Search the Community

From one teacher to another, good luck next week. My district starts school Sept 8th and still hasn’t decided whether we’re going back in person or not. I’m praying for online because I can’t imagine what it’ll be like to go back in person in a time like this. I’m not leaving town again until Winter Break and even then I’m going to a secluded mountain cabin for a week. I’m so sorry about your grandmother, my best friend lost hers in May and was not able to attend the funeral even though it was in the same town she lives in. I just wish people would get their shit together so that we could get through the worst of Covid and actually start getting somewhat back to normal.

I thought it might be a good idea to start a thread on strategies that we are finding useful in coping with this crisis. I'm hoping that we are all doing our best to help control the spread by voluntarily social distancing, working from home (if we are allowed), and taking all possible precautions. And I hope we can all stay healthy. This is going to get worse before it gets better. However, not only are we all feeling nervous but social isolation can exacerbate stress, anxiety and depression. So can disruptions in normal routines and being cooped up at close quarters, even with our nearest and dearest. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html So, If you want to murder your significant other because their working from home via Zoom conference calls has evicted you from your normal space (our best internet reception is in the family room and I have been evicted), can't think of how to occupy your children and make them knuckle down to distance learning while you are trying to work from home, have cabin fever, or are simply bored out of your mind, please share your ideas here. And please let's try to keep this thread positive. Positive thinking does actually help in keeping people healthy both mentally and physically. I'm very much an introvert and thought I'd be coping better, but I'm getting ready to climb the walls. Some things that are working for us, off the top of my head: We are staying up to date on the news but trying not to follow it obsessively. From 6:00 pm till morning we do not discuss the situation at all. We are reading, watching old movies, and doing things we find fun. We are staying in contact with family and friends, granted by phone, email and skype. Taking walks in the fresh air with the dogs helps. You don't actually need a dog to take a short walk. (People are being very good about keeping their distance and accepting our refusal to let them pet out dogs. Sad for our very sociable dogs, but better for everyone.) I have set up the dining room as a crafting area for the duration. I have loads of projects in the pipeline I haven't been able to get to, now is the time. I also called the local council on aging to see how I could volunteer, and now have a list of seniors to check in with by phone every day. It's a way of getting them some human contact, but also to make sure they have the supplies and prescriptions the need. Someone else will do pick-up and deliveries to them. Doing something, even something that small, makes me feel better. Also feeling grateful makes me feel better. I'm grateful: for all the people who are voluntarily social distancing, self-isolating is sick, and self-quarantining if they suspect they have been in contact with the virus, however hard it is. that at least my state is taking this pandemic seriously and has closed restaurants and schools and banned large social gatherings. that people like @laPapessaGiovanna and @Italiangirl in Italy and many of our other international members still seem healthy. for the fact that I did a Costco run in late January and stocked up on toilet paper, paper towels, and most staples. that the no-knead bread recipe I haven't used for ages still works. that the grocery store employees are wiping down the conveyor belt and everything you touch during check-out between every single customer. that the big dinner reception I was dreading attending next week is cancelled. And that we still have phone, internet, and Free Jinger. Imagine how hard this would be without the internet and snark. Next!

Like most parents of school aged children during this coronavirus virus locked, I’m having to temporarily homeschool my kids (probably through the end of the school year). I have one in elementary school, one in middle, and one in high school. 3 different schools, 3 different online homeschooling programs with multiple teacher websites per student. Plus, one has Autism, and requires a 1 on 1 aid to help him through the school day—obviously that’s not happening now—well, I guess I’m the aid. anyway, it blows. I hate it. hate hate hate hate hate it. My hats off to parents who enjoy homeschooling or can manage it without getting an ulcer. I’m not handling this well. The tech side of it is too complicated for me. I’m already not a tech savvy person, so handling multiple virtual homeschooling formats is really hard for me. and playing the role of Mom mixed with teacher, sucks for me. My kids are reacting to my teaching instructions by taking everything personally; which is not how they’d react to their teachers giving them instruction. so, I get it. We have to homeschool because the schools have to be closed to stop the spread of coronavirus. There’s nothing I gain by hating it or whining about it. This homeschooling season must happen, no way around it. Still, I hate this and everyday has been a total struggle. I’m open to homeschooling suggestions, please. Also, I’m now even more confused by fundies. Why don’t we see more fundie homeschooling moms break away? Just based on how hard homeschooling multiple kids is; I’d imagine after a couple years, half or more would run straight to their local public school.

Hello, all. I'm sure others are dealing with this, and I thought I would seek out the advice of you kind people on here. I'm not sure what to do in this situation. My in-laws live about 15 minutes from us, which is a good thing because they are not in the best of health. My husband's Mom, (J) and his Dad (B) are not in terrible health and can still run errands and take care of their house. Their yard is cut and driveway is snow-plowed courtesy of the condo community in which they live. However, "B" is still recovering from prostate cancer and takes multiple medications for this plus heart problems. He is 82 years old. "J" is 76, an insulin-dependent diabetic, weighs less than 90 pounds and has some problems with balance and mobility. We run errands and help when needed. Considering all that B has been through plus his age, he is in remarkable shape. My husband has been getting together with him for golf about once a week. We had seen them here and there over the summer but not very much. Now, COVID numbers are soaring in our area. My in-laws are deeply emotionally dependent on my husband, and I think he may be as well. It's hard for them to go even a week without seeing him. The weather is getting colder and outdoor activities will no longer be an option. I don't think under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES that we should see them inside for quite some time. My husband teaches part-time at a Catholic school (with all proper precautions in place), and I'm an administrative assistant working in a law school (two days in person and the other three at home). They are starting to get desperate and pleading with us to be there to visit, despite our trying to explain the situation. They are very much appraised of the news and current events but perhaps don't care about the risks? I don't know what in blazes to do. I do feel sad for them but couldn't live with myself if we exposed them. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas? Thanks so much!

Continued from here:

Continued from here: More insanity from Twitler's Faux town hall:

This is on their public facebook. The comments get juicier toward the bottom.

Continued from here: "Moo Protection"

Continued from here:

Continued from here: "As shortage worsens, federal officials ask agencies to donate spare medical supplies"

Share your covid-related jokes here!

Looks like the coronavirus is hitting the United States- I know there are multiple cases at my local hospital. My family has a basic quarantine plan in place and we're pretty well stocked in case we can't go out for a few weeks. And fortunately, all of my international travel plans aren't till this summer. How are all of you guys doing?

I figured the government response to the coronavirus pandemic deserves a thread. I still can't believe Twitler put Pence in charge. "Mike Pence was criticized for his handling of Indiana’s HIV outbreak. He will lead the U.S. coronavirus response."