Corona Virus Pandemic Preparedness

Hi everybody, just checking in once again to see how you all are doing. Absolutely *nothing* is different in my neck of the woods, so my own post will be quite boring. Oh, I do have one bit of good news: my sweetie doggie Luna celebrated her 12th birthday yesterday :D :D :D. Neither Barkis nor Peg made it to that milestone, so her Dad and I are feeling very lucky and grateful this weekend. Her walks are now only very short, very leisurely strolls. But she still loves them, and I treasure every single one of them, too.

Aside from that, it’s same-old, same-old here. COVID cases are down a bit, but still too high to feel as though community spread is yet under any real control. So we remain hunkered down in our house except for really necessary errands. My hair is now long enough that I can at least corral it into a ponytail. I bought a set of vari-colored scrunchies at the grocery store today, and felt as though that was my big fashion statement for the summer!

Ah well, we’ve now survived for five months like this — hopefully there’ll be some good news about a vaccine or treatment in another 5-6 months. Fingers crossed, that’s for sure!

Marianne

Before the pandemic hit, I started growing out a pony tail with the intention to get it long enough to donate to use for wigs. They tell me gray hair in in demand. :) That requires at least 7" of hair. The pony tail is now past my shoulder blades! There is a collection of scrunchies, clips of various sizes, barrettes, and other implements of hair containment in my bathroom. I have stared longingly at my dog clippers more than one I promise, going so far as to take them outside one day and plug them in but I restrained myself with considerable effort! :D:D:D I cannot wait to get this mess cut off and I will never grow it out again. Since we aren't supposed to touch our faces I started cutting off the hairs that were too short to contain but long enough to get on my face making me want to brush it away so now I have a halo of short gray hair around my face. LOL So I've added some old fashioned hair bands and kerchiefs to hold that down. Always a fashionista! :D:D

I've been out of the house more in the last 5 weeks than in the whole time since March. Dentists, doctors, and PT....and I can tell you I am on pins and needles waiting for 30 days to pass when I don't have to see one or the other! :( :eek: If I could find and afford a hazmat suit to wear to those appointments I would gratefully. As it is I wear mask, gloves, and face shield and hold my breath when they get close if at all possible. Hard to do with a dentist let me tell you! :eek: I am so looking forward to the time when I can isolate once again.

Like you, Marianne, I am praying for a viable vaccine soon. Hopefully everyone will be able to get one that will work at least as well as the flu vaccines do so that if we do get the virus it won't be as hard on us. Be nice to have one that simply makes the risk next to nothing but I will take anything for now. As we learn more hopefully we will have better weapons to use against it.

Happiest of Birthdays to our sweet Luna! I can only imagine how blessed you and her dad feel to have her reach this milestone. I pray she is with you for a long time yet to come!

Ya'll take care!

I have 37 monarch caterpillars in their chrysalis, they should be eclosing within the next week, these are the super-migrators and will be the ones that fly the whole way to Mexico to roost.

My niece decided to cyberschool Misty, which I believe is best, Misty likes having school at home as she is a momma's baby! It's 5 hours long, her school day starts at 8:45am with breaks in between plus homework.

Not much else going on, hope everyone is safe and well.

Hugs, Lori

Hey there, Lori! OK, so we need an update on your butterflies :-) Surely hoping they all stayed well.

Also, Kathy, how have things worked out for your students? Are you back in the classroom?

And we'd love to hear from everybody else, too. *I'd* especially love to hear, because my life is still so self-contained -- nothing has changed here at all, and one day just blends into the next, into the next, into the next...

Marianne

Hello All, I hope this finds you all well and happy. Marianne, so glad to hear that you have kept yourself safe. I know you have exchanged your freedom for safety. I imagine you are going pretty stir crazy about now. Thankfully it won't be forever, but it sure feels like it I'm sure.

I haven't reported in a while because frankly I don't have anything happy to report. I am still waiting on Addy's one good thing. Everything just kind of went to hell since mom died the end of December. First there was Covid, then the California wildfires and excessive continued heat. My AC broke down twice in a week. I'm hoping that it is finally fixed now.

Yes, I returned to work at my school site on August 19. We were distance learning only with staff on site, no students. It went surprisingly well. The kids were great and I was enjoying it much more than I thought I would. Maybe that's my one good thing! I also felt relatively safe with Covid protocol in place and only staff on campus. That left me pretty much alone in my classroom, except for one other adult. SDC (Special Day Class - Special Needs) students returned to site full day on September 14th. So all of my kids returned except for 3 who opted out, deciding to continue distance learning for this school year. SDC classes are generally much smaller (12-14 students) verses regular Ed., with as many as 35 per class.These smaller classes allow for social distancing, so SDC came back full day. The remainder of the students (regular Ed.) returned last week on 9-28 in the AM, PM hybrid mode. Half the kids at a time, teaching double sessions. So we now have all the kids back on campus but most half day.

So how is it going for me. I can't go into much detail because of confidentiality issues. I will say that I felt much safer while on distance learning. A huge chunk of my day is swallowed up by COVID protocol. Temperature checks, hand sanitizer, hand washing stations, keeping masks on students and myself etc... The list goes on and on. I know this protocol is necessary. I just wish we had stayed on distance-learning until there wasn't so much of it needed. I consider retiring EVERY SINGLE DAY! I didn't sign up for any of this! I have a real breathing issue with masks. I have to wear one all day. With poor air quality due to wildfires and excessive heat, I come home most days with heat exhaustion. It will get better. I know that. It will be cooling down soon. There will be a vaccine eventually. I am healthy so far and just keep pushing on. Aside from work, I am still going out only for essential needs.

