Pandemic Life

It's hard to believe that it's been 3 weeks since I last posted.  Our world seems to have turned upside down with worry and/or fear.  Covid-19 has changed our lives.  Social distancing is a must to stay healthy. Sheltering in Place orders are in force in most states.  Only businesses that are critical infrastructure are in operation.  This is something I have never experienced before in my 57 years of life.  It seems a little bit unreal.

Because I work in the food industry, my job is safe.  I get to go to work.  My husband's employer is also critical infrastructure but he is able to work from home.  My son Killian works in automobile service industry so he too is considered critical industry.  Our life is pretty much the same except that Kim is home and working from home.  It's been a bit of a strain on Perigrine, who is also at home.  Kim being, bored to death, is undertaking home improvement projects.  Which keeps interfering with Perigrine's cleaning and organizing project. 

At work there is a bit of stress.  Any sign of cough, sore throat, fever, or difficulty breathing will get you sent home for 2 weeks.  A needed precaution but this is allergy season and some of the symptoms overlap.  Plus you are required to use your vacation time and if you don't have enough you are required to borrow against what you will earn.  So it's understand able that no one wants to give any impression of being sick.

Because we have had people come to work sick or after they've been exposed, there are new procedures in place.  Mask are now required at work.  Supervisors must question their direct reports daily as to their health.  And all employees are required to have their temperature taken prior to entering the building to work.  All of this is being done to help ensure we are all safe and remain healthy.

I've had to put in many long hours the past couple of weeks and I find myself very tired.  I am trying to take plenty of vitamins to help my immune system and have found that by taking iron both morning and night I do feel better.  I am concerned about contracting Covid-19 as I do have asthma and diabetes, plus my blood type is A+. I am doing all I can to protect myself. I am trusting in the Lord if it's his will that I get sick then so be it. But I refuse to stop living my life and cower in fear. 

Despite working long hours, I have managed to get some things done.  I've gotten all of the four patches for my Church Ladies Apron quilt sewn and squared up.  I've also finished squaring up my 16 patch/4-patch quilt.  I finally came up with a name for that quilt.  I call it Cobble Stones and Wind Mills.  I am really happy with how it is coming together.

This past week, however, I have been sewing masks.  At work, they handed out black bandannas for us to wear as face coverings.  After about 15 minutes of wearing it, I was determined to make myself a couple of masks.  A coworker asked for a cute one as well. All in all this week I've made 18 masks  for coworkers and family.  The only problem I am running into is that I'm running out of elastic.  I may have to resort to making tied versions of the mask. I am hoping the demand slows down so that I can get back to my quilting projects.

With Shelter in Place orders being extended to middle of May, I am not hopeful that there is going to be an end of this craziness anytime soon.  Those who are at home and unable to work are going to be hurting soon. Those who are able to work from home are going to get disheartened. I get to leave for work everyday and I am struggling a little bit with depression.  I am concerned for those who suffer from depression and are not able to leave. I know that I am lucky, We have food and the necessities of life. We are coping fairly well all things considered. But there are others who don't have good health, or plenty of food or a safe home life.  they are the one I am most concerned with. We all need to pray for those who are struggling.

How are you Holding up?