Corona Diaries - Stats

As of today's date, I'm sad to report that there are still a number of growing Coronavirus cases, deaths and recoveries and we have yet to "flatten the curve".  Keep the faith people and together we can CRUSH that curve! 💪🙏

I found Worldometers to be a very resourceful and credible website.  They report various statistics and is updated daily. Current Coronavirus stats are broken down by country.  Here are the totals Worldwide as of today, April 8th:

I started to not pay so much attention to the media.  It has helped my anxiety level greatly.  I do check in from time to time and read the headlines, but anymore it's hard to believe any of the media outlets so I just go about my normal daily routine, maintain my social distancing, wash my hands, and wait.....  Wait for the daggum stores to open back up!  This girl is having shopping withdrawal! Of course my husband loves that we are actually saving money and his social calendar is just the way he likes it!

Stay informed friends, be safe and above all, stay healthy!

Corona Diaries - Life After CV

I've noticed some positive things around me since the Stay At Home orders have been enforced.  I've noticed that there are way more kids playing outside, some of whom I've never seen before in my neighborhood.  There are families doing things together, like riding bikes, taking walks, playing basketball, sidewalk chalk, soccer, and gardening.  I've noticed that people are lending that helping hand all the while maintaining their social distancing. Seeing all of these things makes my heart smile.  😁

I believe this COVID-19 will change America forever in more ways than one. Maybe families will realize the value of spending quality time together. Perhaps kids and adults alike will find out that there is more to life other than video games, social media and the couch.  These days of social distancing, quarantining, and staying home have forced alot of people to S-L-O-W down from their chaotic daily lives, and open their eyes to the beauty of the world around them from humanity to God's glorious creations. 🌈🌎

I wonder what it will be like in the months to come after America will be able to "open back up" and go back to business as usual.  I fear that many small businesses will not survive and will have to unfortunately close their doors for good. I wonder how many people will be able to return to their jobs.  Will cruise ships ever be operational again?  Will there be inflation?  How in the world will America ever repay the debt?  How many homes will be in foreclosure?  Will social distancing be the new norm? Will Americans wear face masks on a regular basis? Will toilet paper ever be replenished?? I wonder about all of these things, but I'm hopeful of a few things for sure.  Not only will Americans have learned the importance of proper hand washing and the value of our liberties and freedoms, but I am certain that America will bounce back in 2020 and become a stronger, healthier nation!   🗽

Empty grocery store shelves 

Limiting the purchase of toilet paper due to hoarding

Stay informed friends, be safe and above all stay healthy!

Corona Diaries - Improvisations

If there's one thing I've learned through the Stay at Home orders, it's that some of the things we do on a normal regular basis and take for granted, must now be improvised.  Such things as going to the salon for hair and nails, working out at the gym, attending church services, dining at a restaurant, playing golf, attending concerts, school, and even work.  All of these things we are so programmed to doing, we must now invent another way to accomplish.

For example.... hair.  I have never in my life ever cut hair, that is until my husband approached me on Saturday afternoon with clippers in hand.  "Will you?", he asked.  I immediately laughed and shrugged it off.  He persisted, so I obliged.  He has carefully studied the stylists at SportClips, so he was able to talk me through the process step by step.  In no time at all I felt like Edward Scissorhands, hair flying everywhere!  I mean, I felt so confident in my hair cutting skills (granted it took me about an hour for a full men's cut including the hot towel treatment), that I'm thinking we can save $$ by eliminating SportClips from our monthly expenses!

I can assure you that I will not be approaching my husband to cut my hair.  No way, no how.  And I made a promise to my stylist that I would not try color on my own.  So I shall wait until the Stay at Home orders have been lifted to return to my salon.  Meanwhile, I am slowly turning into a brunette.

I am improvising on the salon nails too. A huge $$$ saver!  I have found an alternative for my nails and I am most excited to share it with you here.  My galfriend, Michelle whom I greatly admire for her entrepreneur skills, introduced me to Color Street.  Just allow me to say, WOW just WOW!  There are so many fun colors and designs!  And there are choices for your piggies too!  Michelle and I discussed having a ZOOM "Cocktails and Nails" partay with my frands.
I'm super excited about it! 💅

Nuclear Fuchsian by Color Street

If you are reading my blog, and would like to know more about my Cocktails and Nails Color Street, ZOOM party, feel free to message me on Facebook (click the tab on my blog).  Invites will be sent via Facebook in the next few days.  Trust me, you will love all the choices and your nails will thank you!

When life hands you COVID-19, grab a quarantini 🍸and improvise! 

Stay informed, be safe, and above all stay healthy my friends!

