Handshakes will be out for me, hand sanitizer will be in most of my rooms, car and purse at all times. I will have a three month food supply for an emergency, maybe install a bidet in our bathroom, communal food containers will be a thing of the past, pushing elevator buttons with some type of protection, social distancing, cut down on appointments, using telemed for doctor appointments. Won't shop every three days, instead once week or every other week, limit eating out at restaurants. Make food ahead of time and freeze, makes life a lot easier. I learned I can be still and enjoy the quietness no matter how much work I have to do, I learned it is ok to take an afternoon nap and take a good amount of time for myself. I also learned I had to depend on myself for my health, and the health of my mother. Doctors and staff were more concerned with the virus as opposed to our underlying conditions and the doctors were not available. Be more independent thinking when it comes to our health. I could go on and on, but I will leave the rest to all of you. My old habits will be changed forever!
As the kids grew, they teased me constantly about my grocery/paper/necessities stash. After they married, I turned one bedroom into a HUGE pantry with a 23 cf freezer and put another refrigerator/freezer in the garage. They were always stopping by to borrow stuff, then their kids grew up and married and borrowed stuff and still do. :) I don't mind. I had stocked up in December and again at the end of February of cleaning supplies, sanitizing supplies and gloves because my husband broke out with shingles that I had to doctor. He has dementia and uses a lot of tissues, meds, etc.
I also bought meats in bulk and used my vacumn sealer and I still do canning if I get large quantities of items. I would like to have raised garden beds so I don't have to bend or get on my knees. I do grow garlic, oregano, chives and onions.
I will probably continue to wear my mask if any risk since I and husband are high risk w/liver problems and a dying lung. I have quit going each week to shop and will continue to space trips out. I found it to be cheaper. I keep a list of items needed or out of.
We WILL be getting our wills made. And choosing POAs. Our funerals are already paid for. I will give my granddaughter copies of passwords for accounts, safety deposit box and my pc so if I am unable, she can pay bills on line since hubby can't operate a computer. I can trust her completely to do as needed for both of us. We also wish to have our kids/grandkids tell us of anything we have they wish to keep so we can mark them.
This virus has changed things for a lot of people. My husband I had planned to do some traveling when he retired. Unfortunately a fall on New Years of 2018 ruined all of that for us since he couldn't drive for a year. Then surgery for glaucoma in April 2019 that failed messed up his sight. And another surgery to repair the mess this February finished it off. Our extra savings have disappeared and he did something with the money but, doesn't know what or won't tell. That was our emergency and vacation stash.
Get out and doo stuff if you are able and not afraid. This COVID has shown me how precious family and life is and how it disappear in a heartbeat.
The really good news is we most likely had COVID after a 2 week cruise beginning early Feb out of Balt. It was the sick ship what made the news, pre-testing on ships. Our symptoms were mild. It is the headache that has lead us to realize we had it. We had mild dry coughs and, chills and exhaustion. Everyone in my house had it, I of course gave it to my mom, cat the the neighbors as I was getting the kids ready and on the bus.... Trying to get an antibody test soon.... Just a glimpse of my new reality. Trying to take today for just me.
When one of the newscasts showed videos of 2000 cars in San Antonio lined up to get food, I was so shocked that so many would be on the brink of running out. I understand that financial situation plays a big role in stocking up, and it's very difficult to be in that situation.
But we certainly weren't rich either, and lived our lives frugally but since we lived at a lake we never felt deprived in our childhood.
Cherokee, you mentioned being teased. My parents were very frugal and never bought new cars, always used ones. When we were little we were embarrassed to be seen in our old cars, until we grew up enough to realize how sensible that practice was. I can't remember but the embarrassment probably arose from other youngsters teasing us.
I really think that the pandemic gives everyone, who's physically and financially able, to re-evaluate priorities and life style, and plan appropriately for the future. This won't be the last pandemic, and the next one may even be worse.
It is interesting how some people became wasteful and others didn’t. It’s so foolish to be wasteful. It’s actually sad. If we have surplus of something we can share with others rather than not caring.
I see perfectly good items being thrown out for the trash collectors to pick up. Why can’t they call veterans organizations that pick up? It couldn’t be easier, just schedule online or with a phone call, tag items for vets organization and they will pick it up.
bowgirl - yes, that is GOOD NEWS. And that's something you will never hear from the media but it is TRUE. A friend of mine contracted and recovered from COVID19, and she was SO GLAD she did because now she has the antibodies that will protect her. As more people contract this virus, and 99% of people will recover, they will be protected, and eventually, there will be herd immunity. This won't happen if people are hiding in their homes. The elderly however should still isolate because their immune systems are old and weak.
