter future. 

• FACE CHAT with the Grandkids! by CJD.Sign

•  Calling Friends and Family: This can relieve stress and catch you up on the latest news. 

Hi, it's me, CJ!

• Text or Email: These are great ways to communicate. If time is short, text. If you have more time to spend on email, this is a good way to send photos, elaborate on current events, or even to send recipes (with photos, of course).
  

• Take a Scenic Drive:  Take a drive around your town or city, look for interesting places and learn about their history. You don't even need to leave the car!

• Plan a "Drive-Thru" Dinner Date: Choose a restaurant that serves drive-thru. Take your order to a park or scenic spot to enjoy a sort of picnic at the park(in the car) for a nice change of pace.
  
  
  
  
  

• Join a Video Call: Call family and friends on a Video Call like Zoom, Face Time, or Skype. I'm doing Bible Study through Face Time on my cell phone. I'm zooming with family on Birthdays and gatherings. 
• Watch Good TV. Watch History, Animal Documentaries, and Kid shows that you know your child/children could watch with you. 
• Keep using the Mask. Keep using your mask, if necessary. Doctor offices and hospitals, places where people are less than the "6foot distancing" mandate. It has personally kept us healthier. 
• Use the hand sanitizer. This is still a good thing to do. Before the pandemic, I was getting sick when I picked up my granddaughter from school. I held her hand as we walked to the car and did not think of her being a carrier of germs. I used and still use the hand sanitizer every time that I touch something or someone out in public. 
• Get Good Information. Many gossip mongers have pushed the Covid scare. Do your homework. Be aware and most of all, do what is good for you and your family. If there is an event you are uncomfortable going to, don't attend. It is your right to say "no". :D 
  
  
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