Corona Diaries - Universal Masking

Carley said to me on Saturday morning, "Mom, today and tomorrow are going to be good days!"  To which I replied, I love your positive attitude and enthusiasm my beautiful sweet daughter! Trying to remain positive and keep an upbeat attitude is very challenging during this crisis we're all experiencing right now. She then hurried out of her bedroom and said, "Look at all of my colorful masks!"  We all had a very good laugh when she showed us an array of facial-masks!  😂

On Friday, our PA Gov. made the announcement for universal masking.  He is making the recommendation that all Pennsylvanians wear a mask anytime they leave their homes for life-sustaining reasons in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19.  👎😷

Desperate measures in these times??  Most face masks do not effectively filter out small particles from the air and they do not prevent germs to leak out from around the edge of the mask since it is not tightly sealed around the face. And most of us do not own a N95 respirator mask, unless you are in the medical profession. Just two weeks ago, Dr. Fauci was quoted saying that wearing a face mask would not help, but he has since reversed his recommendation saying that the virus can spread by people who are simply speaking to each other.  😨

There are so many fun videos on YouTube right now on how to make your own cloth mask, I couldn't wait to grab a bandanna and make one.... you know, just in case it should become mandatory to wear one.  At the present time, I am choosing to stay the recommended 6 feet away from people and be respectful of those around me. 🙏

Stay informed, be safe and above all, stay healthy my friends!

Corona Diaries - Give Me Liberty

In March of 1775 Patrick Henry delivered one of his most dramatic speeches which included the infamous quote, "give me liberty or give me death!", urging fellow Virginians to support the Revolutionary War.  The entire quote from his speech:

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

No, I'm not afraid of dying from the Coronavirus.  What I am concerned about is the politicians and government exploiting the Coronavirus to hinder our civil liberties and human rights.  I'm normally a very neutral person, and I tend to always look at both sides of the story.  I don't like controversy people, but I do feel strongly based on all the headlines I'm seeing out there that the "authorities" are intruding on our civil liberties right now.  I truly believe that this worldwide health crisis is very serious, but I think our leaders need to respond with cool heads and logical sense and should base their decisions on scientific, and historical data AND the Constitution of these United States.

Believe me friends, it is happening right before our very eyes.  It's more unsettling to me than the sickness itself.  Here are just a few of the disturbing headlines taken from Drudge and from Penn Live - Patriot News right here in my home town:

Stores Prepare for Civil Unrest

Coronavirus Patients Ordered to Wear GPS Ankle Monitors

Victims May Be Given Passports So People Know They've Had COVID-19

Delaware Police Authorized to Pull Over Out-Of-State Drivers

Resistance to Stay At Home Orders Remain Widespread

York County Woman Faces $200 Ticket From State Police for Violating Gov. Wolf's Stay At Home Order

Walmart to Limit Number of Customers in Stores

Gov. Wolf Advising PA Residents to Wear Face Masks When Leaving Homes

Stay informed friends, know your rights, be safe, and above all stay healthy!

Corona Diaries - Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

"Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

I find comfort in those words spoken by Jesus.

Am I afraid of getting sick with the Coronavirus?  Not really.  I am surprised though at the amount of people who are.  I'm not saying that fears about the COVID-19 are unwarranted, because there are lives at stake.  But, based on current data, the mortality rate from the virus is less than 1%, and there are currently 228,001 recovered cases as well.

We definitely should take this world health crisis very seriously, and people are legit concerned, but I believe that we should not be afraid.  What we can do is respond with daily prayer for God to protect our country and place his healing hands on those who are infected, and we can be mindful of the guidelines that have been implemented by our government and president to protect us from spreading germs to others whose immune systems are weaker than ours. BUT, we should never be afraid.

If we place our trust in God, He will replace our fear with FAITH.

Corona Diaries - Human Connection

I'm going to do something I've never done before in all my years of blogging.  I'm going to try to post every day at least until the end of April (the hopeful date that "Social Distancing" and "Stay at Home" guidelines will diminish).  I figure with all of the craziness going on in the world, I'll have some good writing material, and since my social calendar is booked solid with nothingness, I also have a little free time on my hands.

Someone posted this on Facebook the other day:

"I think when this is all over, we will realize how little we need, how much we actually have, and the true value of human connection".

Well, isn't that the truth already, and this crisis is far from over! Especially the value of human connection.  I have found that I am missing my family more than normal.  It's like I take them for granted because I can see them everyday, anytime if I choose.  But I don't.  I get busy with my life, and my own selfish needs.  And then, just like that, a worldwide pandemic prevents me from social gatherings with family and friends and that human interaction we all so desire. 

If there's one thing I am truly grateful for during this pandemic besides all the luxuries of my home, and plenty of food and abundant wine, I am most grateful for technology!  Isn't it wonderful that we have laptops, cell phones and Netflix??  The fact that I can group video call my entire family at the same time on my cell phone and see their beautiful faces, is priceless!

