Share your concerns, worries, anything you want to share here...

[Ally T]

I am also feeling a little emotional at the moment. Yesterday my daughters swimming lessons & ballet classes were cancelled & as of Friday ALL schools nationwide (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales) are to be closed for the foreseeable future. They cannot state whether this will be 2 months, 6 months or 18 months. My eldest is devastated as it's her last year at Primary & it means she now only has 2 days left with her friends, plus they are not allowed to meet socially. The next time they will see each other will most likely be at High School in 6 months time (they're talking that length as a rough estimate). They will miss their May exams that assess their abilities for High School grade settings, they will miss their end of year production (always a huge event that they look forward too & have already started planning) and their end of year BBQ party with families and teachers. Emotionally, Year 6 are not prepared to leave the safe Primary bubble yet, and I think this will affect them long term.

These are uncertain times. One of my closest friends is a Respiratory Consultant & she is hammering home the washing, washing, washing of hands & not touching faces. She is seeing a bigger picture that we don't get told in detail & says we all need to really pull together here, as projections say this is early enough in the UK to halt the spread before it gets out of hand & flatten the curve. Lots of people are already isolating & we will all hunker down & do as we're asked, because we are behind the infection rate of other European countries & do not want to end up in their predicament.

I had a little cry this evening, not for me, but for my babies, who love school SO much they have been sobbing their pure & lovely little hearts out. And now I have poured a large wine.

Stay safe, everyone,

 

[lyra]

I'm so sorry @Alex T . I wouldn't know how to handle this if my kids were younger.

I emailed my gp earlier today and he phoned me back and is faxing a scrip to my pharmacy for my ear infection so I don't have to go out. Unprecedented service, and I'm so relieved.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I am also feeling a little emotional at the moment. Yesterday my daughters swimming lessons & ballet classes were cancelled & as of Friday ALL schools nationwide (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales) are to be closed for the foreseeable future. They cannot state whether this will be 2 months, 6 months or 18 months. My eldest is devastated as it's her last year at Primary & it means she now only has 2 days left with her friends, plus they are not allowed to meet socially. The next time they will see each other will most likely be at High School in 6 months time (they're talking that length as a rough estimate). They will miss their May exams that assess their abilities for High School grade settings, they will miss their end of year production (always a huge event that they look forward too & have already started planning) and their end of year BBQ party with families and teachers. Emotionally, Year 6 are not prepared to leave the safe Primary bubble yet, and I think this will affect them long term.

These are uncertain times. One of my closest friends is a Respiratory Consultant & she is hammering home the washing, washing, washing of hands & not touching faces. She is seeing a bigger picture that we don't get told in detail & says we all need to really pull together here, as projections say this is early enough in the UK to halt the spread before it gets out of hand & flatten the curve. Lots of people are already isolating & we will all hunker down & do as we're asked, because we are behind the infection rate of other European countries & do not want to end up in their predicament.

I had a little cry this evening, not for me, but for my babies, who love school SO much they have been sobbing their pure & lovely little hearts out. And now I have poured a large wine.

Stay safe, everyone,

It is so hard being a parent of young children during this and I can relate totally.

Before our schools closed down DH had a parent teacher conference and my five year old's teacher said this kindy class was the best she ever had. The kids all got along and in fact the teacher would pick a student of the day and all the other kids would clap (unprompted). He had no idea on that last day he will probably not be going back to class and yes, I cried about that.

BUT I got up the courage to ask the kids last night how they felt about being out of school (my older one is 13) and they said they were fine with it, they were enjoying being home with daddy AKA Homeschool Dad (since I've been leaving daily to work).

All this to say that kids are so resilient and we really carry around so much more guilt than we need to. They are going to be okay and so will we, it will all be okay.

 

[Gussie]

I had a uterine ultrasound done in July. My uterus is enlarged and I have a large polyp. Things haven’t been right with my monthly...like suspicious. Because I was in such a deep depression, I wasn’t able to face any of this. About a month ago, I made an appointment that was supposed to happen tomorrow. Well, that’s not going to happen.

I hope I’m ok. I’m really not in the mood for this thing to grow into something serious because I stalled and now I can’t make it to the doctor for who knows how long.



I’m over saturated too.

I'm sorry you're having female junk at this time (or anytime). I just wanted to chime in that if you have to do a uterine biopsy, be sure they give some kind of local pain relief. I had one last year with nothing and omg it hurt like hell!!! The doctor said "just a little pinch." I screamed bloody murder and was completely embarrassed when I left the office!

