Pandemic Times, July 12 - 18

I have been thinking recently that I should re-name these posts.  Quarantine Log no longer seems exactly right because I no longer have a sense of being isolated.  However, restrictions on activities continue for our family.  For instance, we still do not have worship in the sanctuary on Sunday morning.  We do not go out to eat.  We think carefully about any purchases in order to minimize shopping time.  I have not been to Walmart since the restrictions began in March.  I go to my favorite grocery store no more than once a week and do not linger.  We wear masks in public.  More national and regional chain stores are requiring them, while the state government and local government "encourages" the use of masks.  School in Loudon County will open August 7, but Amanda has enrolled in the iLearn online curriculum offered by Lenoir City Schools.  She is on the school golf team and matches start at the end of July.  We have become accustomed to, and in some ways prefer, our new lifestyle.  I miss lunches out with my friends and the freedom to pick up and go somewhere. Other than that, I like my home-centered life. I predict that this restriction of public activity will continue through the next flu season. By April, maybe we will be coming out of the pandemic.


Sunday, July 12

Waiting on the bridge was a "shaky" experience

We left the Whitakers of Cape Girardeau before breakfast and grabbed Egg McMuffins on the way out of town.  Even so, it was 9 am when we left. Bill decided to take the Cairo route home, across the Ohio, even though we knew that construction might keep us on the bridge for a while.  It did.  We always enjoy the majesty of seeing the two great rivers, the Ohio and the Mississippi converge just downstream from the crossing. On a clear day, you can see the difference in the waters as they meet, but have not yet mixed.

The Ohio and Mississippi converge with the Mississippi coming in from the right

Peeking through the blinds

We got home about 4:30.  We had left the house a mess because I didn't have the heart to make the kids clean up.  I knew I would have plenty of time this week.  It is good to be home and have the house back to ourselves, even though we miss the smiling faces of our dear ones.  We did have one smiling face just outside the window!

News when we go home is that Knox Co is now designated a CDC "hotspot" with 736 active cases.  Florida set a record of more than 15,000 new cases, more even than NY at its peak.  TN now has had 61,900 cases and 741 deaths and has administered over 1 million tests.  Loudon Co has had 328 cases and 86 are currently active.  The rate of new cases in LoCo is 22.73/100,000, well over the threshold of 10/100,000.  The 15 day avg rate is 10.55.


Monday, July 13

Today was dedicated to a variety of clean-up and catch-up chores, beginning with picking green beans, squash and cucumbers.  I always want to get the outdoor activities done first before the heat builds in.   There was also lots of laundry, changing beds, and general cleaning to be done.  Claire came over and helped for a couple of hours in the early afternoon.  That left me time to re-make the masks for the Whitaker children so they would fit better.  I meant to do that while they were here, but just didn't get a 'roundtuit.'  At 6:30 I had a church meeting to present reopening plans and set a projected date for resuming worship services.  The board set Aug 2 as a target date, realizing that may not be possible.

Numbers:
After a record of more that 15,000 yesterday, Florida today has more than 12,000 new cases.
TN: 65,274 cases, up 3314 since yesterday, this may also be a record; 749 deaths
LoCo: 331 cases, up 24; 244 recovered; 85 active; 2 deaths; 4537 neg tests.  LoCo is still above the threshold, but less new cases today.


Tuesday, Jul 14

I went into town this morning with several errands: First to take Amanda to softball batting practive, then to mail the masks to Cape Girardeau.  I also went to the Johnson's produce truck for a few items.  Before picking her up, I also went to the grocery store.  We heard today that the District Superintendent has suspended all in-person worship and in-church activities through the end of July. This does not immediately change our target date of Aug 2, but I doubt if we will be able to meet it.


Wednesday, July 15

This morning's report is that for the 1st time, active cases in Knox Co exceed recovered cases, a sure sign of a rapidly spreading virus. (1024/876)  It doesn't account for the fact that test results are now taking more than a week to get back.

We took a morning walk and I watered the garden. 
After lunch Claire and I went to JoAnn's to buy mask fabric to make masks for her going to college.  I am concerned for her because the rate of cases in Rutherford Co, where MTSU is located, is among the highest in the state.

After supper, the Matzek's joined us to go the the Melton Hill overlook to try and see Comet Neowise.  It is in the NW sky, just below and west of the Big Dipper.  There was too much light in the parking lot there. Nevertheless, after waiting almost an hour for dark, clouds moved in and obscured any possible sighting.  We will try again another night.



Thursday, July 16

I took Amanda to softball batting practice outdoors again.  The Matzek's have decided that Amanda will enroll in Lenoir City Schools iLearn Academy and have all her classes online for fall semester.  She has changed her schedule around, putting off Chemistry and Engineering until next semester.

I spent a few hours in the afternoon making masks for Amanda's friend Elijah and his mother as well as for Amanda, Claire and Mike.

Covid is worse every day.  LoCo has recorded 358 cases with 103 active, still increasing.  The US has more than 3.5 million cases with hospitalizations and deaths rising.  Only in the NE are cases decreasing.  More than 138,000 people have died in the US since February. TN has had 71,540 cases with almost 30,000 still active.  Loudon County is still above the threshold with 13.67/100,000.


Friday, July 17

Video recording day at church.  We have purchases a new video cam and tested it today.  Pastor Kristie discussed with us and announced that we would push back our target open date by two weeks to August 16.  She will be out for surgery that week and the next, so I will be on call for at least 2 weeks to lead worship and give a message, whether we are in church on Sunday or recording on Friday.

After recording, I visited with Bonnie for a while and then drove the the Shrimp Dock in Farragut to get lobster for Kathy's birthday celebration.  He BD is Saturday, but we will have our dinner on Sunday evening.

Covid Numbers:
Yesterday the number of new cases set another US record at more than 77,000.  This morning NY Times numbers:
US: 3,588,400 cases; 138,268 deaths
TN: 69,827 cases; 786 deaths
LoCo: 368 cases, 3 deaths (one new death recorded this week).

Saturday, July 18

Happy Birthday, Kathy!

I am still trying to get the sourdough right  I don't think this batch will be "it," but the dough is handling better.  Making the bread takes a whole day of being on call for turning, kneading, etc.

Our dinner party for four was a success.  Kathy and I had lobster tails.  Bill and Wayne had some of Bonnie's good steak.  Corn and salad completed the meal with an accompaniment of plenty of Proseco.  Pound cake with fresh peaches and ice-cream topped it off.  I can't believe I didn't take a single picture.  I usually don't remember until it is too late.  I guess being in the moment is a good thing too, but afterwards, I often wish for a picture.