Here I am on FaceTime with my kids and then another time with my Dad and sister.  If you haven't video called someone yet, you don't know what you're missing.  It may be the very thing to get you through this tough time and to stay connected with your loved ones.

   

Corona Diaries - Sick Joke

A lot of people and media outlets do not want April Fool’s to be a “thing” this year, and rightly so, with the Coronavirus (aka COVID-19) lurking around every corner around the globe.  That in and of itself is like an ongoing sick joke.  But I try to remain positive.  I think a few laughs is what we all need right now.   

I have not journaled here since 2016.  A shit ton lot has happened over the past 4 years.  My blog journaling took a back seat to Facebook and Instagram, which I have found to be so much quicker and takes much less effort to post the occasional inspirational thought, or photograph.  I digress…. without having to remember and journal what has transpired over the past 4 years, I am fast forwarding to 2020 - - March of 2020 to be exact - - the month that panic swept across the World and the horrific Coronavirus plagued the human population.   This pandemic has caused complete havoc in all of America, right down to my little hometown of Hanover, Pennsylvania, which is why I felt the need to dust off the cobwebs, log-in to my blog and journal about this most challenging, depressing and unsettling time in our Nation’s history. This “shutting down” of America has never happened before. Ever. And I can’t help but feel that some of my freedoms could potentially be compromised in the coming weeks.  Don't get me wrong, I don't want to contract the COVID-19, nor do I want any of my loved ones to get the COVID-19, nor do I want to spread the COVID-19.  So, I am voluntarily complying to the “Stay at Home” policy that our Governor has enforced upon us through the end of April, as well as practicing "social distancing" guidelines, which will undoubtedly be the most popularly used phrase throughout this whole pandemic and one that will definitely define the year.  I simply dislike this uneasy feeling that some of my freedoms and liberties are already at stake. 

I have outlined the "Stay at Home" York County, PA policy below (taken from the pa.gov website):  

Individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following activities and allowable essential travel: 

• Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, or the health and safety of their family or household members (including pets), such as obtaining medicine or medical supplies, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home 
• Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves, for their family or household members, or as part of volunteer efforts, or to deliver those services or supplies to others to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences 
• Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking or running if they maintain social distancing
• To perform work providing essential products and services at a life-sustaining business 
• To care for a family member or pet in another household 
• Any travel related to the provision of or access to the above-mentioned individual activities or life-sustaining business activities 
• Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons 
• Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services 
• Travel to return to a place of residence from an outside jurisdiction 
• Travel required by law enforcement or court order 
• Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence outside the commonwealth 
• Anyone performing life-sustaining travel does not need paperwork to prove the reason for travel

As of now, my hometown does not have a curfew.  However, I foresee the Governor implementing a curfew policy in the very near future, along with fines and citations issued to those who do not comply. The “Stay at Home” policies differ from state to state and some states have much stricter policies in place. It seems to me that our rights are being taken away a little at a time. I surely do not ever want to see Marshall Law enacted in this country.  That decision would be entirely unpredictable and unprincipled making it a very dangerous threat to American democracy – period. Quite frankly, the thought of it is scary. 

   

I must reveal that I am quite proud to be a "Trumplican".  Aside from the fact that our economy is going to suffer greatly, I feel that our president has done a “tremendous job”, “a beautiful thing” (Trumpisms) in responding to this crisis.  I commend him for his leadership and I pray for his continued effort to do what is right and just for this country.  I just hope he is not being snookered by the dems / the far left who seem to want him to fail even if it means escalating our fears, reporting false information to bring him down, and not having a care in the world if the Country or people’s lives are destroyed in the process. 

I’m one of the lucky ones though, as I have been deemed an “essential employee”, so I am able to continue to go to work on a daily basis.  The CEO of my company has written a letter that I am to carry with me in my vehicle which reads that travel to and from work is permitted just in case law enforcement were to pull me over and question why I am traveling about during the "Stay at Home" order. (What the what??) We are a food manufacturing business, and by golly, food is a necessity.  And apparently, so is TP.  Whoever thought TP would be such a HOT commodity, and as of today is still hard to come by!  Most grocery stores are limiting consumers to 1 pack - good luck finding any at all!  Some other items grocery stores are having a hard time keeping stocked include: hand sanitizer, cleaners, Lysol, paper towels, rubber gloves, surgical masks, certain pharmaceuticals, as well as chicken and meats.

Well folks, I am going to end The Corona Diaries - Part I blog post here today, but I simply cannot do that without a little humor.  We all need a little laughter to help us get through this troublesome time.  If there’s one thing that’s been keeping me going through all of this, it’s all the hilarious memes that people have been posting on social media.  So here ya go, I am sharing a few of my favorites.

Now, laugh out loud with me people and then go wash your hands while singing the first verse of Let’s Dance, by David Bowie, or better yet, convert your own favorite tune into a hand-washing accompaniment by trying out this hand-washing lyrics generator: