We've Got This!!

So … we have been in a shelter in place order in the city of Hannibal, MO since March 26^th.  Coronavirus is making its way around the world and the United States as well.  It passes from person to person through close personal contact and touching contaminated surfaces.  We’ve had an order to stay 6 feet apart from one another and not to gather in groups larger than 50 … then it went to 20 … currently it is 10.  We are supposed to stay home now, since March 26^th, and only go out to go to the grocery store, to the doctor or medical reasons.  We can go for walks, walk the dog and go for hikes in non-crowded places.  The only people going to work now are the labeled “essential workers” who have papers to show stating that they are essential and are allowed to cross police lines, barricades and be out past curfew.  As of this moment right now, Hannibal, MO does not have a curfew.  

I have been sheltering in home since Friday, March 20th  and have switched to teaching music lessons on line with zoom rather than in person lessons.  They are still one on one appointments … but just on zoom rather than in person in my living room.  I am very thankful for my students and their parents who chose to continue their lessons in this way until we are able to meet together again in person.

The first thing that happened with all these announcements was that toilet paper disappeared… people bought it all up!!!  We shop at Sam’s Club and purchase ours there in large quantities, so we’ve been okay but there are a lot of people who have been out.  Then hand sanitizer became scarce.  We still haven’t been able to purchase any of that here locally.  Then sugar and flour flew off the shelves.  I am a sweet tea drinker so not having sugar was sad.  We were finally able to get some sugar last week and then some flour about four days later.  I am going to learn how to dry can my flour.  When you dry can it, it then has a three to four-year shelf life.  So yes, this gal is going to learn how to do this.

Right now, coronavirus is worse in the large cities and heavily populated areas.  New York is hit hard, Chicago, California …

They are telling us the best defense is very frequent hand washing, sanitizing frequently used surfaces, do not touch your face because the virus enters through your eyes, nose and mouth.  To keep a 6 feet distance because if someone sneezes, it can fly in the air six feet. 

So, what are we doing?  While there are always the normal whiners and complainers no matter what is going on in life … even when it’s good … most people are trying to stay upbeat, positive and use this time to be with their household family members.  Nursing homes are not allowing visitors right now.  Hospitals are not allowing visitors.  Churches have closed and doing online services.  Schools have been closed for weeks and now for sure through April 30^th.  Parents are homeschooling their children with materials provided to them from the schools.  I have never witnessed anything like this.  All jobs are shut down and people are encouraged to work from home.  The government is encouraging employers to allow their people to work from home.  The essential workers, like I mentioned earlier, are all still going to work.

I am the only one staying home in our household.  Both my husband and son are considered essential workers and getting out every day.  With all my autoimmune issues, I am on of those people considered at high risk.  I am washing my hands a lot … mainly staying at my desk during the day … drinking plenty of liquids and getting lots of rest.  I’m resting ten hours of rest each night.  I don’t sleep for ten hours … but I am laying down in bed for that long.  At first it was very hard to get used to a slower paced life.  Am I right?  I think so.  I also think that we as a nation are beginning to appreciate things more. 

As musicians, we have not been able to get together as a band and play.   Hubby and I play together here at home, we make our YouTube music videos, we’ve also gone live on our Facebook pages and played for our friends.

I know I’ve been quiet on here and I will do better.  We are going to get through this.  We are strong and resilient.  I love you all!  We’ve got this!!!
Love and Blessings my Friends!
I am so glad you stopped by!

Ava Jane