Stay safe everyone!

That's about it for now...

Hey Kathy, thanks so much for the update. I had read it right when you posted it and intended to reply right away, but now here it is, almost a week later...

You'd think that being holed up in my house all the time, I'd be incredibly efficient re: following up on my "to-do" checklist. *WRONG*!!!!! If anything, I'm even less productive than pre-COVID. Nobody comes to visit, so does it really matter if the dust bunnies grow into a herd?? Tomorrow will look pretty much like today, so why not take a nap (or two) instead of organizing that pantry?? I can probably get another day or two out of wearing that same sweatshirt -- why rush with the laundry??? It's a really weird dynamic -- there's very little urgency to the tasks of any given day, and yet the weeks really do roll around quickly. Seems as though I've just brought the dumpster in from the curb when it's time to haul it back out again. Life in the time of COVID. Very strange.

ANYHOO, I was so glad to read your update, although I do worry about your work exposure. I know you're staying as safe as you possibly can, and how lucky your students are to have you in the classroom with them. I've definitely got my fingers crossed that you'll continue to remain safe, and that all the combined conditions in California will improve as we head farther into the fall.

Continue to take good care, and check back in with us whenever you're able.
Marianne

I've released 51 Monarchs this year and still have 11 in chrysalis, these 11 are very late in the season and I'm worried that when they eclose the weather will be too cold for their release. We've been having temps in the high 60's and 70's and if this keeps up they'll be fine so I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that this will be the case when those late bloomers eclose.

Marianne, I remember you were thinking about growing milkweed, what did you guys decide?

Hey Lori, yes, I was considering trying to grow some in containers a while back. But I honestly never see any monarchs around Atlanta at all. Actually, sadly, very few butterflies of any type. So I started wondering whether there was even any point to growing the milkweed. I guess the city must be a pretty hostile environment for the butterflies, what with all the mowing and landscaping chemicals. So I kind of lost heart. I’m so glad to hear you ended up with so many to release again this year, though! That’s much cheerier news, for sure.

If you plant milkweed they may come!!! I hardly ever saw butterflies until I started a butterfly friendly garden. Now swallowtails and monarchs play homage to the flowers I've planted, every year I add a new perennial and next year I plan to make the flower garden larger to accommodate more milkweed, gardening relaxes me even though it can be hard work!

It's good exercise too! It was way too hot and the mosquitoes were horrible this year to get out and do anything. It's finally cooling off and I can sit in my gazebo again. Actually had the electric fireplace on a few times the last few days. I love sitting out there listening to the birds and crickets.

I was laid off on the 22nd, so I am officially a housewife. I have been busy trying out squash recipes, mostly soups. It's nice to be puttering around the kitchen and the house smells so good while they are simmering on the stove. Gable and Cooper love the roasted squashes, so I make extra just for them to snack on. I've also been making pies. They love apples, peaches and plums, too. I may not be bringing in any money, but like to think we are saving on buying lunches and dinners...

For the first time in years I won't have to kill myself getting ready for the holidays. They will be a lot quieter this year. My sister and her family will be moving to South Carolina in November, so it will probably be just my kids and grandkids this year. Hopefully we can avoid the second wave if there is one...

Life continues pretty much as usual for me. I lived fairly isolated before COVID but I do miss my infrequent visits with friends and family....and REALLY miss going out to eat! I love to grab a good book and go do that but haven't been in a restaurant since March and don't know when I will again. Probably not until there is a viable vaccine at least. Most of my groceries are either via online order/pickup or delivery but on rare occasions I do go to the store. These times have become my big adventures. LOL But the last month I have been almost incapacitated by diverticulitis - a hell I don't wish on anyone! I dearly love food, as my waistline will attest to, but am learning that food is now my enemy. A liquid diet seems to be where I am going to be staying for a while because every time I try to add something solid the cost is just too high. So it's liquid or full liquid for now. What I wouldn't give for some Sushi! :o

Since my family is of the faction that believes COVID is a big ole hoax that will disappear on Nov 4, I will be spending the holidays alone this year. It won't be the first time but this year my oldest grandson turned 19 and I know his days at home are numbered so I will miss being together with them more because of that.

The dogs are doing fine and as always help bring meaning to my little world. I don't see may coons these day; my troop has all died I guess. There was one female that came around this spring for a while and I think she was one of the kits from that troop. I had hoped she would bring her kits around and there would be coons around again but it didn't happen. From time to time I see signs at the water bowl some have been there and I hear them in the woods at night often but they don't come out to visit. I miss them terribly. But I still believe Squirt sent Mama that spring because she knew her time was close and that I would need Mama and her buddies for a while.

I pray always that we all remain well and safe in our new normal and that one day things can return to a semblence of what we used to call normal in the near future. Take care of yourselves, please.

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I pray always that we all remain well and safe in our new normal and that one day things can return to a semblence of what we used to call normal in the near future. Take care of yourselves, please.

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I want to restate Leslie’s prayer. With the explosive growth of COVID cases throughout our country, it’s hard to know what the future will hold. Everything is just the same in my house; nothing at all has changed. We enjoyed a surprisingly fun Halloween, which I wrote about on our “In Loving Memory” subforum. Aside from that, we’ve still seen no friends nor family since March, and continue to cocoon in hopes of avoiding the virus. I’m so hoping the rest of our K9C family remains safe, as well.

