Although it’s been in the news for me the journey started with a routine Mammogram on February 26….upon arrive at the office there are signs on the doors and at the Check in window….Have you been out of the country? Do you know anyone who has been out of the country? Do you have any flu like symptoms?
March 10…Mike has oral surgery at VA JP…here there are 2 door being monitored one for staff and one for patients…. They ask us have your traveled out of the country…etc. While Mike is getting his teeth pulled I walk a quick 2 miles around the hospital outside in the sun. As I reenter the hospital I have to be interviewed again. There are lots of signs and sanitizer and masks.
March 11…I take Memere to PCP at Hawtorne Medical…Dr Etta comes into the room and shakes our hands….I question this but he assures me he washes his hands every time he enters and leaves a room.
March 12…I take Memere back to Hawtorne her heart doctor, today there are lots of signs and hand sanitizer at every desk and door….I have a rubber glove on my right hand. The nurses question why? This is my door opening, elevator button pushing hand …oh ok. I take Memere back home and now go to the pharmacy to get her RXs…At the pharmacy there are lines designating social distancing. I return to Memere’s and check in the office can you take the RX and give it to her…Oh no… they record my name and temperature I have to go the the nurse. I follow instructions and go to check on Memere at her location I have to sign in and let them know I had my temperature taken. Mike’s weekly class the VA BR they announce no more class at the VA they will be doing video conferencing. All non-essential office visits are cancelled.
March 16…The news is getting worse people are hoarding paper. Gov. Baker closes all schools and restricts restaurants,so our tennis group cancels…the next day he closes all gyms.
March 19…Mike and I shop at Market Basket, it was busy but, they had TP and limiting 2 paper products per shopper. We also picked up some items for my 92 year old aunt encouraging her to stay home.
March 21…Family Video chat…at which time my children remind us we are over 60 and in the at RISK category and because of his asthma so is one of the grandchildren. My youngest daughter is a nurse in VT she is on the front lines and stress safety and staying home… Yes this gets my attention.
March 23 …I start keep track of the Massachusetts stats (see image below}.. and make a YouTube video… The Ones I Can’t Be With
March 24…Gov. Baker has asked everyone but essential workers to self quarantine… Stores are designating senior only shopping hours so Mike and I go to Market Basket 6am Tuesday the 26. I shopped for my aunt Mike shops for us. The parking lot is full….the aisles are crowded..the lines are long…there is no TP. Hopefully we won’t need to go back for 2 weeks.
March 26…I take my aunt to her Dr appointment and although all restaurants are closed you can get take out…we get burgers and fries from Wendy’s.
March 27…Another video request from my VT daughter …she wants me to add a funny hat.A Worried Mamma Staying Home
March 28..Family Video chat Amy has puzzles and riddles for us to solve. Everyone is good
March 29…Today having trouble staying focused…jumping from reading, to watch televisions, walking outside…I’m definitely snacking more. Disappointed, I don’t have any white wine I decide to make my famous frozen Moscow Mules…discovering I don’t have any ginger beer. I start to search the house and find 3 bottles of white wine and some Jordan Almond…perhaps I can make it another week in this house. I know I will try!