Covid 19

I listened to a Podcast yesterday by Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft (called Happier).  Gretchen suggested keeping a journal about this time because it so unlike any other time in our lives to date.

This is a post that I will update with memories until today.  I then will add posts (maybe....you know I am not too reliable on this site) during our almost-quarantine!

In January I heard something on the news or NPR that there was a virus in China.  (It made me flashback to the Ebola crisis!)

Later that month, my walking buddy told me one of the students from her church was working in China as a missionary, but happened to be on break.  I said, "she shouldn't go back".....she didn't.

In February we started hearing about the cruises with the viruses and that they were being force to be quarantined on the boat. 

On February 18 I head that some of the ill patients (from the Diamond Princess) would be coming to Omaha, where they had excellent medical care in the face of contagious infection.

I remember thinking, I never wanted to go on an ocean cruise before (motion sickness), but now I REALLY never want to get on a big boat with many people.

I also was so confused, because people kept getting on these crazy ships.  (at last on March 13, some cruise ships voluntarily shut down, followed by a mandate for the rest I believe)  I remember someone wanting to get their money back from a family cruise in January or February and the ship denying them this cancellation....they still didn't go.)

Wednesday March 11

UI moving to virtual instruction beginning March 23

Thursday March 12, 6:30

Faith in Action (Diocese of Des Moines) cancelled:  Below is an excerpt from the email from our youth minister (Joel and Carolyn were supposed to spend Sunday-Wednesday serving in the community - Joel at Habitat for Humanity and Carolyn at Bridwell Riverside foodbank):

Today my youth minister colleagues and I came to the difficult decision to cancel FIA as work sites began to let us know that we could not send groups of teens and adults to their sites  due to the real and potential situations that the Corona Virus presents to the people we hoped to serve as well as us.  As I write this to you my heart breaks for all the right reasons.  FIA has been an important and significant force in my faith life. That being said, I also wanted to share that though we will not be able to see this particular mission through this time in the way we might have hoped however God never “wastes” anything we do, plan for, pray about, in His Name.  I will miss this time with each of you and/or your youth, but I trust this is for the best.

Here is a photo of past FIA (this is 2018)

Central Iowa School Districts Unify on COVID-19 Crisis March 13, 2020 Ankeny Community School District,  We continue to prepare for the well-being of our students, staff, and families. This morning, we coordinated with other metro school districts, to ensure a consistent response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a letter signed by the participating school districts. If at any point in time this plan were to change, we will update you. We continue to keep our website up-to-date at www.ankenyschools.org/coronavirus. Please see the letter below: In light of recent university and public school closures, the Des Moines metro area school districts want to assure our families and communities that normal operations will continue for the time being.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Church <olih@olih.org> Date: March 15, 2020 at 7:53:34 AM CDT To: kemccleary@yahoo.com Subject: OLIH Mass Cancelled Reply-To: olih@olih.org 510 East First Street Ankeny, IA 50021 (515) 964-3038  News from OLIH-- Under the direction of Bishop Joensen, Masses have been cancelled at all Catholic churches in the Diocese. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.Stay safe! ArbiterSports messaging@arbitersports.com via dynect.net  Tue, Mar 17, 9:18 PM (4 days ago) to me -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello all, As the situation with the coronavirus has developed, further decisions have been reached to delay the beginning of the Little League season until May 11th. Therefor, all umpire activities have also been suspended until at least May 11th. I will continue to send updates as we receive them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 17 Update Ankeny Community School District, Thank you for your patience as we navigate this unprecedented situation. As we shared with you Sunday, Ankeny Schools will be closed until Monday, April 13, 2020.