Life right now is just plain weird! Covid 19 virus has changed the world. I hope it hasn't changed it forever. It started in China and has moved throughout the world from there. It makes me realize how easily my great lifestyle can be taken away and how much better my life is than so many others.
I am still working at Intermountain Healthcare Salt Lake Clinic in Internal Medicine. I took a job at Intermountain in September of 2010 to pay for insurance. Not sure it was the greatest decision of my life but through it I have met a number of wonderful people, and some people that remind me to be kinder and less crazy than they are. We are on the "front lines" of sorts for this pandemic. I am wearing safety glasses and a mask everyday. I go home and take my shoes off at the door, strip off my clothes and put them directly into the washer. I am washing my hands so much that they are red and dry and I am grateful for soap and water as a means of prevention. There is a mandate for everyone in the state to "Stay Safe, Stay at Home". Self Isolation and Social Distancing are new mantras by everyone. Staying in with just those you live with and standing at least 6 feet apart when you around others
others Many of the states have made it mandatory that you can't be out socially. Most all businesses you would frequent are closed by order. Nearly everyone is working from home if possible. Take out is still available. Restaurants are taking a big hit. Schools are closed. Only a few at a time are allowed in the stores and the stock in the stores depends on the day. Very few people on the street or driving in their cars. No one is using mass transit. There was a crazy run on toilet paper early on. People were and still are hording water and toilet paper! Clorox wipes and cleaning products of that type are in short supply as well. We are in good shape for those things. We have stocked in enough supplies so we won't have to go to the store for a month at least. Dru and I are in the "high risk" category because we are over 60. We carry hand sanitizer with us and use it frequently. The virus is scary but the impact is having on our economy is more frightening than that. I was going to retire this year and now it will have to wait. Stock market is down which means my 401k is in the tank. Our food brokerage business is still doing okay due to grocery sales and schools are still using juice boxes being given to the kids who drop by the schools for a to go lunch and breakfast. We are really so blessed. Most of all I miss my family. We had to miss our trip to Arizona to see Elliot and his family. I miss shopping with Kolbie and watching the kids baseball games and just being in their presence and giving my big 6'8" son a hug. And I haven't had enough time having Ashton play tour guide for us in Arizona. I miss Sunday dinners at our place with a roast in the oven and plenty of mashed potatoes and gravy gathered around the dinner table with Cam and his family and Adriana. Social distancing from Cam and his family and Adriana when they are just down the road just seems like cruel and unusual punishment. I suppose the sacrifice is worth it if we keep each other safe from harm. I am fasting today as many others around the world are for a speedy recovery and end of the virus. Praying that they will find a quick cure and a vaccine and that the Economy will return robustly very very very soon.
I am grateful for the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and for a living prophet Russell M Nelson that has called for this day of fasting on Good Friday.
