OneWoman's View
Natalie Ammarell Photography
February 27, 2020 - Move ...
February 28, 2020 - Wake-up...
Since concerns about Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) and a possible pandemic are all over the news, we would like to update everyone about how Carolina Meadows staff and residents can work together to ensure that we are prepared in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.
What we know about COVID-19 as of today
First few days of March - Business more or less as usual - Getting organized and oriented ...
And then:
MARCH 5 - ONE CASE IN NORTH CAROLINA
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increased standard cleaning precautions of high-touch surfaces and public areas
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planning and operations team
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mobilized supplies to include personal protective equipment, sanitation supplies…
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modifying the dining venues
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avoid visitation in nursing and assisted living facilities
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social distancing strategies should be considered
MARCH 10 - NC STATE OF EMERGENCY - 5 ADDITIONAL CASES
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large group meetings/activities cancelled
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dining still in place, but changes coming
MARCH 11 - TIGHTENING
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Visits limited to close family/friends - only in private residences
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14-day self-quarantine post-travel
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Screening of visitors in nursing and assisted living facilities
March 13 - Life begins to change significantly ....
My volunteer place of work and home away from home - Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library Book Store - closes. All Town facilities where people gather are shut down.
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No more external visitors to Carolina Meadows - single gate of entry;
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Communal dining ends; carry-out only;
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Increased emphasis on social distancing
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March 19 - A foggy morning - My last photography outing ... a circuit through several Jordan Lake nature areas
Wouldn't you know my last chance to catch a Great Blue Heron would be poorly timed and executed? Oh well...
March 26 - Complete lock-down - Now you can't go off campus; food delivery to doorstep; all buildings closed; STAY HOME or walk alone only on campus
LATE MARCH
AND YET SPRING PERSISTS
EARLY APRIL
Road-paving continues
Residents plant garden plots
April 15 - Long stretch from last update yet days seem discouragingly similar...walking alone - reading a lot - watching stock markets to be sure future stays ok/secure - watching leadership in Gov. Cuomo - avoiding lack of Fed leadership - hoping/thinking maybe July we'll be free?????
SPRING STILL PERSISTS
My new community: A RE-TIGHTENING - reiteration of measures - WILL THIS EVER END? Today I made my mask.
APRIL 15 - RE-TIGHTENING message from CEO:
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All around us is COVID - County numbers rising - NC has more than 5000 cases - We have none
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We have "cheaters" endangering us - repeat offenders will be expelled from community. Car washing, vet appts, dry cleaning are NOT ESSENTIAL
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Wear masks on campus
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And, the reminder: World War II - 5 or more years of "enduring" without food, WITH bombing... Americans never experienced this, but in the world there is memory...
Meanwhile, my own reflections are very mixed: Trapped without any opportunity to adjust to new community and terms of living. Thankful protected. Wondering when end will come. Living in the present but hopeful I'll still have time to have a real life again...
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And then, all those souls who never had a chance....
April 21 - Trying to stay positive & hopeful. Cuomo, Newsome, a few others, my beacons. Little battles related to our new reality. RX renewal today $30 price hike over January...gouging? Excitement today and tomorrow: 4 very tall pine trees being removed next to my building!
AND STUNNING SPRING CONTINUES...
Clematis climbing
Poppies popping
Peonies budding & exploding
Colors surprising
(Never saw yellow peonies before...)
Blueberries forming
May 10 - Mother's Day - Certainly today a firestorm of zoom and facetime sessions has been unleashed!!
Since last posting, national impatience to restart economy coming head-to-head with science, incidence/experience of Covid-19. How serious it is, as it continues unabated in many locations vs. devastation of 14+ million unemployed vs. "I'm just sick of it/it's my right to be free" (regardless of collective consequences)...As of yesterday, Phase 1 of 3-part plan for unwinding lock down put in effect by North Carolina and nearby local governments.
Has no direct bearing on our lives because on the inside, nothing changed. Still only 2 positive staff tests here - no residents. Tiny concessions might be made "soon"...
MAYBE resumption of housekeeping support - but only by inside staff;
MAYBE you might be able to see families, under certain restrictions...
My personal decision: I'm no hero. Book a two-week trip for June. If, when I get back, I have to self-quarantine, well that is what we've all been doing anyway...
SPRING WEATHER AND BEAUTY CONTINUE TO ASTONISH...
June 2 - Somehow the time passes. Many downs, a few ups of spirit.
North Carolina and local governments now in Phase 2 of 3-part plan for unwinding lock down. My community has a plan, too, but keeps stepping back from it. So, freedom here moves farther away. I will have to self-quarantine on campus when I return from my trip. But I will resume my life outside in a safe, thoughtful way and will gladly sacrifice contacts here to do so...
Yesterday, broad scale testing of staff here finally started. We already have facts enough about this virus to understand this means we will have more positives - which will certainly bring squashing reaction by leadership. Mentality ultimately must change. Those who wish to remain in this state have their choice to do so. But others may understand that the life we resume will have to include some risk - managed safely, yes but that allows life beyond four walls.
SPRING STARTING TO MORPH TO SUMMER!
Peas tall...
Blueberries bluing
Lots of bees/few butterflies
