Report out from our family! Here are the things I've learned so far during the pandemic:
- In any given day our bodies do no less than 1,000 weird things... and when you're really paying attention to make sure you're not getting COVID, there will be about 100 times a day you think you're screwed. Deep breaths friends, deep breaths.
- Sheltering in place is really hard for people with oppositional defiant disorder, it turns out. Constant itch to do the thing you're being told not to do... and...I'm staying put.
- While I have been utterly disappointed in a number of humans and their responses to this, I have also been reminded daily of how beautiful human relationships are. At the grocery store the other day, an elderly veteran was sandwiched in line between a ton of people, waiting to check out. A manager saw him, and escorted him to the customer service desk so he could check out quickly and away from the crowds. Boom. Humans.
- Don't read the news. Find one reputable source of information (I'm going with MPR) and stick with it.
- I'm a little afraid we might kill Harlan. He is not used to having us home all day long and he has been trying to keep up with Sully while he runs laps around the backyard for hours a day. Har is sleepy and limpy. But he is also living his best life with all his humans right now.
I am very actively involved in Minnesota's response to COVID (serving as liaison officer to unified command for homelessness response). I'm taking notes to talk about once everything has quieted down, but here are some primary takeaways for those who are interested in how the sausage is getting made:
- The federal administration is blowing it at every turn. This is really unfortunate for a lot of states who were/are depending on a strong federal response to support their efforts. We are very lucky to live in Minnesota, where we have a decisive governor, strong public health, incredible hospital systems, and industries that can support the need for equipment and supplies that we will need. I am in fully support of every executive order Walz has made and he is one of the only things that gives me hope right now that Minnesota gets ahead of this.
- Social distancing is our strongest tool right now. I get asked several times a day "is social distancing working?" -- the answer is YES. It is the only way we will get in front of this (without treatment and a vaccine). Please. Stay. Home. And if you have to go out, keep at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and other people (six feet is longer than you think!).
- There is an incredible coalition of people who are working tirelessly to ensure that people and families experiencing homelessness are cared for and centered in this. Don't be surprised if a year from now I'm working in housing instead of public health...
Goofing around outside (life feels normal outside, it's the weirdest thing....)
Har pup.
Socially distanced hellos from our neighbors!!
Perfect time for Sully to learn how to ride a bike,
Sully is kicking all of our butts in the football helmet matching game.
