Wednesday 3/18/20
Day 5:
Today we created a schedule for the kids. Having to work at home while being a ‘teacher’ to 3 kids is very challenging. I like spending time with them and this will bring us very close, I just know it will be very hard.
I am worried about where this is going. So much has changed in such a short time. 1 week ago we were told we were staying open (our school). The next evening we were told we would shut down for 3 weeks. Two days later the entire Bay Area is on lock-down sheltering in our houses. Last night, we got word that schools might be closed for the rest of the year. It’s hard to see the end of this now. I don’t know what will happen and that worries me.
We are good on food and water now, I don’t need to go to the store for at least another 5 days. I just don’t know what 5 days from now will look like.
I miss my students and my friends. I hope they are all healthy and that I will be able to see them again soon. Social media and texting is helping to keep in touch.
Our president is an idiot, but I think the severity is sinking in. I hope it’s not too late. Stories coming out of Italy are horrifying. 7% death rate. Choosing who lives and dies. Very sad. I hope this brings people together, I’m afraid our worst qualities will come out though. Greed, fear, exclusion. Trying to focus on the day. The big picture is too big right now.
Thursday 3/19/20
Day 6:
It’s 10:10 am and I am already annoyed. Being stuck at home with the kids is incredibly hard. They are loud and bother each other constantly. I might be able to tolerate it more if I was able to sleep. My sleep since this started has been awful. I can’t fall asleep and I wake up early. This virus and situation is consuming my brain. Every little noise the kids make is driving me insane.
Yesterday my wife was feeling sick and I got really scared. I don’t think it was the virus, just exhaustion. She feels fine today. This makes me nervous, because I know stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep hurt the immune system but it’s hard to control that. I might take a melatonin gummy tonight so that I sleep.
My thoughts are all over the place. I need to rest.
This is only day 6. School might be out for the year. I hope I can make it. I’m also worried about going out.
I’m also counting down my incubation days. My last exposure to BART was Friday and the incubation period is 14 days. That means I have to worry about whether I caught something for another 8 days. We’ll “need” food and supplies soon and I don’t want to start my “timer” over again. But I know I will have to. I’m worried about spreading it to my family and kids. Will we have enough medicine? Will we have to go to the hospital? If my kids get it, will they be alone in an ICU?
Yesterday we also started a daily schedule. It helped the time pass and for a while I could forget about the virus. Those times felt good.
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Submitted by A.V.K., Contra Costa County – Walnut Creek.