Covid-19 Observations

[cats4ever]

You all have probably seen the reports how pet adoptions have been surging during the pandemic, partially through encouragement from shelters, to "ease" social distancing.
I kept wondering how this is possible when people are out of work and they don't have any money to spend.
In normal times, lots of people have no idea what the price tag is on taking proper care of a pet.
I am happy for all the dogs and cats being welcomed into new homes, and I hope their new families received proper counseling on what it takes for this lifelong commitment.
The following article might be helpful, even though I thought there were some exaggerated examples ( a Casper dog bed, really?)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/...cid=spartandhp

[Karen]

I am glad of the adoptions, and we all have no idea how long this will last. I would rather the animals be in long-term homes, rather than shelters at this time. Yes, there will be expenses down the road, but the situation now is so uncertain, why not choose love? If civilization collapses, at least you will have a non-human companion!

[snakemama]

You all have probably seen the reports how pet adoptions have been surging during the pandemic, partially through encouragement from shelters, to "ease" social distancing.
I kept wondering how this is possible when people are out of work and they don't have any money to spend.
In normal times, lots of people have no idea what the price tag is on taking proper care of a pet.
I am happy for all the dogs and cats being welcomed into new homes, and I hope their new families received proper counseling on what it takes for this lifelong commitment.
The following article might be helpful, even though I thought there were some exaggerated examples ( a Casper dog bed, really?)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/...cid=spartandhp

A LOT of people are opting to foster instead. My local shelter had to stop accepting foster applications while they process the 4,000 they have already received.

[wolflady]

This situation has certainly brought out both the best and worst in people. I had a stroke at the end of 2014, so I've been struggling for a very long time since then with anxiety, panic attacks and crazy overwhelming emotions which I was just starting to get "under control". My dad died unexpectedly in Feb, right before this thing hit. That was a huge blow and I'm back to being in a very precarious mental state. I've noticed some people are understanding and supportive, while others become very antagonistic or passive aggressive. I even "cleaned up" my FB friend list as I just want to take better care of my mental health and don't need those unnecessary digs by others. I'm already struggling enough and life is too short to spend time on being upset by these people.

Some good observations:
People are willing to grocery shop for the elderly and immunco-compromised. I'm immuno-compromised since my stroke and a friend of mine did my grocery shopping for me which was lovely of her as she lives 40 minutes away.
Many are donating meals to the front line workers (like hospital staff)
I love how there are more kids playing outside and being active or creative. I've been seeing chalk mosaics drawn on driveways which is a nice find on walks! Sylvia did a small one on our back porch step. She wants to do the driveway one next.
A neighbor painted stones and placed them all along the street to find. Made for a fun walk of the 'hood!
People are putting up pictures drawn by their kids in a front window so you can see them as you walk the 'hood!

What else has everyone else observed in their community?

[Karen]

This is a very rural area of Vermont, which is a pretty rural state anyway. But someone made wooden hearts and put them on sticks at the corner of my street and the bigger road, one of which says "April distance brings May existence" - there are two more that I don't remember.

It has been crazy busy here at my job at the Post Office - many, many, many more packages are being sent out, and received these days. And did folks know you can go to Hallmark.com/CareEnough and get three free cards and envelopes to mail out to loved ones? Nice, right?

[wolflady]

...And did folks know you can go to Hallmark.com/CareEnough and get three free cards and envelopes to mail out to loved ones? Nice, right?

No, I didn't know that! Very cool! *goes to look*

[Randi]

The Corona crisis does indeed bring out the best, and sometimes the worst in people. Some of the worst things was that people started hoarding the very same evenig our Prime Minister announced the lock-down from the next day, but that soon stopped and there has no shortage of food - or toilet paper.

Some children drew some colourful paintings in the street, saying “ It will all be good again” My upstairs neighbours put two banner on they balcony, urging people to show solidarity with the less fortunate, and my friend in London came out one morning where someone had put three baskets of food and greens in front of her door.

Our Queen, who has her 80th Birthday today made a speech to the nation a while ago, I think made an impact. Here it is with English subtitles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDRgDsa2jDU

Companies and certain politicians are pressing hard to open more up, but I think it’s a bit too early.

[Karen]

This is a very rural area of Vermont, which is a pretty rural state anyway. But someone made wooden hearts and put them on sticks at the corner of my street and the bigger road, one of which says "April distance brings May existence" - there are two more that I don't remember.

Looked at them again today, the other two are, "You are allowed to scream, you are allowed too cry, just never give up!"

And "Hope is stronger than fear" - I am afraid that one is not always true,, but it would be nice if it were.

It was strange what things were out of stock in the grocery store - no unscented deodorant in any of the "gender neutral" brands, but I was able to get an "unscented" deodorant "for men"

[cassiesmom]

This is a very rural area of Vermont, which is a pretty rural state anyway. But someone made wooden hearts and put them on sticks at the corner of my street and the bigger road, one of which says "April distance brings May existence" - there are two more that I don't remember.

I like that! There are calls around here for the governor to let businesses open up again, but so far he is still holding off. That seems prudent to me. He did extend the closure of schools through the end of the academic year - I think that's late May or early June for most districts. I'm sorry for the kids who will miss the end of year dances, proms, trips and other events. Will have to wait and hope for the best.

[Karen]

The good thing is, businesses get to decide - once their state decide it is safe, whether or not to open, and under what restrictions.

It was strange seeing people enter the grocery store today with no mask or even scarf over their nose and mouth, but at least they were in the minority. and others were good about the whole social distancing thing. There are social gatherings - like church, and ceramics open studio, that I miss, but staying away for the sake of everyone's safety is a minor price to pay.

[Karen]

Two of my high school classmates have lost parents to Covid-19 this week.

A friend here, an older woman who emigrated to America many years ago from Germany, heard from her sister back in Germany that the sister has pancreatic cancer. She is only 62. My friend is hoping she can hang on long enough for a visit to be possible, but fears with the uncertainty of Covid, she may not get to see her before she dies.

And it is sad to see people so divided over whether or not to wear a mask - I wear two whenever I am out of the house, as given my job at the Post Office, I am exposed to a lot more potential pathogens than most people, and am in "touch" - not literally, we take precautions - with many elderly people in the community, people with young children, and everyone in between.

[cassiesmom]

There are calls around here for the governor to let businesses open up again, but so far he is still holding off. That seems prudent to me. He did extend the closure of schools through the end of the academic year - I think that's late May or early June for most districts. I'm sorry for the kids who will miss the end of year dances, proms, trips and other events. Will have to wait and hope for the best.

Things are opening up in Indiana and Wisconsin but so far our governor is still holding off. Our case numbers don't seem to be falling off yet. He does have a formal plan for how the state can reopen in stages. The Chicago area has the highest case numbers of the entire state - which I think is to be expected.

It's also nice out today, sunny and breezy, so that helps too. I can open the windows and I will try to get outside for awhile.