Marianne

I swear! Dogs are gonna be the end of me! :D:rolleyes::D A few weeks ago a gorgeous Alaskan Husky showed up in my neighborhood and you-know-who got a leash on him and proceeded to try to find his home. My friend and neighbor walked miles with me asking folk if they recognized him with no luck. So she took him home with her (because Bud was being a huge butt for some reason) and I posted him on Facebook and the Neighborhood forums. Two days later, on Monday, my neighbor's niece, who lives on the other side of her, told us the dog belonged to a friend of hers....the friend had posted on FB asking for help in finding her baby. YAY! His home was found! So the niece and my neighbor were going to take him home. I went down to the niece's house to help load him in her car. Thinking only about the dog and getting him back home I forgot to put my mask on....none of us remembered to mask up. After some struggles, which mean being almost face to face several times, we got that big handsome boy loaded and on his way back home.

Two days later my neighbor called to tell me we had been exposed by the niece. :eek::eek: She and her boyfriend had gone to a wedding that same weekend that the dog showed up. 25 people had attended....you know, that "limited" number of people for a gathering? One of the bridesmaids had a "bad cold" but just had to go and be there for her friend. The niece said everyone took off their masks for pictures and at the reception. The day after the wedding the girl with the "bad cold" was in the hospital with COVID. All 25 people at that "limited" affair ended up with COVID because of this young lady's "cold". Two remain on a ventilator. :( Thankfully my neighbor and I tested negative on two tests and only had to endure a quarantine which ended 4 days ago.

Meanwhile all my doctor appointments during that 14 day period had to be rescheduled starting yesterday. Over those 14 days ARK's numbers have started climbing at a frightening rate with no end anticipated which means I, and my neighbor who also has health issues, have to get out in public during the worst time in our state so far. I want to blame that young lady for putting her desires above the welfare of others but the fault actually lies with me and that blooming dog! :o:rolleyes::D

I am very very grateful I didn't get sick!

OMG Leslie, I’m so glad you didn’t get sick, either!!!!!!!!!!

<SIGH> If only people would realize that wearing a mask and social distancing are acts of compassion and generosity to protect *others* who may be more vulnerable and at risk. Even though they may not be worried about themselves, if only they would carry concern in their hearts for others...

Oh well. As far as your dog-wrangling, though, you’ve made me realize I probably always ought to be carrying a mask in my pocket, myself, at all times when I’m walking Luna. I always walk in very low traffic areas and distance myself from anybody we encounter. So I haven’t been taking a mask along with us outdoors. But heck, somebody else might need emergency help, or I could trip and fall, myself. And it would be so important for me to have a mask to put on then. So lesson learned, and thank you very much!

On a lighter note, I recently read a Twitter exchange that made me laugh. Can’t remember who it was, so I can’t credit them for the humor. But this is how it went:

First person (Asking quite seriously): “Given all we’ve been through this past year, if your 2020 self could go back in time and give some words of wisdom to your 2019 self to help prepare for what’s to come, what would you say?”

Second person: “Buy lots of toilet paper.”

And in my mind, that perfectly summarizes the surreal year that 2020 has been for us all!!!!!

Well, I wish I had some good news to report regarding COVID-19 in California. That is not in the cards right now. The virus is surging like a wildfire in CA, and we know them well! CA has been divided in 5 regions. Once the capacity of ICU beds dip below 15%, that region will be placed on a stay at home order. I live in Southern CA. My region is now at 13.1% capacity, which means that we are the first to receive the order. It goes into effect at 12:59 PM today. Most businesses will close, as before. However schools with a waiver will remain open following the guidance of CDPH (California Department of Public health). It is too dangerous to allow people to gather in any capacity and to enforce a stay at home order, yet it is okay for schools to stay open for in person instruction with precautions in place. Since I am a staff member in one of these schools, I have to be careful what I put out on any kind of public forum. I will just say that there is COVID-19 circulating through schools, as it is everywhere else. Each day is beyond stressful, as that is the day that I might bring it home. I am being tested regularly and have remained virus free up through my last test. At this point who knows, until my next test. I am hoping that we end up going back on distance learning, at least for now. I know that help is finally on the way with vaccines getting approved in record time, but not soon enough. People are dying in record numbers, which keep going up and up. Yes, kids need to be in school for so many reasons. Yes, they are far less likely to become seriously ill than adults. No one disputes this! That's what we all want. Doing this in the midst of a surge is incredibly risky for those adults, particularly older staff members, and those with pre-existing conditions. They also risk taking it home to vulnerable family members who are unlikely to fare as well.
To sum all of this up… Covid sucks!
I realize that many of you may be suffering due to this global relentless pandemic! Please be careful and try to stay as safe as you possibly can because HELP IS ON THE WAY!!!

The inevitable has happened. I am now in a 14 day quarantine. I am a close contact in two positive cases from work so far. I was already in quarantine when I got word of the second case. My quarantine started again yesterday and goes until The 30th. I remain symptom free so far. Will be testing on the 26th, unless symptoms surface sooner. They have found that testing is being done too early resulting in false negatives. So, symptom free, testing is recommended 7-10 days after exposure. This directive comes from the CDPH ( California department of public health), which oversee the Covid cases that occur in schools.

