So, How’s This “New Normal” Treating You?
Hey, y’all! So sorry I’ve been gone so long. And thank you to all of you who have commented, emailed, and sent PMs to me checking in on us. We’re all fine.
Well, physically I’m fine. But I have to admit that the current state of the world (and our country) has had me so frustrated, sad, angry, depressed, furious, and so much more. And just when I thought at the end of last week that I was starting to come out of that, and I was starting to get excited about getting back into some house-related projects, the country was set on fire.
I’ve always wanted my blog to be one corner of the internet that is free of any politics or current events. If there’s a tsunami in Asia that dominates the headlines, I want people to have a few minutes of respite from that when they come here. If there’s a hurricane that wipes out massive swaths of the northeastern United States, I want to offer a small break from the constant stream of sadness in the media. Of course, that doesn’t mean that I’m not affected by those things, or that I don’t grieve deeply for those affected. I do. Matt does. We help where we can, we donate if we’re able, but I’ve always felt that one way I can help is to offer a short mental and emotional break, even if for just a few minutes a day.
But this time, I’ve been at a complete loss. This thing — a worldwide viral pandemic followed by an almost complete worldwide lock down — is like nothing we’ve ever seen. I have felt totally and completely ill-equipped to offer any type of respite from this monstrosity when I wake up every morning and feel like someone has punched me in the gut and I can hardly catch my breath. I’m sure so many of you can relate.
Obviously, the virus itself has been a horrific thing. I know a woman who is on day 60-something of dealing with the virus and the aftermath of the virus on her body (especially her lungs), and she only now feels like she’s out of the woods, although she’s still nowhere near back to normal. Her doctor tells her that could take months. (She’s in her 40s and had pre-existing medical conditions that exacerbated the effects of the virus, unfortunately.)
But the effects have gone so far beyond the immediate effects of a virus that I find it’s nearly impossible to wrap my head around, and I’m sure many, if not most, of you feel the same.
- Over 40 million Americans filing for unemployment in the span of just a few weeks. I’m sure the real number of unemployed is more like 50 million if you factor in those who simply aren’t eligible for unemployment. I can’t even wrap my head around that number.
- The sheer number of small businesses that will be gone for good, never to open their doors again, because they can’t survive this long without income. So many dreams of small business owners destroyed, while so many of the large corporations are raking in massive amounts of money off of this disaster.
- High school kids missing out on some of the most important rights of passage in a kid’s life, like prom and graduation.
- College grads unable to walk the stage and celebrate their accomplishment.
- Millions and millions of kids having zero socialization with people their own age for months now, missing out on school, birthday parties, sleepovers, end-of-year school activities, and so much more that a kid needs in order to grow, learn, and mature.
- The rapidly increasing numbers in child abuse, spousal abuse, suicide, drug and alcohol abuse.
- Kids being told that their “new normal” when they go back to school is to wear a mask and stay away from other kids.
- Governors and mayors using this opportunity to become the dictators they’ve evidently always dreamed of being by enforcing some of the most ridiculous, arbitrary, and draconian rules we’ve ever seen that do absolutely nothing to protect people from a virus. (Two of thousands of examples — you can use paddle boats, but you can’t use motorized boats; beaches are closed, but you can pile into the grocery store and WalMart — more examples in the comment section, including two from my own governor in Texas.)
- People walking, jogging, and enjoying the outdoors in the sunshine, fresh air, and breeze wearing masks. Why? If you’re going to wear a mask, wear it INSIDE and/or when you’re in close proximity with other humans. But wearing a mask outside in the sunshine, fresh air and breeze while walking, jogging, running, walking your dog, either by yourself or with others in your household? It’s not necessary and could even be dangerous. And seeing some cities enforcing this rule that you have to wear masks OUTSIDE when doing these things just makes me want to scream.
- The division and fighting that this thing has caused. Why is a virus political? It absolutely baffles me, and yet, here we are.
- Senior citizens who live alone not having any human contact for weeks on end. The retirement home where my 108-year-old grandmother lived (until the day before the lockdown on March 16th) is STILL on lockdown with restrictions just now lifting a bit. So many of those people live alone, and they haven’t been allowed to come out of their apartments for 11 weeks now. Had my aunt Gay not happened to be there the day before the lockdown, and happened to hear that a lockdown was going into effect the next day, my 108-year-old grandmother would have been trapped there for 11 weeks now with no face-to-face contact with other humans. I don’t believe she’d still be with us had that happened.
- The millions of people whose loved ones have died during these last 11+ weeks who have not been able to have funerals or other customary gatherings to mourn the loss of their loved ones. Consider that an average of 55,000 Americans die each and every week, and that’s a lot of people who have died with no funeral allowed so that their loved ones can gather together and mourn their passing.
- The hundreds of thousands of of people who have had to go into the hospital or who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities who are not allowed to have family members with them advocating on their behalf. Considering that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in America, you have to figure that that number has definitely increased when people aren’t allowed to have family members advocating on their behalf. Plus, there’s just the mental and emotional toll of being left alone without the comfort of family by their side as these patients are admitted for care. It’s devastating.
And y’all, I could go on and on, but you’re here with me, and we’re all seeing this play out in front of our eyes, so I don’t really need to. It’s just all so sad.
(EDIT: To be clear, it IS possible to believe that these responses were necessary, and still be saddened by their effects on our country and society. Those things are not mutually exclusive. I’m not debating the necessity of the measures taken (other than some of the stupid and arbitrary rules, which I’ve stated ad nauseam in the comment section). I’m simply discussing the fact that these measures have brought about so many drastic changes that MAKE ME SAD. It’s okay to be sad, even if things are deemed “necessary.”
And I just have to say one more thing about the mask issue. Y’all, this has been such a source of frustration for me. I don’t care if you’re pro-mask or anti-mask, I think we can all agree that the masks have changed us. I mean, it’s bad enough that we see cops dragging a man off a bus or tackling a woman with a child to the ground for not wearing a mask. But then when we see civilians ganging up on a person and yelling and screaming and shaming her until she leaves a store, I just can’t help but think, “WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING TO US?!”
The masks are destroying our humanity. You can argue that they’re necessary to keep us safe. Some will agree, others will disagree. But whether we agree or disagree on the necessity of mask wearing, I think we can all agree that it has changed us. And that’s sad to me. (To be clear, it is possible to believe that masks are helpful while ALSO believing that they’re having a negative effect on our humanity. Both of those things can be true at the same time. I’m not debating whether or not a mask is helpful regarding the virus. I’m simply talking about the emotional/mental toll this has had on society — and me personally — from what I’ve seen. Those are two different topics.)
We humans need each other. We need the hugs, hand shakes, and close interactions with our friends and families. We need the smiles and cordial greetings when we pass strangers on the street or in the grocery store aisles. We need those normal interactions that remind us each and every day that we’re all human we’re not all that different from one another, and we need each other.
But those damned masks. Those masks that cover up the smiles of strangers. Those masks that make a simple “hello” all the more difficult as it muffles our voices. Those masks that make the idea of actual conversation with another human seem like more effort than it’s worth. Those damned masks that serve as a constant reminder that the person we pass in the grocery store might infect us, and therefore we need to turn the other way as we walk by rather than making eye contact and engaging.
EDIT: And I will add — those damned masks that have become the SINGLE major source of division, anger, strife, judgment, arguing, name-calling, etc., between people just about everywhere I turn where this virus is concerned. The topic can’t even be brought up without it becoming a fight. The comment section on this very post is a prime example, as is every social media outlet. And THAT makes me sad as well.
The virus has certainly taken lives. Our response to it is destroying our humanity. And I can’t stand the thought that this is our “new normal.”
Anyway, all of that to say that I really do want to get back to business. I don’t know what that will look like, because Home Depot, which used to be my favorite place where I would go and wander around as I dream and plan new projects has now become a place of dread for me. But I know I can’t just hide out in my house with my husband and watch movies and play video games and pretend like the world outside the walls of our house is as it used to be. At some point, I do have to face the world outside the walls of our house as it is today. And I suppose today is as good a day as any.
So I will be getting back to my projects today, and sharing along the way. Hopefully I can return to some semblance of normalcy around here and work on some fun projects. Fingers crossed that no one burns down the Home Depot.
Feel free to comment and let me know how you’ve been handing the last few weeks. I just ask one thing. PLEASE DON’T MAKE THIS POLITICAL. This still isn’t the place for that. Leave the political discussions for your social media pages. We can talk about how we’re feeling, how we’re dealing with this (or not dealing with it), how it has affected us, etc., without turning the conversation political. I beg this of you.
So how have you been?
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
If you must get out for supplies, go when stores first open. Only good time for Lowes here is 7 AM Monday . For sewing, material, white thread and sewing needles sold out at Hobby Lobby. Whole aisles of material sold out at Walmart. I was going to order pleater tape for draperies on Amazon, guaranteed delivery was by end of August. Unbelievable times! Glad you are back, try to stay safe!
Well said Kristi. We own and operate a business here in Amarillo – I can’t begin to tell you how our lives, as well as our employee’s lives have changed.
We’ll weather the storm and come out on the other side, but gosh, what a rapid decent into crazy town we experienced – ugh. I found my happy place looking through museums online and Houzz 🙂
Barb I’m from Canyon. What is your business. I like to support our local businesses.
Barb,
I’m from Dimmitt and don’t get to Amarillo very often, but am like Janis, and would love to support your business when I get to Amarillo.
We are in our late sixties & live on five wooded acres. We order curbside pick up from the grocery store, work in our gardens and are doing projects around the house that we have supplies for. We can do this for months if we need to. Reading books too. Miss your projects. Is your mom thrilled with her kitchen make over?
Yes! She loves it! 🙂
I’m from Clayton, NM. What is your business?
I wear my mask outside. I live in a city, and am near others when I leave the house. For some of us it does make sense, and I would never want to think that I could have made someone else sick. Better safe than sorry.
My two cents – one’s humanity is not destroyed by showing consideration for others.
I would just like to point out that someone infected with the virus can be asymptomatic – that is one of the real dangers. The extension of that is that if you decline to use a mask because you feel all right and don’t think you need to means that you still may be shedding virus and potentially infecting others. That is where some of the shaming of those refusing to wear masks stems from.
As for wearing masks outside – well, you never know when you might encounter someone you know and wish to stop for a conversation, or maybe even someone you don’t know or find yourself in a position where distancing isn’t possible. Be prepared.
We talk often with our daughter about how fortunate we are that we have a home, yard, plenty of food/tp/soap and consider wearing a mask an act of love for our community.
Our daughter is 12 and has learned to make masks with her sewing machine, to match her outfits and has gifted numerous masks to aunts, uncles, cousins, dad, friends and grandma.
She misses her friends and teachers terribly, and looks forward to seeing them again.
Our goal is to enjoy our time together, get some projects done, and show by example that life gets really messy but she will overcome.
Exactly things are as bad as we make them in our head better to be safe than sorry is the attitude I take! I was already living with a lowered immune system and concerned about what getting the flu would do to me so if I focused on all the negative things about wearing a mask I would have a very sad life!
I agree with a lot of what you have said and I have the same problem with depression since not being out of the house in about 75 days. However, masks can cause happy interaction. A woman told my husband the other day that his mask was pretty and she liked it. I made one like it for her in case he runs into her again. I can hope, can’t I??
Well, you should have kept quiet. You just lost me as a regular reader & subscriber. Wear a mask, stay home & shut up.
You do understand that it’s possible to believe that masks are helpful while ALSO believing that they’re having a negative effect on our humanity, right? Both of those things can be true at the same time. I’m not going to debate whether or not a mask is helpful. I’m talking about the emotional/mental toll this has had on society. Those are two different topics.
But also…”Wear a mask, stay home & shut up.” You’ve pretty much proven my point. This is not how people should treat each other, and the fact that you can do it so easily is exactly what I’m talking about. You’re just like those Karens yelling at that woman in the grocery store. THAT IS YOU, and that’s exactly what I’m talking about, so thanks for proving my point.
Because of previous lung damage, my mother-in-law has been told by her doctors that she needs to wear a mask when she’s outside in her yard. That directive predates Covid-19. If you see someone like her, trying to STAY ALIVE, maybe cool the name-calling, OK? Better yet, stop being a judgmental busy-body and let people do what they feel is best for their own health.
Obviously that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about people outdoors exercising, running, jogging, walking, etc., while wearing masks to keep them “safe” from COVID. That’s clearly not the case with your mom, so I have no idea why you would think I’m talking about her situation.
She wears a mask all the time she’s out of her house. If that offends you, then you’re the one with the problem — not her.
Also? Complaining about division and politicization in the middle of a rant like this shows a serious lack of self-awareness.
It’s not about keeping myself safe, it’s about keeping others safe. It’s about keeping my germs to myself.
I have not had the same visceral reaction to masks that you have – they haven’t made me feel negative in any way. In fact it’s made me feel good to see that we are all in this together, trying so hard to beat this thing.
Julie, once again, your mom is CLEARLY not who I’m talking about here. I don’t know why you’re not understanding what I’m saying, but I’m certainly not offended by your mom wearing a mask. That’s just silly.
My friend wears a mask outside while walking because others aren’t great about social distancing. We live in Waco and have gone to several of the parks here – people are going to them en masse and few are wearing masks and practicing social distancing. She’d prefer to walk without one, but she has a medically fragile child at home so has to take extra precautions to keep safe (notice the lack of exclamation marks, because there is no debate about whether they are helpful; they are). There are plenty of other people like her with excellent reasons for wearing a mask outdoors. I’ve followed you for years but no more.
I simply don’t understand this reaction. If you’ve followed me for years, then you should know my heart better than this. Again, I’m not talking about the effect of masks on the virus. I’m simply expressing my view, from what I’ve seen, of how masks affect our human interactions with each other. And my view is that it hasn’t been good, and that’s something I find to be very sad. If your experience has been different, that’s fine. But why am I not allowed to express my view and how this has affected me mentally and emotionally without people storming off in a huff? That’s your choice, of course, but I just don’t understand this society we live in where actual conversation isn’t possible anymore.
Wearing a mask doesn’t keep you from getting Covid, it keeps you from infecting someone else. Because I live in a roomy neighborhood, I can walk outside or garden in my yard without a mask. My daughter lives in Chicago so she wears a mask all the time. Outside people are not keeping 6 feet away from each other and many aren’t wearing masks or exposing their nose.
My son works in an open office where everyone is supposed to wear masks. He wears one but the other engineers don’t. The non maskers say they are ok. Sheer denial. On the shop floor everyone wears a mask.
My mother is in a long term care facility in Texas. For 3 months residents there have been restricted to their apartments or rooms. Now 2 old people are infected with Covid-19. The only way they got it is from staff care givers. Yes it is heart breaking not to be able to visit in person but it would be worse if she got sick with the virus.
Not wearing a mask in enclosed spaces, no matter how big the space puts everyone at risk. No, I don’t like having to go through all the precautions like wearing masks, washing hands all day long, staying home all the time, feeling like I’m going to be murdered by a virus just going to a store, but I am willing to put up with this to stay safe and keep as many other people as safe as possible until a vaccine comes out.
My point is that you have absolutely NO IDEA why people are wearing masks when they are outside exercising, but you feel perfectly saying that they’re zombies who lack common sense.
You’re right, Julie. I don’t know why each individual person is wearing a mask. And I should not have used the word “zombies.” I’ve removed that from the post, and I’m sorry that I offended you with that.
What I can tell you is that before all of this started, I never once drove down the street and saw people wearing masks while they were out walking, jogging, running, walking their dogs, etc., with the exception of people mowing their yards. Wearing a mask while mowing a yard has always been common around here. But now I see people outside wearing masks while walking, jogging, running, walking dogs, etc., even when by themselves. Now I can either assume that all of a sudden, there has been a rash of people being diagnosed with COPD or other respiratory ailments in my city, and people are wearing the masks for those reasons at the urging of their doctor (as is the case with your mom), or I can use common sense and deduce that this new phenomenon that I’ve never seen before is a response to COVID. Which makes more sense? Obviously the second. And there is absolutely ZERO scientific evidence that says that when you’re outdoors exercising, walking, jogging, running, walking your dog, or doing any other activity outside by yourself or with someone else from your household, you are safer wearing a mask. In those cases, and with people wearing a mask specifically in response to COVID, taking the mask off while doing those things outside and being in the sunshine, fresh air, and breeze, is far healthier.
I don’t know how much clearer I can be about this. Again, I’m not talking about your mom. I’m not judging your mom. I’m not suggesting your mom shouldn’t wear a mask. There are ALWAYS exceptions.
And now I’m done talking about this. If you can’t understand what I”m trying to say by now, I’m afraid any future efforts will be in vain. I just ask that you please try to understand what I’m saying here.
Hi here is some information on the wearing of masks from a more scientific perspective.
TheHealthyAmerican.org
you can’t win Kristi. keep doing what you’re doing, I agree 100%. The conundrum of the mask. It would really help if people would listen, and understand that not everyone thinks just like them. EVERY SINGLE PERSON has a different take on every subject. That’s why the Bible isn’t open to interpretation. Can’t wait to see you get back to your projects. Stay safe and stay sane.
Kristi
I so understand your concerns but would temper them by thinking of two things:
1) First and most important, when people exercise, they often give off MORE microscopic respiratory droplets that also travel FARTHER due to the person’s exertions. (Think back to the church choir outside of Seattle in the early days that had such a high percentage of infections after their choir practice> they were a top notch choir, often competing in choral events and man, did they exercise those vocal chords.). When I walk outside, I have my mask with me to put on if I hear someone biking by me or is jogging etc. And I try to move away but again, those droplets given off by the exerciser travel quite a ways. And if Im walking into the jet steam they have left behind, well…..
2) To the emotional fallout of all this. We have to talk about it as what we do to help each other, My heart breaks when I see my 4 year old grandson being scared if he is too close to people and he throws up his hand to cover his nose and mouth if I haven’t given him the mask in time.
But then we talk about it, and I emphasize that we do this to keep everyone safe, not out of fear but out of love for all people. And we talk about the doctors and scientists working hard to develop a shot/vaccine to help us be safe from the germs,
Please do not speak from fear as that is not good for anyone’s mental health. And yes, some people are reacting extremely. I believe it is out of frustration that other people are so inconsiderate as to not wear a mask in public. A friend said at the beginning of all this
“Act paranoid: do not feel paranoid”. Good advice, I think.
Now to catch up on your more recent posts as I have been out of my Addicted2decorating addiction since your Mom’s kitchen redo.
Take Care!
Julie B.
Letting people do what they feel is best for their own qqhealth, works both ways. If you’re immunosuppressed, fine, wear a mask. I do not wear a mask, and I don’t appreciate being mask shamed. Fresh air, sunshine, and not rebreathing your own expelled breath, is healthy.
Even Dr. Fauci has said masks are more symbolic. The CDC and Fauci, have backed off their narrative.
I agree with everything Kristi said.
Kristi, I’m sorry for replying in a political way.
Actually that isn’t exactly what Dr. Fauci said.
He is tested regularly and knows he is virus free, so HIS wearing of a mask is largely symbolic – but he does it as a reminder that we should all be wearing them so as not to spread any contagion we might have.
You can have COVID and be asymptomatic. It is a good idea to consider exactly what that means.
“Governors and mayors using this opportunity to become the dictators they’ve evidently always dreamed of being by enforcing some of the most ridiculous, arbitrary, and draconian rules …”
You’ve not only just made this ‘political’, but you’ve just thrown my governor, and the 77% of New Jerseyans who support our science based lock down measures under the bus..
Btw- as a bio-German whose family lived through the horrors of Hitler’s fascist state, you might be more circumspect when you accuse non-Texan politicians of using ‘fascist’ methods.
I don’t know how many times I have to point out this VERY OBVIOUS fact, but nowhere in the bullet point about governors and mayors did I mention stay-at-home measures or social distancing. I DID, however, give two examples of the types of things I was talking about. (1) You can use sailboats but not motorized boats, and (2) A 90-year-old couple cannot sit on the sand in their folding chairs on the beach, but they can sit directly on the sand. You want an example from my own governor? Here are two. (1) Right now, water parks can open, but amusement parks can’t, and (2) adult sporting leagues can get together to practice, but they can’t get together to compete. Now if you can show me your “science based” studies that justify those types of decisions, then I will concede that I was wrong on this issue. If not, then my position stands. So again, and I’ll write it really big so you don’t miss it…
I WAS NOT TALKING ABOUT STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS OR SOCIAL DISTANCING!!!!! And that should be obvious by the fact that (1) I didn’t mention those things under that bullet point, and (2) I did give two VERY CLEAR examples of the types of things I was talking about.
And I’m sorry, but pulling out the “I’m German” nonsense…REALLY? DO YOU SEE WHAT MY LAST NAME IS? Both of Matt’s parents are immigrants. They speak German in their home. Yeah. My husband’s family has some horrifying stories to tell about being conscripted into the SS, escaping, being caught, sentenced to death, and escaping again, not once, not twice, but three times before finally escaping for good and getting to safety. Perhaps before pulling out the “I’m German, so I have Hitler stories” card, a bit more observation is in order.
And honestly, why is it that for 99% of you who are incensed over this post, THIS IS THE FIRST COMMENT YOU’VE EVER LEFT ON MY BLOG…EVER. Faithful reader? Maybe. Probably not. Looking for a reason to be offended? ABSOLUTELY. Take it somewhere else.
How else would I be involved, unless I were a reader of your blog?? I’ve received your blog notifications for a few years now, always read what I found useful or interesting, but just because I don’t feel the need to comment, doesn’t make me a troll.
However, I now know that our values, ethics and world views are so diametrically opposite, that I would find further participation unpleasant, so I have unsubscribed..
You have yet to offer an example of how “our values, ethics and world views are so diametrically opposite,” and I’m guessing you won’t, because your purpose wasn’t to actually have a discussion or the free flow of ideas between people who disagree. It was to shut down discussion, call names, shame, and insist that anyone who doesn’t agree with you is a bad person.
So based on my previous comment and your response that we are “diametrically opposite,” the only thing I can deduce here is that you agree that (1) you can’t get COVID in a sailboat, but you can get COVID in a motorized boat, (2) you can’t get COVID while sitting on the sand on the beach, but you CAN get it while sitting on a folding chair on the sand on the beach, (3) water parks are completely safe from COVID while amusement parks are dangerous and filled with the COVID, and (4) adults gathering to practice a team sport together are safe from the COVID, but as soon as you add the factor of competition into the mix, you’ll get the COVID. And I assume you’ll tell me that that’s all based on your love and embrace of “science.”
But of course, you won’t actually stick around and have a rational adult conversation like a normal rational adult who has a normal and rational understanding that not everyone will agree with you all the time. Instead, you want to make some judgments about my character based on the fact that I think these types of arbitrary rules (coming from people in both red and blue states) are ridiculously stupid, and you want to pack up your toys and go while deeming me a bad person for not agreeing with you (I’m guessing, because again, you still haven’t told me where we even disagree).
My gosh. Is it any wonder that our country is in the state it’s in? So go. You and everyone else like you. Just go. Don’t stick around for any kind of rational exchange of ideas and be okay with the fact that good and decent people can agree to disagree. Just take your toys and go while convincing yourself that I’m an evil person.
Abso-freaking-lutely RIDICULOUS.
If it helps – I totally got what you were saying….
I don’t know about all of the examples of the rules imposed by governors, but of the ones I know about, there is a reason behind each one. Although they might not make sense at first, I feel confident that there are reasons and explanations behind each. It just might take some time to find them. That’s why health experts are advising our governors on these things.
Just for an example: Water parks – chlorinated water (like in pools) has been shown to not be a way for the virus to be transmitted. At water parks, generally one individual (or a small family group) uses an attraction (like a big slide) at a time, so non-family groups will be automatically more spaced apart. Amusement parks – generally a ride has multiple rows of people all breathing, screaming, etc. on at one time, without constantly flowing chlorine water to disinfect between each use. Can you imagine trying to completely wipe down a roller coaster seat and harness between each rider? So, water parks can operate (with smaller numbers of people) without as many changes for safety as amusement parks would have.
I don’t know know why motorized boats are banned for sure, but I do paddle board and it is very easy to stay distanced from others when paddling, and also very quick to get into and out of the water without gathering at a boat launch for a longer amount of time.
I think part of the reason why some of your readers are having such a strong reaction to your post is because your commentary about the government’s decisions seems political. Also, you are judging people wearing masks outside, while getting mad about others judging people for NOT wearing masks indoors.
You absolutely have every right to have a rant about whatever you feel like on your own blog, but this is definitely outside of your usual area and not too surprising that since you explained your own strong feelings, your readers are going to respond with their own strong feelings, and the two might not align.
I came here for some home decor inspiration (occasional reader), and look – now I’m commenting because this post got me a little worked up. I’m not “looking for a reason to be offended” but did feel that some of your grouchiness over the government’s responses warranted a reply (and feeling kind of defensive about my own governor – Kate Brown of Oregon – who is getting lots of hate over following the recommendations of our state’s public health experts).
Well said Kristi. No need for rudeness. I live in Australia on a small rural property. Being retired, the lock down and social distancing rules here don’t affect us much as are others, we’re catching up on unfinished projects and doing those that have been long on the back burner. We’re home bodies anyway, so only going out for provisions is normal for us. Hubby and I volunteer at an essential food bank service for farmers doing it tough and when at HQ we observe sanitising and physical distancing rules, so once a week we get our people fix for a few hours.
Our government does not require masks when outside, they just hammer the point that if you can stay home you must stay home! Simple …. Oz is one of the countries with the lowest physical impact from the virus, but that’s because we responded immediately to the threat and observed and continue to observe the rules. It’s not over yet though.
Keep safe, stay well 🙏🏼💞
I’m so sorry you feel that way. I have worn my mask. I have made and given away more than I can count. Each person must study and decide what is best for them. You can wear your mask. You can stay home. We also have to remember that the virus is much more prevalent in some areas than others. Stay safe.
I would say in that case, Kristi has lost nothing. She made a well reasoned response to our situation and has a right to her opinion. I agree with her. Go look up the word FASCIST or just take look in the mirror. If you aren’t intentionally being hateful you owe her an apology.
I’m well aware that by supporting my governor’s stay at home orders you and Kristi think I’m a supporter of dictatorships and fascism. I refuse to apologize for finding that an outrageous insult.
Julie, I don’t understand the combativeness. Is there no common ground we can find? I never mentioned stay at home orders. But I HAVE given some very specific examples of the types of things I’m talking about.
A 90-year-old couple being told they can’t sit in their folding chairs on the beach so they need to sit in the sand on the beach. Does that sound reasonable to you? How does that protect those 90-year-olds from a virus?
A rule that you can be in a sailboat but not in a boat with a motor. That sounds reasonable?
Now we can agree to disagree on those rules that I believe to be arbitrary and perhaps you think are reasonable. But the combativeness is unnecessary. And please don’t put words in my mouth and then get angry at me for those words you’ve put in my mouth. That’s unfair and unreasonable, and certainly not how my mom raised me to have adult conversations.
Oh Kristi I really understand what you are saying. I felt like I was living in a muddy hole, don’the laugh too hard. I had so many projects , small and big, that needed done and I had been craving time at home but could not get out of the mud hole. Getting anything started seemed an impossible task. Every morning I thought maybe today would be the last day of this house arrest. So much more I could say but I really think you do understand. I agree with the other things you said but will avoid further comment. Love your posts. You feel like a friend.
I also understand and love your work on your home, this blog and the ever so helpful Keto group.
Keep on Keeping on! It is hard to keep hoping and living productively when one feels blocked in so many ways. We can keep on in so many ways with our projects and with our humanity. We don’t have to be nasty with comments when others don’t think like us. Isn’t that what being American is? It is to me. I am glad to see you respond so kindly to spitefulness. Kindness is not always deserved, but as an innocent child, I also thought that was what being American is. This spiritual trial can make us better. I for one am determined to find out how.
And now none of us is entitled to an honest, thoughtful opinion? If you had read it the way it was meant to be read, you’d have seen these were just HER thoughts and she wasn’t imposing them on anyone or advocating that anyone had to agree with her. She was sharing her feelings the same way she shares her projects. Shame on you.
Amen!
Chris, would you normally tell someone to stay home & shut up if their thoughts and feelings on a subject didn’t 100% coincide with yours, or is this a perfect example of how masks are changing humanity in a negative way, just as Kristi expressed here?
Happy to see you leave, Chris. That’s just not the type of community we enjoy here.
Hi from Canada,
It’s about the same around here. I am fed up from alot of nonesense. It’s just frustrating even if I am a very patient person. Summer is around the corner so we are working around the house, gardening, cleaning and a bit of renovating. I wish I could go camping nut it still is a big no no. So please light up our daily life like you used to. I have been following you for years now. Thank you
Our country did not do great. We have 5 percent of the world’s population but 50 percent of the cases. Australia has had 103 deaths and we’ve had over 100,000. I know our population is bigger than theirs (328 million compared to 25 million) but no, we’re not doing great.
It may not seem like it but our country actually did great. We took this very seriously and wore our masks and hunkered down and by doing so we saved millions of lives. This “new normal” too shall pass. When it does I pray that we come out of this with a new appreciation of life and loved ones. I also pray that this brings us closer to other countries. We have all been in this together.
Your essay left me in tears. No other news article or news report has done that because the media sensationalizes everything and you have to buffer yourself. But hearing the truth from someone like you makes it all real. Thank you. Keep going.
P.S. I wear a mask when I go into public places because I want people who seem to be casual about social distancing to remember how easy the virus spreads. Even if the mask isn’t all that effective at protecting me or others, I feel I am making an important statement by wearing one as a reminder that we’re not over the threat of the pandemic.
There is so much sadness and loss through all of this but I am trying hard to focus on some good I have seen. My husband and I have walked every night for years. During our walks it was always our little game to see if we could get a hello, smile, head nod from people we would pass. Usually it was nothing, now there are more people out and very rarely do we not get a hello. More families are out riding bikes and taking walks. When we go to the store with our masks on I still smile at people, you can see a smile in someone’s eyes.
That’s what I was thinking….masks don’t “mask” a smile!
Kristi. Happy you are back. Your thoughts are identical to mine. I don’t want to get back to live a new normal I want the old normal back. I pray everyday for those who have died or are sick and lonely or lost their business or jobs. Stop the nonsense and let’s get on with our lives. Have a blessed day.
Two things:
Those “damned masks” also keep people alive.
Following public health department recommendations is not evidence that governors are becoming “the dictators that they’ve always evidently dreamed of being.” That’s ugly, inflammatory and libelous.
Julie B., I agree with you.
Well actually for Weeks we were told not to wear a mask and you could infect yourself that way so which is it ? Science did not change – what is being dictated did change .
I wear a mask in a store . I do not when I’m walking outside. I live at 7000 feet altitude and I need all the air I can get !
1. It’s possible to believe that masks are helpful while ALSO believing that they’re having a negative effect on our humanity. Both of those things can be true at the same time. I’m not debating whether or not a mask is helpful. I’m talking about the emotional/mental toll this has had on society. Those are two different topics.
2. When it’s happening all over the country, from California to Texas, it’ s not “ugly, inflammatory and libelous.” It’s the reality of the situation.
That “dictatorial” California governor is following CDC guidelines. (Actually, he’s not even following all of them.)
Yes, but they all claim that, and yet there are so many conflicting rules from state to state, and city to city. But all claim “science” and following CDC rules. One will say that you can’t sit on the sand on the beach, but you can swim. Another will say that there’s absolutely no swimming allowed, but you’re able to gather on the beach as long as it’s small groups. Completely contradicting guidelines, both claim “science” and both claim that they’re just following guidelines.
And to ignore that there have been so many completely arbitrary rules seems strange when it’s been the topic of hundreds (if not more) articles for the last three months that have listed these specific nonsensical rules. Like the couple in their 90s that were sitting in folding chairs on the beach, and were told that they couldn’t sit in their folding chairs, but they could sit on the sand. A couple in their 90s. That’s arbitrary, and there are thousands and thousands of these stories from all over the country. If you’re okay with those things going on, that fine. That’s your choice. I’m personally frustrated with it.