 

[Ally T]

It is so hard being a parent of young children during this and I can relate totally.

Before our schools closed down DH had a parent teacher conference and my five year old's teacher said this kindy class was the best she ever had. The kids all got along and in fact the teacher would pick a student of the day and all the other kids would clap (unprompted). He had no idea on that last day he will probably not be going back to class and yes, I cried about that.

BUT I got up the courage to ask the kids last night how they felt about being out of school (my older one is 13) and they said they were fine with it, they were enjoying being home with daddy AKA Homeschool Dad (since I've been leaving daily to work).

All this to say that kids are so resilient and we really carry around so much more guilt than we need to. They are going to be okay and so will we, it will all be okay.

Thank, lovely. The school will over the coming week set up online work & learning, plus a daily timetable to follow. They were quite cheered up at the thought of me teaching them here & making them run across the fields during the 'Exercise' slot

 

[lyra]

@Gussie, that was my exact experience as well. I was not prepared!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@Alex T, see now you will be a different kind of gym mom, more like gym teacher mom!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

im trully worried about the state of our society where we have got so selfish with this hoarding bull dust
what does it say about us ?
im not taking about a few extra rolls of dunny roll or a few extra bits and a well stocked pantry incase we can't get out for two weeks but this is getting just stupid and immoral

NZ is grocery shopping like there is 7 million of us - yet i bet the families and individuals who struggle each week to put food on the table and pay rent and in zero position to stock up on anything


this story does have a happy aspect too
a Taupo supermarket has employed some out of work tourism sector workers to help pick online orders

Error 404

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

So stupid! The coffee shops here are (still) open and crowded. I can't believe it. Yesterday as we were walking we saw the coffee places mobbed. Youngish people (hipsters and millennials) hanging out and just so crowded wall to wall...unbelievable. No wonder NYC is spreading the fastest of all the states.

the university students in my home town had a St Pat's day party at a student flat with 700 people after the university and all other relevant authorities said not too
the universities need to close right now so these young idiots (i mean future doctors and lawyers) can become mum and dad's problem - not that mum and dad are that great either because there is a mumps outbreak going around also
it makes me mad because this sort of behavior is historically one of the reasons i wasn't allowed to go to university

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

Only a few weeks ago, I was dreaming up new vacations and diamond projects. Now I'm just trying to not get the coronavirus, not die, and not run out of food (or toilet paper, as I have been rationing). Goes to show how quickly things can change, and how precious life and health really are!

 

[missy]

the university students in my home town had a St Pat's day party at a student flat with 700 people after the university and all other relevant authorities said not too
the universities need to close right now so these young idiots (i mean future doctors and lawyers) can become mum and dad's problem - not that mum and dad are that great either because there is a mumps outbreak going around also
it makes me mad because this sort of behavior is historically one of the reasons i wasn't allowed to go to university

They are very strict here now (NYC) (with good reason since so many were/are ignoring orders not to congregate in larger groups and to keep distances of 6 feet plus from one another if possible) and all St Patty's Day activities were canceled here. It was the first pub crawl my DH missed since 1977 and first one I missed too.



Sad but necessary and hopefully there will be many more happy occasions to celebrate with loved ones. We have to be smart now and use common sense and just get through this to happier times. And we will all enjoy happier times. #onedayatatime #hanginthere

 

[missy]

Only a few weeks ago, I was dreaming up new vacations and diamond projects. Now I'm just trying to not get the coronavirus, not die, and not run out of food (or toilet paper, as I have been rationing). Goes to show how quickly things can change, and how precious life and health really are!

Amen to this. Truer words were never spoken. Life is so precious and this puts it all in great perspective. We will get through this and we will be wiser for it and many of us more appreciative of every day mundane things we took for granted before. (((Hugs))) to everyone. Hang in there.

 

[missy]

I am also feeling a little emotional at the moment. Yesterday my daughters swimming lessons & ballet classes were cancelled & as of Friday ALL schools nationwide (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales) are to be closed for the foreseeable future. They cannot state whether this will be 2 months, 6 months or 18 months. My eldest is devastated as it's her last year at Primary & it means she now only has 2 days left with her friends, plus they are not allowed to meet socially. The next time they will see each other will most likely be at High School in 6 months time (they're talking that length as a rough estimate). They will miss their May exams that assess their abilities for High School grade settings, they will miss their end of year production (always a huge event that they look forward too & have already started planning) and their end of year BBQ party with families and teachers. Emotionally, Year 6 are not prepared to leave the safe Primary bubble yet, and I think this will affect them long term.