Southern CA is experiencing very high hospitalizations. LA has run out of ICU hospital beds. Other emergencies, not Covid related are not able to get care because all beds have been ultilized for Covid. Heart Attacks, strokes, car accident and other emergencies are unlikely to get timely care, which will result in even more unnecessary suffering and deaths. We are on shutdown here with only essential businesses open. With our population so large (more than 40 million people)this situation was expected to occur. That doesn't make it any easier right now. Healthy health care workers are in very short supply and vaccines are extremely limited for now.

I am fine for now. Waiting out my quarantine through Christmas and beyond. December 20th is the one year anninversary since my Mom died. There is a lot happening. Trying to stay safe and keep Dad safe too. I hope you all are too! Check in and let us know how you are all holding up.

Oh Kathy,
I just saw a headline about how devastated the hospitals are in CA and thought of you so came here and saw your post. How hard for you to be going through this and I hope you remain symptom free. There has been some talk from the CDC about cutting quarantine to 10 days if you remain symptom free.
It all feels inevitable somehow, I agree and I know I need to tread carefully so will only say, it is upsetting because the outcome of the virus did not need to be this way and leave it at that.
Stay strong, Kathy. It will all turn out ok. Do you know when you can expect your vaccine?
Keep us updated.

Yes Addy, I totally agree with your quote below. I will also leave it at that!

Thank you so much for coming here to check on me. It warms my heartthinking that you saw a bleak report concerning CA and thought of me. Unfortunately, those hospitalization/ICU reports are true. CA has purchased thousands of body bags and has dozens of refrigerated storage units on standby as it prepares to deal with a growing death toll from COVID-19. 60 53-foot long refrigerated units ready for counties and hospitals are a sobering statistic.

Dad and I are wearing masks whenever we have to be in the same room. He is practically deaf, so I have to write everything out on a white board for him. Staying apart all the time is difficult, but we are managing. My main fear about contnuing to work was the possibility of bringing the virus home to Dad. Now I am living that possibility. I started my winter break in quarantine which will last most of my break. I am still hoping that my district will close to in person learning and go back on distance learning until numbers improve dramatically. If it doesn't, I am afraid that more quarantines will happen and my risks will compound with each quarantine. I never would have thought that going to work would cause so much anxiety.

So thinking of my one good thing. Addy's mantra.... Dad is still with me and we are both doing well for now. We are so much better off than millions of families suffering due to this pandemic.

Remain strong EVERYONE!!!
PS.. No Addy, I have no idea when I will be able to get the vaccine, but it won't come soon enough!

https://www.k9cushings.com/forum/ima...quote_icon.png Originally Posted by addy https://www.k9cushings.com/forum/ima...post-right.png
it is upsetting because the outcome of the virus did not need to be this way and leave it at that.

Gosh Kathy, I’m so sorry to read that you’ve been exposed, but keeping my fingers crossed that with each day that passes, you remain symptom-free!! What a weird and upsetting situation for us all to have the hope of the vaccine dangling in the distance like a carrot on a stick at the same time that we’re trying to dodge the contagion. My county issues really detailed COVID statistics down to the zip code, and for some reason, my suburban zip code is literally exploding with cases right now. Almost the worst in the entire extensive metro area. Why, I wonder?? Could it be related to the fact that the streets of my subdivision were packed with visiting cars on Thanksgiving?? I just dunno what people are thinking. Seriously. I shudder to think how much worse Christmas will make things. You better believe that the instant I have the chance to be vaccinated, my sleeve will be rolled up.

Anyway, I’ll surely be hoping that you and your dad stay well. I know this Christmas would have been a challenge for you, anyway, regardless of COVID. It will be for us, too. It’s really hard to be cooped up in the house without my mom here alongside us. I’m trying to keep up with at least some of our little rituals, but I really wish we could have just gone away to the mountains again like we did last year. There’s such a hole in the house here. But at least we’ve managed to stay safe so far. And I certainly shouldn’t say “at least” because staying safe is *huge.* Hoping that the same remains true for you, your dad, and the rest of our K9C family!

(And BTW, I love seeing Elf Buddy reappearing as your avatar — that’s definitely my one good thing to start out this chilly December morning :-)))))))

This is so scary, and it did not have to get to this point. When I see these morons saying how it's their right NOT to wear masks, I just want to scream. How can people be so utterly STUPID?? The schools are still open here, but my grandsons are doing virtual. Josh can not be exposed. Even if we get the vaccines here, he can't get it...not until they find out it's safe for kids with CGD. It is mind-boggling and embarrassing that this is happening in the United States in this day and age!

So far here on Long Island, things are not bad. Seeing masks has become the norm. Josh says he can't even remember not wearing one. What a way for our children to grow up...Hubby and I have been in and out of hospitals and doctors' offices for weeks now and I am surprised that neither one of us has come down with it. I just hope we can get some answers on what kind of cancer he has and how it's to be treated before it gets bad here and we won't be able to get any kind of treatment. He is supposed to start chemo on Tuesday at Northwell, but we got a call from Memorial Sloan Kettering yesterday and they don't want him to start until we've seen a doctor from there. They feel we should be using them. They are the gurus of cancer, so we have a telehealth call set up for Monday...we'll see what they say. I'm not cancelling the chemo yet. I was googling until late last night and found some information that I hadn't seen yet and I'm not sure Northwell has a real handle on it. From what I read it is a lot worse than we are being told, and I think they have been way too slow in testing. If his doctor had paid attention way back over the summer, I think he would not be in the shape he is now with pain and increasing symptoms, not to mention that the symptoms are getting worse. If either one of us get Covid now, I don't know what we'll do.

