Reminiscing First Week of Shut Down

         Last night Richard was approached by an unhoused woman who said she had not eaten for two days and would he be able to help her out.  We did happen to have some leftover food in the car.  He gave her the part we hadn’t eaten and she went on her way.  She reminded me of the unhoused woman mentioned at the end of this post.  One week into the pandemic and not all people were certain of how serious it was.  Masks and social distancing were not yet enforced everywhere. 

Jaime and I could hear the homeless woman singing and Jaime decided to join her and made a tiktok video of the two of them singing “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman. I remember how Jaime looked at her as an equal and had not passed any judgement.  I knew she was standing too close for Carol’s liking. We had met up with her a day or two later (here) and had driven in separate cars. Jaime showed her the video the next day.  I think it made Carol nervous.

As careless as we had all been none of my household members ever got sick with COVID.  Carol, on the other hand, believes she got it.  She’d venture out of the house to make a small purchase – such as cat food and toilet paper and there were certain places that she started boycotting because of not enforcing “people protection”.  I remember many feeling that way and others the opposite.  Some people still won’t support those that enforced the mask and social distancing and so forth.  Some people are in denial and still believe it was all a hoax.

Two Years

        Yesterday, while checking out my facebook memories, I was reminded that one of my nephews had been scheduled for baptism two years ago.  I thought it was strange that it would be two weeks into the month instead of at the beginning – but for whatever reason it was changed.  Gary’s baptism had been moved to the 7th and my oldest granddaughter were both baptized at the same time but in different wards.  I posted that it must have been changed due to revelation as that was the last baptism to be held for quite a while in 2020 due to the pandemic.

        My sister left a comment about the craziness of it all and I asked if she had read our brother’s post about his mention of a cat they call “Milagro” and about his late mother-in-law who had gone into the hospital with COVID.  Yesterday he posted many of the details about the next six to eight weeks – the devastation felt, the passing, the funeral.  He mentioned the memories both positive and negative and used the real names of his husband’s family. 

        2021 went by rather quickly – at least I thought it did.  But 2020 was soooo looongg as each month felt like a year.  Each month introduced a new set of problems.  Steven left facebook for a while.  He and his spouse went to Australia before the voting results.  I told him that he should just stay in Australia.  But they returned before Christmas – before a new wave of COVID invaded Australia.  Trump was still in office – never having been much of a president.

        COVID might be over, but we still have a new set of problems.  A possible World War III – thank you so much for that Vladimir Adolf Putin.  I thought it would be Trump that would have sent us in that same direction that you have chosen to go.  Did you guys learn nothing about history?  Why hurt the citizens – not just in Ukraine but your own country as well.  At least COVID was something that we were all fighting together.

Taking Precautions

               The last three times I was with Roland when he had driven to the VA it seemed like a big ordeal.  Instead of going the usual way which leads directly to the hospital, the back roads were required in order to keep all traffic moving in one direction  - only one way in and one way out.  

Along the way we would see masked workers who would come up to the car, ask questions, take temperatures – I think they may have even offered testing but I’m not sure. 

 

https://kcby.com/news/local/roseburg-va-health-care-system-holds-veteran-influenza-clinics

You had to be healthy to get a pink slip (see here) which was the ticket into the hospital.  If you were not healthy, no pink slip for you!  I’m at a hospital . . . that’s where sick people come to be treated.  Isn’t it?

          Yesterday we learned we could have gone in the normal route as we saw no workers – health workers that is.  We did see construction workers and orange polycones and signs.  Lots of detouring and a roundabout drive more than what has been expected since COVID. 

          Normally I just stay in the car and work my puzzles while Roland goes for whatever visit he is there for.  Yesterday it was his eyes.  I should have had him roll down a window as it was hot in the car and I was getting a glare – but he had the keys and I did not.  About ten minutes and two puzzles later Roland called to tell me that I could come into the building.  He did not tell me that there was a screening set up inside.

          I put on a paper mask – and it turned out to be a good thing that I had selected paper as cloth masks are now discouraged.  I was asked first what had brought me there.  I said my husband had called me to come be with him.  I was asked to look at a list of symptoms and report if I had any of them.  I said no.  I was asked if I had been around someone who might be sick.  I said my husband.  I was given a green ticket.  I don’t know if colors really mean anything or not. 

