This is March 30, 2020, that I am sitting down writing this. My last post only touched on all this a little bit. I know all of our Social media feeds are full of COVID-19 posts. Our newspapers are full of articles on it, and our TV is overrun with reports on it. It is depressing to see all of the posts and news about this virus. I have been trying to stay away from too many posts about it on our social media page by posting positive posts, recipes, and activities to try while people are at home with their children. I had debated on writing any blog posts concerning this but then realized that all of us that blog may very well be the voices of history to the coming generations. How often in school did you wonder what was going on in the minds of the people living through some of our historical events? Those of us that blog have a unique opportunity to give that kind of insight to the future generations. I know that all of us living through this are either glued to every information source or just so tired of it consuming everything we watch or read. So, if you scroll on by because you’re overwhelmed with it all that is ok. I understand. If you stick around to read the full post, I say thank you, and please share as it may help someone not to feel like they are alone in the way they feel.
So, as I said, this is March 30, 2020. This virus started escalating about two weeks ago here in the US. It was very apparent by the various social media posts, that us Americans were feeling several different emotions as we watched the news and saw how bad this could get. We had those that felt this was just another virus that would run its course and that everyone was overreacting (some still feel that way). We had those that went overboard in the “taking precautions” department (this seems less overboard as we watch the numbers rise). Then we have the ones that totally panicked and rushed the grocery stores for two weeks buying up every roll of toilet paper and every bottle of sanitizer. Then these panic shoppers started hitting the food. Stores shelves were empty for at least a week. The workers no sooner filled the shelves, and they were empty again. My husband works at Walmart and put in 67 hours that week, trying to keep up with these shoppers. Let’s talk about the ones that don’t take this seriously at all. We have closed all non-essential businesses and been urged to stay at home (some states are under a shelter in place order), but these people are still out hanging out in parks and at the grocery stores and gas stations and anywhere else they can gather. Those of us that are watching these numbers rise and are just now getting out to try to get some food are angry at the last two groups. Currently, when we go to the store, we are limited to 1 of each item as we shop with a fear of catching this. We can’t buy two weeks’ worth of food to avoid the stores and being out in public because some people won’t use common sense and consideration. There are still people shopping as entire families, creating more of an issue of crowds in the stores. These people are part of the problem and just don’t care.
I live in Tennessee and watch these numbers rise daily in my state. I know these numbers aren’t an accurate interpretation of how many have contracted this virus because in Coffee County (the county I live in), the tests that are available are limited so they won’t test you unless you meet ALL the criteria of showing all the symptoms and having traveled out of the state or country. We only have one confirmed case after two weeks, but many people posting that they have most of or all of the symptoms. Our Governor continues to “urge” people to stay home instead of issuing a Shelter-In-Place Order. He seems to believe that the ones that haven’t listened eventually will.
Meanwhile, the non-essential employees are sitting at home without a paycheck. They will be for a longer time until people start listening and staying at home. My husband and I are essential workers. He works at Walmart trying to keep things stocked, and I’m a paralegal for a family law firm and an online tutor for Bryan University. I am still going to the office, but everyone in the building has their own offices, and most of the attorneys are working from home. We are all only taking phone appointments, and we are cleaning everything like crazy people. Even with these precautions in place, we still had a scare as one of the spouses tested positive. It has been left to my discretion to work in the office or at home. I feel right now that I am more valuable at the office since all of our files are there, and we still have some emergency court hearings. I can at least be there to make sure my attorneys have all the information that’s in our client’s file should they have a hearing. I have minimal contact with the outside population right now, so I am okay with going into the office. My husband isn’t so lucky, though. He works around the public every day. I am terrified that one of us will end up with this virus. I among the majority of people wish people would stay home like they are urged to do. If they continue to ignore this, I wish the Governor would step up and enforce it. I don’t want to go months without seeing my kids and grandkids or, worse yet, have to make funeral arrangements for a loved one because people won’t do what is needed.
On March 12, we had 52 confirmed cases in Tennessee, and today we have 1,832. It’s like a wildfire running through dry brush. As long as people are still out and about, it will continue to climb.