I've avoided blogging about our current situation, because I have friends on both sides of the radical position, and don't want to risk pissing anyone off.
First of all, the back story:
-We first heard about the Corona Virus/Covid-19 back in December/January, when a cruse ship from China was reported to have Patient Zero. When it reached the states, it was on lockdown, and eventually the passengers were transported to Army medical bases. It began to spread.
-Italy became infected, and we learned of horrific deaths, also from other parts of Asia and Europe.
-California became infected....and then other states reported cases.
-March 2nd, we moved Mom into her new assisted living facility, and that week, continued to shuttle her back and forth from the house, as Chris (BIL) and I were moving her things. Chris wasn't feeling well; he thought it was just the fact he was experiencing spring in Indiana, while Whitehorse was still under snow.
-March 10th, Mom wasn't up to going to her hair appointment, so I went. On the 11th, I took her to Bible Study. On the 12th, the facility announced it was going on lock down, since the virus had arrived in Indiana, though the only cases were around Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisville. We could go in, but Mom couldn't go out.
-March 13th, Chris returned home and was quarantined, due to being out of the country and his flu-like symptoms. Two weeks later, it was determined he only had the flu:)
-March 23rd, 2020, Indiana went on lock down, and 'Shelter in Place' was ordered. Restaurants could do curbside service or drive through.
-I returned to work March 31st, and we had plexiglass between us and the customers, plus were sanitizing the credit card machines after every use. We could wear masks if we wanted to. I opted not no.
-May 4th, my boss announced we had to wear the masks, as the state prepared to open.
My Thoughts:
-Being required to wear one NOW is a lot like being 6 months pregnant and using birth control.
-I've been exposed to many customers the past month, including a BIL with the flu, and never got sick.
-When they described symptoms of the virus, it's the same as my seasonal allergies, only getting progressively worse. Mine have been normal, plus my temp has been 97.1 and 97.6. (Weird, since I assumed 'normal' was 98.6! Guess I'm not 'normal' after all...)
-I find it hard to breathe in the mask; it fogs my glasses, and it feels as if I'm trying to breathe through a mild asthma attack.
-Discovered the 2nd week, we don't have to wear the darn things in LG, and on the 16th and 17th, I managed to get away w/o wearing it at all:) Plus, upper management wasn't around. And, we were no longer required to sanitize the credit card machines after every use, unless we just wanted to. But being slammed after the stimulus checks arrived made it easy to 'forget' to do it.
Heard on the radio the other day about the whole protective gear policy, it's 'common sense' as a mom: If you keep your kids in a protective 'bubble'....always clean, using hand santitizer, not being around anyone who sneezes....then they're gonna catch everything. If you expose your kids to bacteria (letting them eat dirt, going to school with kids with the sniffles-you get the picture), then they build up IMMUNITY. Every 1st year teacher, nurse,health care worker, etc, will tell you....the 1st year, you catch EVERYTHING. But by year 2, you're healthier, because your immune system says, 'oh, I remember that invader....let's kill it!'
People are in a panic, because if we resume 'normal activities', the virus will spike, and send us into lock down again, or worse, more will die. Or, I've heard 'the states opening up are recording more cases...' Umm, no, it's because TESTING is now available, and there's an issue with the results; people are being counted twice....once for testing positive, and another for recovery. As of now, 'healthy' people who have died from the virus are few and far between. The ones who have died have had underlying health issues which compromised their immune systems.
So yeah, it's a gamble, much like chicken pox. My older two were exposed to chicken pox for three years before they caught it, and the daughter only had a light case. My younger son came along when the vaccine was mandantory.
I think a) I've already been exposed, so I either should have caught it, or am a carrier, or am immune. As long as I don't sneeze in anyone's face, continue to use sanitary practices (hand washing and sanitizer) at work, I'll be okay. If I do get sick, then I get to lay around and let the family take care of me for a change, and I might even lose weight. b) I have FAITH that God is in control of this situation and it's out of my hands. Whatever happens, happens. I refuse to give into FEAR, just because there's a virus on the loose. I want to get back to normal, and see my friends, eat in restaurants, shop in stores again, attend conventions.
Side Note:
With conventions cancelled (April and two in July), plus getting hazard pay at work, a) the bills are getting paid faster; b) inventory is being collected; and c) I still have funds available at the end of the pay period! The bad news is, working 40 hours a week is taking its toll on my body. It's May 25th and my back has been killing me for two days, after being on my feet for just one hour. I've lined up a massage on June 3rd, and cut my hours today to 4, with the hopes that will help. The good news is, if I only work 20-25 hours a week, I'm still in good shape financially, plus I won't be spending $5-10 a day for lunch. $20 if I go to McAllisters. The only inventory I have left to get is Second Chances when it's released (should be anywhere in the next two weeks or so), and the reboot of Best of Both Worlds (whenever I get around to fixing the font and covers. If I can cut my hours back, this will give me more time to work on it!).