          This area is normally empty as pictured, but all the chairs were full when I entered.  It was the only part of the hospital that I saw people.  

The VA hospital always appears as a ghost town to me – like it was abandoned by all life except maybe the janitor because it is clean. 

      

  I sat down in the waiting area where Roland had his appointment.  A veteran sat caddy cornered from me and pulled down his mask and half yelled that he can't always wear it because he has asthma and the mask makes it hard to breathe.  A worker walked through a door and turned on the TV and said he was sorry it was not already on.  The maskless vet asks if he could turn the TV to the Hallmark channel.  I smiled behind my mask.  First of all, I don't think that the Hallmark channel is available at the VA.  Secondly, it didn't seem like something he would ask for but really was refreshing from anything sports.

        His cell phone went off.  I was amused that he had set his ring tone to Golden Girls' theme "Thank You for Being a Friend"

           I posted these three pictures to my facebook page.  

We had seen these on Saturday when we had gone to Roseburg so that we could get a booster shot for Jenna.  The caption of my post was “History in the Making” as there was a convoy of National Guard who was called in to assist with the high volume of COVID cases currently in the state of Oregon.

Really? I Have to Make an Appointment Now?

               The first time that Roland and I went for a vaccination shot we had to make an appointment as I recall.  We parked in a parking lot and went through a tented area and were led to separate rooms to fill out paper work and receive a shot – which I never felt at the time it was given.  My arm felt a bit bruised the next day, but really not a big deal.

          When we had gone to get our second shot I don’t think there was a designated time.  We drove through the parking lot and the health guides came out to us and gave us our second shot. 

          Jenna was not old enough to qualify for the moderna which Roland and I had received.  When Pfizer came out with a vaccination for those 12-18 we took Jenna to the fairgrounds to get her first vaccination and returned less than a month later to get her second shot.

          We all believed that we were fully vaccinated.  We didn’t think we would get COVID.  Then there was a scare at the theatre and everybody in the cast and their family members were all tested.  Once again, we just drove through to get tested.  I thought it hurt – like the health worker was jamming the stick up my nose.  She wasn’t.  But that’s how it felt.  More pain that the quick prick of the vaccination. 

          But then came Delta and now Omicron.  It was suggested that vaccinated people get a booster.  Roland and I drove to the Casino.  There was no line.  We received our booster within minutes.  We hadn’t taken Jenna but she currently has an appointment to get a booster with the Pfizer.  Meanwhile, we think that we all need to be tested – probably before she receives the booster? 

          I understand that we have to schedule an appointment.  Thus far I have not had success in getting us scheduled.

Living Sci-Fi Continues

          From the beginning of the pandemic, the horrific pictures in the media, the stay-at-home and lock down orders, mask mandates, verbal battles, etc. has been a reminder to some cheesy sci-fi that gets played on the Comet station.  Only we are really living it – though some are still in denial about it doesn’t change that it is and has been part of our lives for one to two years.         

        Jenna is currently in the high school library with a bunch of other students who have not yet received their schedules.  At least she’s not alone.  She has always been enthusiastic and fired to return to school – even last year when I wouldn’t let her.  This year is worse than last year was – more deaths, more cases.  That is why she doesn’t have a schedule and is in the library waiting. 

photo credit source here

         We had recently discussed how each generation has had its challenges.  She wishes she could experience the childhood that I did – back in the day before school shootings were all too common.  Back in a day when there were definite roles between men and women.  A day without internet.  People somehow seemed more humane and kindness mattered in the business world – at least if you were white.  I think there may be a large number of non-whites who would describe my childhood days with a different description. 

photo credit source here

        I have been on my knees pleading with the Lord that Jenna may make it through her senior year with the same attitude she has always had prior to COVID.  If she does happen to wear a smile no one will be able to see it unless there’s a twinkle in her eyes – which comes and goes.  I suspect it has in all of us.

photo credit source here

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda . . .

 Last year when I enrolled Jenna for ORCA, they came back with her to enroll as a senior - which sounded absolutely cool to me. But neither Roland nor Jenna seemed particularly interested in advancing her - especially because Jenna wanted the opportunity of graduating with her class mates at the local high school and not online.  This morning she informed me of the death of one of the staff members who just recently died of COVID.  I don't know why she thinks that.  She doesn't seem to have a source.