These are uncertain times. One of my closest friends is a Respiratory Consultant & she is hammering home the washing, washing, washing of hands & not touching faces. She is seeing a bigger picture that we don't get told in detail & says we all need to really pull together here, as projections say this is early enough in the UK to halt the spread before it gets out of hand & flatten the curve. Lots of people are already isolating & we will all hunker down & do as we're asked, because we are behind the infection rate of other European countries & do not want to end up in their predicament.

I had a little cry this evening, not for me, but for my babies, who love school SO much they have been sobbing their pure & lovely little hearts out. And now I have poured a large wine.

Stay safe, everyone,

Aww @Alex T I'm sorry. My sister and nieces are going through a very similar experience. It's hard for my youngest niece as she was graduating this year and there were so many trips and activities planned and she also won a very prestigious award giving her the opportunity for a special adventure that now is canceled. Everything is canceled. Of course it has to be that way but well as you wrote they will never have another senior year like this. But children are resilient and thank goodness children easily recover from this virus so they will be A OK. They are getting a lesson very early in their young lives that life is unpredictable and can change at any moment and IMO this will only make then (even) better human beings. Hugs to you and your sweet girls. (((Hugs))).

 

[missy]

It is so hard being a parent of young children during this and I can relate totally.

Before our schools closed down DH had a parent teacher conference and my five year old's teacher said this kindy class was the best she ever had. The kids all got along and in fact the teacher would pick a student of the day and all the other kids would clap (unprompted). He had no idea on that last day he will probably not be going back to class and yes, I cried about that.

BUT I got up the courage to ask the kids last night how they felt about being out of school (my older one is 13) and they said they were fine with it, they were enjoying being home with daddy AKA Homeschool Dad (since I've been leaving daily to work).

All this to say that kids are so resilient and we really carry around so much more guilt than we need to. They are going to be okay and so will we, it will all be okay.

Yes! The kids will bounce back and be better for it and so shall we. We will all be OK. Fingers and toes and everything crossed. Sending good vibes and thoughts and lots of healthy dust to all.

 

[Ally T]

Aww @Alex T I'm sorry. My sister and nieces are going through a very similar experience. It's hard for my youngest niece as she was graduating this year and there were so many trips and activities planned and she also won a very prestigious award giving her the opportunity for a special adventure that now is canceled. Everything is canceled. Of course it has to be that way but well as you wrote they will never have another senior year like this. But children are resilient and thank goodness children easily recover from this virus so they will be A OK. They are getting a lesson very early in their young lives that life is unpredictable and can change at any moment and IMO this will only make then (even) better human beings. Hugs to you and your sweet girls. (((Hugs))).

Thank you. Our school is currently working flat out to print work booklets, curriculum information & websites that we can use for learning tools. The teachers will also be in contact online to keep pushing, and we are each having a daily timetable for each day Mon - Fri, so they don't get complacent & think this is a very long holiday. The looming Easter Holidays then yes, I will let them have downtime, but the term time dates we will be given plenty of facilities to keep pushing them in a structured way. We are hopeful that the Y6 family BBQ party may be able to go ahead at the end of July. As for their SATS exams, they are being cancelled rather than postponed, and the individual class teachers will submit grades & information on each child, who will then automatically be generated a grade for High School. Thankfully this will be fine for Hope as she is working way ahead of where she should be. She is a smart cookie.

I hope your nieces get through this ok to. I know at the end of the day we will all (hopefully) be fine, but the uncertainty & HUGE changes are making me anxious. Lots of love.

 

[missy]

Thank you. Our school is currently working flat out to print work booklets, curriculum information & websites that we can use for learning tools. The teachers will also be in contact online to keep pushing, and we are each having a daily timetable for each day Mon - Fri, so they don't get complacent & think this is a very long holiday. The looming Easter Holidays then yes, I will let them have downtime, but the term time dates we will be given plenty of facilities to keep pushing them in a structured way. We are hopeful that the Y6 family BBQ party may be able to go ahead at the end of July. As for their SATS exams, they are being cancelled rather than postponed, and the individual class teachers will submit grades & information on each child, who will then automatically be generated a grade for High School. Thankfully this will be fine for Hope as she is working way ahead of where she should be. She is a smart cookie.

I hope your nieces get through this ok to. I know at the end of the day we will all (hopefully) be fine, but the uncertainty & HUGE changes are making me anxious. Lots of love.

