5.1 million infected worldwide
1,577,287 confirmed cases in United States
94,702 deaths in U.S.; 298,418 recovered
52,268 cases in Texas;
1,440 deaths in Texas;
225 of 254 counties have had cases;
Brazos County has had 373 cases (ranks 23rd in the state) with 170 recovered and 17 deaths.
Also, around 60 have been linked to a poultry processing plant in Bryan (employees got it and then passed to their families;)
Houston has had 10,095 cases and Dallas has had 7,904 cases.
Denton County has had 1,161 cases.
Since I last updated you on the 7th, we have continued to get comfortable with our new normal. The state is slowly re-opening things up. As of now, you can go to gyms, nail salons, hair salons, retail, restaurants, and movie theaters at 25%. Many retail are not open yet, because I don't think the revenue for just 25% capacity is worth the costs of opening up. I think it's supposed to go to 50% very soon. We have continued our routine of Vic going to work; mostly him going to do errands; but I too have done some; lots of Target Drive-Up pickups; Vic has gotten his hair cut; he's planning to try out his gym tomorrow (they have to wear gloves when they workout though). We have visited Grace's teacher on her front porch with some other friends as a surprise Teacher Appreciation gift. We have had Dani & Hadyn come play & babysit one afternoon. Grace has been to Mia's house. Peyton has been to our house. Grace has also been to Olivia's house. Grace & Atticus have been back to swim and play at Ellie & Greer's a couple of times. Stacey even took Atticus & Greer to Target, so that was Atticus's first time in a store in 2.5 months. The kids wore masks. I have worn a mask mostly everywhere, although sometimes it feels awkward. First of all, not everyone is, so you feel oddly like it is silly to wear one. Vic really dislikes it because it is so hot. But, if it makes people feel better and keeps extra germs (COVID or others) away from me, I'll keep doing it for as long as I feel like I should.
I am 100% past the feeling of concern over "where is the virus around us" and "have I touched something or breathed in the germs when I went into a store" stuff. That was how cautious I was in the beginning. And I always had that feeling in the back of my mind about not knowing what was to come. I am not that way now. I've gotten used to it. However, I am also not inviting the sickness into our house if I can help it. And I don't want us to become too complacent. We will keep washing our hands and staying out of the public as much as we can and see how things go.
I think playing with friends is the most we will do. We can't go to Sanger because Mom & Dad are still a little concerned about the possibility of Dady bringing it home to their house. And, we can't see GG or Melbo & Pa because not only is COVID an issue, but Pa is in bad shape. We must keep praying for him for his pain threshold AND the fact that he needs to eat. He got an MRI last week and they told him that instead of fracturing this part in his back, he in fact, broke it. So, they are planning to do an out-patient surgery where they "put cement" into that area to help heal it. Well, I am very sad and frustrated because he doesn't get that surgery until June 3 - still two weeks away. I don't know why in the world they aren't doing it sooner. I know that elective surgeries were postponed while everyone sheltered in place and while I can't imagine this being an elective surgery (he is in extreme pain that never goes away AND he is 93 years old), I assume they are backed up in the OR? I have no idea. But, the worst part is that he isn't eating. He doesn't want to eat but even if he tries, he throws it up. So, we are now worried that by the time he gets into surgery, he will be too weak for it. We have no idea. He has already lost 20 pounds as of a week ago. So, if the pain medicine would just work, then maybe he could feel better and eat more. We have even thought that maybe he is becoming nauseous because he's taking those painkillers on no food. But, he's trying I think. I know that Melbo & GG are so worried. GG is bearing most of the weight of this situation dealing with the doctors appointments and medicines and living there to try to help him and watch things not go well. I just pray that these two weeks go so quickly for him or that they could get him in sooner.
So, we are just staying put. We considered a Galveston beach vacation to rent a house and hang out for a few days. But, honestly, it would still cost $1000 to rent a house for 4 days and 3 nights. And we'd rather paint our house and buy the kids some new furniture when we re-do bedrooms this summer. So, we might go to the lake house in a couple of weeks instead. It's free! No beach, but it is at least free and a change of scenery.
The kids finished schoolwork this past Monday. School is not technically over until the 28th, so we will celebrate then. They have still had some Zoom's for their class and will have some next week. I am also making them fill out a little COVID-19 Time Capsule to put away in their memory box. Everyone says that this is one of those things that will go down into the history books, so we need to write down our thoughts on it. So, I had the kids do that. It will be fun to look at one day.
We have been out of school (counting Spring Break) for 11 weeks now. And our summer, once it begins, is only 11 1/2 weeks. So, while summer is about to start, I'm not sure whether it will go fast or slowly. I am looking forward to it though, although I really need to come up with some fun family of 6 things (or 5 during the day) to do; or even just a more fun routine for them to spend time together.
I can't think of any other updates right now. We are waiting to hear how A&M does football, other campus activities and sports, and classes in the fall. We are also, of course, waiting to hear how school will be affected for CSISD. Right now, they have confirmed that the 2020-2021 schedule will remain the same (as far as holidays, start and end dates, etc.) TEA came out with options to stay the way we were or do intermittent breaks or possibly year round school. I believe they left it up to the districts. Most people around here are OVER the crazy of this (again whether that is right or wrong, who knows?) and just want kids to go back to normal with normal days and hours and classes in the fall. Some others are thinking about home schooling this year just to avoid the situation. One of Grace's friend's moms is very concerned about how far behind our kids will be not having the last 3 months of school and possibly losing more school this fall if they shut down again (if cases get high during flu season). Right now, I'm not worried about Atticus & Grace falling behind. I too, want to see more hand sanitizer and being cautious about interaction at school, but also I want to see the kids get to enjoy school and friends and not have to miss out on interaction, lunches, PE, field trips, etc. because of this. Also, right now, I'm even thinking the girls will definitely go to Sonshine School this fall. I feel like EVERYONE in those leadership positions and decision making positions are going to do so much to clean and sanitize and be aware of germs spreading, that we will be in such a good position that we can continue on as normal. But, I'm afraid schools are not going to be as confident. So, I am nervous to know if we are going to follow the CDC guidelines of no touching, desks 6 feet apart, no extra stuff, etc. I just want Atticus's 4th Grade Year to be so fun: it's the year they get to do all kinds of big kid stuff and rule the school and really enjoy their last year in elementary school. So, fingers crossed! I want to take 2 months to not even think about school stuff, so hopefully that happens!
Okay - until my next update! Good night!
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