Life has changed.
Cindy and I were sitting in Laura's front yard talking and watching the grandkids when at 5:00pm my phone sent me an emergency message saying that Denver was in a lock-down because of the corona virus.
I'm sure books will be written about this time in our world so I don't need to be too detailed.
Apparently last December in the Wuhan province in China this virus appeared. It is very contagious and infected many many people. The U.S. got wind of it in January I believe but downplayed it as just another disease but not anything to be worried about. The virus was somewhere else so nothing to be worried about. Even when it started to spread it was downplayed. People from China and people visiting China were traveling all over the world and unbeknownst to them were spreading this virus.
As of today this virus is in every state in the U.S. and all over Europe. Actually the only place on the planet now devoid of the virus is Antarctica.
As it spreads more and more our country is shutting down. All but essential services are being closed. We can get groceries, go to doctor appointments and get take-out from restaurants. People are being asked to practice social distancing (6 feet apart). At the gas station I had to go inside to get my receipt and they had x's on the floor 6 feet apart so people would know where to stand.
The federal government is finally gearing up but they have been so very slow in recognizing this threat. Trump didn't cause the virus but has downplayed it until a week ago. At first it was simply called a hoax perpetrated probably by Democrats to get back at Trump. There are groups still spreading this kind of conspiracy theory. Trump tells so many lies that I do not believe a word that comes out of his mouth. This is a time when you want a leader you can trust. Governors from all over the country are begging the federal government to help. Health care workers do not have the resources they need.
For Cindy and I our lives haven't changed too drastically. Our lives have been pretty quiet since retirement. It has meant staying home at lunch time most of the time when before we would eat out every noon. Worship services at church are now online, the 4 rec centers here in Highlands Ranch are closed so no pottery classes for me or going to exercise and using the hot tub. We had groceries ordered online for the first time and Laura picked them up for us. It is not so much that we don't do much but we can't. The libraries are closed also so I can't go read magazines. That is done online also.
Today Cindy and I met Rick and Brenda Thompson (B.J.s parents and good friends) at Culvers so we could get out. We sat at separate tables and chatted and soaked up the sun. After that we gassed the car and waited at home before going to Laura's to chat outside, watch the grandkids play and pick up the groceries Laura picked up for us.
I painted our guest room over a few days. No rush. I have projects close to completion in my shop.
We miss Matt and AJ's family in Virginia especially because we can't be with them. Like Laura's kids their kids are at home. That means Matt and AJ have to both work from home plus teach their kids since they are no longer at school. Thankfully we Skype regularly which helps greatly. Matt also makes a point of calling from time to time. All of that helps.
How long will all this last? Will the virus infect any of our family or friends? How will all this permanently change our lives? No one but God knows at this point.
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