Thanks @Alex T we definitely share that in common...anxiety is high. But we are all keeping calm and always hoping for the best. I am sending you big hugs and much love across the many miles. One day this will be behind us and life will be sweeter. Of that I feel sure. (((Hugs))).

 

[missy]

So just venting here for a moment.

We have a "friend" who lives at the shore who is quite pretentious and she has managed to alienate most of our friends there. However we love her dh so we are still in touch. Well, she is in Juniper Fla and every day multiple times a day she posts on FB (of which I barely am on these days but just yesterday evening I saw all her posts when I went on to check out something my friend wanted me to see) and all her posts are about how lucky are we...all the restaurants are still open and even though reduced capacity we managed to get reservations at the best place etc etc etc. I mean gloating every single post. Oy.

Not surprised (this is her MO) but disappointed. Always hoping she will become miraculously self aware. That day just doesn't seem to be coming at all. So many suffering and here she is gloating we are so lucky to be here and living the life. Golfing, eating out etc.

Zero self awareness. Zero compassion and empathy too now it seems. SMH.

 

[House Cat]

I'm sorry you're having female junk at this time (or anytime). I just wanted to chime in that if you have to do a uterine biopsy, be sure they give some kind of local pain relief. I had one last year with nothing and omg it hurt like hell!!! The doctor said "just a little pinch." I screamed bloody murder and was completely embarrassed when I left the office!

Oh no!! I’m so sorry this happened to you. Yes, I’ve had a uterine biopsy before. It’s amazing how callous they can be about the pain.

 

[Babyblue033]

I'm finding it tough to find motivation to work. Everyone from my company is working from home now, but aside from that, it's business as usual. I usually have tons of meetings and we now have them in Teams. But everything feels so unimportant now, I mean it's not like we are saving lives here. And seeing everyone get worked up over shampoo and hair color (I work for a cosmetics company) makes me feel frustrated. I'm doing the same to my team, pushing them to keep projects moving, which makes me feel like a fraud.

I'd rather spend this time unplugged, spend time with the kids, catching up on tasks around the house, and doing things that will help with my anxiety about the whole situation. Instead I'm feeling anxious about silly things at work...

I realize I'm lucky to have a job and be able to work from home. I'm just feeling all kinds of out of sort today.

 

[missy]

How to Stay Healthy and Happy During Quarantine – Patient Worthy

patientworthy.com

 

[missy]

I'm finding it tough to find motivation to work. Everyone from my company is working from home now, but aside from that, it's business as usual. I usually have tons of meetings and we now have them in Teams. But everything feels so unimportant now, I mean it's not like we are saving lives here. And seeing everyone get worked up over shampoo and hair color (I work for a cosmetics company) makes me feel frustrated. I'm doing the same to my team, pushing them to keep projects moving, which makes me feel like a fraud.

I'd rather spend this time unplugged, spend time with the kids, catching up on tasks around the house, and doing things that will help with my anxiety about the whole situation. Instead I'm feeling anxious about silly things at work...

I realize I'm lucky to have a job and be able to work from home. I'm just feeling all kinds of out of sort today.

Hang in there. It might take you a bit of time to get into a good routine but you will. Hugs.

 

[Gussie]

I'm finding it tough to find motivation to work. Everyone from my company is working from home now, but aside from that, it's business as usual. I usually have tons of meetings and we now have them in Teams. But everything feels so unimportant now, I mean it's not like we are saving lives here. And seeing everyone get worked up over shampoo and hair color (I work for a cosmetics company) makes me feel frustrated. I'm doing the same to my team, pushing them to keep projects moving, which makes me feel like a fraud.

I'd rather spend this time unplugged, spend time with the kids, catching up on tasks around the house, and doing things that will help with my anxiety about the whole situation. Instead I'm feeling anxious about silly things at work...

I realize I'm lucky to have a job and be able to work from home. I'm just feeling all kinds of out of sort today.

Every job is important. Everyone helps make our world go round. A bit of normalcy is very much needed now. Please remember that when you get down.

FWIW, I would love some hair color about now.

 

[lyra]

DD1 and DD2 are both wfh. We were worried that DD1 would just lose her job since she's a contract worker with no benefits. So it's great that they kept her on, if even only for the time being. Since we all live together, including their SO's, every little bit helps.

Both DD1 and I have serious ear infections. I got put on clavulin, she's on a lesser amoxicillin. Kind of scary that I'm this susceptible before even getting CV. Trying not to take any advil, but pain is an issue and doctor actually said to take it. I'm taking tylenol. Pharmacist said to stop taking methotrexate, so I'm doing that.

