Coronavius Crisis: 2020

We are living in surreal times. Covid-19, the coronavirus, started in China in December and has made its way across the globe. The United States is being hit hard, with cases rising every hour. Already, nearly 200 Americans have died. Schools are closed, and many businesses have shut down. Most people are working from home. Dad's entire Communications staff at the University of Rochester is working remotely. Mom worked four days this week for Dr. Miller, a dermatologist, but is off today (Friday 3/20) and Monday. Stores are out of meat and toilet paper. People are in a frenzy.

One of the few bright spots has been the weather. It has been great, very springlike, and Sophie and I have taken Charlie for many long walks on the trolley path. Matty and the boys in the neighborhood (Joey, Romeo, Nick Stuart, Zac Evans) have played basketball and football.

It has been a very interesting experience. Dad has been very busy writing for UR about the virus and how it affects students, while also managing Sophie's schoolwork (which basically consists of reading a story and doing some math problems). She's also reading a book on her own, and she and I started an extracurricular project in which she researches each US president (usually by watching a kids video on YouTube) and then writes Did You Know facts about the president. Her fourth-grade teacher, Christine Bushnell, likes the idea so much she wants Sophie to turn it into a power point once school resumes. When that is, no one knows. New York State schools are closed at least until April 1, but everyone expects it will be longer.

Last night, the four of us watched The Wizard of Oz. Still a hit after 81 years. Sophie landed the part of Auntie Em in the Northside spring production, but they only had a few practices before everything closed. Matty was supposed to have tryouts for the modified school baseball team this coming Monday, March 23, but of course that is also on hold.

We will get through this.