Quarantine Day 6

This afternoon, Alberta Health reported 31 new cases of Covid-19 province wide. With 49 new cases yesterday, the new total is 226 cases. Alberta has had one Coronavirus death, a man in his 60s. 

Good afternoon, friends, family, casual onlookers.

Today, my little family has gotten into the swing of hanging out together. I have taken it upon myself to educate my little family on historic cinema, including Peter Jackson's Lord of the Ring Series. They think their mom is a dork.

I'm thankful that our pantry is full of groceries and that we're all in relatively good health, Evie has developed a bit of a cough, but I strongly suspect it's just a cold as it's coupled with a runny nose. How foreign to me that suddenly a cold is suspect.

There has been a shift on social media. More and more of my friends are sharing "window watching" activities. How absolutely wholesome is it that instead of sitting at home crying "woe is me," kids are decorating their windows with little treasures to be found by passersby?

There's even a calendar so you can stay abreast and make sure your window is decorated accordingly. I'll be sure to have Easter Eggs on my windows for you to find as you walk by.

I've seen some major resourcefulness come from this. I'm seeing SO MANY recipes for homemade bread, fresh pasta, and other baked goods. I'm seeing charming crafts from children and I've seen countless offers to lend a hand to an elderly neighbor.

I have NEVER seen so many small families out for a walk in the evening.

If there's a silver lining in all of this, it's the community spirit.

I'm MARVELING at the community spirit.

In the same vein, I have friends who are small business owners and they've had to make the decision to shutter their doors for the sake of quarantine.

I've seen countless asks for the government to freeze mortgage payments, rent payments, utility bills, and other expenses. People's livelihoods are at risk. People I know and love have sunk their entire life into their homes, their businesses. Now, without customers coming in the door, those same people are wondering if the layoffs are temporary or because the business has to fold.

This pandemic has brought extremes to everybody in every facet.

Give your dog a hug. Be thankful that you're healthy. Wash your hands.

We may be in for a long ride.

When this is over, take a walk down to your local corner store, say hello, and give them some of your business. Walmart doesn't need you.