Here we are, another week of stay-at-home orders, the fourth Wednesday in April. Welcome to my fourth cocktail hour, a virtual world where we STAY HOME and drink. 🙂 Drink plenty of water, gargle with saltwater or drink orange juice, grape juice, kombucha, or hot apple cider. Or imbibe in coffee, tea, wine, beer, or even something harder. Fluids will help, or so they say. Let’s pour them down.
Though you may not feel it deep inside, I offer you Cheers! À votre santé! 乾杯/ Kanpai! Saúde! Salud! May we all remain healthy, safe, financially afloat, and hopeful despite the barrage of bad news.
Here’s my Covid-19 diary for the last two weeks.
Wednesday, April 8: I contacted my son in Costa Rica and he seems quite happy to stay where he is. He said the only available flights were in late May, and he didn’t want to rush into anything; as of now he thinks he’ll stay quite a while. He said he’s enjoying hanging out and talking with lots of different people, swimming in the lake, doing free yoga classes once a day at a hostel near his cabin. He said they had a cacao ceremony last night and there was way too much chocolate there. Mango season is coming up soon, so he can’t wait for that. Otherwise he’s been eating lots of watermelon ($1), passionfruit ($0.15), bananas ($0.07) and papaya ($1) when available. The local fruit stand has good days and bad days so he’s learning to go with the flow. Sometimes he splurges and pays $4 for a smoothie of $6 for a vegan curry. He said he’s generally really happy as he learns to overcome the obstacles and not get too attached and frustrated with them.
My daughter in Richmond and my son in Denver have started ongoing games, similar to Scrabble, with me on the app Words with Friends.
Thursday, April 9: Jobless claims hit 6.6 million last week. New York has more confirmed cases than any other country.
I’m feeling particularly bad today, with lots of congestion and even some coughing. No fever though, and no difficulty breathing. These allergies (if that’s what they are) are really getting me down. It probably didn’t help that I took a walk in the forest, where allergens are high.
trees reaching to the sky
Friday, April 10: Today I saw that investment advisors are predicting a 50% drop in the stock market, with no quick V-shaped recovery expected anytime soon. The market was closed today for Good Friday.
Saturday, April 11: I felt a little better today, which improved my mood. In the evening, we drove to Anita’s Mexican Restaurant in Herndon and ordered takeout, and then drove by our friends’ house to wish one of them a happy birthday from out in their driveway. We’ve decided we need to systematically start ordering takeout from our favorite restaurants to help keep them in business.
a walk on the Glade Trail
Sunday, April 12: EASTER! We listened to our Church of the Holy Comforter Easter Service on YouTube and then had a Zoom meeting with the whole family. My oldest son is still working, and their Colorado butchery shop was busier than ever, with over 300 customers on Holy Saturday before Easter. The company has now hired an extra person to help with the increased demand. My daughter is still unemployed, but collecting unemployment.
My youngest son has now moved from Costa Rica to Nicaragua, the second poorest nation after Haiti in Central America. Things worked out in a “serendipitous” way, and he is living near a hostel on an island in the middle of an alligator-infested lake. Apparently, Nicaragua’s borders were still open as their president, Daniel Ortega, hasn’t been seen in a month, and the country is in denial about coronavirus. The country is still conducting large scale events, urging citizens to go to the beach, enjoy holiday cruises, go to soccer matches, and turn out for Easter-season passion plays. Despite the government’s denial, and the lack of testing and health care in that country, my son seems very pleased to be where he is.
Monday, April 13: We moved a portion of our retirement funds out of the stock market and into bonds and money market funds. We don’t want our entire retirement funds to be at risk during these turbulent economic times. Of course, we always risk selling at the bottom of the market, but in my opinion it’s likely the market will go much lower in the coming months. I feel the optimism that is buoying it is unjustified.
Wednesday, April 15: We continued our Spanish classes on Zoom. I felt chilled and miserable all day with all the congestion I still have. We went out to our favorite Ethiopian restaurant, Enatye, and ordered takeout, hoping to contribute to keeping local businesses afloat.
Enatye Ethiopian
Thursday, April 16: As of today, I’ve been sick with constant congestion, coughing and throat-clearing for six weeks now. Still, I have no fever or difficulty breathing, so I can’t get the COVID-19 test, which is reserved for the only the most dire cases.