I have no Christmas spirit...my tree is not finished, the house is not decorated, I just wish we could go back to last year.

Okay, I'm done venting...I got myself a Grinch mask for Christmas. I love it!

Please be safe, dear friends. And I hope you have a Merry Christmas in spite of the awful mess we are in.

Oh Kathy, I am so sorry that you were exposed and am praying for you. Joan, you and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers too.

On a lighter note, we received 10 inches of snow Thursday!! Been busy shoveling, man, that's backbreaking work!!!! BIL came down later on with his snowblower and helped, and my Uncle plowed out my mailbox plus the lower part of my driveway. My driveway is an "S" shape with a steep incline so I told my Uncle not to plow out the rest for fear that he would get stuck or wreck his vehicle. Misty and her Grandpa came down later that day and went sledding in my back yard, she had a ball and so did Jax, he loves the snow even though it is almost higher than he is, he was hopping around in it like a bunny!!

Please stay safe my friends! Hugs, Lori

Awwwwww, thanks for your sweet story. Always love to hear about your and Misty's adventures. Jax sounds fun!

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Originally Posted by Harley PoMMom

Misty and her Grandpa came down later that day and went sledding in my back yard, she had a ball and so did Jax, he loves the snow even though it is almost higher than he is, he was hopping around in it like a bunny.

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We got lots of snow too...thank God for my next door neighbor and his son who lives across the street. They keep our walkway and driveway apron clear with their snowblowers. I just had to do the backyard for the dogs, which was not easy. I didn't do as good a job as I usually do and it is pretty treacherous out there now...and it's snowing again. I don't care...I do love the snow! So do Gable and Cooper. Cooper loves to run and jump into the drifts, while Gable loves to bury his face in and eat the snow. He loves it when I throw snowballs at him and shovels full of snow over him. The girls don't like it much. Lena used to love to run with the boys and bark while they wrestled in the snow. She would come in weighted down with little snowballs attached to her fur and I would wrap her in a towel and cuddle her until they all melted. I miss her so much. I just put all her ornaments on the tree last night.

Sigi took the boys to Morgan Park where all the kids sleigh ride and they had a blast. They got to see lots of their friends for the first time in months. I think it must've been like a reprieve for them all. They were all masked up and stayed an appropriate distance apart...how different. I wish I had been able to get out and go with them to get some pictures.

Josh and I are going to St. John's barn sale today in Lattingtown. It's the last day they will be open until the Spring and I'm sure we will get many bargains as they will be trying to get rid of as much as possible. $5 bags that you just fill with as much as you can. He's got his wallet ready! I really don't need anymore stuff, but you never know...just might find that one thing I never knew I needed! LOL!

COVID test update....
Tested on December 24, 2020 (Never would have imagined that I would be to Covid testing on Christmas Eve!)
NEGATIVE RESULTS - December 25, 2020
One day turnaround at our local Education testing site.
Quarantine ends the 30th.

Southern California is in a critical Covid situation. Someone is dying every 10 minutes in Los Angeles. There are no staffed ICU beds available anywhere in Southern CA. The only way one opens up is if someone dies, or improves enough to leave the ICU. Emergency services (Paramedics) have been told not to transfer patients to the hospital. To make them comfortable and keep them home if it all possible. Very grim here. Yet, many are ignoring the stay at home order and are gathering anyway. This is following the Thanksgiving celebrations. The results of Christmas and New Year's celebrations are likely to collapse our healthcare system and numerous, unnecessary deaths will be the result.

Please do all you can to stay safe and protect your loved ones.

So glad you got a negative result, Kathy.

“Ditto” !!!!!!!!!!

Hi all
First off, happy holidays! Popped in to say hi, but not liking what I am reading on this thread. In New Zealand we just spent the holidays with our families and friends, We are able to attend concerts, sports, shop freely and generally enjoy life with no covid cases in the community. We did a hard lockdown way back in March for six or so weeks and since then apart from a couple of blips have been covid free. Our border is closed, ppl can come here but they are in managed isolation facilities for two weeks and must have a couple negative tests before they can be released. We do have positive covid ppl in quarantine at the border. We are fine with that, we do not want ppl bringing it here. I think the main difference, we are a country of islands and it is easier to defend but our Prime Minister always listens to our health experts to keep us safe and long may that last.

I had a bloody run in with breast cancer and had had mastectomy three months ago. Luckily low grade and they got it all so no need for chemo or radiotherapy. But still knocked me for a six. Back at work now, still juggling mum and dads health issues, dad in hospital at the moment but I took him home for Christmas Day and hopefully he will be out soon.

nice to read all the happier news
Trish

Oh wow I missed this thread and had updated my thread for vanilla earlier

We are back in lockdown here in Ontario Canada as our cases started to go up after having decreased in the summer. Basically people just not taking care and some still
Thinking this is no mire than the flu. My neighbors entire household tested positive. They aren’t sure who got it or when where but they all got sick, quarantined, till they tested negative. My nephews wife’s uncle passed from it. One uncle and his wife went to an out of state wedding, stopped at the other uncles home to visit I. Their way back. Gave it to them. Both uncles came up positive and one didn’t make it.