We don't have enough food for 2 weeks. We can't get enough. I can't worry about that right now. I need someone else to take over that part.

 

[missy]

DD1 and DD2 are both wfh. We were worried that DD1 would just lose her job since she's a contract worker with no benefits. So it's great that they kept her on, if even only for the time being. Since we all live together, including their SO's, every little bit helps.

Both DD1 and I have serious ear infections. I got put on clavulin, she's on a lesser amoxicillin. Kind of scary that I'm this susceptible before even getting CV. Trying not to take any advil, but pain is an issue and doctor actually said to take it. I'm taking tylenol. Pharmacist said to stop taking methotrexate, so I'm doing that.

We don't have enough food for 2 weeks. We can't get enough. I can't worry about that right now. I need someone else to take over that part.

@lyra can DD2 get food/supplies for all of you? Or their SOs. Definitely take that off your worry list. Your kids or their SOs can take that over and figure it out. Lots of healing dust being sent your way. And good wishes and hugs.

 

[missy]

Hi Missy, we have sort of similar career backgrounds. I was wondering if you would be willing to offer advice on a concern that’s career related. You can reach me on my LT if so. It would be greatly appreciated!

Oh my I missed this. Hi @erislynn please feel free to contact me on loupe troop. My name is same there as here. I’m more than happy to offer advice and share my thoughts. Warning- I’m fairly opinionated regarding the field.

 

[MeowMeow]

I was in the watch and see how it goes camp originally. I just tried to make sure we washed our hands extra and stayed away from other people even more than we usually do. But now it's getting more difficult to feed my child and I am starting to be anxious and angry. We live on a lower enlisted persons salary. That's all we have. With people "stocking up" we could not even buy all the regular groceries we needed last week and we have even less to fall back on this coming week than we did last week and I am upset. I already normally eat 2 meals to make sure my child has food even if it's not the kind crunchy moms would endorse. And I will go down to .5 or 1 meal if i have to so she can eat. I've done it before when we were homeless with my mom when I was a teenager. She and i shared a single dollar meal burger to make sure the other kids ate. But it wasn't good for us. And I am now terrified of going there again. And I have a cold and allergies on top of it. So this is all very fun.

 

[missy]

I was in the watch and see how it goes camp originally. I just tried to make sure we washed our hands extra and stayed away from other people even more than we usually do. But now it's getting more difficult to feed my child and I am starting to be anxious and angry. We live on a lower enlisted persons salary. That's all we have. With people "stocking up" we could not even buy all the regular groceries we needed last week and we have even less to fall back on this coming week than we did last week and I am upset. I already normally eat 2 meals to make sure my child has food even if it's not the kind crunchy moms would endorse. And I will go down to .5 or 1 meal if i have to so she can eat. I've done it before when we were homeless with my mom when I was a teenager. She and i shared a single dollar meal burger to make sure the other kids ate. But it wasn't good for us. And I am now terrified of going there again. And I have a cold and allergies on top of it. So this is all very fun.

Oh no! I’m so upset for you. How can this be happening ??? Is there anyone you can contact? I mean you serve the country and this is how you are repaid???

 

[MeowMeow]

Oh no! I’m so upset for you. How can this be happening ??? Is there anyone you can contact? I mean you serve the country and this is how you are repaid???

It's less the amount of money and more all the "stocking up" that people are doing. When its a few people ok. But when everyone does it in a panic it causes people with lower incomes like ours stress because we cannot panic buy food for weeks or months like others are doing. I have a strict budget for every week that normally gets us through without much issue. Maybe I don't eat 3 squares but my kid does. Now people are buying out completely the things I use to make sure my kid has enough to eat and that is upsetting.

 

[lyra]

@MeowMeow If you can get to one, go to a food bank. There's no shame in that, and that's why they're there. No questions would be asked.

 

[missy]

It's less the amount of money and more all the "stocking up" that people are doing. When its a few people ok. But when everyone does it in a panic it causes people with lower incomes like ours stress because we cannot panic buy food for weeks or months like others are doing. I have a strict budget for every week that normally gets us through without much issue. Maybe I don't eat 3 squares but my kid does. Now people are buying out completely the things I use to make sure my kid has enough to eat and that is upsetting.

It is unconscionable that people are hoarding food causing such distress to others.
And you should be able to eat every meal just like your kid.
Yes it is absolutely unfair and wrong that people are hoarding food. Something has to be done about this as Covid 19 isn't going to be over anytime soon.