First of all, I’d like to say that I’m open for business and would like to thank all of my clients who are continuing to send work to me. Because I work from home, COVID-19 isn’t impacting much of my typical work day, other than we are all home. All four of us. It seems that many companies are attempting to proceed as usual. I mean, what other option is there?
I thought it would be interesting to document events as they occur and write about this “new normal.” Yesterday at 5 pm, Illinois began our Stay at Home order, per Governor Pritzker. Prior to that, things were slowly getting canceled or shut down. It started the week of March 9 when school activities started to get canceled, then school itself. Then public gatherings, then businesses. Now we are urged to work from home and only go out for essential grocery shopping or pharmacy visits.
Coping with this is difficult. I’ve had to stop watching the news completely and limiting my social media. I’ve found things to keep my mind busy such as doing a paint-by-number. Exercise has always been a stress reliever for me and with gyms shut down, the only thing I’m doing is running. As a family, we are experiencing lots of togetherness. Last night we had “family game night,” and we played Monopoly until we were too tired to continue. It was fun! My son’s sophomore year of high school is ending with online classes, likely for the rest of the year. My daughter, a freshman in college, is having to complete her first year of college online. This is particularly difficult as she’s a dance major. Hard to hold a dance class via computer. She worked at two restaurants and currently has no hours right now as all restaurants are only doing take out or delivery.
There are so many questions. How long will this last? Will I have enough work to get through this uncertain time? Is my husband’s job secure? Will we have a “normal” summer? Can my kids count on going back to school in the fall? Will people stop hoarding toilet paper? (We are currently down to 7 rolls and I’ve tried to find it at a store several times with zero luck).
Stay well!