My friend in California has tested positive, got it from a nurse. Unfortunately that friend had gotten sick last January and has been oxygen every since. So for a year. She didn’t test positive for covid then but had pneumonia. Now she has it and has moved to the motorbike to stay away from Family. She is in California.

Someone at work lost Their mom To it. It isn’t just the flu. I don’t know what is wrong with people, not caring about others and putting them at risk.

We have had his and downs with supplies but never ran out of anything. A few times toilet
Paper or paper towels would get a low stock, but you could always find it somewhere else.
I use Instacart aLot and order in groceries, etc. I try to support local business by ordering and doing curb side pickups whenever I can. So many businesses are going under it is sad.

There is a local consignment store that does online video of new arrivals 2nd hand and they ship all over the world so I’ve been ordering stuff via them They been in business a long time and I hate to see how this has hurt them. We do the same with local pub

Everything that comes in gets washed or quarantined before use

Got to run but everyone hang in there. We will get through this!

Hey everybody, just thought I’d add an update and I’ll hope to hear from other folks, too. First off, thank you to Trish and Sharlene for stopping by earlier! It was so good to hear from you. And secondly, I can hardly believe it’s now been a year since we first had the inkling of what we were in for. But just an inkling — I’d never have dreamed that I’d go so long without seeing my family and friends in person. Never in a million years. To quote the Grateful Dead, “What a long, strange trip it’s been...” But here we are, with fingers still crossed for a better year ahead.

In that vein, hubby and I are incredibly lucky that we got our first vaccine dose last week. It really was dumb luck that we got access, but we jumped at the chance. We got the Moderna vaccine, so will wait a month for the second shot. I ended up with a *really* sore arm and felt kind of blah the next day. But by the second day, I was fine again. They say the second dose usually packs the stronger punch, so I may start taking some Tylenol in advance the next time around. But no matter what, it’ll be well worth some discomfort to get the protection.

Aside from that, the only real news on my end is that Luna’s been battling a GI upset for about six weeks now. Kind of a remitting, relapsing battle with very soft, nasty stools and occasional inappetence. She’s not been acutely ill, but also not entirely herself. She’s been on Rx food, and recent bloodwork showed mildly elevated ALP and ALT, so she’s now on Denamarin and we may need to shift her away from the Previcox and over to Galliprant. Repeat bloodwork to be done on Thursday, so we’ll see whether or not there have been any changes. I have to laugh: hubby and I have been postponing all our personal medical and dental visits all year until we could get vaccinated, but I must have made a half dozen trips to the vet’s office since early December to get food, meds, and to take her for testing. What we won’t do for our furkids! Anyway, I’m *so* grateful to have at least started the vaccination process.

OK, that’s it for now. I’ll be hoping to hear from you all, too!
Marianne

Good for you, Marianne! The doctor Jess works for arranged to have all of his staff vaccinated, so she got her first shot a couple of weeks ago. Hubby could get one through Memorial Sloan Kettering, but he's starting chemo tomorrow and radiation on Feb. 3, so I think we will wait.

Funny, Gable had a bout of something last week, bloody diarrhea for about two days. Ran to the vet for a PVT and some Flagyl. Test came back at 4.2, so I don't know what happened. Started him back on the Vetoryl today...and yes, I have run to the vet and pet store routinely during this year and have not gone anywhere for myself at all. Although we have had more exposure through hospitals and facilities in the last few months because of Victor's cancer.

I hope Luna starts to feel better...it's so stressful when they are not themselves...

I am SO GLAD you and hubby got the vaccine process started, Marianne! Even tho I have a letter from my oncologist stating that I am high risk I've been told I won't be able to get one until at least AP. So I will stay hunkered down in my isolation for a while yet. But I am really looking forward to feeling a little bit more secure getting out and being able to go to church and be with family and friends. I'm pretty much a loner but this year has been harder on me than I would have ever dreamed. But I have stayed busy crocheting and working on clearing out the woods beside my house. The vines had gotten so thick they formed a curtain preventing any breeze which meant my house was growing mold and algae requiring frequent pressure washing. Plus a critter called a Woolly Aphid took up residence in the thick brush and made my ramp quite hazardous with their slick deposits....and also killing most of the grass on that side of the house. So maybe with the brush cleared out those things will improve. I can't work every day nor for long when I can....my old degenerating spine calls me a dumb broad quite often and very loudly. :D:D I answer by spending a day or so in the recliner on a heating pad hooking my yarn. LOL

My digestive issues remain tho not as intense as they were. I am still trying to find the foods that I can eat with the least negative response and the ones I should never even look at. The weight loss continues but at a slower pace than when this first started.

Joan, I pray your hubby does well with his treatments and that they are 100% successful. Five years from now we will celebrate his transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor. :)

Thankfully my babies are all doing well. Sophie and Tilly had dentals earlier this month and between them they lost 13 teeth! The rescue had told me when I got Tilly that she only had 3 teeth left but they were wrong - NOW she only has 3 left. :D She was already on soft home-cooked food so there was no issue with her food and Sophie is doing well on soaked kibble....she thinks she really special now! LOL All three got a clean bill of health other than the needed dentals for those two. Tilly's kidneys are still doing great - SDMA of 5! I had been a bit concerned because she has an upset tummy from time to time and doesn't' want to eat but Squirt had those times as well so we carry on when she's ready to eat. Bud's eyes have not gotten worse and for that I am happy. He has proven that old adage that you can't teach an old dog new tricks isn't correct. He has learned to lay down and roll over since we started treating his eyes. :cool: He's such a good and smart boy. I don't know what I would have done without them this past year. ;)

I am choosing to be hopeful for the coming year that we will be able to start living our new norms, having learned what is truly most important to each of us and what we are better off without, giving us more fulfilling and meaningful days ahead.