Well said. I live in Michigan! It’s crazy. I can not get my haircut in MI, but I can drive an hour south to Ohio and get a haircut. Which state is following guidlines and science???
Hi Karen, I have family in MI who were facing a ban from selling their greenhouse grown flowers and vegetables while Walmart, Home Depot (I actually think it’s Menard’s there) and grocery stores could. How could that make sense? Luckily the gov finally made a common sense decision to allow it. But why impose the stress?
I live in Michigan as well. Ohio put strict measures in place earlier than did Michigan and did not experience some of the same super-spreader events. Ohio had many fewer cases than did Michigan and its number of cases tapered off earlier.
But, more importantly, you are forgetting part of the Stay-Home-Stay-Safe order is that we were not to cross state lines unless we have a second home in another state. So if you were following the directives, you weren’t going to Ohio to get your haircut. But according to my sister in Toledo, you probably couldn’t get an appointment anyhow. Salons, which must ensure 6 feet between chairs, are only operating at a fraction of their former capacity and appointments are backed up for weeks.
I am proud when I see the amount of mask compliance among my neighbors and fellow citizens. I am touched when I see teenagers wearing masks while sitting outside, all 6 feet or more apart from each other. We wear our masks because we care about other people and don’t want to risk making them ill. We consider other people’s health more important than our convenience or our vanity. We smile with our eyes, we say hello, we offer to help each other.
I am proud of our governor. Yes, some of the orders seemed arbitrary and odd (especially that congregating for worship services was optional), but with each iteration, we have seen changes to fine tune the order and to respond to new scientific knowledge. Big box garden centers weren’t included at first (who is thinking of gardening in March in Michigan?) but then were closed down in the next order. Fishing piers were open at first but then were closed because people were crowding onto them.
And some things seem weird and arbitrary when you are looking at it from a customer’s point of view, e.g. closed golf courses, but is risking the health of the people who have to work there, interacting with the public, more important than your desire to hit the links? I don’t know if Michigan had orders against motorized boats, but perhaps it is because there is a higher incidence of accidents among motorized boats and it was in place to keep first responders safe and to relieve strain on the healthcare system?
Kristi,
I really do appreciate your sadness and frustration. The mask unfortunately have been politicized. That politicization is why there is no cohesive national policy, For the same reason are likely to prolong the virus and see a second much fiercer wave of the virus come fall. I do get frustrated to see people without mask because someone not wearing one is putting my life in danger. I have three of the four conditions that increase mortality if I catch Covid 19, and yes the overwhelming evidence is that there are non symptomatic super spreaders, they show no symptoms and can spread the disease to hundreds of people. I miss parks and movies I don’t like wearing a mask and I don’t want to wear one but I do wear one unless I am in a truly able to keep 12 ft from people (6ft might not be enough) because it is a loving and thoughtful way to love my neighbor as I love myself. You don’t wear a mask to protect yourself it does protect you somewhat, but wearing a mask cuts down your ability to spread droplets from your mouth to others.
We are going to get through this tribulation as a united country when we stop and. think about we can love and keep our neighbors and strangers safe. We all need to commit to caring enough about others to be inconvenienced . When I see someone without a mask what I see is someone who cares more about their lives than the lives of others.
Well actually for Weeks we were told not to wear a mask and you could infect yourself that way so which is it ? Science did not change – what is being dictated did change .
I wear a mask in a store . I do not when I’m walking outside. I live at 7000 feet altitude and I need all the air I can get !
At the beginning of the pandemic the severe shortage of PPE caused experts to discourage mask use among the general population for fear of causing first responders harm. The thought was that because the mask gave limited protection to the wearer, and we were all supposed to stay home anyway, this was the best solution to the problem. We also were unaware that there could be asymptomatic super spreaders. As we learn more about this novel virus, the rules are going to have to be tweaked.
Far more dangerous than this virus is the virulent and hateful infection of intolerance of dissenting thought, and these people succumbing to it are capable of mob behavior. We are seeing it all over the country as cities burn and innocent citizens are being beaten and killed. I agree with what you have said 100%. The reactions of these people who are no longer going to follow you is the end result of decades of political correctness and we could see all along it was designed to silence dissent and freedom of thought. Be strong and continue to stand up to them. Or we are going to lose our country.
Amen Julie!
Kristi, I completely agree with your point — the issue isn’t about wearing a mask or not wearing a mask It’s the hateful behavior of one group toward the other, which is evident in the readers’ comments here & elsewhere (and by the way, I have yet to see anyone without a mask harass a person wearing one). Unfortunately, I hold little hope that hateful people will change. We’ll just see more of them because our society has sent a message that it’s ok.
Amen and Amen. It appears lately everyone can think what they want as long as it is the same as the media narrative. Saddens me.
Well said, Julie L. Morris!!!
Love your message!
I’m thankful that our governor here in Washington state consulted with doctors and scientists and shut down the state quickly. We flattened our curve and saved many lives. In my opinion, masks are not a problem. We should all contribute to the safety of everyone in any way we can.
We were well on our way to becoming another New York or Italy. Inslee and county health departments acted quickly and saved countless Washingtonian lives.
I wear a mask in public because I have asthma but even if I didn’t I would follow medical recommendations. I don’t like it and yes I do believe it has changed us. I want to do my part to help stop the spread of this disease. I have stayed home for the most part but have recently started going out for necessities. I would say only about half the people are wearing masks and a good percentage are not wearing them properly
Thank god Ohio has a “dictator” for governor. He has saved lives!
Agree completely Julie B.
Gosh! I see a lot of good information here regarding to mask or not to mask, but I sure don’t see any mention of medical degrees, virologist, medical researcher in your credentials nor do I see any citations to the experts who your beliefs are based on! It’s clearly an emotional subject for lots of DIY-ers.
Time are tough but things will be ok. I live in Nyc and work at a hospital. I saw a lot of people die. The masks can reduce transmission by 50% and I am glad people have taken to it . When I was in japan for little while I thought it was so odd people wore masks whenever they were sick as to not infect others . Now I don’t think it is odd at all and wish we would do this in other countries .
Retired healthcare worker here – congrats on the wonderful accomplishments of your city under such dire circumstances. I like the idea of routine mask use while ill. I am immunosuppressed and tend to catch every bug going around. If, when we reach our covid-free new normal, sick folks would wear a mask for the time they are contagious, it would save a whole lot of colds and flus. Also, I look at it as a chance to add some cute accessories to my wardrobe!
We’re doing great in our little 55+ community in southern Arizona. I logged 65 miles doing my “every day in May” walking routine, yard work is progressing albeit in smaller chunks what with triple digit temps now, and we even took a day trip up to Mt Lemon to ooh and ahh at the gorgeous vistas.
We still miss our social events around town, clubs and my Fella really misses the Woodshop but is making do with the tool he has on hand. I guess necessity truly is the mother of invention!
Be safe everyone 😍😷
I live near you in a 55+ community also. It has been so hot early this year. Glad you got to go up to visit Mt. Lemmon. Its always so nice up there. I have been getting more yardwork and house organization done lately.
I just want to say that for those who are disabled with chronic illness, all you who are healthy really should get out and enjoy life when this is over because this has been the normal for us for at least 15 years. We know a lot of people but nobody calls or visits. We always feel left out. We arent able to get out that much because of fatigue. Its so easy to leave these people behind when life is busy and never think about how they feel in lockdown a good share of their elderly lives. Kristy if you have some materials there to work with I would try to finish up some of the pesky things that we hate doing. I did a few rooms. It always seems like we leave some part of a room remodel for years because we lose interest. Staying busy is good for the anxiety these things cause. I actually think the gov made a mistake in saying masks weren’t necessary early on. If everyone had been wearing some kind of protection maybe even fewer people would have had to die.
Hi so glad to hear from you, I agree it’s a sad time that I don’t think we will ever get over or forget. I live in GB we had instructions from the beginning on what to do and today our deaths reported for yesterday is just over one hundred, it’s not something to be happy about, but it’s means we are on the right path.
We see a lot coming from the USA and it’s difficult to gauge what’s going on with you as a lot we all know is negative reports, but it does worry us.
Good luck to every one and keep safe. Lez
I so agree with you! It has been so hard on a personal level. I try to stay off the TV and News, and even Facebook (people are horrible to each other on there)! If there was ever a time I want Jesus to come back, it’s now.
But on a positive note, my daughter graduated from High School this past week end, and had a “drive-thru” commencement. I was pleasanly surprised at how lovely it was, and how much effort our school put in to making it special! And really, who wants to sit in a hot auditorium, listen to the same stanza of Pomp and Circumstance on repeat as 450 seniors parade in, and people make boring speeches. We had a front row to graduation from our car. My daughter was good with it as well, and in a few weeks, they will have the seniors decorate their cars for a parade around town. And really, if they can all get together after the parade in cap and gowns in front of the school for a hat toss, the day would be complete!
I am glad you are back, I miss you!
I’m glad you are doing okay, Kristi. I really look forward to more of your posts and your creativity.
Thank you for posting this. You have said everything that I say in the privacy of my own home and among my closest “Covid friends”. But, it is like a breath of fresh air to hear you say it all so openly.
God bless you!!
Pearl
Your column “nailed it”. It seems we have forgotten human kindness along the way and I am just as guilty. On my morning walks I don’t speak or make eye contact. It has become a chore rather than the pleasure it has always been. But I don’t wear a mask unless I am in a store. I hate the term new normal. There’s nothing normal about it. Please keep posting your beautiful home and projects . They are a bright spot for this old woman. It’s so nice to see color. Stay well and safe.
I have had a rough 2+ months. My 76 yo Mom passed on April 30th from COPD. I hadn’t seen her in person between March 13th and the day she died due to covid. She was in the hospital for about 3 days before she passed. Luckily, my Dad and I were able to bring her home as was her wish and our whole family was able to be with her as she passed. Celebration of life is on hold until September. I am just so sad. My life will never be normal again because my sweet Momma is gone.
Melissa, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. I can’t imagine how hard it has been with you not being able to see her in her final days. I’m just so sorry.
Thanks Kristi! Also wanted to add I don’t understand why so many people attacked you for expressing your opinion on your blog. I wear a mask when in the grocery store or other retail establishment. I dislike it but do it for my own piece of mind.
Melissa Garrett, I am so sorry for you and your family on the loss of your mother. Grief is hard whenever it happens but this has added another layer to it. As I continue to grieve the loss of my husband, pre-COVID, the added isolation just amps up the sad and lonely feelings.
Marsha, so very very sorry for your loss.
Agree about the added isolation. It’s surely a balance between keeping oneself safe and taking care of mental health where spending time with family and friends is so important.
I have missed your postings and wonderful pictures of your projects. So good to have you back!
Things are different in different places.
I live 1 hour north of NYC – and I can tell you that we have had a very different experience. When I look at the COVID tracker my state is always right there on the top of the list and I rarely scroll down past the first page (it goes in order of death toll). It took me a while to internalize that people in other states with very, very, low infection and death tolls (somewhat justifiably) feel like all of the precautions are crazy overkill. I made an effort to pull back on my level of judgement for those railing against what I see as BASIC common sense safety. Gently, I suggest that you please be aware that we here in NY, NJ, and some other states (but especially New York with over 30,000 dead in *3 months*), have had/are having a much different experience than you.
Be well.
Stay safe.
Fellow New Yorker here, Breida. I’m 3 hours north of nyc but I hear the governor give the statistics daily. This morning at a local grocery store I witnessed in horror, pure lack of common sense. I glanced down an aisle just in time to see a man lower his mask as he felt a strong cough coming on. That’s right. He lowered his mask so that he could cough into his curled hand; you know, the loose fist with the giant hole in the middle of it? To top it off, he did this while standing within 3 feet of a store employee who was stocking shelves. It was all I could do not to say something. Are we changed because of the pandemic? Yep. I don’t like the anger that entangles me when I see something like this. Or that I begin to judge someone for their lack of attention to adhering to cdc guidelines, when not doing so could cost someone else their life. I think we may have a perspective that is different from some in areas where the infection rate is much lower, at least for the time being. I do not need to wear a mask when I take a walk in my particular neighborhood but I definitely have it with me in case bicyclists go by, since their breath droplets will likely linger in the air in a trail behind them that exceeds 6′. No medical degree necessary to witness the death and devastation here in NY State, right? And a general observation to Kristi’s point, yes, there are definitely inconsistencies. How are liquor stores and professional flower planting considered essential businesses? Imperfect people will never make perfect law. It will always be flawed. But if we each do our part, determined not to accidentally infect another person (or 10), remote as the odds of infection might appear to be wherever we live, lives will be saved.
Liquor stores are considered essential because the consequences of sudden withdrawal for the alcohol addicted can be severe, including death.
I am with you Brieda. I live in New England and I have no patience with people complaining about inconvenience. It is unsympathetic to the profound losses we’ve faced as a nation. My opinions are inspired by Kristi’s topics, what I’ve heard more broadly, and your comments on perspective. I disagree with Kristi, but I am in awe of her and I know that she is a wonderful person.
Everyone should wear a mask when they cannot social distance. I think that it is tone deaf for those who lament that it is their CONSTITUTIONAL right to refuse mask wearing. Wearing a mask is for containing your own germs. So it really means that they want to be free to infect others. That is not cool. Moreover, it is simply ignorant to say that they have a constitutional right to do so, clearly they have never read the Constitution. Madison never penned the words: “you have a right to go without a mask and infect others during a pandemic.”
Unfortunately, you are correct that some states have been relatively unscathed to date but their stark reality is surely coming. Photos of southern states re-opening show people being extremely cavalier and cases are on the rise in those places. Sadly, Texas cases are hitting new highs. Nothing about the virus has changed and it doesn’t care if it grabs you at Cape Cod or the beach of the Ozarks. It doesn’t care if your state is red or blue. There is no treatment, no cure. And 105,000 Americans have died so far. So everyone should wear the damn mask.
As for the whiners that weep because they cannot buy grass seed, ride in a boat, get their hair colored or some such nonsense, they should come to Connecticut and Massachusetts ( and perhaps NY) to see that the markets have been completely sold out of sympathy cards, that newspaper obituaries became the thickest of all sections. They should talk to families who could not be with their dying loved one. They should talk to my niece ,a front line healthcare worker who had to work without a professional mask, while the federal government did NOTHING but lie.
Luckily, the governor did what he had to: avoided the interference of the federal government, partnered with humanitarians to bring the medical supplies needed on the private jet of the New England Patriots football team. Not one person accused the governor of being an authoritarian, and EVERYONE wanted this to end.
For those thinking that only blue states are contagious, think of how Massachusetts became infected: two asymptomatic European business executives attended a Boston meeting and ultimately spread the infection to 90,000 people and counting. Attendees at the meeting then spread the infection to 3 other states, including red states. If only the two super spreaders had worn masks!
So wear the damn mask, everyone. I disagree that it will reduce your humanity, I think that it is a selfless act that expands your humanity. When I see the mask, I think “there goes a righteous person. God bless.”
It’s important to understand that some people simply cannot wear masks for medical reasons. I read one account of a man who put the mask on, and his blood oxygen level dropped into the 80s. A reading under 88% is dangerous, and at 84%, a person should go to the hospital. His reading, just from wearing a cloth mask, was in the mid-80s. He had pre-existing conditions. It’s simply unfair and unkind to demand that people like that wear a mask if it puts them in medical danger. I find it very dangerous and divisive to deem the mask wearers “righteous” and the non-mask wearers “selfish” when you don’t know their situation. I wish we’d stop assuming the worst in people and extend grace.
Surely you are aware that young children, older people, and those who cannot wear masks are not included in the guidelines. Able bodied people are asked to wear masks to protect others who cannot wear them, including the perfect example of the man you’ve mentioned.
A point of order here: I never said that non mask wearers are selfish. They’re not. People who whine that they cannot get their hair colored during a deadly pandemic are selfish.
