28 Mar 2020
|
Cases
|
Deaths
|
Recovered
|
|||
11:58
GMT*
|
Yesterday
|
Today
|
Yesterday
|
Today
|
Yesterday
|
Today
|
World
|
536,820
|
614,224
|
24,117
|
28,240
|
124,429
|
137,328
|
US
|
85,612
|
104,256
|
1,301
|
1,704
|
1,868
|
2,525
|
NY
|
37,829
|
46,262
|
385
|
606
|
40
|
40
|
CT
|
967
|
1,291
|
21
|
31
|
0
|
0
|
NC
|
592
|
880
|
2
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
*Documenting specific time of day because
real time data is constantly updating.
Tracking specific states: NY is US epicenter, son Reid lives in CT, and I live
in NC.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ https://www.coronainusa.com/
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ https://www.coronainusa.com/
In the news…
President Trump said he “doesn’t
believe NY Gov Cuomo needs 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators”. A few hours later, under intense criticism,
Trump agreed to purchase more
ventilators.
The US House of Representatives passed
the stimulus bill yesterday afternoon, despite a futile attempt by a Masshole
to block it. President Trump then signed
the historic bi-partisan bill, the single biggest economic relief package in US
history, surrounded by republicans only. The Daily
Beast reported Trump wants his
signature to appear on stimulus checks.
In my personal life…
Kudos to the person who created this vin
diagram to illustrate how we’re all feeling lately.
Since self isolating to combat the
virus, I’ve been reconnecting with old friends through email and Facebook. It
is heartwarming to commiserate and share survival tips with people near and
far.
Thursday I took Minerva, our 12 year old
beagle, to the Pfafftown Pet Pawlor for a bath and nail trim. Human hair and
nail salons closed last week, and other non-essential businesses are expected
to close soon, so I wanted to give our geriatric pup a treat while it’s still
possible. She loves riding in Greg’s truck as much as I hate driving it. The
truck is huge compared to my Toyota Corolla; I struggle to climb in and out of
it without spraining an ankle or breaking a hip. Greg doesn’t like for Minerva to
ride in the car; doesn’t want to risk her hair shedding on the upholstered seats.
He also has a 1955 Chevy and Minerva isn’t allowed to ride in it either.
While Minerva was being pampered, I
drove to her vet’s office to pick up a 6 month supply of her heartworm
preventive medicine and a flea collar. The receptionist, Susan, took my credit
card information over the phone and then walked the supplies out to the truck
since the office lobby is now closed to the public.
Next I drove to the grocery store. I was
able to get milk, bread, eggs, lettuce and some frozen foods. Still no toilet paper or disinfecting wipes in the store,
and very few fresh vegetables or meats -- unless you like okra and chitlins which
we do not. Walking down the aisles and looking at the half empty shelves I felt
sympathy for people who lived in Soviet Russia during the cold war.
Still waiting for Princess Minerva, I
joined a conference call with several of my women friends from Greensboro. It
was wonderful to hear their voices. One by one we shared quick updates. When
Jane said she found everything she needed at the grocery store, I asked her
which store. She shopped during early morning hours reserved specifically for
senior citizens. I look like a senior citizen with my natural gray hair but am
only 50, not legally a senior. I asked her if they check ID cards at the door
like with young people trying to buy beer and we all laughed at the image of me
trying to sneak into the grocery store. I haven’t tried, and probably won’t
unless we really truly need something important. I keep telling myself and
others that the supply chain is not broken, just stressed. We have enough food
and toilet paper to last a couple more weeks so we should be fine, no worries.
But some days I worry a little bit.
When I picked up Minerva, I paid $40
instead of the usual $20 because I don’t know how long this business will be
closed. I told the owner how much we appreciate her, wished her well during the
quarantine, and promised to visit again when this is behind us. Then I drove
home to put the groceries away. Susan from Arcadia Veterinary Hospital called
to give me information about a rebate on Minerva’s medicine. I thanked her
profusely for taking the time to call. Living in North Carolina really is like living
in Andy Griffith’s Mayberry sometimes.
Friday I decided to visit Myers
Greenhouse to purchase some plants for my vegetable garden. I usually wait
until after Easter but the long term weather forecast and Blum’s Farmer’s
Almanac gave me courage to plant early this year. Myers doesn’t accept credit
cards so I stopped by an ATM for cash. The machine was out of order so I drove
to the nearest credit union branch location where I was surprised to see more than a dozen cars
lined up waiting for the drive thru teller. A friendly bank employee was in the
parking lot, wearing rubber gloves, answering questions while people waited for
their turn. The bank building was closed but their outdoor ATM was working so
he encouraged me to walk over there instead of getting in the long line. I was
going to get $100 but opted for $200 just in case we might need cash for something later. With
FDIC insurance I don’t worry about our money in the bank. But I don’t want to
have to come back here if I don’t have to.
Myers Greenhouse is usually busy but
today it was packed. One woman was wearing a mask. There were so many people it
was hard to maintain 6 feet safe distance. I still have a dry cough aggravated by
allergies but no fever. Benadryl helps but it makes me sleepy so I hadn’t taken
it yet; didn’t want to drive drowsy. I tried hard not to cough but couldn't help
it, carefully pressing my face into my elbow. A woman stared at me in
horror. I assured her it was just allergies and she nervously looked away,
avoiding eye contact. I bought some spinach plants, cucumbers, lettuce,
tomatoes and a few herbs but not as much as I had wanted to buy because the
inventory of available plants had been scavenged already, much like the grocery
store. The cost was only $13 for a flat full of plants. I gave the owner a $20 bill and told her to keep the change. I asked her if she might close during the
quarantine and she assured me she intended to stay open indefinitely. I plan to
go back in a week or two to get more lettuce and see what else they might have.
The Forsyth
County stay at home order officially began 5pm Friday. The entire state of North
Carolina stay at home order begins Monday at 5pm.
Today I plan to spend
most of the day outside, working in the garden and maybe napping in the
hammock. My blog post for the day is now ending with something I read on
twitter that pretty much captures my mood…
One thing I’ve
learned so far in quarantine is that my husband refuses to microwave anything
for 45 seconds, he always does 44. When I asked him why, he said, “For Obama.”
– Kendra Alvey, @Kendragarden, Mar 26 2020,
– Kendra Alvey, @Kendragarden, Mar 26 2020,
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