You sound good and positive, Leslie! So glad that you and your babies are doing well. I have been thinking of taking up my crocheting again. I haven't done any in 12 years and it might give me something to keep my mind off of all of this. I made baby blankets for everyone but my own grandsons. I still can't figure out why I just could not make one when Jess was pregnant with Josh, and of course now I regret it. They have three cats now, so I wouldn't even bother...maybe hats. We'll see...

My husband said a ratio of a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to one cup of water in a spray bottle should get rid of them, maybe not right away, might take a few treatments.

Marianne, so glad you and hubby were able to get your first round of shots but sorry your arm hurt afterwards :( And hopefully Luna will be feeling much better soon.

Joan, I'll be keeping you and your hubby in my thoughts and prayers. I've been wondering how Gable was doing so thanks for the update and hopefully soon he'll feel like his "ole" self.

Leslie, sending positive thoughts and energy your way, fingers crossed that you'll find food that agrees with your gut. Also, happy to hear that your furkids are doing well, SDMA of 5!!! WooHoo!!!!

I'm doing good, I'm a homebody so staying at home is fine with me. I've started a ton of seeds indoors for those monarchs and am so hoping for a plentiful migration this year! Jax turned 2 years old Feb 26th and he has quite the personality!! Loves his ball and knows it by name, he'll go find it when I ask him to and he'll even drop it on my lap so I don't have to bend down. He's not quite the lap-dog I hoped for but I love him so much. He just hates when I trim his rear end and growls at me the whole time I'm doing it but when I'm done he's so happy and loves on me as if he's saying his sorry for all his fussin!! Misty's Dad bought her a phone for Christmas, I think she's way to young for it but that's just my opinion! She does call me and send text so that part is really nice!!

Hope everyone stays safe and well!!!

Hugs, Lori

Well, I am finally back with good news to report regarding Southern California. Although we are still in the purple tier, our numbers and hospitalizations are dropping rapidly. We now have approximately 30% ICU capacity. This is an enormous improvement as our ICUs were at zero capacity for several weeks. Paramedics can now take those in need to the hospital, rather than making them comfortable and letting them just die at home, due to lack of space. we are starting to see a light at the end of a very long tunnel.

I have been working full day with students on-site since September 19. I have had to quarantine several times and have tested regularly. Many others have dropped like flies around me, but by some miracle I have stayed well. I was finally able to get my first Covid vaccine last Saturday. K-12 Education has been made a priority. 10% of California's federal vaccine supply has been earmarked for Education. Another 10% of our county's supply has also added to that. So now 20% of all vaccines are going to school staff. We are now being vaccinated very quickly. This is all happening to provide a push to getting all students back in school on site. The majority of our school districts here remain on distance learning. My district provided families with the choice of in person instuction, or distance learning this year. The majority of our students have returned to school. SDC (Special Day Classes) returned full day on September 19. The rest of our students attend a AM/PM hybrid model. They did not return until January. Our SDC classes contain less students, so we are able to properly socially distance. This is not the case for our regular education classes. That is the reason for the hybrid model. Half the students at a time allows for that distancing. Although I was very leery at first, it has worked well with mitigation efforts in place. That is a closed campus with only staff and students in attendance, 6 foot social distancing, plexiglass barriers on single desks, hundred percent mask compliance, continuous sanitizing, handwashing stations, testing and tracing, small cohorts of students who remain together all day. etc. There is very strict protocol that must be followed by all, such as no mixing of cohorts ar any time. We all pretty much bathe in hand sanitizer all day! However, my district has managed to remain open. We have had many class closures, including mine due to forced quarantines. In that case, the quarantine classes go back on distance-learning for that period of time, then return to school.

As for Dad, he is continuing to do well. Very lost since mom died, but remains healthy for someone who's about to turn 90 in a few months. He has been able to get both of his vaccines, which has reduced my stress. My main fear was taking the virus home to him and losing him too. I will be getting my second dose on the first day of my spring break. That actually works quite well. If I get any reaction, I'll have two weeks to recover before returning to work. By the way, no symptoms from the first shot. Not even any arm soreness, which was expected. I have heard that more reactions occur after the second dose. Dad got pretty sick for a couple of days following his second dose. He got the Moderna vaccine. I got the Pfizer vaccine.

That's pretty much my update for now. I was determined not to post again on this thread until I had some good news to report. Most of my previous posts have been dismal at best. I hope this finds you all happy and healthy. Stay safe and post your updates when you are able. I'd like to hear how all of you are doing.

Hey Kathy, it’s great to see you back here, and especially with your good news. WHEW!!! :D:D:D

Hubby and I recently got our second shots, and I felt like dancing a jig afterwards. I was so grateful and relieved. We got Moderna vaccine, and definitely had a more intense reaction to the second shot. Very sore arms, mild fever, fatigue, achiness. But it only lasted for a day. By the second morning afterwards, I woke up feeling great. I’ve heard that more folks may be reacting strongly to Moderna than Pfizer, I guess because the Moderna dosage is somewhat higher. But regardless, one day of feeling crappy is a tiny price to pay for the protection.