It is too late for us to enroll her back in ORCA.  As I mentioned, the school has been put on week delay from when they were supposed to start.  Oregon has called in the national guard to assist with the problem the state is facing with COVID (more specifically the Delta Variant) outbreak.  The state has made national news.  I wish we would have enrolled her as a senior.  Then I wouldn't feel like I am throwing her to the lions den.

Testing Negative

               On Saturday I received my first COVID test ever.  I’m sure the person who was testing was being as gentle as possible – my poor nostrils.  I honestly was expecting that blood would come out of my nose.  It didn’t help matters when Roland (who’d been tested fair) coughed and spewed – or whatever he was doing.  He is NOT a wimp and I am so if he was having problems I figured it was bad.

       It actually was not as bad as I had allowed myself to believe.  Nor was it as easy as my friend, Carol, had indicated the previous day.  It hurt!  And when I said it allowed, I heard Jenna behind me saying, “Thanks, Mom” 

       The person doing the testing told Jenna how brave she was – really?  Hadn’t I been any less brave?  We were told to wait 15 minutes for the results.  Roland started joking that “mom and Jenna” would be negative but his would come out positive.  Not funny.  So we were all more than concerned when they had him take the test again.  Negative.  We had all been vaccinated and had tested negative.  That is reassuring.

       We were told in the beginning (was it last year? Or last century?) that the rural areas would be hit the hardest.  The cocky people of this county didn’t believe – many still don’t – even though Douglas has been proved to be the worst county in the state (don’t forget, Douglas County is also the fifth largest county in the nation) and guess which city in Douglas County currently has the most cases?  That is right, Myrtle Creek’s three thousand somewhat population has contributed to the most cases in Douglas.

       I think I have mentioned before that aside from the massive geographical size of our county, Douglas offers only one hospital located in Roseburg.  Recently they lost a patient from the emergency room.  The patient had been there for two hours or more waiting for an ICU bed to open up.  The patient died of COVID.

       Jenna had come in contact with a friend who had tested positive for COVID. Hence our little jaunt.  Thank you Public Health for your service.

What Now?

        We are still moving too quickly in my opinion. Yes, precautions have been taken and mostly met at some places – but what about those who travel outside of the perimeters? Those who still don’t believe in COVID or the mask mandate or social distancing? Why are there so many who have the mentality of “to each his own” and not consider ALL those they come in contact from day to day? I have made it no secret that I was never in favor of watching the schools reopen. It’s true that several students do so much better with in learning – and while the percentages are down of students who have been infected they are STILL CARRIERS! 

        A friend of Jenna had called to report two classmates who are now under quarantine due to someone having tested positive for COVID – though Jenna had already known as we had been informed that in-person seminary learning would cease to exist for the next ten days at least.   A request was also made (I would assume out of embarrassment) to please respect said individual and NOT pass on confidential information. However, at least one of the students tested positive and had posted it online. I don’t think he provided his source or possible co-conspirators (though I do not know for certain as I haven't had the resources to read his post - it is only second-hand information)

         As I have reread what I have just written, it doesn’t even make sense to me so I will attempt with false identities. Quincy has Covid. I had heard that he’d been sick from a very reliable source. Quincy lives in the same household as Doug who attends the local high school. Doug carpools with Heath and Morgan who attend seminary with Jenna. We learned about Quincy on Thursday night – six hours after Jenna and I had volunteered service hours for one who is 85 years of age. I don’t believe either of us have COVID though I have had a sore throat and some irritating coughing. 

     Jenna had worn her mask the entire time we were serving. I had removed mine when addressing the 85-year-old as the mask (and her aging ability to hear) distorted my words.  I thought it was too soon to visit and not totally comfortable with the idea – but the other three I serve with have been making visits all along. 

         Anyway, either Heath or Morgan had reported the results online. Positive. I think that is very responsible to let others who may have had contact aware. The other tested negative. I don’t know Doug’s results. But there are others in the household who have also been sick. I learned that from another family member. So it is not just their lives that have been upset but those that they associate with either directly or indirectly. Though Jenna may not have rubbed elbows with Quincy personally but does have contact with the other three – although at least six feet apart from two of them, she does sit less than six feet from the one who tested negative. 

