We have been doing this social distancing thing for a bit and I have grown to love it. I have grown to love having my littles here all day with me and not have any where to be. I have loved doing science experiments. We have made elephant toothpaste, eroded rocks, made sugar crystals, and created a Utah forest environment. The kids have really loved to read. They also have been writing Hughes cousins and having fun with that. We have been learning to draw with Art for Kids Hub on YouTube. Marble Olympics has been a big thing too, both watching and doing it. The kids have watched a lot of YouTube science and shows about animals, like National Geographic. We have adjusted to school work and get it done from 7-10 am.
Our gospel learning has really been great too. We have study at dinner every night. Those older than 8 take turns leading the discussions. The Come, Follow Me this year is the BoM. During our FHE's the kids have had fun being King Benjamin on the ladder reading scriptures. We created a 4 Act puppet show of Mosiah 7-24. Those were really fun. Sacrament has been meaningful and focused on the ordinance as we do it in our home. Our Sunday primary lessons have had fun games and really created some good spiritual experiences. One specifically we passed around a loved teddy bear and played music. When the music stopped whoever was holding the bear had to say something they were thankful for. There were some great things said. A home to keep us safe, a family that loves them, and other meaningful things were mentioned.
Meanwhile in the rest of the world:
- We are (at average) at 44 days of social isolation. As of this morning in the US, there have been approximately 62,406 coronavirus deaths reported nationally and more than 1,062,446 cases of the virus in the US.
- Schools have been closed since March 13th and are teaching remotely on-line. Schools will not reopen for the 2019-2020 school year.
- Only “essential” retail stores are open such as grocery stores, hardware stores, and pharmacies. Amazon delivery windows average 3 - 4 weeks when they used to be max. 2 days. No gyms are open, and it’s almost impossible to find weights, exercise equipment, bikes, etc.
- There are lines / tape inside the stores on the floors to keep people 6 feet apart. Markings on the floors to only go one way down the isles.
- Bars and restaurants are open only for takeout, home delivery & drive through if at all.
- Playgrounds and sports fields are closed. Most beaches, parks and cemeteries are closed to the public. No visitors are allowed in hospitals, even if you have to take your loved one to the ER, you can’t go in with them, must drop off.
- All major and minor league sports competitions have been canceled as well as kids' sports. The NFL draft was done virtually this week.
- All festivals and entertainment events have been banned.
- Weddings, family celebrations, and graduations have been canceled. Funerals limited to 10 people graveside.
- People are doing drive-by parades to celebrate birthdays.
- Young kids can’t understand why they can only see grandparents & other extended family and friends on a screen or thru a window if someone visits in person or on Facetime online.
- Visitors are prohibited at nursing homes and assisted living residences.
- Hugs and kisses are not exchanged. Elbow bumps are the norm.
- Places of worship are closed or online.
- We have to stay away from each other more than six feet.
- Shortage of disposable masks and gloves in hospitals.
- People are wearing masks, some places REQUIRE that you wear them to enter! People are even sewing their own cloth masks for sale or donation to medical facilities, because there is no masks to be bought online. There’s a shortage of elastic for the homemade masks and most places now selling out of fabric. Illinois announced that as of May 1st, face coverings are required in public over the age of 2 where social distancing cannot be maintained.
- Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bleach, antibacterial wipes and anything Lysol or Clorox is in short supply and limited per person.... IF you can even find them! (This goes the same for flour and yeast). But gas is at a low at $1.75 a gallon in Utah.
- Stores are closing early to disinfect everything. (24 hour stores are even closing by 6,8 or 9pm)
- Store check outs, pharmacies and even fast food drive thru windows have added plexiglass between the employee and the customer. Have to reach around or under to pay!
- You can't find isopropyl alcohol easily. .. the supply per person is limited.
- Australia, USA, Canada, and Europe have closed their borders.
- Western Australia has been divided into 9 territories & an instant $1,500 fine issued for crossing the border without a valid reason. (Transport workers, Essential services etc)
- No one is traveling for leisure. Airports empty. Tourism has the worst crisis in history. (First full flight was on social media today)
- Disney has closed all of its theme parks since March, with rumor talks that they may not be reopening until 2021.
- Wi-Fi and cell phone providers have extended their limits to provide connection to the Internet for people to continue to work from home and for students to learn from their teachers.
- We are all wondering if pools, parks, concerts and summer activities will happen?
- We don't know if baseball seasons will start, hockey season will continue/end or any summer camps, etc. will run. Lots of teen/college summer jobs are up in the air. MLB is looking at an Arizona and/or Florida league while NFL might be delayed and play the Super Bowl on 2/28/2021.
- Colleges have not made definite decisions about whether to take their classes online, in person, or open at all for the fall.
- K-12 has ended their school year and plans to open for the fall have so many unknowns, social distancing, new guidelines for keeping everyone safe. How will it be scheduled? Can sports and activities continue as they have?
- Society appears to be divided about whether or not we should continue to isolate or open back up and get the economy going. It's an election year and politics are messy and complicating this issue.
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