stay-at-home order comes to an end

After 52 days, our governor has released us from the stay-at-home order.  The guideline now is limiting social engagements to gatherings of up to 10 people.  I think any store can be open now, "essential" or "nonessential".  Even some malls are opening.  There are restrictions on number of customers, social distancing guidelines, and usually employees are wearing masks.  Some stores require customers to wear masks, some only allow one family member the enter, some don't allow children, etc.  Many stores offer curb-side pickup or delivery.  Many stores have reduced hours and hours set aside for vulnerable individuals. So, it is definitely not business as usual. 

More medical specialists are starting to reopen as well.  Dentists and orthodontists are opening up for routine visits next week.  However, we had our first urgent need to see a doctor this weekend.  Reggie had a bloody nose, which is normal for him, but we couldn't get it to stop for over an hour.  It was on Saturday, and we really didn't want to take him to urgent care.  Our neighbor is a nurse and she convinced me it was time to take him in.  Just as we were getting ready to go, it stopped!  On Monday I tried to get him in to his doctor, but they were still only doing virtual visits.

We still can't dine-in at restaurants.  Bars, salons, barbershops, theaters, etc are all still closed.  Many of these places are expected to be allowed to open on June 1st.  It sounds like we should get a definitive answer about youth baseball and softball on June 1st.  Bryan will also be expected to return to the office.

Bryan and I celebrated our 17th anniversary on Sunday.  Obviously we couldn't go on a date, so maybe we will do something special later.

We are in our 8th week of distance learning.  Two more weeks to go.  Distance learning has some of the benefits of homeschooling.  For the most part, we are done for the day when our work is done.  But on the downside, we are tied down to virtual appointments whenever the teachers decide they want them (tho we are told they are "optional").  Yesterday, between 1-3 kids had virtual meetings for the entire time from 11-3.  Juggling schedules and technology and keeping kids on top of things is basically all I get done much of the day.  Another frustration that I don't have with homeschool, but I do have with distance learning is I am expected to carry out the teacher's expectations.  In one specific situation, the teacher told Reggie he could work ahead in his math book, even though he was getting most of the problems wrong.  I disagreed, but I was getting trumped by the teacher. I understand there was no plan in place for how distance learning would work until we were all thrown into it, but I hope there will be some restructuring if we end up here again next year.

During the stay-at-home order, we have tried all different ways of grocery shopping.  We did an Aldi's delivery through Instacart, curbside pickup, and Amazon Fresh delivery, in addition to physically shopping in the store.  Amazon Fresh was probably the most hassle free. We knew what was out of stock ahead of time and actually got what we ordered and it was delivered to our door the next day.  But it was more expensive than Aldi's and Costco and on many items more than HyVee. 

The hardest items to find in stores have been toilet paper, hand sanitizer, disinfecting spray, and disinfecting wipes.  Toilet paper is pretty easy to find now.  My mom bought hand sanitizer and mailed it to us.  We finally got disinfecting spray last week from Amazon Fresh, but we still haven't found wipes.  We haven't run out yet.  I used to use them around the house for convenience, but now they are being rationed.  For the first time, the kids have to use actual cleaning cloths for their cleaning chores! 

It is not uncommon for stores to limit purchases.  All of the above items have limits.  I always buy 2 big jugs of vinegar when I go to Costco (once a month).  I use it in the laundry, for washing produce, and cleaning windows and mirrors.  The last time I was at Costco I had my two jugs, and the cashier took one back.  Apparently I had missed the "limit 1" sign.  Many stores have been limiting meat purchases.  Fortunately, we stocked our freezer before there were concerns about meat shortages, so that hasn't been a problem for us. Other items with limits or that have been out of stock when I've shopped include canned soups, vegetables and fruits, frozen vegetables, pasta, flour, crisco, hand soaps, cleaners, vitamins, and cold remedies.

Today I paid almost $3.00 for a gallon of milk at Aldi.  Before, I was paying less than $2.00.  How ironic that I used to pay close to $3.00 for a gallon of gas and now it is around $1.70.  We have probably been going through more milk than gas! 

This post is written to help the kids remember what life was like during the Covid-19 pandemic.  I have a couple of fun posts in the works.  We've been doing some silly games and we also did the Special Olympics Virtual Summer Games, but it's taking me a lot of time to sift through the pictures and videos.  Stay tuned.