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-04-07/91-of-students-isolated-amid-COVID
-19-girls-suffer-most-UNESCO-Pv4Hqqi2mk/index.html

         The school has also contacted parents of students by association and I suspect there are several others who are now responsible for being in quarantine and back online as they are not able to meet in person. We have also been asked not to attend Church tomorrow. Truth is, I don’t wish to return to church at all - not under these circumstances. Not right now. It’s not that I am fearful of getting it myself but rather being a carrier who can inadvertently spread it to others. Hopefully the 85 year old has been vaccinated.

        Jenna reminded me that this happened last year just before spring break.  Not wanting to place fear into the students, some passed off that there would just be two extra weeks of spring break.  The whole spring break fiasco turned into not returning at all - even for those who graduated in 2020.  Just because the vaccines have been introduced in 2021 doesn't give us the right to return (or try to return) to how things were exactly one year ago.  Not everyone in the country has been vaccinated.  Not everyone in the country wants to be vaccinated.  I, for one, do not qualify for the vaccination at this time.  I'm too young.  

        I hope for the sake of everyone (more than myself) I have been in contact with during this past week I am not a carrier and that those I have had contact with remain healthy and don't pick up the virus.  Or this cough or sore throat (which has been this morning thing and not before)

Running Out of Options . . . Best Stay Put

                 After my eldest son’s wife passed away he was given options on how to continue.  An aunt from his mother’s side had offered for him to come live with them on the farm in Freedom, Wyoming.  His in-laws offered to allow him to continue living with them.  Of course Roland offered for him to move to Oregon.  I don’t know what it was that kept him in Utah.  I personally thought Freedom would have been the best choice.  Ali would have gotten to know cousins on the Warner side of the family.  Biff told me that she loved cows (that was when she was two – I have no idea what her interests are at present - wolves?) and she would have had the opportunity to interact with them and learn the ways of dairy farming. 

        Eventually Biff met Claire and thus stayed in Utah for her.  They finally got married.  She had fallen in love with both Biff and Ali.  Ali doesn’t remember Jeanie as she was only two years old when her mother passed.  Clair is her mom – perhaps the only mom that she will remember.  Claire didn’t want to move to Oregon because she was licensed in whatever practice in Utah but does not even work now from what I understand.  She spends a huge amount of time doting on Ali – lately at the hospital.  Ali has been in and out since December.  I recall Jeanie being in and out of the hospital quite often after we met her.  Could Ali be following in her mom’s footsteps?

        I wonder how different things might have been if Biff had brought her to Oregon three years ago or if he had gone to Wyoming.  It sounds like he and his aunt are of similar mind.  Perhaps Ali would have been diagnosed with COVID in Wyoming as well – though I think the exposure would have been less risky there than the wall-to-wall population of people in some counties in Utah.  I don’t know.  We can never know how differently life would have been if we had chosen another path.

        Now it doesn’t seem as if either Oregon or Wyoming are options as Salt Lake and surrounding areas have a wide option of hospitals and clinics.  They may be medically advanced in Portland – but Biff and Clair cannot afford anything in Portland – not that they’d want to come.  I think as long as Ali remains in and out of the hospital, they really need to stay put and take advantage of where they are. 

In the Blink of an Eye

I had made a purchase at Dollar General the other day.  The cashier asked if I would like a bag.  I had momentarily forgotten about the single –use-plastic ban that had been ordered just over a year ago. 

 

https://www.wastedive.com/news/oregon-governor

-signs-laws-banning-plastic-bags-straws/558262/

Dollar General gave out yellow bags before the end of 2019.  Recyclable gray ones were ordered.  They are not as appealing to the eye – nor do they fold over to line the trash can properly.  But they are definitely sturdier.  Five or ten cents per bag is still less than a state tax would be. 

 

I get why it was ordered.  There are so many people who are concerned about the environment and will properly dispose of trash.  There are just as many who are careless – some who just let things fall where they land and don’t bother with disposal.  Sometimes the litter is accidental – like when the wind blows and carries said item away.  I honestly have seen more masks littering the parking lots and streets than I have plastic bags or straws.  But I’ve had firsthand experience with the plastic bag issues.

