It’s been another heartbreaking week across the globe. I am including statistics from the beginning of the week to the end with some of the highlights, if they can be called that, from around the world. Since I live in New Hampshire, I’m tracking my state statistics as well. We’ve fared better than many so far, but if the doctors are right, then we will soon feel the fury of this virus. I have to go foraging today so am a bit nervous about that. I’ll be wearing a mask for sure, though I feel absolutely fine.
March 29, 2020
New Hampshire
- Cases-214
- Deaths-2
United States
- Cases-124,300
- Deaths-2,100
Global
- Cases-665,000
- Deaths-30,800
- Recovered-141,000
Texas has 500 new cases in 24 hours
California has 579,000 cases today.
Brain warp- Today’s brain warping statement from Trump was that the governors of Washington state and Michigan weren’t showing enough appreciation. In fairness, he said that his team, not him, were working so hard to deal with this issue, but that he also said that he told Mike Pence that he shouldn’t bother calling those governors. What kind of leadership is that? Really? It’s a scary thought but I’m really starting to wish Pence was the president. He’s the only one from the White House who has given clear and direct statements. I guess it’s a good thing Trump put him in charge of the committee on the pandemic. And, I believe Pence did call those governors.
6pm
New Hampshire
- Cases-214
- Deaths-2
United States
- Cases-137,300
- Deaths-2,400
Global
- Cases-716,000
- Deaths-33,800
- Recovered-149,000
March 30, 2020
6am
New Hampshire
- Cases-258
- Deaths-3
United States
- Cases-143,000
- Deaths-3,000
Global
- Cases-724,200
- Deaths-34,000
- Recovered-152,000
Border crossings- The travel restrictions between states are getting rather scary. I had to go to the park and ride today to pick up some bereavement cards from a co-worker. Because I live in New Hampshire. I have to wear my badge and carry “papers” that prove I have business in Vermont. Understand that Interstate 91 is the main thoroughfare to get anywhere in the Upper Valley. And many, many people live in one state and work in the other. This psychologically creates a sense of living in some war-torn country and I find it now creating an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mentality. I get the reason. We need to keep people still for a while, but I’m hearing people really angry that ‘outsiders’ come ‘inside our borders to get food, go hiking or take up any of the resources for the states. It is a slippery slope that makes me anxious. What next? Civil war over resources? I wish everyone would just breathe and remember that we are in this together. We already have enough political division, without this.
Foraging- Who knew we’d ever use that term on a regular basis? But that is what we do now. You either stock up like a doomsday prepper, or you learn who gets what deliveries and when. The big items that you might have to go to six stores to find are toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bread, eggs, pasta, Ramen noodles and some meats. I was every so fortunate today to walk into my local grocery store and see the shelves full of bread! All kinds of bread! I felt like I’d struck gold! At the moment, foraging is still a new enough term that it feels like a novelty, but I’m pretty sure it’ll grow old fast. I also don’t plan suppers ahead of the grocery store. I go see what they have and figure out what I can do with it. I promise never to take my grocery shopping for granted again.
April 1, 2020
Overnight 391 people died. I heard that 1 New Yorker dies every 6 seconds. There are not enough workers, equipment or beds and field hospitals are being raised all over the place, including Central Park. We are told that as bad as this is, it is going to get worse before it gets better. That is really hard to wrap my head around. Thank God for Andrew Cuomo. He has been a paragon of leadership for New York and by extension, the rest of the country. He is faced with a crisis of monstrous proportion and has acted with unwavering strength and commitment.
I find myself tearing up every time I see the images of nurses and doctors heading into or leaving their shifts. They are the infantry, running into battle and knowing that they will likely be hurt or killed. How do you even do that? It’s the kind of bravery that blows my mind. We must include these heroes in the growing list of people we need to thank for their service. Without their risk and sacrifice, the death toll would be much, much higher. I am touched by the video of people around the world cheering the healthcare workers in their communities as they come and go to work.
April 2, 2020
6pm
New Hampshire
- Cases-479
- Deaths-5
United States
- Cases-238,820
- Deaths-5,758
Global
- Cases-1,007,977-Hitting the million mark. A terribly sad statistic. We have now lost as much as both the Russian Flu of the 1890’s and the Asian Flu in the late 1950’s.
- Deaths-52,980
- Recovered-210,055
I am certain some will find this chronicle morbid and depressing. Yeah, I know. It is depressing, but this is a crisis and I believe that we are making history, sad as it is, and maybe our journals, should they ever be read, will help people get a clear picture of what we went through.
However, there are good things still happening every day. The stories of heroism and the creative responses to being isolated make me cry and smile. Communities have found marvelous ways to be community while maintaining social distancing. Lily Ung, a 17 year old ballerina, gave a parking lot performance at her grandparent’s apartment in Iowa yesterday. Her grandparents, and their neighbors, were treated to a ballet performance. Chalk messages on sidewalks, virtual work out classes and streamed church services are some of the ways people are staying connected. It’s a wonderful thing to see how the human spirit can rise up in times of crisis.
This morning I’m grateful that my family is safe and well. I’m so proud of my daughter in law for grappling with the responsibility of working a job from home and becoming teacher and coach to my grandson. I’m grateful that my son and my husband and I have jobs and income. My heart goes out to those who don’t. As always, I keep everyone on the front lines in my prayers- healthcare workers, truckers, grocery store workers, waste management folks, factory workers and anyone else who continues to be out every day, making sure we have care and services to keep us going. Thank you- every single one of you- for what you’re doing. We appreciate you more than you know. Be safe everyone, be well and stay strong. We will get through this- together.