Able people who can wear a mask and refuse to, potentially infecting others, are far worse than selfish. They’re dangerous. “Extending grace” as you say, is a two way street and they extend no grace to their fellow man.
I’m leaving the discussion now because it is so uncomfortable and it is not why I come to your blog. I know that you are a very kind and talented lady and I’m sorry that you are so clearly upset. I will still gratefully read your blog and I will hope that you begin to feel better soon.
Another Canadian here that lives in small town rural north of my province. Our health region (thousands of sq km) has seen 65 cases and I think only 2 deaths. It feels very hard that all the rules created for high density areas with more cases applies across the province. I am also an extrovert who likes to keep the rules. So I don’t go visit my friends but when I see them in the grocery store it is hard not to have a long conversation. I feel very lonely and I have my husband and 2 kids at home. My heart hurts for the single people.
Thank you for saying that. I am a widow of 3 years and it has been hard staying home alone without a husband or children. I am 74 and yes the loneliness is hard, but you do what you have to stay safe and healthy.
Phyllis, my mother is almost 90 and not tech savvy at all. But with practice, she has learned how to participate in video conferencing, like Zoom, so we keep in touch that way quite a lot. Is that something you can do? It’s made all the difference to her.
And, for those that disagree with what Kristi wrote, or anyone else for that matter, can we all agree that everyone has freedom to vent how they are feeling? Can we show grace and kindness to those who have an opinion different than yours?
The world need way more kindness, and way less arguing and bickering. <3
Amen Karen!! We can have differing points of view without condemning someone because they don’t agree with us. Now of all times we need to come together and build one another up!!
AMEN!
Yes!!! We each have our own feelings! Thank you for wording this so nicely for me.
Could not agree more!!!
Karen, well said! I have missed Kristi horribly. I agree, the face masks do make it harder to smile and express joy. I’m my community, you hear a lot of kind words, which helps. I try to smile when talking to others- I think that helps. I go visit my Mom once a week. We visit on the parking lot, as her senior apartment ccomplex is closed. I want to hug my mom!!
EVERYTHING you said, Linda!
Well said, Karen!
So good to see you Kristi.. Your being back has certainly made my life a little more “normal.. “ I always get a smile when I get to your blog.
I am trying to adjust to life in the “new normal.” Last evening, we celebrated our great granddaughter’s, milestone 13th birthday, with a parade.
Hopefully, everything will get back to a, “new normal.” I love what you do..
Excellent post, Kristi. Fortunately, my husband and I live in a small subdivision outside of a small town in East Texas. I know my neighbors and we keep in touch. Without friends and family, I don’t think I would have done well at all. I trust that all will be over soon, and that we don’t have to call this period our ‘new normal.’
I’m sorry but other countries have been wearing masks in public for years and it hasn’t changed their humanity. A mask doesn’t make people suddenly not care for others. While it takes some getting used to, they aren’t destroying us. We can still be as caring, kind, understanding, considerate and helpful toward others when we wear our masks. Will it take a little more effort because they can’t see your smile, yes. But maybe we should have been putting in that effort all along. Maybe we shouldn’t have relied on a smile to show our emotions. If masks are making us less caring, considerate, kind, helpful etc.. then were we ever that caring, considerate, kind and helpful to begin with? If a mask removed that then maybe it wasn’t real and it was a farce we put on so others didn’t see the real us. I know for me it hasn’t changed my ability to be caring, considerate, kind and helpful toward others.
I do agree that we need human connection and that hugs and hand shakes go a long way toward that but there are other ways to have connection as well. Connection doesn’t have to be physical. It doesn’t take physical touch to feel connected to another person.
Agreed, and mask wearing has actually made me speak up more in public. Because I can’t smile at a stranger walking down the street, I actually say hi! It’s led to some really nice connections in this stressful time.
Well said Athena!
Here in Arkansas we never had lockdowns or a mask requirement. Some people choose to wear them but, no one chides anyone about their choice. It’s very common to see two people chatting in public, one masked, the other not. Rational individuals understand that Covid is now “part of the biosphere” and will be with us forever, as will death itself.
I’m with Pearl!
😁
I’m with Mary Ellen!!
Have a good day, sweet lady!!
Thanks for posting and being honest.
My mother in law has found that wearing a mask outside has had a beneficial effect on her allergies. Knowing some people wear it for alternative reasons might make you look at them with a little more understanding.
Thank you SO much for sharing about your friend’s long term association with the infectious symptoms of Covid! Very validating and reassuring although I am so sorry she is experiencing a longer comeback!
I am a 72 yo in my 10th week and 6 ‘cycles of Covid as I have seen it called. Just when you think you are getting better and try to be a bit more active – like washing a load of clothes or managing to stand and wash some of the dishes that have piled up, WHAM it strikes again. All this after total home self quarantine for the length of infection after weeks of social isolation and no identifiable exposure!
I am in rural Texas with local medical clinic setting their own too high temp requirement for me to even get lab tested! CDC has adjusted their criteria as more information became available, but local medical clinic management refuses to do so.
Thank goodness for a tele conference with MD who listened, gave me asymptomatic Covid diagnosis and prescribed two meds, one in such short supply it is still not available 10 weeks later.
All that to say that I am SO thankful that I had so many natural inflammation fighters and health supports on hand and that these were so very helpful to kept me from needing to try to make the 35 mile trip alone to the hospital to be exposed to even more life threatening illness (different strains of Covid – I hear there are more than 40 identified so far).
I am thankful that my sister and bro in law experienced their month long Covid infections before the big wave hit. They were already isolating before I needed information and support not yet online about this illness. My 68 yo sis warned about the length of their illness and even longer recovery after the hard symptoms and fever finally ceased.
I am thankful we are in USA and not Wuhan.
I am thankful that while supplies and daily routines have been drastically changed, that we still have water and electricity, uninterrupted trash pick up and that stores are allowing ordering online and curbside pick up. I am grateful that my sister drives 140 miles round trip to get groceries and supplies for me every week or two and that I have lacked nothing needful in all this!
The social distancing changes for those of us with chronic health conditions that had already required less social interaction /semi isolation for many years (almost 20 for me) has not been felt as a loss but appreciated as a needful protection.
I pray that God will make a way where there is now no apparent way for those needing jobs, income, food, rent, hope and the return of a sense of normality; and a new place and way to seek and find contentment in the middle of this ongoing crisis.
I am thankful that Covid has not visited my grown children and their families and that my small town seems to be surviving without everyone getting sick.
The young librarian got sick two week before I did and is still cycling into and out of symptoms, but she escaped need for hospitalization also and is finding a new way to deal with life as she is still far from recovery BUT is alive and gaining a new appreciation for the small things that we all took for granted. before.
Kristi, I want to thank YOU for your posts and your encouragement to do and be and reach out to achieve your goals AND let us vicariously enjoy your journey and learn a lot as we cheer you and Matt and your Mom and your brother on as you plan, achieve and share each successive victoriously beautiful project! I have SO missed YOU and prayed that you and all your family were staying healthy through this mess. Thank you for posting again and for so clearly outlining what so many of us have thought or felt or considered or did not understand and you, our cyber Friend, were able to express and share with us all. Love and a (((cyber hug))).
Paula,
I’m sorry you’re experiencing this alone. But, thank you for your beautiful attitude toward the trials of this particular time in life. I was smiling by the time I finished reading your post. It is true that gratitude can change us for the better. Thank you for sharing that.
I wish you well as you continue to recover. I would bring you groceries if I lived anywhere near you. I’m in Utah . . .
I have missed your blog and all the fantastic projects you do. I have been doing projects around the house, catching up on reading, sewing projects, face timing with my first great-grandchild that was born just before the “lock down” and hope to be seeing him in person soon, reading all sorts of blogs, watching too much YouTube, while doing too much online shopping and then thinking I really do not need “that” item. I am so grateful, that I have a home that I love to be in, even if it is not “Pinterest” perfect ( I never go on Pinterest, but see other people’s blogs where they show their Pinterest pages), family that I “visit” each Sun for a short church service and try to leave notes or something at the doors of friends and family. I am using this time to be more purposeful with my things, ideas and perspectives. I grieve for those who have lost their loved ones, friends, neighbors, business or jobs due to any reason during this time. I know that this too shall pass and we can come out stronger than before, if we but trust in God and His Son, Jesus Christ and ourselves by putting our best foot forward, in whatever way that means to you. I am trying to be more kind, gentle, forgiving and caring to myself and others…not that I always achieve, but it is my goal.
Agree with you 100% Kristi! I’m in Canada in a small northern Ontario town and while we only have had 65 cases in my city alot of people are wearing masks. I am fully supportive of that if that is your wish, but I do not like all of the negativity that seems to have come along with this – shaming others who are not wearing masks or the “covid police” who seem to be everywhere and have meltdowns if someone veers a little closer than 6 feet away. I feel alot of people have lost their humanity along the way. But while things are different, I agree with the other commenter who suggested going to Home Depot early. I did that last week and was pleasantly surprised at how few people were there.
Funny how some people who follow blogs feel the need to be rude just because they don’t agree with you 🙂 Too funny. Take care!
SO HAPPY to have you back in my email! If I may be so bold as to presume to speak for others as well as myself, you may not fully realize the importance of your presence in our lives but you have really been missed! I’m relieved you two are ok.
I have built a 12 foot high board and batten chimney chase and the surround for the fireplace in the past 3 weeks and have done a lot of cleaning out and reorganizing my tool storage. Ordering and acquiring materials has been significantly harder and more time consuming. I have actually enjoyed the increased isolation as I’m a bit of an introvert but have still been seeing most of my small group of clients and immediate family. (I’m a semi retired personal trainer who does trigger points for pain and mobility issues) Since I’m over 65 ( but very healthy), we have parents over 90 and several of my clients have breathing issues as well, I’ve never gone out in public without a mask so as to protect them and have tested negative through a blood donation last week for the antibody. But I feel that this virus is too contagious to avoid forever and that we have to accept some risk. Life is risky! The current situation is pretty awful for so many reasons but my faith keeps me strong, knowing this world is only a temporary home and death is not to be feared by a child of God.
We are all entitled to our own opinion, and I’m not sure if I agree with you Kristi. My daughter is an ICU nurse in Ohio where a very diligent and science driven (Republican) governor set rules early and left them in place. By calling measures “draconian” you clearly don’t understand that the information about this virus is fluid and changes in limitations and safety measures will change frequently. We don’t know what we don’t know…so to play it safe they use the information that they have to make the best decisions they can to keep us safe. Please don’t vilify the governors just because a certain political base likes the bully. We are in this together…let’s stop whining about the negatives of things like wearing a mask and promote the positives that come from wearing one. My daughter who has watched people die from children to elderly will tell you that the healthy ones who like to complain have no idea the devastation this virus has. Wear the masks because you value and love the person next to you, the one in line, the neighbor, the passerby, the people next to you on the train or bus or at McDonalds. Let’s stop posting about the negatives and thank God for the people who are trying very hard to keep us safe. 😊 so wear your mask…it’s not that big of a deal.
Very well said Julia, and I agree completely. Would you please pass on to your daughter our heartfelt gratitude?
Well said.
Well said. As a Southern Californian I just want to say that some of the inconsistencies of governors/mayors, etc applying social distancing rules have to do with how people behave. The beaches were closed here at first because people wouldn’t go to them and keep their distance from other households. When that was lifted and they were allowed to surf/fish/run/walk/kayak/paddleboard, etc they weren’t allowed to just hang on the sand because again they wouldn’t keep their distance. It wasn’t the sand that was the problem it was people’s behavior on the sand. Here we don’t have to wear a mask all the time we’re outdoors unless we’re not able to stay 6′ away from other people. I’m not sure there’s any place where you have to wear them all the time outdoors – not even in NYC. All in all Governor Newsom’s ratings are pretty high, especially in urban areas. We feel that quick action is a large part of what saved us from being like New York.
At 72, I’m a mask wearer looking for any protection I can get/give others. I do agree though that it changes your interactions with others as does standing 6 feet apart – no idle chatting with others on a grocery line. I miss that. I miss just casually going somewhere and not having to think of what precautions I must take or what time of day will be less crowded. I’m not sure when if ever we’ll go back to the “old normal”. This virus will be with us forever and a vaccine that’s produced in bulk is a long way away.
Kristi – Glad to have you back posting. I’ve found the blogs of creative people are a spirit boost at this time and been awaiting your return. Hopefully you’ll find that unleashing your creativity gives you a mental boost. It will give me one!
Southern Californian here too. Thank you for the thoughtful response. I am grateful for our governor’s response and recognize that there are so many things that were unknown about this virus that any overreach or things that may not make sense are forgivable. There have been many changes for all of us along with many uncertainties for the future. I am trying to get projects finished around my house, and am thankful for the technology and the availability of necessities that we have today that people didn’t have in 1918.
Kristi,
Well put as always! Also, I just love the pic of you in the corner. You look great! Always an inspiration.
I agree with Karen-we need more grace and kindness. This is your blog and you are free to express your opinion. So glad you and Matt have stayed well even though it’s been a hard time. Look forward to your upcoming posts!!
My husband and I had Covid in early Feb, before it was a hot topic. I’ve had much worse flus but it took 3 weeks to recover. We are both 70+ with co-morbities. Never saw a doctor except for anti-body test later.
We retired in December and were looking forward to a fun retirement. We have had to cancel 2 cruises and 1 major Asian trip. We still have a November trip , which I hope will happen. I’m desperate to see grandkids but that requires travel.
But we are lucky as we are financially ok and have lost no one close. My heart breaks for others who have suffered.
COVID-19 is a new risk that began as an unknown risk and quickly captured the world’s attention with rampant contagion. It brings a new risk to our lives; and it continues to be frightening by any standard. However, as we sort through the massive amount of data, including faulty or skewed data, we have learned a great deal in a very short period:
According to CDC data, an estimated 81% of deaths from COVID-19 in the United States are people over age 65, most with preexisting conditions. (notable concentrations in New York and New Jersey)
For those below age 55, preexisting conditions do play a significant role, however the fatality rate is currently estimated around 0.0022%, or one death per 45,000 people in this age range.
For those below age 25 the fatality rate of COVID-19 is estimated 0.00008%, or roughly one in 1.25 million in this age range
Recovery rates are estimated to be above 98%
More testing is becoming widely available and more people are estimated to be gaining the antibodies
The curve is estimated to be flattening with death rates estimated to be on the decline
Global efforts are in place to identify a vaccine
Throughout this heightened focus, let us not forget the lives lost to heart disease which remains the leading cause of death in the United States. It is estimated that 650,000 people die annually; or 54,000 per month, or approximately 200,000 people between February and mid-May of this year alone.
And about 45% of the COVID deaths in this country have been in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. That’s staggering.
The statistics in your comment prompted me to check those in my state: In Wisconsin, we’re nearing 600 deaths. 1% have been age 20-29, 1% have been age 30-39, 3% have been 40-49, 8% have been age 50-59, 16% have been age 60-69, 26% have been aged 70-79 (Which doesn’t seem very old to me anymore since I’ll be turning 70 in a week and I feel very healthy and like I have at least 20-25 more years of living to do.), 25% have been age 80-89, and 20% have been 90+. As of today (June 1) we’ve had 18543 people who have tested positive at some point since this began. 14% of our cases have required hospitalization, 3% have died. We seem to have some difficulty determining what “recovery” actually looks like or when it happens. In WI it is defined as no longer showing symptoms or if it has been 30 days since a person’s symptoms began. Let’s not kid ourselves, this is a very dangerous disease for people of all ages and there is still much to learn about the long term consequences of have “recovered” from this disease. While we have not had any young children die of Covid-19 in our state, 3% of our cases are in children aged 9 or younger, and we have had children require hospitalization. Yes, people die of lots of other things in this country, but you can’t catch heart disease or cancer from talking to your neighbor. I wear a mask any time I’m likely to be within 6 ft. of anyone I don’t live with, whether I’m indoors or outside. I do that for others, and I really appreciate it when they do it for me.