Newborns are placed in car seats that face the rear of the car.  Today there are periscopes and cameras to check on the child but is still not made available to all who have children. If that did indeed exist sixteen years ago when Jenna was in that kind of car seat, it wouldn’t have been affordable to us as I imagine with many others who have children.

I had run some errands and had allowed the front windows down far enough to create a circulation but not so far down that it would affect Jenna – at least not directly.  Evidently there was enough air to blow a plastic bag onto her face.  She wasn’t harmed, thank goodness, but could have been if the car ride had been longer.

Plastics pollute more than just the ocean. I know some people felt inconvenienced and all too many seem to be upset with Kate Brown and some of her choices.  But then COVID hit and I don’t think a lot of people even considered the plastic ban as COVID is still a hot topic and thus everything in 2020 seemed to center around the disease or fire conditions and placing those that had become homeless due to the elements. 

There are still so many who seem to have it out for Kate Brown and the decisions that were made.  She had run under the democratic party but it was my understanding that it was the Republican party (or at least some of those who had been represented or claimed to be Republican) had campaigned to keep her on – though her name was not on the last ballot and so I don’t know what that was all about.

It’s not like any politician has had a course in how to handle a worldwide pandemic.  I have no issues with Kate Brown or her policies.  I think she is doing the best she can for the welfare of most everybody involved.  I would not have her job for anything.

Where Shall We Go?

           Roland has to take his vacation days or lose them.  He keeps on asking when and where we shall go.  He has a desire to go to North Carolina to see his mom who was supposed to come see us in May of last year – but because of the pandemic wasn’t sent.

          There’s still a pandemic.  We are not in the clear.  It was announced this morning that while some counties have advanced from extreme to high risk, other counties have been set back – ours for example.  We were at extreme and went to high risk but have been told that we are entering extreme again.

          I remember when we were told that the state would reopen in phases.  There would be four phases.  I don’t know of any county in the state who has gone beyond phase two.  I don’t wish for it to sound like I’m living in fear.  I think there’s a difference between fear and being cautious.  Roland will say that he needs to get the vaccine and then he will turn around and ask if we want to go bowling.  I refuse to go bowling during the pandemic.  Heck, I won’t even get into a public pool right now.  How my body has missed that during the summer.

          Before we went to New York last summer, we prayed about our decision.  Opportunities had changed.  Same thing today.  I told Roland that even if we book something we don’t know how things will be in three or four weeks.  We don’t know how they will change tomorrow.  It’s good to make plans – but as there are so many “if” factors right now.  Not only is there a pandemic but several states are experiencing tremendous weather conditions. 

I suggested we just stay around here.  It would be fun to see more of this state and parts of Washington.  Again, we have no guarantees that we would be able to find lodging.  Even so, could we trust it?  How many layoffs have resulted due to the pandemic?  I don’t think traveling at this time is a good idea.  I don’t think all the uncertainties would amount for a great vacation – and yet I am an adventurous.  I always retell situations of the unplanned and perhaps disastrous. 

Roland gave me a scenario of another who is older and Roland asked if he wasn’t worried about COVID to which he received the response, “I can’t stop living.”

I don’t think of the COVID in that same regard – certainly I want to live my life – but not at the expense of my family or my religious beliefs.  God sent plagues to His children in Biblical times.  He tested them. I feel like by going on vacation, by going bowling, by engaging in activities the way that I did before, I am failing the greater test.  I may survive my encounters.  I may have the time of my life.  But what greater blessings will I have missed by giving in?  Even the church itself has not reached phase four.  Who am I that I am better than that?

COVID is still a problem.  It hasn’t gone away.  We know people who have tested positive for COVID.  We know of many who have been hospitalized.  Some people just seem more tolerant somehow while others still have not accepted that all of this is real and that we must proceed with caution. We have a picture of ourselves with Joh's mom in our house when they dropped by 2 and a half years ago.  She passed away because of COVID.   

I am so grateful to President Biden and his messages of hope and encouragement.  Sometimes when I watch or listen to him, he looks and sounds like a general authority.  There is compassion in his voice that we have not had for the last four years.  How different things might have been if we had had a leader who set an example for us to begin with.