So there's good news all around! Now, I just need my back to stay healthy!
Final Word:
Temps hit the 80s this week, and wearing the mask has been uncomfortable. Fortunately, I've been in Lumber and can take it off between customers, or when things slow down. I don't wear it when I'm at the store, and don't care about people shooting me angry glances or saying anything nasty (for the record, this has NOT happened, but I've heard it happen to others). My 1st Con is Heroes For Kids on July 18th, and K's wedding is June 27th. I really hope I don't have to post pictures of mask-wearers, unless they're in Cosplay!
Stay safe, wash your hands, have faith, stay calm, and use common sense!
Monday, May 25, 2020
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Three Ring Circus
I'm beginning this post on 11/18/19.
Over the past two months, our House of Reps has not only continued to display their slide into insanity, but have now resorted to 3rd grade tactics.
First of all, the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.
Let's recap a bit:
-Russian Investigation: Nothing came of it.
-Mueller Report: Nothing came of it.
-Phone Call to Ukraine:
-Rep. A.S read the 'transcript' and embellished, not realizing the transcript was online, and it showed that AS lied.
-Dems held 'closed door' hearings/meetings, and tried to 'spin' their findings.
-Reps finally resorted to 'storming the barn door', only to get Dems feeling outraged and looking like kids caught in the cookie jar.
Now this public hearing:
DAY 1: (11/13)
-The New Yorker had a picture of NP as a circus clown; someone else as a Lion Tamer, and AS as the Ringmaster. Hence my title of this post!
-Two 'star witnesses' came off more concerned about Ukraine's policy/treatment/politics/whatever than they did what's going on in the phone call.
-Opening statement sounded good, but during questioning, they stuttered, sounding more like a Loony Tunes character as they tried to defend themselves.
-When asked, point blank, if there was anything wrong with the phone call, both men said 'No.'
My song for the day: 'Take It On The Run'..."Heard it from a friend who....heard it from a friend who....heard it from another..."
Even the news media was calling this a huge lesson in the kindergarten game of 'Telephone'.
DAY 2: (11/15)
-The female ambassador took the stand, and sounded credible. She also stated she thought the ambassadorship should be non-partisan, and that she'd worked under both Dem and Rep administrations. But she also stated that the ambassadorship should only be there to uphold set standard foreign policy.....ummm....doesn't it change from administration to administration?
-By the end of her testimony, she came off as a disgruntled worker, angry for being fired.
-I think she did a better job of answering questions than the previous 'star witnesses'.
I had two songs: 'Rumors'...."How do rumors get started....they're started by jealous people...."
'The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything'...."we just stay home and lay around..."
Fortunately, I had one sharp Rep friend who got it! I don't know if my far-left friends 'get it' or not, but this way I can quietly voice my opinion and not get slammed on FB for my 'opinion'!
DAY 3: (11/19)
I had to laugh at two separate incidents.
-One of the senators accidentally called the Lt Col 'sir', whereupon he interrupted the senator to correct him. "I'm to be addressed as XYZ."
-Later, that same LC said he'd disclosed the phone call to another member of the intelligence community. When pressed for which agency, he declined, saying 'under advice of council, he wasn't going to answer', and when pressed again, the lawyer reiterated it. Then AS interrupted saying that this was an attempt to out the whistle blower, and this line of questioning needed to end. At which DN asked, since the Intelligence Committee was the one asking the questions, didn't it stand to reason it was OKAY to reveal which agency the person the LC spoke to was a part of? You could clearly see it in his face he couldn't believe what AS said, nor the 'advice of council' forbidding it.
Song: Snow Patrol, Chasing Cars..."Let's waste time...."
Day 4: (11/20)
I did end up watching the 1st hour, due to a dog occupying my lap.
-Ambass. GS seemed to be disagreeing with AS's opening statement, shaking his head once and whispering to whomever was sitting next to him.
-GS recounted that the only 'inappropriate' request was that investigations into the 2016 elections and then a visit to the WH would be arranged. NOT anything to do with looking into the investigation into HB's company.
-AS asked if GS understood the HB situation to be a 'new development'....GS said no, until AS 'spinned' it in 'seeing HB's name' in the transcript. Then he said yes.
-GS also refuted the testimony of LC and the other ambass from the previous day, saying he did not recall the same things, and this is what he DID recall.
