Good Riddance 2020 - Get Out of Here Already

New Year's Eve.  I wonder if they are having fireworks downtown?  I wonder if anyone is doing anything.  Our governor has the state locked down.  The news says that there is a new Covid Strain that is even more contagious.  More contagious, but no word on if it is really more dangerous.  Probably just more of the same let's keep the public scared BS and bunk that they keep spewing.  Our metro area has one person with the more contagious version.  A 20-year old that has not traveled out of the area.  I seriously doubt he has a different version.  I believe it is probably more of a scam so they can justify continued lockdowns.  I hope he is able to recover soon and without lasting effects. 

These lockdowns are killing the economy.  I tried hard to make sure my holiday shopping was done locally.  It wasn't easy.  The few mom and pop shops that were open had abbreviated hours.  10:00 to 5:00.  Can't go after work if they close so early. And when I went on the weekend the store was not busy and the inventory was not what it might normally have been.  I did make a purchase but still had to order from the mail order monopoly that we have all had to use this past year.  I don't know how businesses that do not have a robust web presence can survive.  Already many have just closed their doors and do not plan to open again.  

I buy take out from local restaurants, but I forget about most of the places I might normally go.  If they send me an email I try to put them on my list.  I cook at home more than I did before.  I am grateful that I replaced all of my large kitchen appliances before the virus hit.  I doubt that my original range and dishwasher could have kept up with the demand this year has put on them. 

My brother called to say he and some of the family had covid before Thanksgiving.  His family members are the only ones related to me who have had it.  I do know other people who have family members who have had it and one person who has had a family member pass because of it. The very few I know who have had it had very mild cases and have recovered quickly.  For those without co-morbidities, it seems more like a minor annoyance than a serious threat.  I will still exercise caution and look forward to the day this passes.  

I hope the lockdowns can end soon so people can go back to church, work, and school.  It seems more like political shenanigans than any actual health benefit. 

Even so, I wish you all a better, safer, and happier New Year!     

Life in a Pandemic Infected World

Masks

Masks, wear them, don't wear them, only use N95 masks, no you don't need anything that strong.  Make for your neighbors, make for hospitals, make for the world, and for yourself, or not. 

I am happy to make a few masks. I started making for a group in the neighborhood that was helping out hospitals, but the hospitals didn't want them. The hospitals are asking for surgical caps instead. Some people cry and beg for people to make masks, others will trash them so the fabric and time is a total waste.  I'm still making them. I sell them for what it costs to make them, not getting rich or price gouging, just have them available if someone needs one.

Just for perspective, farmers are having to plow crops under, pour out milk, cause piglets to be aborted, and otherwise waste perfectly good farm products and livestock because food processing plants and transportation supply lines are disrupted.  What a shame.  We will all feel the brunt of that soon.

Non-essential workers are required to stay home.  I am considered essential so I am working.  I am grateful for that, however, if I was "nonessential" I would be keeping myself busy creating at home.  I work with people 62 and older, so I don't risk going out except when I have to make a grocery run. The people I work with have to stay in too, but I see them going outside to hug grandkids or go to lunch with another family member. I understand their loneliness and desire to see friends and family.  I pray they do not get infected with the virus.  Because of age alone, they are all high risk even if they do not have other co-mobility issues.  I wish they understood that if they bring in the virus the risk to spread to all their neighbors is very high.  

I read "Nextdoor" a website where neighbors can connect and share news or useful information, but they mostly complain about their neighbors who do not wear masks. We all have to get through this, it is hard on those who stay home, it is hard on those who are on the frontline.  I don't know how to make it easier, but maybe we can all keep the snarky comments to ourselves.  Masks are uncomfortable.  I don't know how they wear them and run or bike and I don't blame them if they don't.  When outside it is easier to stay your distance, but when going into public buildings and closed spaces then certainly be respectful and wear a mask.