I’m sad. And stressed. And not sleeping well. That’s how I am. I have older parents (88 & 92) who are in independent living which has been in “lock-down mode” for months. Nobody in or out. I do wear a mask every time I am out in public. I care enough to protect others (remember, you don’t wear a mask to protect yourself, you wear one to protect others – so many people are asymptomatic but carrying the virus). If we don’t wear the masks, I fear this virus will take that much longer to disappear & countless additional lives will be lost that could have been saved. I’m just sad.
Kristi,
This has been hard on so many of us for so many different reasons. I cry daily – and I’ve never struggled with depression. It’s just hard. I’m thankful you could share. I’m truly afraid the violence we see right now has a lot to do with all the pent up emotions from being locked away in our homes for so long. Makes me so very sad. That’s not to say that the incident wasn’t horrible. I’m just afraid much of this is worse because of it. Get creative and find your joy again!
I don’t have time to read all the comments, but I certainly agree with you on the psychological effects of these d*****d masks.
But in any case, I’m glad you’re back and working on projects!
I’m on the third week of helping my bonus son with his “master” bath renovation. Master is in quotes because it’s smaller than a lot of hall bathrooms. But we’re ok with that; it’ll be just a little less work.
Given that fairly large parts of Asia have been wearing masks routinely for years, I’m not terribly worried about whether they’re harmful to humanity. Might take an adjustment period, sure, but longterm effects shouldn’t be particularly effecty.
In the mean time, I wish some anti-mask folks (not you, obviously!) would stop attacking or killing retail workers for asking them to wear masks, because that’s been a disturbing rising trend, and retail workers are already dealing with their increased risk of infection right now without having to worry that someone will straight up murder them over being asked to wear a little bit of cloth.
I’m so glad to hear you and yours are all fine and well. And I’m very excited about you getting back at it! Boy Howdy, do I ever miss your posts and point of view. I truly do respect your views and I will not comment on them!
My family has been blessed beyond during all this. My husband never lost any income and that was just the best news! We have moved into a rental, but have found a home FINALLY and we close this Thursday. We are excited for the first time in months for sure. My family only wears masks inside grocery stores, HD/Lowe’s, and if we have to go inside a public building. Outside, not gonna happen!!!
Glad your back.
Blessings to all, Hope
Thank you for your post Kristi. I really do apprecaite you being that respite from the “real world”. This last week was the hardest for me in all this time. My husband ended up in the ER the Saturday night before last, I was able to walk into the ER with him and wait until he was called back to be seen. I had to wait there alone @ 10:30pm only to be told minutes later I had to wait in my car. I waited for 4 hours until my husband was finally told they were admitting him for emergency surgery the next morning (gallbladder). Then I wasn’t able to see him until after his surgery and then only for 15 minutes. He was in the hosiptal for 5 days and I only was able to see him once a day for 15 minutes. Now I am grateful that he is home, and that it wasn’t something worse, but it is hard not being able to be in the room with your S.O while dr’s try to figure out what is causing them so much pain. It’s hard to not be able to see him off to surgery and pray with him and hold his hand before. I am thankful to the dr’s and nurses that were able to help my husband and that were so kind to me when I called to check in on him. I just hope we can eventually return to normal, and maybe even a bit better and more kind.
Hi Kristi…..SOOO glad you’re back….. very Happy to “hear” that you and all those you love are safe and being cared for my family.
So…… I’ve been self quarntee-ing for almost 11 weeks now…. I am a widow living alone with no family left to speak of…..and days/weeks go by that my phone is totally silent….. but I do have some very dear friends that do their best to occasionally check in on me from time to time…… One of them posted the following on my Facebook page to put a more positive and perhaps cheerful accent on the present events….. she wrote…👇🏻
“Not Everything Is Cancelled: Sunshine is not cancelled; spring is not cancelled; love is not cancelled; relationships are not cancelled; reading is not cancelled; naps are not cancelled; devotion is not cancelled; dancing is not cancelled; imagination is not cancelled; kindness is not cancelled; conversations are not cancelled; HOPE is not cancelled.”
I agree that we are getting a lot of conflicting information, but the countries that ARE wearing masks have much less of a transmission rate. That has to mean something. They also have a lot more testing. To me it’s a sign of respect and caring. When I go into the grocery store, I don’t want to get anyone sick if I happen to be asymptomatic or presymptomatic. When I am outside, I hike daily, I do not wear a mask, but I try to maintain social distance OUT OF RESPECT. BTW, I went to the grocery store for the first time in two months last week. I was pleased to see the safety precautions in place. I am a vulnerable person like your friend. I may not live through a Covid infection. If someone wears a mask inside a building, I know they are considerate of a person like me and I greatly appreciate it.
Through all of this my depression and anxiety has been heightened, worsened. But even so, I feel blessed in many ways. Although my husband is not making as much, he still has a job. We have a big yard and I’ve been very busy working on it, making it pretty for summer. Of course, there are always house chores so I am keeping busy. I am an introvert but this is still getting to me. I’m thankful I can “see” my friends and family thanks to technology.
I feel blessed that our church found three different ways to keep the services going…online! I am really soaking in the word of God and it helps my anxiety. I do wear a mask when I go out as I have not been sick with the flu in at least 40 years. But that’s not to say I am not asymptomatic and could hurt others. Who know? Maybe I am simply not showing symptoms because of my immune system…I would feel horrible to infect someone else.
Husband and I are practicing kindness. Although people can’t see your mouth smile with a mask, they can see your eyes smile. Everyone I meet in this mask-wearing situation has been kind and respectful. I am thankful for that.
So even though I have major depressive disorder I am trying very hard to see the positive. And it is out there!
I do like reading about your cleaning and building projects…everyone needs a break from the TV and newspapers and talking about other things sure helps. There’s not to say I don’t have my ‘days’…but so does everyone else. Try not to get the negative ppl and situations eat away at what makes you special.
And I pray, I pray a lot. I miss the old normal. Peace to all!
Change is one of the most difficult things for anyone to go through and we’ve had to go through a LOT of change. I pray for those who have lost loved ones and for doctors, nurses, EMTs, emergency personnel and mortuary workers who bear a huge burden of those losses along with the families. I fear PTSD will be a dark shadow in a lot of their lives.
However, while I agree that the changes have been hard on everyone, I also see some heartwarming positives – parents and children who used to be over-scheduled, now spending time together and loving it; whole neighborhoods finding creative ways to celebrate high school and college graduations for children on their blocks, like graduation parades; seniors donning prom attire and posing for photos in creative locations as a reminder of the oddity of this time in their life; police and fire departments parading by the homes of seniors celebrating milestone birthdays; a local photographer taking family photos from a “social distance” with families showcasing their comic views of virus quarantines or just celebrating family togetherness (the photographer then donated her proceeds to local food banks); teachers showing up outside of students houses with white boards in tow and tutoring through windows and storm doors; artists and children drawing pictures in neighborhood driveways for shut-ins to enjoy or just penning a “thank you” for delivery drivers and mail personnel; high school and college students donning masks and delivering groceries to shut-in senior citizens; utility workers showing up every day to keep the lights on and water flowing; and “thank you” signs everywhere from police stations to fire departments to hospitals to nursing homes to grocery stores to mailboxes to front lawns – all expressing gratitude to those who are working tirelessly to help others and to try to make the world seem as “normal” as possible. I’m fortunate that, unlike others, I didn’t suffer from cabin fever while under a mandatory stay-at-home order. I enjoyed spending time with my husband, catching up on some home and garden chores, crafting, reading and cooking. I do, however, sympathize with the more social segment of society for whom these changes have been burdensome. And, now that I am back to work, I find the masks annoying, hot and claustrophobic. But, I try to remember that this, too, shall pass and we will, hopefully, come out on the other side with a greater appreciation for how fortunate we are individually and as a nation.
Thank you for your posts. I enjoy every one of them and am in awe of your talent and energy. I can’t wait to see what’s next!!!!
Your post is great Judy. There is indeed a lot of positive happening.
My family and I are healthy. My husband and I have stable jobs we are able to do from home. We are doing our part to support businesses as we can. We’re also doing all we can to keep safe (including wearing masks). In the past few days I’ve been feeling extremely sad, but also very hopeful that change and an awakening is occurring throughout the country.
I understand it is your prerogative to post anything you want. I appreciate this being a “politics and current events”-free site in the past.
But I will say that I am disappointed that you chose to break that trend by posting about current events but then not mentioning the protests around the country and the reason for those protests. I’ve decided that it’s important to me to speak up to this especially in areas that aren’t very diverse (I think it is safe to say the majority of your readers are middle-age white women – like myself). I’d just like everyone to examine their reactions to recent current events and listen to voices that are different than theirs to understand as many points of views as they can.
Also I hope my post stayed away from “political” talk. Sometimes we hold our political identities so close that it hard to discuss anything separate from politics. In some circle even discussing masks shows “what side you are on”.
My husband has a rare disease. He’s waited for months to have a routine procedure (colonoscopy/endoscopy) throughout this COVID crisis. His test was finally held last Tuesday.
Unfortunately, he went into cardiac arrest in recovery and had to be resuscitated. He’s been on a ventilator since then and I cannot be by his side. They were lifting restrictions tomorrow and I just got word that it’s been moved to Thursday. I am beside myself with anxiety. We both work in law enforcement, and watching all the drama unfold the past few days, it’s just more than I can handle. I am just a complete wreck.
Oh my gosh, Allison, I’m so sorry. I wish I had the perfect words to say, but I don’t. All I can do is pray, and I will certainly do that.
hug.
Prayers Allison!
I’m a postal worker, so I’ve been in the thick of things during this whole mess. Perhaps it sounds like a cop-out, but I’ve adapted. I carry masks with me, but don’t wear one unless I’m going to be in a store that requires them, or if I’m going to be close to other people. I will comply with my chosen store’s requirements, because I choose to shop at those stores. In my own yard, working in my flower beds, nope. If you come to my yard to look at my pretty flowers, you can choose to wear one or not – we are outside so unless you’re standing chest-to-chest with me, I trust that the wind will help us avoid sharing germs. Because mail handling is filthy work, I’m a compulsive hand-washer anyway, so that hasn’t changed at all for me, really. I have truly enjoyed working in my flower beds this spring, and will enjoy the flowers all summer, as I had planned, and will let visitors decide their level of comfort regarding masks/distancing.
I never considered that the masks were destroying humanity.
The perspective could be that the masks remind us about how fragile our lives are and how we are all in this together. It is the ultimate lesson in letting go; letting go of how things were, letting go of how we look, …etc.
It would be sad to think that all it takes to destroy our humanity is wearing a mask.
Thumbs up.
It’s not just the masks. It’s all of the things that are cropping up in response to the masks, like this and this and this. I hear people say often, and even in the comments on this very post, “Don’t judge people who wear masks!” But I don’t see that that’s happening. What I do see happening is that people give no thought to the possibility that there are people who cannot and should not wear masks because of medical conditions. People who already deal with low blood oxygen levels could be putting themselves in danger if they wear a mask. And that’s just one example. But in none of these examples (and these are just a few), I never see anyone giving the non-mask wearer the benefit of the doubt or politely asking. I see them being tackled, dragged, harassed and embarrassed. I personally believe this is dramatically affecting our human interactions, and not in a good way.
Mary, thank you for your succinct, almost poetic comment.
This self isolation is my normal since last August. From August till Thanksgiving I was in the hospital eight times. It wasn’t until the last hospitalization that my real problem surfaced. I had sepsis from an abscessed tooth. But I’m alive and well but still very weak. I’m glad you’re back Kristi as I so enjoy your blog.
Missed you, Kristi, and agree with you 100% about masks and over bearing governors. I’m lucky to live on more than 100 acres in Georgia and I will go days, even weeks maskless. I learned long ago that there are just some people in this world, in the workplace, in the extended family and in government who enjoy imposing their will on others. They will come up with all sorts of reasons/rationales for their love of rules but really its just a natural busy body nature, to be distinguished from leadership. I count myself among those who value the Right to be Left Alone and that the fewest rules is the best rule. I also agree that viruses are dangerous and this may not be the worst one that we will confront. But to tell people that it is permitted to sail while not permitted to motor boat in the same place and time is to sow division.
Kristi, I’m so sorry that you aren’t able to freely post your “personal thoughts” on your own blog post without being harangued for your opinion! THIS IS THE SADDEST OF ALL TO ME!!. We all have opinions, and as shown here, if you think differently or speak differently, you are attacked for those thoughts! That, to me, is what this covid has done to people! My daughter works in an ER (same one for 12 years)and like she says, even all the Drs in her hospital don’t agree!
I don’t get why people feel the need to attack you, because they feel differently than you! I’m so sorry! Please don’t let those few get to you, as I for one, really want to see you continue with your blog and diy stuff! Thanks from the bottom of my heart!!
Kristi, first of all I am very happy that you and Matt are well. The whole COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful for everyone, each in their own way. I was furloughed from my part-time job in a hospital. I really miss being around those people, but the work I do there isn’t required when visitors and volunteers aren’t there.
I was fortunate that there was no snow on the ground here, in upstate NY, when that happened. I was able to begin spring yard and gardens cleanup. Working outside, doing physical stuff has kept me from sliding into serious depression. The anxiety of preparing for, and actually getting groceries was stressful enough. Even with my stress reducing outside work, I sound myself struggling to stay focused on what I was doing. Over time, this has gotten quite a bit better.
New York is now in stage one of “opening up” and heading into stage two within the week. So far, it is going quite well.
I hope that once you are able to start up with your projects it will bring you back to being able to enjoy the fabulous work you do. We have missed you and look forward to seeing you in full swing again.
My very best to you and Matt.
Kristi, I agree with you 100% (and I have missed your presence enormously). I started self-isolating before it was mandatory because I’m in “that” age group and I have asthma; I figured, why risk it? Why take the chance?
As some of your readers have commented, I don’t wear my mask in the house, with just me and my hubby, but if anyone comes to visit or do any work in my home, I’m happy to wear my mask if it makes them feel more comfortable. When hubby and I take the dog for a walk, we don’t mask up, but we do maintain a good distance from people we may encounter (who, btw, are usually also not wearing masks).
There have been some negative consequences but also a lot of very positive ones; it’s really, really painful and difficult to see, when the consequences are negative, just how supremely negative they can be, but I do take hope in the goodness and compassion of most people.
All in all, it honestly feels like we’re all in a REALLY bad, 1950’s sci-fi movie! And I do fear that our future is forever changed because of this.
Bless you and Matt and stay well. We need your little bit of sunshine in our lives!
In my area everyone wears a mask. I’ve noticed that it seems to make people friendlier and more polite, sort of like the winter holidays. It does make it difficult to talk as much but we still manage. I’m a homebody so don’t miss the constant on the go. I’ve been remodeling my house, working in my garden and getting projects done that I wouldn’t “find” the time to do. We haven’t totally isolated and meet with trusted friends and family. Our governor has issued a mask wearing order so maybe this makes it easier for the businesses to comply since they can just blame Charlie Baker (even their signs say per order of Gov. Charlie Baker)! My husband and I are both in our 60’s and healthy although he does have hbp controlled with meds but we still feel a bit vulnerable. A coworker of my husband has a wife who works in the medical field who was recently diagnosed with asymptomatic Covid -19. Neither her husband, my husband and the crew co-workers are able to get tested and are still working, although J., the spouse, is quarantined for 14 days per order of their employer. My husband is worried he’s a “Typhoid Mary” and may be unwittingly spreading the illness to vulnerable people such as our asthmatic daughter who lives with us. Wearing a mask is such a small thing to try to keep those around us safer. Our stores, including Home Depot, have been great. Everyone is friendly, polite and follows the rules.
Yes, some of the rules are crazy in some states, (sailboats but no motorized boats?) especially what qualifies as essential. Wrestling, really??? But please remember the masks aren’t to protect you, they are to protect the most vulnerable among us. Sure they’re a pain, they’re hot and sweaty, even here in much cooler Massachusetts, but if they save a life the little bit of discomfort is worth it.
We chose to self quarantine for the past ten weeks. And being in MN we have just watched the fires and looting of 250+ businesses. It is so sad! But, we will eventually get to a new normal down the road. Vigilance is still important now!