-GS stated he was not allowed full access to his email/phone records to refresh his memory.
Song: Dead or Alive, You Spin Me Right Round
*********
12/4:
My father passed away shortly after I posted that, so didn't pay attention for the next two weeks. Frankly, I don't know why it has now shifted to another committee, and Nad is now in charge.
All I do know is what I've heard is very much the same yada yada yada, and stupid accusations which never took place are being cited as 'evidence'.
Song: Reba McEntire Rumor Has It.
Over the past two months, our House of Reps has not only continued to display their slide into insanity, but have now resorted to 3rd grade tactics.
First of all, the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.
Let's recap a bit:
-Russian Investigation: Nothing came of it.
-Mueller Report: Nothing came of it.
-Phone Call to Ukraine:
-Rep. A.S read the 'transcript' and embellished, not realizing the transcript was online, and it showed that AS lied.
-Dems held 'closed door' hearings/meetings, and tried to 'spin' their findings.
-Reps finally resorted to 'storming the barn door', only to get Dems feeling outraged and looking like kids caught in the cookie jar.
Now this public hearing:
DAY 1: (11/13)
-The New Yorker had a picture of NP as a circus clown; someone else as a Lion Tamer, and AS as the Ringmaster. Hence my title of this post!
-Two 'star witnesses' came off more concerned about Ukraine's policy/treatment/politics/whatever than they did what's going on in the phone call.
-Opening statement sounded good, but during questioning, they stuttered, sounding more like a Loony Tunes character as they tried to defend themselves.
-When asked, point blank, if there was anything wrong with the phone call, both men said 'No.'
My song for the day: 'Take It On The Run'..."Heard it from a friend who....heard it from a friend who....heard it from another..."
Even the news media was calling this a huge lesson in the kindergarten game of 'Telephone'.
DAY 2: (11/15)
-The female ambassador took the stand, and sounded credible. She also stated she thought the ambassadorship should be non-partisan, and that she'd worked under both Dem and Rep administrations. But she also stated that the ambassadorship should only be there to uphold set standard foreign policy.....ummm....doesn't it change from administration to administration?
-By the end of her testimony, she came off as a disgruntled worker, angry for being fired.
-I think she did a better job of answering questions than the previous 'star witnesses'.
I had two songs: 'Rumors'...."How do rumors get started....they're started by jealous people...."
'The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything'...."we just stay home and lay around..."
Fortunately, I had one sharp Rep friend who got it! I don't know if my far-left friends 'get it' or not, but this way I can quietly voice my opinion and not get slammed on FB for my 'opinion'!
DAY 3: (11/19)
I had to laugh at two separate incidents.
-One of the senators accidentally called the Lt Col 'sir', whereupon he interrupted the senator to correct him. "I'm to be addressed as XYZ."
-Later, that same LC said he'd disclosed the phone call to another member of the intelligence community. When pressed for which agency, he declined, saying 'under advice of council, he wasn't going to answer', and when pressed again, the lawyer reiterated it. Then AS interrupted saying that this was an attempt to out the whistle blower, and this line of questioning needed to end. At which DN asked, since the Intelligence Committee was the one asking the questions, didn't it stand to reason it was OKAY to reveal which agency the person the LC spoke to was a part of? You could clearly see it in his face he couldn't believe what AS said, nor the 'advice of council' forbidding it.
Song: Snow Patrol, Chasing Cars..."Let's waste time...."
Day 4: (11/20)
I did end up watching the 1st hour, due to a dog occupying my lap.
-Ambass. GS seemed to be disagreeing with AS's opening statement, shaking his head once and whispering to whomever was sitting next to him.
-GS recounted that the only 'inappropriate' request was that investigations into the 2016 elections and then a visit to the WH would be arranged. NOT anything to do with looking into the investigation into HB's company.
-AS asked if GS understood the HB situation to be a 'new development'....GS said no, until AS 'spinned' it in 'seeing HB's name' in the transcript. Then he said yes.
-GS also refuted the testimony of LC and the other ambass from the previous day, saying he did not recall the same things, and this is what he DID recall.
-GS stated he was not allowed full access to his email/phone records to refresh his memory.
Song: Dead or Alive, You Spin Me Right Round
*********
12/4:
My father passed away shortly after I posted that, so didn't pay attention for the next two weeks. Frankly, I don't know why it has now shifted to another committee, and Nad is now in charge.
All I do know is what I've heard is very much the same yada yada yada, and stupid accusations which never took place are being cited as 'evidence'.
Song: Reba McEntire Rumor Has It.
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