In order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state, our governor issued a “stay at home” order effective at midnight on Monday. Non-essential businesses have been ordered to close. Grocery stores remain open and remarkably function as they did in “normal” times, with just a few noticeable changes (the butcher counter is closed, but with packaged material in abundance). When we come out of this, we need to throw a series of parades for the people who’ve kept us supplied.
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Our family is actually pretty well situated for these times.
Being semi-retired, I’m not losing much income. I work as a writing tutor at a community college, and we’re operating as an email service for the rest of the semester. I’m also a technical writer who was already working from home; finished a project last week, and may have another starting soon. I typically do several site visits for my technical writing, and while those aren’t going to happen any time soon, I’ll find a way to compensate.
My wife’s career hasn’t been too badly affected either. She works part time as the music director for a local synagogue, which has shifted to online services during this time. It’s not an ideal environment, but the members appreciate the continued presence.
Both our sons are in college. Our elder is home this week for spring break, and while he says he’ll be able to study better by returning to his off-campus fraternity house we’re hoping he stays until the “stay at home” order expires a week from Monday. Our younger son lives off-campus at a university close to a major city; his state has also issued a “stay at home” order. He’s still planning to drive out here for Passover on April 8, but I’m not entirely confident that’s going to happen. Both boys are OK, and that’s what’s really important now.
Outside our immediate family, there are concerns. My wife’s parents are in their upper 70s and have generally poor health; contracting COVID-19 could very well be fatal to them. They’re currently in Hawaii, where the virus has so far not been as prevalent as it has been here on the mainland. They were scheduled to fly back in early April; that flight has been cancelled, without a rescheduled date. My brother is in his early 60s and generally healthy, but lives alone and is severely limited in his mobility; he’d likely survive the virus, but I’d rather not test that theory. Fortunately he lives in a rural area where the virus has not been found.
As far as we know, none of us have been exposed to COVID-19, or have had contact with anyone who has.
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I’m going to stay away from political commentary in this journal. All I really want to do is record my immediate observations, in the hope they’ll be useful to someone else or to me at a future time, when I can wander away from home again.
The Diligent Dilettante 
Thank you. I wonder what folks would think if I wrote about the Virus and how we are faring in OZ. Nothing is as it was and as a 77 year old who has survived breast cancer, uterine cancer and has a pace-maker these are indeed amazing times. People getting worried about toilet paper etc amazes me. Locked down or almost completely so in my small community, we are grateful we live ‘out of town’ and can isolate. We continue to live ‘one day at a time’. My Christian comment; Those who know Christ as a PERSONAL Saviour know He is with us in and through it ALL.
Stay well during these difficult times
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