Hi, Kristi. Welcome back to blogland! I was wondering where you were after completing your mom’s beautiful kitchen. I am looking forward to more posts from you about all your fabulous projects! Take care 🙂
Good to see you, Kristi & Matt! I’m in Connecticut (fortunately the eastern side and not the western NYC Suburb side)! However, this virus travels so easily that our state went to shut down totally and are just starting to reopen.
I completely agree with you that a mask helps to prevent the spread of the virus. The way I see it, if I don’t spread it, it can’t be caught from me. Still doesn’t mean I can’t get it. I ran a fever for 3 weeks (no higher than 100), lost appetite, nausea, fatigue, wet sinus-y cough. Guess what? Yep, the doc wanted me tested because they’re seeing so many different variations of presentation. My test was negative and will do the antibody test in a couple more weeks to confirm.
Also, our half of the state wasn’t restricted from being outside without a mask, only required when in places (grocery stores, pick up take out, etc.) or where there were people gathered. I’m 65 and don’t have any underlying respiratory issues (except seasonal allergies) so I don’t wear one in my yard. I do keep one around my neck if out for a walk.
All that said, it IS a different EMOTIONAL world wearing the masks (not to be confused with wearing for health reasons). It’s been a time of reading peoples’ eyes…real smile? Stressed? Afraid? I worked most of the time in a small office through this…finally am working from home while I complete my quarantine. I loved the drive to work with little traffic – time to see what I’m driving by! I’ve enjoyed the slow-down in life and the time with my grandson who lives with me…we’ve gardened, he’s learned to crochet and trying knitting…we have an outdoor table to build. Family time together has been great for him and me.
Life will go on…with or without masks. The virus will continue to rear its head until there is a bonafide safe, truly tested vaccine (without any chips!). We will all continue to protect ourselves and loved ones to the best of our abilities. Stay well, my friends!
So glad to read a new post. After checking often for several days with nothing new, fear that someone in your family might be sick came to mind. Such is the times. Sorry to see the rude replies to you expressing your opinion on your own blog. It is a terrible time of aggravation, frustration and uncertainty for all and you expressed that very well. I agree with you.
Best wishes to you and your family; hopefully you will be able to continue your projects and get back to your “normal”. On a lighter note, I was working from home for a period of time. I remodeled my master bedroom: scraped and painted ceiling, painted walls and even built a wall of beautifully aged tongue and groove boards as a focal wall. Power tools are a girls best friend! Planning which room to tackle next. Looking forward to your next post/project. Take care.
I can only say thanks for your post. Agree 100%. And enjoy your projects 😀👍🏻
God bless you.
I do not plan on leaving your Blog. I miss your postings when you are out…so glad you are back and cannot wait to see what you have in store!!
I find it hard to understand the reluctance to wear a mask, but then I live out in the country and have enough land that I can be outside unless the neighbor’s threatening dog shows up and scares me back inside. A friend who live in Portland, Oregon is very disgusted with joggers who run down her city street because they often spit out as they are running. The virus, as I understand it, likes to spread in exhaled droplets so besides spitting those joggers are also probably breathing heavily. A church choir practiced together – singing together, how lovely, except that most of them came down with Covid-19. They believe it was from the exhalations made while singing. It’s a frustrating, frightening time on so many levels which can sometimes make it hard for us to pay attention to the words we are using and the greater effect that they may have on others than we intended.
“Masks destroy our humanity”?
Stick to decorating. Let the CDC be the voice on this topic.
Please don’t come to my blog and make demands of me and tell me what I can and can’t say. You’re free to skip this post or leave and never come back.
And if you think these interactions linked below that are cropping up all over the place over masks are normal human interactions, then I feel sorry for you. But it would certainly explain your feeling like you can comment and make demands and tell me what I can and can’t say.
https://youtu.be/5MQfDsmYS_s
https://youtu.be/8Pu-qjfbkyU
https://youtu.be/RI5X06YDFWM?t=123
Kristi, I have a very dear friend whose husband is the chief medical examiner for a large metropolitan area in the Midwest. Can’t give more info than that… and my friend was a nurse for decades. I’m going to post below and email I got from her this morning. Everything you are saying is spot on. God bless you and yours.
“The hubs has been reviewing every COVID death that occurs in the County and not one; I repeat not one, has involved any young or any older person who is healthy. Every case has involved someone with several prior health issues. Of course, the liberal press doesn’t report the real news. He has signed out a few young folks——but, they each weighed about 300-400 lbs, with diabetes, hypertension, etc. This COVID virus is not a problem for the healthy——in fact, many who test positive have no symptoms. Mutter, mutter….
I have been a huge fan of herd immunity——as I recall, we used to purposely expose our kids to someone else so that they would get the chicken pox. Remember those days? Thus, I wear no mask and refuse to support an establishment that mandates me wearing one. I am so sad to see rules that require masks for children 3 and up. Good grief! Anyway, I could go on and on about this insane world that we live in, but perhaps, the explanation to all this panic: we live in a post Christian, post scientific world——and we have created a society of “sheep” who just roll over with fear.”
Nice to see some logic. Thanks.
I’ve missed your posts, Kristi.
It’s not about the masks, whether they keep us or others safe. I wear one around my elderly Mom and, if someone asks me to wear one around them, no problem. But to be attacked or feel demeaned by others about our own decision as to whether we choose wear one or not, is a different story. My opinions, my decisions, my biases, my preferences are mine. And you can insert ANY other scenario into the “mask” situation. I don’t like ice cream – no one has a right to tell me it’s wrong not to like it!! When did society become such a bully??? That’s the inhumanity of all of this. Sad times, indeed.
I agree with this. And maybe people don’t understand what I mean, but I see people saying, “It’s not doing anything to destroy our humanity!” while then turning around and saying, “Mask wearers are righteous and non-mask wearers are selfish!”
Ummm…that’s EXACTLY what I’m talking about! We’re making quick judgments about a person’s character based on one thing — a mask. When we do that based on skin color, it’s a terrible thing. When we do it based on mask wearing, it’s deemed as being good. This is exactly what I’m talking about when I say it’s destroying our humanity.
There are many reasons people may not be able to wear a mask. There are medical reasons that make it dangerous for some to wear a mask. As I stated in another comment, I read about a man who had pre-existing medical conditions, and when he put a cotton mask on, his blood oxygen level dropped into the mid-80s. That’s dangerous! So should he be forced to wear a mask and put his health at risk? And if he chooses not to wear the mask so that he can breathe and get plenty of oxygen, should he be deemed “selfish” by people who don’t know his situation? I just find it so sad that people are being so harshly judged when we don’t know their circumstances.
We need to extend grace to people and not make quick judgments about the character of strangers based solely on whether or not they’re wearing a mask. Because that’s what I see happening. It’s clearly displayed in the comments on this very post. And that’s precisely what I’m talking about when I say they’re “destroying our humanity.” They have completely changed the way we interact with each other, the way we view other people, they are a source of quick knee-jerk judgments about other humans, etc. And from my perspective (and from the comments on this post), it’s not a good thing.
Yes, “bully” is spot on.
Anthropology is the scientific study of humans, human behavior and societies in the past and present. In that frame of mind you can look at recent changes and discuss the repercussions without judgement. Christy is looking at the pandemic that way. Airports changed after 9/11. There will be restrictions but we will eventually accept them. Change is hard and uncomfortable. I miss before the pandemic. I miss the quarantine and isolation before the murder and protests. Hopefully they will lead to good things with more insight into viruses and social justice. We need more kindness and tolerance in this country.
Thank you so much for coming back. I am appalled at our inability as a society to agree to disagree. No longer is one able to express their thoughts without others putting words in their mouth, becoming defensive, being offended or calling names. When did we become so brittle that we cannot reflect on differing views in a respectful manner. I agree that there have been a lot of inconsistencies in orders and directives we are receiving. Love your blog and can’t wait to see your next project.
Kristi,
Glad you are back. Missed you so. You are my inspiration.
You two keep well.
So glad you are back again, and hoping to find a bit of respite in your projects if you continue to post them.
Blogs have become more important to me, allowing me other points of view and ideas while I am here at home (or more accurately, at my daughter’s home.)
Being “at home” has taught me that I am stronger than I thought, wiser than I thought, and more flexible than I thought. We are fortunate that we can have groceries delivered, long daily phone calls with loved ones, and work to do interspersed with evenings watching costume dramas and the Great British Baking Show. The garden is bigger than ever and thriving. Mowing the lawn is a meditation.
I’ve suffered from asthma and allergies for years—-bring “forced” to wear a mask has helped me so very much. I’m breathing better and not feeling conspicuous or stupid wearing masks in public. Although honestly, these days “public” means a couple of walks per week.
We been for scenic drives three times since midMarch, none lasting more than about an hour.
Neighbors and the occasional people walking down our street wave and greet us. That wasn’t true so much in the past.
It’s not all roses—keeping up with expenses will be challenging if this stretches months ahead. My grandson cannot play with kids his own age. (No worries about school—-he’s come so far academically since we are teaching him at home!) My aging parents are half a continent away and I can’t get there quickly, if at all right now.
And then the violence breaking out across the nation…. heartbreaking.
The world has changed, whether we like it or not. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m trying (and often succeeding) in finding things to be grateful for. It’s all I can do right now, keep putting one foot in front of the other and thanking God for every step.
Honestly, everyone, can we all take a deep breath? We are in uncharted territory with this virus, and I honestly believe our local leaders are doing the best they can. Masks seem to make sense to me at this stage of the game. Are they dehumanizing? I think that characterization is a stretch. Have they changed how we can interact with others? Of course. Is this our new, permanent reality? I hope not. Why can’t we all just put on the damn mask and make this work for a bit? Sure, some of the rules are contradictory – again, we are just trying to figure this out, save lives in the short term while a longer term strategy is formulated. Kristi, I’m sorry your commentary has turned so many people off. I can disagree with you while still enjoying your blog. I hope you are able to regain your equilibrium and find your joy again in projects you can share with us.
We have an almost 9 mo old now. So mixed feelings about the mask and other things related to having a baby learning what normal is, when it’s not normal… but hey a new way to peek-a-boo! I’m grateful my daycare happened to be able to adjust and is open. So kiddo’s routine is still going, with less friends her age, but extra attention from the teacher there. Today is the first day back at the office, and its refreshing for the change, an attempt for normal.
An unexpected change note/story: We were disappointed we couldn’t swing at a playground (one of those things I was looking forward to). The yard we have is not great for a playground, or even a tree swing. So we researched fold-up play swings. Soon after, I get an update picture from the daycare with her on their swing!
If you want that happy picture, I can share it privately. Oh course now this mamma has a short fold up infant playground swing living in her living room to take out on sunny days. Just super excited because park playgrounds opened up today here!
I hear you. I have been blessed, safe and healthy in all of these times….. even in how I have had to adapt to not working, explore, learn, grow and so much more. It was not without distress and confusion (that lead to metered doses of select media, pushing deep to glean truth, peel things back) and giving my soul a real talking to. Early on in Pandemic I got news from family members that are ER Drs. in NYC and Seattle. Their words….. this is horrible, indescribable, worse than their wildest imaginations of their medical careers, and soul sucking exhausting. Another family member in medical dealing with the uptick in kidney dialysis because of C19 organ failure issues. Others with industrial safety & health experience knowing what it takes to provide clean air, find that keeping confined environments safe would be nearly impossible, add in close care taking assistance, well equation for a bad outcome. They have dedicated their lives to my safety, and as described, learning as they go, adapting, earnestly wishing for answers, a magical, immediate solution or a crystal ball. NONE of us have an internal GPS for this gig, and we seem to be witnessing great evidence that many of us even in our worst times have not been this uncomfortable in our world. It’s requiring the best of our souls and minds to galvanize whatever positivity we can. We all create and choose. I have been doing my darnedest to channel my parents wisdom and strength, steadfastness, calm, vision…… born in 21 and 24, they lived the depression, dad losing his father in an accident, quarantined from his sister as she died, going hungry, going off to WWII, losing his brother, sending my brother off to Vietnam…….. I have no clue how they mustered their strength, positivity but it challenges me to find mine in my life, in this world paradigm. It’s been sloppy (insert frustration, fear, ….). I give all of you credit, you’re trying too. And now … I’m from MPLS, the self examination has begun again, who am I? What can I do better? Doubling down…… in all this trying to be empathetic so I can make the lives of others better, I can not truly know the walks of others, their journey or despair. Gotta own my own shit in all of this first, I’m a member of global humanity. First step for me is acknowledging that, then choose to be part of solutions, open to whatever those could be…. and that is probably going to be uncomfortable.
I’m with you Kristy, I don’t wear a mask, not going to never have. That said, if you want to wear a mask, wear it. I don’t like the connotations brought about by wearing them and my thoughts are this … if levis and bvds don’t keep your husband’s farts from getting out, how in the world is a simple mask going to protect you? Just saying. Don’t be discouraged, everything is going to be OK. BTW, I HATE the words “new normal”.
The death rate of this virus is very low…. much lower than the seasonal flu. I don’t see people making a big fuss over that?
Well, I just wanted you to know that someone is on your side. Keep up the good work.
I would like to correct you. With masks and social distancing COV19 is still showing a World Wide death rate of about 1% with the season flu being .1 %. The asymptomatic nature of the virus in some people and the virus being more contagious than the flu makes it worse.
You are making a an incorrect equivalency between smells and viruses. There are people on the internet passing this false science that if you can still smell you can’t stop the virus. The virus can travel on saliva and mucous. A mask can prevent this. It is the same reason surgeons wear masks. “Smell” particles are also smaller than viruses and can travel through the air. I hope helps and this clears this up.
Sadly George, you are wrong as well. Masks do not protect the wearer, unless they are properly fitted N95 masks.
They do protect others from your fluids IF you are a carrier. But wearing a mask and improperly touching it and re-wearing it, puts you at more risk. So use them very carefully.
Surgeons and nurses wear masks to protect the patient, not themselves, for example while in surgery. They don more protective equipment when worried about the patient being infectious.
Hi Barb, yes this is mostly correct. But the surgical mask does provide the wearer with some protection. That said, the mask has been very effective a reducing transmission from the wearer to someone else.
stupidity knows no bounds
As you’ve proven with your comment. Thanks for the visual.
I add this for humor sake… It’s a known fact this virus is transmitted by particulate matter. If your farts are particulate matter, it’s no longer a fart You just pooped your pants.
Amazing! Thanks for the laugh!
Wearing a mask is to protect others more than yourself, since this virus is contagious when you’re asymptomatic. So those folks who want it to be a “do what you want” situation just show that you are selfish and ignorant. Your uneducated opinion is not equal to that of scientists, doctors, immunologists and virologists who’ve spent their lives studying this stuff.
I love the line “Governors and mayors using this opportunity to become the dictators they’ve evidently always dreamed of being” and then you go on to demand we not to respond in a political way. It sounds like you want to spout your right wing talking points without having to defend them. Did you vote for Trump or not vote at all? Then you need to hear some “political” things because the well-being of people IS political, the government exists to protect people and provide a safety net and those of us who are marginalized or minorities don’t have the LUXURY and PRIVILEGE of being non-political.
You know what’s bad for business, and humanity? Massive death tolls. We’ve lost over 100k WITH these “draconian” measures. You can’t imagine what the numbers looks like without distancing and quarantine. You and so many like you will only understand when it hits closer to home. Don’t worry, it will.
Speaking of home, you can sit home and play your video games and be online and putter in your garden or shop and you act like it’s the biggest oppression you could ever endure by people who DON’T WANT YOU TO DIE OR INFECT OTHERS – you sound miserably entitled and insufferable. Anne Frank spent two years silently in an attic hiding from Nazis. Children are crammed in cages on the border with no soap or beds for the crime of fleeing violent fascist countries like this one is becoming and that you yourself can hardly handle from the comfort of your home.
I wish you had never posted this because I’ve been following you for years and I think so much less of you now. Wow. I hope you take some of the quarantine time to self-reflect and grow because this ain’t it.
