Skip to main content

Year Four, Day 253: Pandemic Times,, Day 2





The last 24 hours has been a blur.

Shortly after my last post, my son called from prison. His voice was a little shaky.

"Mom", he said...and my heart paused a beat. I could hear the anxiety in that one little word...

"They've locked us down. No visitors until further notice".

I went into mom mode. I reassured him it was for their protection. It would be a disaster if the virus made it's appearance in their minoum security facility. They slept in bunk beds in dorms. No possible way to practice 6 feet of social distancing. Plus, this was only temporary. By taking extreme measures now, the public health authorities are hoping to contain this pandemic.

He sounded relieved. I told him he could call us, text and write us. And soon it would be spring, warmer weather was supposed to help kill off the virus, and he could receive visitors again.

After our phone call, I checked breaking news
 Apparently all Oregon prisons are now locked down until further notice.

Yesterday there were 126, 726 confirmed cases, 4,629 deaths and 115 countries affected.

 Today there are 130,000 confirmed cases, 5,410 reported deaths. By the time I publish this post, the numbers will go up. You can get updates here:https://infographics.channelnewsasia.com/covid-19/map.html

This morning, the breaking news was:


  1. President Trump would be declaring a national emergency over covid-19.
  2. Washington public schools were closing until 4/24.
  3. Oregon public schools were closing until the end of March.
  4. Clark County and Multnomah County Libraries were closing immediately until further notice. (I almost cried when I read this!)
The music center where I teach piano was closing tomorrow through the end of March. (I later got a very welcome email telling teachers that had shifts the next few days, that we could come in and do paperwork on our regular shifts and get paid. Without students. Most grateful am I!)

After work this evening, my last day of students until April, I hopped on a nearly empty, but very clean bus. Portland was eerily quiet, especially for a Friday night. Pioneer Courthouse Square was like a graveyard. My heart began to thud and the hairs on my arms stood up. This is very real. A global pandemic. A pivotal point in history. I took a deep breath, thankful that my lungs were clear today, and looked around my beloved doentiwn Portland. I wonder if life will ever be "normal" again?



Be safe my friends.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Love,

Zita


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 347: My Big Fat Greek Salad!!

I have perfected the art of making a Greek salad!  I have made two huge bowls in the last week. My kinds rave. Essentially the secret is f vegetables , good feta cheese, Greek olives and a homemade dressing made with light, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar,  and oregano. Here is my recipe: MY BIG FAT GREEK SALAD Serves 4 hungry adults 4 cups greens (I used a "spring mix" from Fred Meyer) 2 cucumbers 6 roma tomatoes one small red onion 1 cup cubed feta cheese 1 cup Greek olives (pitted) Get out a big bowl. Peel a clove of garlic, cut in half and rub it over the interior of the bowl.  Wash the lettuce if it is not prewashed and packaged like mine was.  Dry the leaves, and tear into bite sized pieces. Throw into the big bowl. Note: Romaine lettuce is good to include in the mix, because it is hearty. Peel the cucumbers and dice. Add to bowl. Cut the roma tomatoes in half and squeeze out the seeds (otherwise they make th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Year Two, Day 307: Chasing Away The Gloomy Weather...with Music and a Smile! :)

It seems to me that most of the city is depressed, tired and sick. I still have my low grade snuffly nose, along with sneezing, and itching eyes.  Low energy. It is nice to know I am not the only one. Misery loves company, don't you know! Even through the gloom, I had an enjoyable day.  I told myself several times that I really am a lucky woman. My kids are grown, I'm going to be a GRANDMA, and I love my work. My church job is a nice secure little job and it seems I am quite needed there.  I am still learning the ropes. But I am enjoying it. Meeting new people. And best of all, I have only a 1 1/2 minute commute (by foot!). I have a cozy little room in a household full of wonderful laid back people.  People who love animals and music. But best of all, my afternoons are filled with music. I basically get on the bus and travel about town, sitting at pianos, visiting with students, who are like my family. We talk. They play the piano for me. I offer pointe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Year Two, Day 50: Mindful Biking

More breaking ground today. I rode my bike to the Max, and then to my first student, who coincidentally lives close to my gym.  Maggie waiting patiently for me at the gym, 6/28/2016 I am starting to notice positive changes from my daily biking.  First of all, I feel such a sense of freedom and exhiliration when I hop on and take off.  It reminds me of my childhood. My brother and I rode all over Vancouver, WA on summer break.  It was my first experience of independence from a rather harsh father.  Back then we didn't wear helmets. And there were many hills. I will never forget the joy of coasting down a hill with the wind in my hair. I have hints of the feeling now. I also have noticed my energy is higher. And although I am sore (cycling uses muscles that I have not worked in awhile), I am getting stronger. Feeling strong! Cycling is also good for my mind. I find myself going through routes in my head. I am hoping to add more routes to my day...
Post a Comment
Read more