That I am in good health, that I like to spend time on my own, that it is nice to go for long walks.
I was following Dave Ramsey's 10 Steps before all this happened, so I did not have a problem with money. Thankfully. I lost my business, which can be rebuilt again, but I wasn't distressed.
I'm living with my elderly parents, and that has been very difficult. As their stress levels rose, and my father's behaviour became very challenging I had to learn a new way of dealing with him. My old ways didn't work, we were constantly arguing.
I learnt to let him do what he wants, within reason. I learnt to identify that he lives with low lying anxiety most of the time, I realised that I pick up on this and it makes our exchanges very difficult. Now I cut short interactions, I leave the room, I stay silent and don't engage. While I'm getting used to this new way (and so is he) I am peaceful. Since he doesn't get a reaction from me, he is quiet.
When things resume (to a new normal) I will slow my pace down. Yes I need money to live, but life is about so much more than what I do for a living. And I've missed people, seeing friends, will be a real pleasure.
Thank you so much for sharing.
The shortage in stores came about as people let their anxiety drive them to selfishness and stock up on weeks of TP so there was not any left for other people. If people just had bought the normal amount, there would be enough for everyone. Factories pump out TP at a regular rate, and a rate that satisfies everyone needs. When people horde, it upsets the system for everyone.
There's a lot more flushing going on in today's homes.
I have some of those commercial size rolls of toilet paper. It will be a challenge to place on the home toilet paper roll :P
The factories are not able to shift production from commercial rolls to residential rolls, thereby limiting their production capabilities.
This really shows how much we don't use at home when we are busy living life and using public restrooms as a result.
Just wanted to add that, as I think people are starting to think there is a TP conspiracy and it is not anything nefarious.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hundreds-of-people-volunteer-to-be-infected-with-coronavirus/
And it's not just about individuals; it's about interaction; we live in areas ranging from isolated to rural to heavily populated, and each of us has obligations not only to ourselves but to others (as well as to animals). That sense of collectivity seems to be lost on some, who are focused on "me, me me!"
There's a lot to be learned from this, especially about who and what are really important in life, and what doesn't matter. I think introspective people will become more so, and many will reach out to help others, but some will just see the inconvenience to themselves.
However, I'm not convinced that that isn't basic nature to some and they'll never change or see themselves in the context of a highly interconnected population.
I think there also will be scientific lessons to be learned but not until there's adequate time for more in-depth analysis, especially on vulnerabilities, healthy eating and living styles, and other activities and attitudes basic to how people live their lives.
Since I've read that the virus has already mutated, and that there will be follow-up episodes, I'm planning for this Fall and Winter, and beyond, hoping I can find contractors to help with some of the changes I want to make to increase storage and safety capacity over the next cold season.
I'm thinking of redundancy capacity, not as redundant as a NASA project, but more so than even well prepared people have now.
From CNN:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/05/uk/neil-ferguson-imperial-coronavirus-sage-gbr-intl/index.html
"A leading epidemiologist who advised the UK government on its coronavirus response resigned from his government post on Tuesday, after the Telegraph newspaper revealed he broke the lockdown rules he helped shape by allowing his reported lover to visit his home.
Professor Neil Ferguson, who is based at Imperial College in London, is one of the architects of the UK government's stay-at-home strategy and was a prominent member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) which has been spearheading the country's coronavirus response.
The Telegraph reported Tuesday that a woman whom it described as his married lover had visited Ferguson's home in London at least twice despite social distancing guidelines.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that he was left speechless by the "extraordinary" revelation and that Ferguson had taken the right decision in resigning from his advisory position."
Here is a link to the story from the Washington Examiner. You can find the same story from many other sources, too.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/alarming-cbs-news-denies-staging-busy-coronavirus-testing-line-in-response-to-project-veritas-video
I still have both my jobs but one of them I am working from home and the demands are far less. My other job has flexible hours so I can work more or less hours, as I am able. On Sunday morning my small church does an hour zoom meeting where we all check in and share with each other. Somehow that feels more spiritual to me than our services. I can't visit Mom in AL but I call everyday and drop off little treats now and then. Since I have no control over this situation there is no guilt and no pressure anywhere in my life right now. I am more patient with myself and others. My struggle with resentment is fading away.
I don't forget for one minute that I am blessed to be healthy and still working right now. I know there are people all over the world whose lives have been ravaged by this pandemic. For that reason I will not take any of this for granted. When this is over, I am not sure what changes I will make, but I will not go back to things as they were.
That is exactly how I feel.