Stay Strong America!
Friday, April 17: Today, of course right after we sold a portion of our funds out of the market, the market surged on news that Gilead Sciences spiked to the top of the NASDAQ 100 due to positive results from the company’s remdesivir treatment on Covid-19 patients in Chicago. Of course, I would expect there to be good news if a treatment for the virus or a vaccine was found. But I feel the markets are grasping for some kind of positivity, as the test for this drug was only done on 125 people.
walking the gravel trail in my neighborhood
cherry blossoms
Saturday, April 18: I’m still sick and feeling particularly run down today. We ordered take-out dinner from our favorite Vietnamese restaurant, East Wind, again contributing to keeping our local businesses afloat. Mike made hot mulled cider with bourbon to drink on the way, so it felt as much as a date night as possible these days.
Sunday, April 19: Mike and I are now in the habit of watching our church services online on Sunday mornings: Holy Comforter service for the second Sunday of Easter. I really enjoy this sacred time.
I walked 3 miles outside, and seemed to feel a bit better today, despite the high pollen count outside, which makes me wonder if it is simply allergies that I have.
the lower Glade Trail
buds in our neighborhood
Monday, April 20: I walked in our neighborhood under gloomy skies. But I came home to find some azalea branches Mike had put into one of our vases.
azaleas
Tuesday, April 21: Today I set up another virtual visit with my doctor for Wednesday afternoon because my symptoms haven’t responded to over-the-counter treatments, nor have they changed in nearly seven weeks.
Wednesday, April 22: Today, we hit 825,306 cases of coronavirus and 40,316 deaths in the U.S. In Virginia alone, we have 9,630 cases and 325 deaths. Before long we’ll have a million cases, and yet our worthless, despicable president and his brainwashed minions (out protesting with their guns and calls for freedom) want to reopen the economy and get back to life as usual. I understand with 22 million people now having filed for unemployment that people want to get back to work. But realistically, people are going to be hesitant to return to life as normal. Even if governors open parts of the economy, many people will likely continue to stay in place, and people who have to go back to work won’t be happy about exposing themselves to the virus. We need widespread testing and contact tracing, and some kind of reliable treatment for the virus before people will be comfortable resuming normal life.
Today is the anniversary of my mother’s death in 2002. She died of emphysema, on a ventilator, much like many of the coronavirus patients of today. Her disease came from many years of smoking. It’s hard to believe 18 years have passed since she died. Here are a few pictures of her. I’m sure I have a lot more somewhere, but I’m not sure where they are at this moment.
My mom and I were never close, and I’m sad that we never had the chance to create the kind of relationship I would have liked with her.
Robin of Breezes at Dawn asked the question in a comment: What do you want to become on the other side of this? I think this is a great question to ponder. I don’t have an answer for it, but I plan to give it some thought.
Here is a song I have on my playlist. My youngest son is a big fan of this singer, Nahko. Here is “Love Letters to God” by Nahko.
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In the midst of all this, what can we do to make the most of our stay-at-home orders? I’ve created a page where I’ll share different ideas I’ve come across of ways to cope during the coronavirus. It is here: how to make the most of a staycation... or how to cope during the coronavirus #Stayathome orders. If you have any positive ways to get through this, I invite you to share: bits of humor, projects, what we can do to help others, how to keep our sanity, TV shows or movies to watch, books to read, exercises to do, etc. Please feel free to express your emotions during this trying time as well. I’m sure we can all relate to any and all emotions you are feeling.
I wish you all the best during this crisis. Stay at home, and stay safe, healthy and always hopeful.
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I’m going to write a cocktail hour/diary about this challenging time either weekly or bi-weekly on Wednesdays, depending on how much I have to share. I invite you to share your own experiences with what we’re going through right now, either in the comments below, or in your own blog post, which I invite you to link below. I’ll try to keep writing this as long as we are suffering through this together. I hope that we will get through it unscathed, sooner rather than later.
Peace and love be with you all!