You realize that about all but five governors, along with probably thousands of mayors and district judges all over the country implemented lockdowns, and along with those lockdowns came some of the most arbitrary rules this country has ever seen. It happened all over the country, from California (with a democrat governor) to Texas (with a republican governor) and just about all the rest. So no, I’m not making it political, other than to mention that these things were put into place by politicians on both sides at state and local levels.
And for about the third time, I’ll restate this. I didn’t mention social distancing and stay at home orders because that’s not what I was talking about. So I’ll say it YET AGAIN:
Orders that say you can be out on the water in a sailboat but not a boat with a motor. Where is the scientific data that shows that keeps people safe from a virus?
The cops telling couple in their 90s that they can’t sit on their folding chairs on the beach, but they CAN sit on the sand on the beach. How is that keeping them safe from a virus?
These are just two of literally hundreds of examples from all over the country. Are you telling me that you haven’t heard of any of these things and thought to yourself, “What the heck? How is that helping?”
And are you really saying that the only people allowed to be sad, mad, upset, angry, frustrated, down, etc., are people who suffer a fate either equal to or worse than Anne Frank? Seriously? I’m pretty sure most everyone could agree that that’s a pretty ridiculous position to take.
You are correct. A lot of the rules seem random and nonsensical. We needed a national plan and not different plans on a state level. Having governments on a local level make different rules when people can easily cross state lines is not effective.
When we get a little more outside the current outbreak and take a look at successes and failure we will have a better idea of what to do when covid19 mutates and/or comes back in the fall.
Japan requires masks but not as much social distancing and they have been a success. Greece requires masks and implemented early showdowns . They are considered the success in Europe. Korea implemented widespread testing and that worked in Korea. New Zealand is an island so it is different but their wonderful Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern mandated early social distancing early and that anyone entering the country had to be quarantined along with wide spread testing.
Different things worked. Acting early was one common thread for success.
I agree that a strong plan from a national level early on would have really helped, and I’m not just talking about keeping Corona in check but in terms of mental and emotional response. Yes, there would have been mistakes and rule revisions, but I think a lot of the anxiety we are feeling is precisely because there are so many different and conflicting rules across the nation because each state has been left to fend for itself and figure things out on their own. This has compounded our feeling of isolation instead of bringing us together in unity. Yes, national leaders would be seen as “dictators” but sometimes it really helps to have direction and clear rules that apply to all.
I also want to point out that your insinuation that all scientists, doctors, immunologists and virologists agree on the topics of masks, lockdowns, or anything else regarding this virus is patently false. There are medical doctors, epidemiologists, virologists, etc., all over the place disagreeing with how this virus has been handled, disagreeing with mask mandates, and so much more. The views on masks, even among medical doctors, epidemiologists, virologists, and other scientists, run the gamut from “absolutely necessary to slow the spread” to “useless but wear one of you want” to “harmful to your health.” And these are all educated scientists. Heck, I just watched a video from Australia where they were telling people that healthy people wearing masks can actually be dangerous. Based on what? Science, of course! So this idea that ALL scientists are on the same page is patently false. I’ll also point out that there are even discrepancies between the CDC and the WHO information on the topic.
So maybe we all need to calm down and realize that if even the scientists can’t agree, then we won’t either.
I don’t want this virus – I’m 63 and not as healthy as I thought I was . But you do realize that a full 40% of the people who died were in nursing homes where they did not or could not provide proper distancing in a small space ? And that does not include the folks who left the nursing home sick and went into the hospital to die !
This is not Ebola . It really is not . And the reason we believe the death rate is much smaller then advertised is because there are many thousands of people who have had it and not been tested .
I have followed all the rules . I am not cavalier about any of this – but
All the rage the above poster has shown is not helpful . Kristi could have taken your rant off but she didn’t .
thanks for asking us not to be political. our story is 2 weeks before this happened my brother discovered he has cancer & had surgery in another state. our 91 yr old amputee mom was put on lockdown at her nursing home. then our 35 yr old son lost his job & moved in w/us because he’s a Type 1 diabetic living in one of the hardest hit counties & we are farther away. our grandkids didn’t come for their usual spring break because our granddaughter is asthmatic. mom contracted the virus was hospitalized & died. the last time I spoke to her was Easter the day before she went to the hospital. no contact, no phone calls. nightmarish. my brother got stuck in another state receiving weekly transfusions & couldn’t return to the same hard hit county our son lives in. he has another surgery soon. Mom’s remains arrived the day before Mother’s day. our son didn’t get his 1st unemployment check until last Fri, 9 weeks later and still stays w/us on weekdays. my husband is a small business owner in construction & we still can’t even have a service for mom. Life is hard but it will get better.
I’m so sorry to hear that, Pamela. It’s just all so hard to understand and deal with. I do hope things get better for you very soon.
Loved reading your viewpoint! My husband is considered essential and has been working daily (thankful but worried in our current climate). I’m working from home and have found I have terrible work life balance without a commute. Who knew? I have a skin condition that the masks greatly exasperates so I don’t wear one. I do get very judgemental looks from other people. It’s made me think twice about times in my life when I know I’ve been judgemental without knowing all the facts. Sunday my husband took me to the beach for an early birthday and it was lovely. The sun was out, kids were playing with each other, people were enjoy the beach, and there was kindness everywhere. I look forward to a time when words like “social distancing” and “the new normal” are just part of history and not every day life. I’m so glad you and you’re husband are doing well. 🙂
Here is a virtual hug for you!
Now get back on the band wagon and finish those home projects!!!!
We’ve been lucky. My husband is an essential worker, so no lost wages. My daughter and her 3 children live with us. She and I are mail carriers, essential workers. No lost wages. The grands weren’t able to play with the neighbors until just recently. They didn’t suffer, though. We used to live in the country where there were no playmates or neighbors. Less traffic on the roads was nice. I could hear the birds and night noises. All of a sudden whole families were out jogging, riding bikes or walking together. People strung up colored outdoor lights, made signs of support, local restaurants donated food to medical staff. Even with the masks on (which I rarely wore), people smiled with their eyes and nods of the head. People were courteous, trying to maintain social distance. Families that did stay home now had an opportunity to spend time with each other. Did you notice the bakery section in the stores all of a sudden were non-existent? Someone started baking… My grandmother died 2 weeks after giving birth to my father during the Spanish Flu in 1918. He was raised for 2 years by an aunt because his father blamed him for his beloved’s death. As children, we were raised by a an angry man who was raised by a father who didn’t want him. In elementary school we practiced hiding under our desks in case Cuba dropped a bomb on us. People lined up for polio vaccinations. I was home sick when President Kennedy was shot. I grew up watching the Vietnam War on TV. Bodies and bodies of wounded and dead soldiers. Deaths of Dr. Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy. The unbelievable tragedy of 911. And more. Most of us survived. Some did not. Death is a tragedy. I lost my beloved daughter, Cathryn, age 31, one month to the day after my 60th birthday. Two and a half years later I’m still blindsided by the loss. Life goes on. I spend my days now smiling and waving and trying to make someone else’s day a little brighter for my having been in it. It’s a lifesaver. For me at least…
Carolyn, you’re one of those delightful “glass is half full” kind of people. Bless you for reminding us of some important truths! Life indeed goes on. We are just pilgrims passing through…
Thank you, Sandra. Hugs.
Hi Kristi, I’m lucky enough to live in South Australia, one of the safest places in the world right now. A total of 440 cases and only one active. I haven’t seen many people wearing masks around, just the odd one in the supermarket. I’m truely sorry that the comments here have gotten political, I just don’t understand Americans sometimes. Anyway it’s been nice to read your blog posts again. Hugs from this Aussie!
YAY! That’s what I yelled out to my husband when I saw your post. I can’t express how happy I am to see you back Kristi. For me, it’s like a step towards getting back to normalcy. I’ve been following you since the condo days and if you ever got a chance to see my home… you would see shades of “Addicted2decorating” all over the place. You have been a bright spot in my day for many years and I have missed that during this trying time, just hoping you would come back. I had a new neighbor move in and when she saw my wood covered bathroom ceiling she asked if she could take a picture to show her husband 🙂 I gave you all the credit. I am a very active, very vocal, politically involved person and I won’t express my views with people here, in this place, in this space. I don’t have a problem with your post at all (it is your blog after all) but I’m just so pleased to see you come back. Bring on the new projects….please and thank you! I think I can speak for most of us, this is exactly what we need.
I was so sure in the two months you have been gone, that you would have had your new rooms about done. What a shame all this stuff hit the fan and didn’t allow you to move forward. You were making such great progress. Today is the first day I have been to the grocery store since February!!! That is three whole months. The only reason I went out today was because I had a severe fall and have been laid up for a while, but I just had to get to a chiropractor for help, so I thought why not. Had my mask, some did have them on and some didn’t. All employees did. I miss eating out the most. We didn’t do it often, but when I couldn’t, I wanted to! LOL Anyway, I made about 700 some masks to keep me busy, fortunately, my fabric stash was actually not a hoarding problem, but being fully prepared, at least that is what I kept telling myself. 🙂 I feel like if i have to make one more meal………..EEEEKKKKK………….
Clearly, you have not lost a family member or close friend to this terrible illness. Sorry, you have lost me as a reader. Sad.
I have no idea what you’re even responding to. So I’m not allowed to be sad at the state of the world unless I’ve lost someone to COVID-19? I was unaware of this rule.
Well said! Enjoy your blog.
I have been in isolation (doctor imposed) since the first week of March. 3 long, lonesome (I live alone now) and depressing months but necessary as I am 70 yo, have serious lung disease, liver disease and diabetes. My doctor straight told me I would not survive if I contracted the virus. I so appreciate those who think of others, especially the vulnerable, and wear masks. I am only out for have-to reasons, and those can be counted on one hand for the entire 3 months; but it is unbelievable to me that people will walk up to my door with no mask. I have tried to judge no one, but will admit that I have some judgements for those who come to my door! One of the few bright spots has been the ability to access cyber world. I constantly checked for an email that there was a new blog post. I really worried something might be wrong. Those of us here (myself included) who have followed since the condo days grow to think of you as an actual friend. The blog costs us nothing so nothing is owed to the readers, but a short note to check in out of respect for the followers would have meant so much. Two blog posts from March 30 til June 1……that is a long time, so evidently the concern is one-sided. Glad your family is doing as well as could be expected in these hard times.
I don’t know WHY so many people are against others wearing masks. I am 74 and live in a condo in a retirement community. Everywhere I go, people are wearing masks thank God. Why would anyone get bent out of shape if others wear masks outside? I wear one outside a lot of the year because of allergies. I am really tired of hearing a lot of bullying of others who wear masks on the internet. WHY is it anyone’s business or WHY does it cause some to be so upset?
Honestly, if people want to wear masks all day long, every single day, that’s their business. But I do wish more people were aware of the fact that (1) if you’re outside exercising alone or with someone from your household, a mask is simply not needed, and (2) if you’re outside exercising or doing anything that increases your respiration and heart rate, a mask can actually be dangerous. It can hinder your breathing (something that is very important if you’re walking quickly, jogging, or running), decrease your blood oxygen level, etc. So many people report getting lightheaded, dizzy and having headaches after wearing the masks. There’s a reason for that. Those are your body’s signals that something isn’t right. So while people can make their own decision, I feel like people aren’t being adequately warned against the dangers of long term mask wearing, or the signs they should look for to take it off and allow their bodies to get an unhindered, free flow of oxygen. I just can’t imagine what’s going to happen here in Texas if people are still wearing masks outside while exercising in the 105-degree weather. It won’t be good!
just like getting flu vaccine is a choice, should not wearing a mask be a choice ,not a mandate? MOre people have died from influenza/H1N1 last year that covid this year. It is not hot news any more so it is not known.
I am surprised and disappointed to see that you are using your energy and platform to whine about mask wearing and policies put in place to try to keep people safe and healthy; the terrible injustice some people have had to endure the past few weeks since these mask policies were in place. Meanwhile, black Americans have been enduring targeted injustices, including loss of life, for many more years than I’ve been alive. There are nationwide protests occurring at this very moment, but nary a mention of that? I think we Americans have more important fish to fry.
My goal in this post was to get back to blogging after a month away by first answering the questions I’ve been getting a lot…”Where are you? Why aren’t you blogging? Is everything okay?”
This is the post that I’ve been trying to write for a week-and-a-half now. The topic of the post is the answer to those questions I’ve been asked repeatedly.
I’m as furious as anyone else about the murder of George Floyd. I have literally not met or talked to one single person who condones the actions of that psychotic cop (or the ones who stood by and let it happen). Everyone I know believes he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and frankly, most of us believe that regardless of the sentence he’s sure to get, he’s a dead man walking. I won’t cry over that.
With that said, Mr. Floyd’s senseless murder is not the reason I’ve been gone for a month. I have other outlets to share my outrage over what happened, but this blog isn’t it. And after this post in which I tried to share my thoughts about why I’ve been gone a month, I plan to go back to not talking about any political or current event on this blog, and providing a respite from those topics. That doesn’t mean I don’t care. It’s never meant that in the past, it doesn’t mean that now, and it won’t mean that in the future.
I didn’t assume that you don’t care. After reading your blog for years, I can tell that you have a big heart. I do however think it’s high time we all (myself included) have some serious discussions about racial injustices and inequities. I hope you don’t let dissenting opinions quiet you. I think they are important discussions to have, especially if they are difficult. I was not only surprised by your lack of mention of it in your post, but also in the comments. I think that speaks to the demographics of your readers-aka white middle class, two groups into which I fit. My intent was not to attack, but to put it out there as food for thought, not just to you, but your readership in general.
Kristi,
I understand what you are saying above. Whatever you think about wearing or not wearing masks, it is emotionally hard on me to see people’s faces covered up when you go out and trying to understand masked persons when they talk is sometimes a struggle. Although I understand why, It is hard to see this is now the norm in our daily life. I am a people person, and a visual person, so I find it hard not to see smiles and facial features. I live in the St Louis County area of Missouri and we wear masks when we go out, it is the norm here. I love when I get to go to the Lake of the Ozark’s area to my DIY’d vacation home (and I do not party at bars and pools). This area is is much more open, and masks are not worn by everyone. I go into home décor shops and browse around while I am there, very few masks are used, and it is so uplifting and soothing to me. My anxiety goes way down as this was the norm we all enjoyed just a short few months ago. I realize now how much I really appreciate the freedom that we once had and will never take this for granted again. I will continue to pray for COVID victims, the speedy discovery of a vaccine, and that people in our country will stop destroying our cities with theft and fire, as this only spreads hate, division, and is an economic waste.
I enjoy your Blog and totally understand what you were writing about above.
Happy DIY!
Welcome, back, Kristi!
1. I mostly agree with all you’ve said. I actually feel a little guilty about this tremendous life change, because all they have asked of me was to stay home and collect unemployment (which is more than my usual pay with the $600 add on), and to wear a mask and avoid sharing air with other people. Kind of a small price to pay to stay healthy. I know many in the health care industry and people who families are in nursing home have all been affected to a much greater extent.
2. Jury duty – that’s when I realized 12 people could see, hear and read the same things I did and have totally different opinions. And that many would judge negatively people with different opinions. And that hardly any would change those opinions, once decided upon.
3. So I try to keep my judgments to myself, or at least keep them off the internet! But thank you for asking! I’ve been having all those feelings you expressed, but also hopeful that things are getting back to normal. I started back at work on 5/18, but from home, which I would never have thought possible. ZOOM meetings! Who knew? I have learned lots of new things.
So, hope we all stay well, and ready to move onto the next challenges of the 21st century!
I’d like to say something more. For the mask argument: if everyone were forced to wear a beautiful diamond ring, some would find it depressing and hard to deal with. Some of us can obey rules a little easier than others. It has nothing to do with their love of other people or desire to keep people safe. I find it depressing to take an anti depressant medicine. I hate his staying in and going nowhere, and most of the time I am a homebody who goes out only occasionally. It is mostly we don’t know when this danger will go away. And black people in the US are probably pissed off that racism is constantly here and often crops up with a murder of someone or another. Even when someone is not related to the victim, I am sure they mourn and are fearful once again. It is the danger and tension that gets us all.
