Even though we're all going through this at more or less the same time, I want to record our descent into isolation. We're fortunate to both able to work remotely and our house is a lot more spacious than many dwellings (including our previous apartment, which I have been contemplating). Thanks to the writers of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_Washington_(state). Thank you also to the health care providers out there.
December 2019: I read about the mystery virus in the New York Times and think "huh, that's bad"
December 24, 2019: Dd has hand foot and mouth disease so we exercise our social distancing.
January 21: Washington announces the first case of coronavirus in the state.
February: Fortuitously we have all kinds of mundane health appointments like our dentist and optometrists and a few visits for the kids. We also see most of our families at rescheduled Christmases and the Winter Picnic.
February (late): Scientists put together that the virus has been circulating in the area for the past 6 weeks and announce the first few deaths from it. We realize school will close eventually.
March 4: This is The Last Normal Day. Jack goes to work, D goes to school, Dd goes to daycare and I work at home. Grandma Kathy helps out a bit after school.
March 9: My parents babysit Dd, for what turns out to be the last time in a while.
March 11: Wednesday. Seattle Public Schools announces a two week closure, starting on the 12th.
March 12: Governor Inslee mandates closure of all schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties for six weeks.
March 13: Friday. Actually now all schools in the state must be closed until at least April 24th. Daycare are not required to close. We don't find out for sure that Dd's will close until late in the day on the 13th. They say it is for two weeks, but we are skeptical. This is the most stressful day so far. We've pretty much decided not to have play dates with other kids because we are worried about our parents and kids are often symptom-less carriers (or so the current understanding is) and our kids are prone to wrestle with friends and put their hands in their mouths.
I get to swim at the YMCA, though I am surprised it is open. The libraries and community centers are open for the last time.
March 14: we have a babysitter (!) and J and I take a wonderful bike ride and carefully stop by our neighborhood bar (for my first time and probably our last for a very long time)
March 15: We have a long overdue visit with Jack's step mom at our house and decide to call off help from all grandparents for the week ahead. Closure of restaurants and gyms is announced.
March 16: Monday. It's our first day working with both kids at home. We realize we are now homeschooling and will need to do a bit more than the "little extra reading" we planned during the initially announced two week closure. There are sooo many lists of resources. It is overwhelming.
March 19: Playgrounds and big toys close. We've been avoiding them for a few days and it's a necessary step for all of us.
D is writing a journal entry every school day and today's was about how he only learns things from Octonauts (the TV show) anyway, so the school closure. Dd's comment is "truck, truuuck, truck.... BUS" while looking out the window, followed by "cool car" about the little car he and D push around the house and ride on. He also now says "I don't know," which is adorable.
Dd also requests many specific books including a potty book that Jack and I could recite verbatim last time around. Today he sat on the potty without being distressed for the first time. Maybe we'll get at least the smelly part of potty training turn during this time at home.
We did not work near enough hours but we survived the week.
March 21: we socially distance with my sister at a beach park
March 22: I give D a Mohawk, naturally.
December 2019: I read about the mystery virus in the New York Times and think "huh, that's bad"
December 24, 2019: Dd has hand foot and mouth disease so we exercise our social distancing.
January 21: Washington announces the first case of coronavirus in the state.
February: Fortuitously we have all kinds of mundane health appointments like our dentist and optometrists and a few visits for the kids. We also see most of our families at rescheduled Christmases and the Winter Picnic.
February (late): Scientists put together that the virus has been circulating in the area for the past 6 weeks and announce the first few deaths from it. We realize school will close eventually.
March 4: This is The Last Normal Day. Jack goes to work, D goes to school, Dd goes to daycare and I work at home. Grandma Kathy helps out a bit after school.
March 9: My parents babysit Dd, for what turns out to be the last time in a while.
March 11: Wednesday. Seattle Public Schools announces a two week closure, starting on the 12th.
March 12: Governor Inslee mandates closure of all schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties for six weeks.
March 13: Friday. Actually now all schools in the state must be closed until at least April 24th. Daycare are not required to close. We don't find out for sure that Dd's will close until late in the day on the 13th. They say it is for two weeks, but we are skeptical. This is the most stressful day so far. We've pretty much decided not to have play dates with other kids because we are worried about our parents and kids are often symptom-less carriers (or so the current understanding is) and our kids are prone to wrestle with friends and put their hands in their mouths.
I get to swim at the YMCA, though I am surprised it is open. The libraries and community centers are open for the last time.
March 14: we have a babysitter (!) and J and I take a wonderful bike ride and carefully stop by our neighborhood bar (for my first time and probably our last for a very long time)
March 15: We have a long overdue visit with Jack's step mom at our house and decide to call off help from all grandparents for the week ahead. Closure of restaurants and gyms is announced.
March 16: Monday. It's our first day working with both kids at home. We realize we are now homeschooling and will need to do a bit more than the "little extra reading" we planned during the initially announced two week closure. There are sooo many lists of resources. It is overwhelming.
March 19: Playgrounds and big toys close. We've been avoiding them for a few days and it's a necessary step for all of us.
D is writing a journal entry every school day and today's was about how he only learns things from Octonauts (the TV show) anyway, so the school closure. Dd's comment is "truck, truuuck, truck.... BUS" while looking out the window, followed by "cool car" about the little car he and D push around the house and ride on. He also now says "I don't know," which is adorable.
Dd also requests many specific books including a potty book that Jack and I could recite verbatim last time around. Today he sat on the potty without being distressed for the first time. Maybe we'll get at least the smelly part of potty training turn during this time at home.
We did not work near enough hours but we survived the week.
March 21: we socially distance with my sister at a beach park
March 22: I give D a Mohawk, naturally.
I know you are so busy trying to squeeze in work but these are the best parts of the internet. Keep the pictures coming. Love you
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