~ wander.essence ~ 
Cathy, I’m sorry for how you’ve been feeling. I hope it’s allergies or something like that (like them). I’ve been feeling lousy for a while now. I had a phone conversation with my doctor’s and got prescribed an antibiotic that I’m several days into taking. Allergies might be inciting my condition, too. Let’s hope for better days!
I’m glad you’re supporting local restaurants. That’s important. Maybe I can do that with the stimulus payment, should I get one. It’s been a little dicey for disabled folk.
I’m relieved your children seem to be well and share your concern for your son in Nicaragua. I’d have stayed in Costa Rica, but what do I know?
We’re under the same order, I imagine, in Pennsylvania. Recently, we were told that wearing a facemask would be required for entering any store that might be open. Which is fine except I could not find a mask. Fortunately, a couple of days ago I was presented with a mask that the mother-in-law of a friend had made for me.
It’s a great time to be thankful for small favors, because they’re huge!
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It seems like your symptoms are much like mine. The main symptom I have is constant congestion, and I’m either coughing or clearing my throat hundreds of times a day. But no fever, and no difficulty breathing, so I’m not eligible for a COVID-19. At first my doc thought it was allergies, but I don’t understand why I don’t have a runny nose, itchy eyes, and why my symptoms are the same whether I’m inside all day or outside! That doesn’t seem like allergies. My doc now says possibly sinusitis since the symptoms have been lingering now for 7 weeks, with no signs of improvement. So we’ll see how the antibiotics work.
I’m sure it is hard to support restaurants if financial hardships are experienced, or if one is disabled. Luckily my husband is still working, from home, so we can still do some things to help.
As for my son, I think he would have been better off in Costa Rica, or better yet, to have stayed here in the U.S., but he has a mind of his own and never listens to anyone. Besides, he’s one of those conspiracy theorists who believes all that crap that’s going around. I seriously question his mental health, but he refuses to admit he has a problem. Anyway, whatever happens, the blame falls squarely on another in a long line of bad decisions in his life. I love him, but I have to let go of what I can’t control.
I ended up buying a mask that my tailor made; it’s not really very effective, but at least I can wear it when I go out. Ever since the pandemic began, I have never been able to buy hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, or masks. It seems some people bought them up or are hoarding them. I’m glad you at least got a mask from your friend’s mother-in-law. Yes, small blessings. We should be grateful for them. Take care!
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I find I don’t really want to talk about it, Cathy. It’s not avoidance so much as a desire to get on with my life, albeit within prescribed limits. They do irk me, but if the sun’s in the sky and I can get out for an hour or two I can entertain myself for the rest of the day. Not feeling well is bound to impact on your outlook. Did the illness correspond with the start of pollen season? Presumably you take antihistamines? Mick has a semi-constant sniffle, which we attribute to allergic rhinitis, but the effect of the meds can be worse than the condition. It would be nice to be able to set your mind at rest, though. Take care, hon! 🙂 🙂
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All I know is whatever I’m experiencing started on March 5, so now it’s been seven weeks. I just had a virtual visit (2nd one) with my doc yesterday and she said because it’s been going on so long, it might be sinusitis. Who knows? I’m trying now a round of antibiotics. If that doesn’t work, I’ll know it’s not that. I hated all the allergy meds; they seemed to make me worse or did nothing at all. The only thing that gives me some relief is Alka Seltzer Plus Cold at night; it helps me sleep. At this point I’m not really worried I have coronavirus (Mike would have gotten it long ago if I had it), but I just want simply to feel better! Thanks, Jo. 🙂
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I’m sorry you’re not feeling any better. That must be miserable, on top of everything else. I hope the doctor’s call was able to help.
