Social Distancing: Day 16

Community Spread:

We are learning that the COVID-19 virus is being widely spread by individuals with no symptoms so it's virtually impossible to know who has the virus until it's too late. The CDC is using 14 days as the suggested length to quarantine after expected exposure. Since we've been in isolation for 14 days and so have Grandma Joan and Papa Jake we were planning to go to Keo for a couple of days for a change of scenery. This morning my parents called to tell us that Papa had possibly been exposed. A man he was working with had been admitted to the hospital and had not yet gotten the results for his COVID-19 test. We called off the trip. Just like that is how this thing is spreading. Quickly and quietly.

Life Skills:

I've been trying to use this time at home to teach the kids basic life skills. We're working on how to properly shake hands and other household jobs. Today Evy washed the dishes and loaded the dishwasher by herself. She's done it before but never completely on her own. Watching her try to open the lid on the Cascade was entertaining. 

Curbside Pick-Up: 

Pretty much all businesses except for grocery stores and pharmacies have been asked to close. If restaurants are able to provide a drive-through or curbside pickup they can be open. We've been using Target's drive-up service pretty frequently and Chic-Fil-A at the mall has created a temporary drive-thru. Our library is offering a curbside pickup from 12-1 and 5-6 each weekday. Today I had to return some items using that system. 

Lots of Meal Prep:

We've been pretty good at making breakfast and dinner every day but lunch has been a struggle. Today I sat a bunch of stuff out on the counter and had the kids pick one item from each food group. 

Outside:

The first two weeks of isolation the weather was cold, rainy and windy. It has been such a relief to have good weather this week! The kids have been into sidewalk chalk and today we did some cartwheel contests and races. 

Lots of Baking:

There's been lots of baking going on. Today I picked scotcheroos because I've been craving them. I made them this morning and at least half of the pan was gone by evening.