Yesterday marked two weeks after our second shot, so we now officially qualify as being fully vaccinated. Given our age and the fact that Moderna may be a bit less effective among older adults, most aspects of our life will remain unchanged for now, though, especially until we all get a handle on the new risk of variants. We’ll still be generally masking, social distancing, and holding off on restaurant dining. But we’ve finally scheduled our haircuts and dental cleanings, I feel safe enough to go to the grocery store at any time of day as opposed to the crack of dawn, and I plan to in-store shop for some new jeans. I know that jeans with ripped out knees can be stylish, but still...;-)

We’ll soon have a small cadre of friends who are all vaccinated, too, so the huge decision will be how comfortable we feel about finally getting together again *without* masks. I’m waiting for the CDC guidance to come out about that. That first maskless encounter, whenever it comes, will probably be a mixture of both joy and anxiety for me. As much as I want to get together, I’ve become so hyper vigilant about distancing that I imagine it will take some time to feel like it’s OK! I’ve actually had dreams now where I freak out in the middle of them when I realize that people are talking close to me without masks. Seriously. IN MY DREAMS!

But overall, I feel so lucky to have gotten vaccinated this early. And I’m so glad to hear that you will soon be protected, too. Good grief, our teachers are so deserving!!!

Continue to stay safe, and hopefully now you’ll feel like coming back here even more often. We’ve missed you!!!

Got the second COVID shot yesterday, Pfizer, and it has hit me hard. Fever, aches, scratchy throat, stiff muscles, sore arm, no energy at all, headache. So I will be in the bed til this passes. BUT don't let this discourage anyone!! It is well worth feeling like crap for a few days so I don't get this virus. Over all the physical negatives I feel very grateful, excited, and free again. ;) So if you haven't had your vaccine - go get it 'er done, as the feller used to say. :)

Getting my 1st Pfizer shot on April 5th! My son had bad side effects from both of the Pfizer shots, but was prepared for the second which didn't hit him as hard...lots of fluids the day before and day of (pedialyte, etc.), tylenol on hand, heating pad or cooling (can't remember which one) for the arm, and antihistimine morning of. Took the day after off and stayed in bed.

My daughter just had a sore arm; son-in-law had a sore arm and was a little achey. I'm a little nervous since I have to take care of hubby, so arranged mine during a week where so far he has no treatment appointments. After I get mine done, then we'll set him up.

So definitely stay in bed, Leslie and YAHOO for you that you are now covered!

Love,
Joan

It is probably best to expect some kind of reaction after the second shot. That is pretty much the way it has gone for most of the staff at work. Symptoms have varied, but most have had a stronger reaction to the second one. I had my second Pfizer vaccination this past Thursday morning. Initially, I felt fine afterward, except for some arm soreness, which ice and Tylenol quickly relieved. I went to work Friday morning feeling rather cocky. Prancing around like the shot was no big deal. By Friday night, I was down with chills, muscle aches in places I didn’t know I had muscles, pounding arm, Nausea, headache, and a general crappy feeling. Dehydration was a huge part of it. That lasted for about 24 hours, then symptoms started to abate. Dehydration continued for another 24 hours. I couldn’t seem to hydrate enough, even though I was drinking Gatorade and a hydration solution. This is Monday morning and I’m feeling Ready to take on the world, as I start my two week spring break. Finally got my haircut yesterday. Was determined not to cut it until after I was fully vaccinated. Get your shots as soon as you can. A few days of discomfort is worth saving your life and saving your loved ones.

Hey Kathy, I’m sooooooooo relieved to hear you’ve gotten your second shot! One word of caution, though, which you probably already know about...but you need to wait for two weeks *after* your second shot before your immunity has built up to full vaccination status. My family has learned this the hard way :-((((. An elderly relative was just two days short of getting her second Pfizer shot when she unexpectedly turned up COVID positive. She remained asymptomatic for 10 days, but then suddenly crashed with pneumonia and mental confusion. At first, we didn’t think she would make it. However, she did stay out of the hospital and is now rebounding. We’re thinking the first shot probably saved her life, but wasn’t enough to confer the strongest immunity. So after experiencing that, hubby and I definitely made sure to not let our guard down at all until two full weeks after our own second shots.

So do enjoy your spring break, but still be careful and by the time it’s over, you’ll truly be fully vaccinated. YAY!!! ;):D:D

Marianne the Worry-Wart

Today I am starting to feel almost human again! :cool: Still quite tired and my arm is still a little sore, which surprises me. I expected that to be the first thing to get back to normal. Yesterday morning I thought it was over but after about an hour I knew that was wishful thinking. ;)

Thinking back I think my first sign that a reaction was happening was feeling lightheaded which started a few hours after the second shot. And I am wondering if my stubbornness didn't play a part in this reaction. :o What most folk say, tho none of the nurses who gave the shots repeated this, is to go home after the shot and take it easy, stay hydrated and take Tylenol or Advil if needed. Wellllll, I went grocery shopping right after then went home and after unloading and putting the groceries away I changed clothes and went out to a field I walk to dig up plants which I brought home and transplanted. But I did drink lots and lots of water throughout. So for the 6 hours following the injection I was quite busy. If the dizzy feeling hadn't started I would have done more. It was such a stunningly gorgeous day I simply could not waste it!

But I do think the worst is over now. I plan to take it easy today tho....I'm still hurting but not much worse than normal and it's not that deep achy pain but enough to let me know to not overdo. I have felt every minute of my 66 years the last two days and do.not.like.it.one.bit. :D