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Well, I got some antibiotics, but if she’s wrong about it being sinusitis, they won’t be any help. Just started the round yesterday, so we’ll see. It really does affect your outlook to be sick. 😦
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Fingers crossed for you x
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Thanks, Anabel. 🙂
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Hope you feel better soon
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Hope you are soon feeling better Cathy. Stressing about things can make any symptoms worse. I must admit to being like Jo and try to be thankful for any small things around me. But then I think Australia is probably one of the best countries to be in at the moment
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Yes, Australia is one of the best countries to be in, while the U.S. is one of the worst, not least because of our abysmal leadership. I appreciate the small things around me too, but I’m just tired of being sick. Thanks for your good wishes, Pauline. 🙂
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Cathy have you changed anything in your diet recently? Or household products? I’m wondering whether the allergy is food rather than pollen. Perhaps cut out dairy for a couple of weeks – milk, cream, cheese and any products containing dairy – and see how you do. If no change then introduce things slowly. Then try to cut out wheat. Or what about pillows and your bed mattress? Feathers? Need replacing? And get a bowl of boiling water, add a drop of menthol oil if you like, towel over your head to create a tent and breathe in the steam to help loosen all the congestion. Do this a couple of times a day. Works for me when my sinuses get blocked. I do hope you feel better soon, this sort of illness that lingers on is so wearying. And I do hope your son stays safe, it must be a concern when you are not sure what he is doing or what danger he is putting himself in. And while we are having a chat, best make me one of those wonderful cocktails that you Americans are so good at! Then we can talk about all the places we long to see 🙂
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Cathy, we cannot absorb what is happening with your government right now, though of course there is no playbook for this situation. However, there are patterns in place of what to do and what not to do, based on how other countries which have been profoundly affected have handled the pandemic. We weep for you, though, and cannot imagine how so much catastrophic, dangerous levels of chaos and misinformation are being allowed and even encouraged to run rampant in America. And I am deeply concerned about your own lack of being permitted to get tested. I believe I have read about people paying to get the test, though the ethics of this of course, that is another matter. I am not sure if this is an option for you, however? Or if it would make a difference? You are already doing everything you can and so far, thank God, you are holding your own and not getting worse. I am worried about you and Mike!!! Please keep us informed and take care and stay inside as much as you can. You have already done way more than most to support local eateries, but perhaps for now, while your immune system remains compromised, please consider cooking at home!!!
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I am not going to insist on the test because I really don’t have all of the symptoms, specifically no fever and no shortness of breath. But it would be nice if widespread testing was available. My doctor thinks I may have sinusitis, so I’ve gotten a round of antibiotics. We’ll see if they work, if not, I’m back to the drawing board. If I had coronavirus, I don’t think it would be lingering so long with no deterioration or improvement, plus I think Mike would have gotten it. Anyway, we still have to get out a bit and I’m glad to support my local eateries. People are suffering financial hardships I can’t even imagine, especially small restaurant owners. As for our leadership, you know how I feel, so there is no point in rehashing it further. I’ve never changed my opinion of that piece of shit since the day he decided to run for office.
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I hope you’re soon feeling much better. We see the numbers coming out of USA and UK and other countries and are so thankful we live where we do. Take care and stay home!
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Thanks, Carol. I hope I feel better too. Time will tell what will happen, but you’re right, things look bleak here.
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A worrying post – your health and your son’s well-being. What a will-o’-the-wisp he is. I hope your symptoms soon dissipate, or that you can be tested and reassured. We are so lucky. We’ve had no new cases in our part of the world for a while, despite Easter loosening people’s good sense about social distancing and travelling to holiday destinations (one of which we are.) My heart aches for America where “loosening” seems to be a way of life for too many people, and a consequent way to death for others. Stay safe, you and your mob, and you become healthy. A medal for Mike for brightening up your return with a (stunning) vase of azaleas.
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I haven’t thought of my son being described as a will-o’-the-wisp, but maybe that’s a good description. He is a conspiracy theorist for sure, and struggles with what I believe is mental illness, but he refuses to admit this is a possibility. After all, that’s a label created by “the system.” You can tell I have little patience for his beliefs, but I wish him well in his life. Of course, I love him and worry about him, but this is another in a long line of very bad decisions which he will have to live with. I’ve let go of my worries about him for now; although I’m sure more problems will be in our faces soon enough.
As for my being tested, I don’t think it’s going to happen as my doc thinks I have sinusitis and has given me a round of antibiotics. Our country is screwed because of our useless leadership; I knew from the beginning our ignorant and evil leader would lead to the death of all we hold dear, and it seems I am being proven right every day.
For sure, Mike deserves a medal for his patience and positive outlook during all of this. He’s still working, from home, and seems to enjoy keeping busy. You stay safe too; it seems you are in a good place, despite the fires you dealt with earlier. 🙂
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