Statistics

         Currently there have been over 57,600 recorded cases in Oregon and over 700 deaths due to the cornavirus disease.  

As of this week Douglas County makes up for 862 cases with 10 deaths.  Douglas County is 5,134 square miles with a population of just over 112,000. The largest city within the county is Roseburg with the geographic size of 10.93 mi² (whatever that means . . . math) with a population of almost 24,000.  

Douglas County is considered to be a part of the Red zone. As of tomorrow to at least January 22 all students attending Roseburg schools will have to do so online except for K-3.  Apparently they are to remain in school until the authorities learn that it was probably never a good idea to do that in the first place. I don’t know about the other surrounding cities, but the two school districts within the area in which I live seem to be in full operation right now and will continue . . . or so is the plan.  I think they should keep it safe by following along what Roseburg is doing instead of chancing that things my get work – which I expect they will.  Students get sick at this time of the year without COVID.  And then there’s Thanksgiving coming up. Seminary is still going.  All in person learning as far as I can tell.

2020 may have cancelled a lot in the way of holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other events.  LOTS of events missed or celebrated virtually, dates moved around  - for example my cousin celebrated Thanksgiving outdoors – spaced out tables.  They had the event on a really nice day in October.  I believe there’s snow on the ground right now where she is.  We have rain her.  Lots of heavy rain.  Falling. 

Jenna took this picture from I5

Bonnie doesn’t like the rain.  She mopes around longing to bask in the sun.  We’ll give her a bone toy for her to chew and entertain her.  It’s her mama’s birthday today.  We haven’t seen her since she went to Salem over two months ago.  I bet she’s missing Bonnie. 

What an odd century 2020 has been.  Brought out a lot of creativity with some.  For that I am grateful.

Waiting

             Election Day was three days ago and we still don’t know who the president is for the next four years.  I am hoping NOT Trump and yet at the same time, I know there will be violence from some Trump supporters who don’t understand that bullyism and threats do not make any country great.  They are abusing their freedoms and taking away others’ freedoms. 

There are so many ballots – more than any other year.  Perhaps four times as many.  It takes a long time to count – especially if there are less volunteers due to COVID.  If Joe Biden wins, I hope he sends in a crew to sterilize the white house and not move in for another month or two after his inauguration – that is if Big Baby Trump and his groupies don’t make it such an unrealistic ordeal. 

Joe Biden has campaigned for being for the people – all people – whether he was voted in by that person or not.  Trump will not honor those who didn’t vote for him.  He won’t have any problem stepping on the ones who did.  Unfortunately, some of those who voted for him still won’t know any better. 

The economy is going to be horrible no matter which one gets in.  Trump will have his followers believing everything is great, that we will all be able to return to work and thrive and that COVID will go away.  COVID will not go away.  Other nations are getting second waves of COVID – but the Americans will never get a second wave.  You know why?  Because we will never succeed  at getting over the first!

Too many have the attitude of “Open right now.” “We need our jobs” “We need to spend money” . . . not only are we battling COVID but flu season is here.  There are states fighting the elements in addition to the COVID.  They’re not returning to work.  They have to rebuild their cities.  They have been damaged in several weeks.  Returning to work is not the number one concern right now.  It is rebuilding their homes, their lives, this nation . . .

The country opened too soon.  People got bored.  They somehow forgot.  The media reports cases within various schools – now taking precautions by sending the entire class, busload, pod or whatever into quarantine to be monitored for the next two weeks.  Football players and firemen are testing positive.  Really?  Who thought restarting football was a good idea?  Fireman are necessary.  Front line workers: necessary.  Resteraunts – a way to make a living for the owners and workers – but not necessary for the patrons.  Jenna and I haven’t had our hair cut since January.  It’s not so much that we need it cut as we need it thinned out.  But again, it’s not an essential.  It’s not like a necessity such as treatment or food.

The nation is apprehensive right now.  Our current president is a racist and a liar.  He has threatened to leave the country if he doesn’t win.  Good riddens.  I hope he does flee the country!  I hope he takes his family of supporters with him!  Maybe there will be room for them in Greenland.