Kristi, so glad to see you back!!!
Wow clearly this post has generated a lot of emotions from many readers. I feel bad that the news media has done so much to create an environment of fear with stories chosen to manipulate emotions rather than give accurate facts. By focusing on the death count (which includes cases of influenza and pneumonia along with Covid19 deaths) they have made many terrified of this virus. I wish that they were unbiased and would have also included how many cases were very mild, sometimes to the point of the victim not even being aware that they had it instead of focusing on a daily death count. It would have encouraging to hear the number of recoveries each day that by far outnumbered the deaths. I’m not dismissing the pain and suffering that has occurred but I really wish that as Americans we would hold these so called news agencies accountable. They politicize everything and manipulate facts and our emotions. There is no such thing as unbiased journalism these days.
On behalf of Krisit, thank you Lynn. Media has changed our country.
Wow clearly this post has generated a lot of emotions from many readers. I feel bad that the news media has done so much to create an environment of fear with stories chosen to manipulate emotions rather than give accurate facts and in doing so has divided us as a nation. By focusing on the death count (which includes cases of influenza and pneumonia along with Covid19 deaths) they have made many terrified of this virus. I wish that they were unbiased and would have also included how many cases were very mild, sometimes to the point of the victim not even being aware that they had it instead of focusing on a daily death count. It would have encouraging to hear the number of recoveries each day that by far outnumbered the deaths. I’m not dismissing the pain and suffering that has occurred but I really wish that as Americans we would hold these so called news agencies accountable. They politicize everything and manipulate facts and our emotions. There is no such thing as unbiased journalism these days.
I resent your comment to not make this political. But when I read your article, I found it quite political leaning. You asked for comments but then kept defending your point of view. I know when I’m feeling out of control, I try to control something. And that’s what your comments feel like to me, like you’re trying to control the dialogue. Why would you ever think you could post this article about such a hot button topic and clearly a political issue and expect people to not have huge differing opinions? I agree with one of the first comments. I will not be following your blog any longer. Maybe you should have kept it to the home renos and stayed out of politics. I hope you and your family stays well.
I think you and I have very different definitions of “political.”
Political is, “Cuomo is awesome! Trump sucks!” or “Cuomo is liable for all of those nursing home deaths in New York!” or “The blood of 100,000 Americans in on Trump’s hands because he didn’t take this seriously!”
That’s is political. My post had none of that. A handful of people (including you) read into what I said, because Americans seem incapable of not applying politics to everything. But no, my post is not political. Just…nope.
There’s nothing political about being sad about children missing out on going to school normally, or people in nursing homes not having family with them, or high school students missing out on graduation, etc. None of that is political. And as I’ve said, governors and mayors the whole country over, both red and blue, have made some ridiculous rules that have no effect on the virus. It’s ridiculous.
And there’s nothing political about me expressing my PERSONAL OPINION about how I feel masks (regardless of their effectiveness on the virus) have changed the way in which we interact as humans, and my experience has been that that change is not in a good way. That’s not political.
So no, not a political post. Just…no.
The problem isn’t me. It’s you. You DESPERATELY want to turn this topic political, and you’re frustrated that you can’t. Because you can’t imagine that people can just be sad about the state of the world, and express their frustration and sadness at seeing so many difficult changes, without turning it political. And that frustrates you. That’s the problem. Take your political discussion to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. If you want to share your personal (non-political) frustrations, sadness, personal experiences, etc., you can do that here.
<3, <3. <3.
I have read your blog for years and look forward to all your posts. Even though your style is not mine, I usually come away with some idea for my home. I have missed your posts and am glad you are back.
I noticed a lot of comments about not wearing masks and why we should. I would like to say I cannot wear a mask. I would just like to suggest that some people may not be able to wear a mask but they still need groceries. Before someone suggests delivery, there is no delivery in my area. Not wearing a mask for me does not mean I do not care about others.
Glad you’re back, Kristi! You haven’t worked much on DIY projects for a while, and I “get” that. On a different note, how has this time off affected your COP-ing?
I haven’t done any at all. 🙁
Welcome back, Kristi! It was delightful to see a new post from you. I don’t necessarily agree with your opinions, but clearly you have given your words a lot of thought and as always, I appreciate how well you articulate your ideas.
Tomorrow marks 12 weeks of staying home for me and my small family. Going outside is limited to the fenced back yard. Curbside pickup of groceries or home delivery. I hate making dinner (even before covid-19), so I can’t wait to eat out again when this is all over.
I’ve ordered cloth masks for us, but since we are not going anywhere, we haven’t worn them – until today. We welcomed a dear friend to our back yard to visit. We all wore masks and maintained social distance. But in all honesty, it was miserable. Being outside in the middle of the day in June in Texas is miserable without a mask. Just too hot to breathe. I’m not sorry we wore them; he is seriously immuno-compromised and it was worth the discomfort to be able to see and talk with him. But wearing that mask for less than an hour sure put a different spin to me on what you wrote than it would have yesterday.
We as a country won’t ever go back to everything being like it was before covid-19. Just like 9/11 changed us, this will also change us. I doubt that masks will be part of the new normal, but they may very well be. Regardless, I know we will all do what we can to keep each other safe.
Best wishes to you and Matt. I’m looking forward to your future posts.
Oh, Kristi I’m so glad to hear from you today! I have been wondering what you were up to! I live in an over 55+ community and EVERYTHING here has been cancelled EXCEPT GOLF! Last week they started opening up the tennis courts and our outdoor pools. We are a community of about 15,000 people and to date we have had 2 cases of COVID amongst our residents. We are very lucky. My husband still works full time but has been able to work from home since March. It has been very nice. What have I been doing? Well we completely renovated our kitchen last month. Countertops got installed last week…we ALL wore masks and washed hands frequently. SC has started to open up…the beaches are open….I’m just not ready to get a haircut yet. Sewed a bunch of masks as my hubby has to go back to the office next week and will be required to wear a mask while at work. We moved here Last year …..I joined Clubs….took some art classes and made lots of new friends. I miss all those things, but we have sat at the end of the driveway to talk to our neighbors. We will get through all this and frankly, I can’t wait to give everyone a big HUG.
Hope you and Matt stay healthy and you find your groove and start creating again soon!
Kristi, I am so glad you and your family are well. I have missed your writing, your vibrant creativity and tremendous talent. In these trying times, I haven’t always felt like pursuing my own regular creative outlets either. I hope that writing this post (and being reminded of how loved you are by your readers) is cathartic and rejuvenating for you. Even if you were to decide you weren’t quite ready to come back after testing out the water, there are so many people who care about you and who are grateful for the joy you’ve brought to our lives by all that you’ve shared over the years. May you stay well and may you be inspired. <3
I am so glad you are back here on your blog. I’m sorry people are being rude to you on your own page for stating your opinion, which you have every right to do. I feel very much the same as you. This is all so sad that we must change our lives for a stupid virus. It is weird to go in a store and half the people are wearing masks. It does change human interaction. I hate going in a store and trying to avoid every other person in the store. I sometimes wear a mask and sometimes I don’t, depending on the situation. I have a very hard time breathing with a mask on, so I only wear one if it is required. I hate the term “new normal”. I also hate the phrase, “We are all in this together”, especially from famous people or politicians. I have had to work from home, but I haven’t lost my job. I feel so terrible for companies that are forced to close and people losing their livelihood. It is also so sad that elderly people are quarantined and can’t see their loved ones. I’m so glad you were able to get your grandmother out before her lockdown. I’m so sad that I couldn’t hug my parents or my grandchildren or children. I couldn’t see my siblings. In America, we are supposed to have certain freedoms that are being stripped from us for unclear reasons at times. I think we should all just look at the facts and information that we have (which changes daily) and make the best decisions for ourselves and those around us. Different parts of the country have been affected in different ways. Georgia and New York -completely different. If I lived in NYC, I might behave differently than I am here in Georgia. Hang in there! I always love to see what you are doing with your projects.
Hi Kristi. So happy you are working your way back. I have missed seeing your projects and beautiful results. For a while, I was so worried that you were quiet because you or family were suffering with this virus. So happy that you have all been safe. We have been safe so far as well, and I’m hoping the worst of this is over…but it will take a long time to get back all that has been lost. It has been a sad time, and I just hope and pray that soon everyone will see improvements in their lives. Meanwhile, do what you do so well. This whole comment section has been sad to me. I would not even think to get involved in this “debate.” Wishing everyone well, as we all do our best to get back to our lives.
Welcome back old friend!
Thank you for your blog being an oasis –
thank you for sharing how you feel – mostly i agree with you.
sorry for those not minding their manners and having respectful debate.
in third world countries it’s 10x worse and people are literally dying of starvation … not being able to feed their families and no government handouts at all. it’s time for this madness to stop.
as we watch from afar all the race related tensions – we hope and pray that things are resolved soon. this has certainly been an awful year so far.
we are doing well – been a good time to be starting a new business as there are so many needing work and projects – it’s been wonderful to have work to give people.
anyway – welcome back.
please get blogging again 😉
Sadly George, you are wrong as well. Masks do not protect the wearer, unless they are properly fitted N95 masks.
They do protect others from your fluids IF you are a carrier. But wearing a mask and improperly touching it and re-wearing it, puts you at more risk. So use them very carefully.
Surgeons and nurses wear masks to protect the patient, not themselves, for example while in surgery. They don more protective equipment when worried about the patient being infectious.
Kristi, it seems like this isn’t really about governors being dictators, masks or humanity.
You have a home and a family. When things get bad it’s a great to learn some lessons. I see people coming together over this and trying to work through it. Sure there are bad parts but there are good parts to. I try to remember that for some people, their live are like this everyday, virus or no virus.
I’m so glad to hear you are doing well, as well as your family. I’m sorry to hear of your friend’s extended illness. This really is a time like none other for us, except for your amazing grandma who lived through the 1920 pandemic as well! I have had a loved one pass away, not from covid, and it was difficult. I have experienced a minor earthquake and trying to online school my kids (God bless those teachers for all they’ve done). Mr. Rogers says to look for the helpers! There is so much good going on right now. I found a simple way to serve those affected and there are probably ways to help those in your area too. The Cub Scout motto is “Do your best.” Silly as it may seem, I think of it often (I was once a volunteer for the scouts). Right now I’m doing my best and it may not be nearly what it was before the stresses of the world came upon us, but I find comfort in serving and helping and giving myself a break for not overachieving at this time. Good luck to you and your family through all of this turmoil! You have been missed.
This post disappoints me. I’ve been a fan for years, but this post comes across as tone death.
autocorrected!!! Meant “tone deaf”
So happy to hear you and your husband have not been ill and your grandma is not in the home. Your aunt being there the day before is God in action. Haha and we think we are in control.
Enjoyed your Moms remodel. Looking forward to you feeling better mindfully to the point you can get back in the saddle.
Other then that I an refraining from saying more. Mostly that is how things get out of hand.
Refocus. Stay focus and bring a bit of sunshine into your space
Have missed your posts. My philosophy about “our times” is to ONLY talk to people who are like minded. The world is NOT how it was when i was growing up and people discussed issues. There is NO discussion now. It is you agree with me or you don’t and if you don’t you are wrong and therefore evil. I have NO idea how/when this happened and it makes me sad. But i will NOT put up with that drama. Also people WILL ALWAYS read the written word different then you intended when writing it. It is a NO WIN situation that can either frustrate you or cause you to turn off. Neither a decent choice but for peace of mind turn off.
I live in a 55+ community in Florida and we have people from 55 to 100. It was built on the 80’s. Wearing a mask outside is more important then inside.
4 people already died here. I don’t go outside and this makes me very drepressed but was the way I found to not get nor spread. My husband goes for food and meds. So he could get and pass to me. One could be assyntomatic and
not wearing a mask youbput others in danger.
The daughter of my bff got a job in Paris and she didn’t wear a mask when jogging. She got the virus.
We all have diferent realities. The mask helps you and you helps others.
This is our reality now. Not only for americans but for the whole world. All the governments involved in the spread of the virus because they were negligent and selfish people all over the world are sufering the consequences. The time to get angry is long gone. We all are victims of a few that thought money were more important then human beings.
As a foreigner (I am italian) and living in US for a while I can understand your anger. Americans used to have everything the easiest way possible and they took that for granted.
Just had to ask if your friends daughter lives in an apartment in Paris? You mentioned she got the virus while jogging, but she probably doesn’t know that. Many people in NYC have gotten the virus staying home in their apartment building ( from the duct work maybe ?)
I wonder also what your response is to Sweden who has not shut down completely ? If you are at risk then stay home, if not their life has gone on. And I don’t think their suicide, drug use and depression statistics equal ours.
You should make some masks with your fabric and sell them on Etsy. People would love them.
So good to hear from you again! It is trying times for sure. Glad to hear you are all ok. Thanks for updating.
I wonder when it got to be ok to try to decimate anyone who doesn’t agree with one’s opinion? Is it really impossible to consider another’s viewpoint and try to see where they are coming from with their conclusions and decisions? Much like you offered in your continued explanations of what you meaning and intent were with what you posted.
You kindly offered reasons and defenses for your thoughts and allowed for others to see things differently. Too bad those who chose to disagree did not act with the same consideration. Some people, I’ve found in life, are just the sort that WANT to find things to disagree and endlessly harangue others about, no matter the subject. Those kinds of people will still argue with you even if you agree with them! No matter, honey, you just keep on keeping on with all your talent and teaching abilities and we will all benefit from them.
Common sense has been a victim of this covid mess along with many other things that were important in our lives.
I’m an old lady (77) and consider that wearing a mask is a sign of respect and caring for others; and of course, not needed in many instances. My opinion(s), lol.
Glad you are back and hope to see more creative ideas and how-to’s.
Well said, Linda Manuel!! We each have our own opinions about just about everything, and we have our right to those opinions. That being said, I come to this blog to see all the amazing things Kristi does. What she does gives me inspiration for my home, and my life. If she wants to express an opinion once or twice a year, it’s her blog and her privilege. We all realize that things aren’t the way we want them to be just now, so Kristi, please keep doing what you excel at doing because we need the sweet and pretty stuff more than ever. Thank you so much for sharing it all!! Blessings to you and yours.
We are all trying to reconcile the tension of information. The news, the CDC, the internet, social media, anecdotes from friends—none of it seems to correlate or fit into a logical framework. One or two sources will say one thing, and then another source will say something else, and then the original source will adjust their recommendations…I work in retail in a small town, and this tension is causing a change in how the customers behave and interact in the store. People are snappier, less patient, finding offense. For those of us who are noticing it (as you are, and many of your readers) I believe we need to encourage each other to find our empathy. Not easy, not simple, and so, so hard to remember in those moments when someone is lashing out. We will get through this, but I don’t think we can hold on to what normal used to be. We have to work on making the new normal into something better that fits into the circumstances we’ve been given.
Hang on, everyone. Just breathe, and anchor in the things that matter.
Certainly you are welcome to your opinions. I will hear your opinions and I will continue to read your blog, I can separate your opinions from your work. I appreciate your work and story. I appreciate your returning to the blog and wish you health, safety and peace.
While you are denying your post is political it identifies multiple political views, which makes if political. You are welcome to and have the right to express your beliefs. However, then saying we are not to turn this political is disrespectful to your readers. We should just accept your view and not have a voice? Some of your perspectives are disturbing to me and clearly have a political view that I believe is dangerous.
You have many complaints about how the pandemic is being handled. How is it that you would handle it? Particularly, while considering the people in your life that are high-risk?
Other than disagreeing with the arbitrary and ridiculous rules being put into place (which I’m not going to state again, because I’ve given many examples from both red and blue states, so I’m not sure how that’s political), the only thing I’ve done is state how the effects of this virus and the response to it make me very sad. None of that is political. This isn’t a matter of me saying that I could have handled it better. It’s a matter of me stating that things have drastically changed, and so much of it is making me very sad. Regardless of whether or not you agree with the masks, the lockdowns, the everything else that has been instituted, are you really telling me that you’re perfectly okay with all of the things I listed? Minus the arbitrary and ridiculous rules that I’ve already gone over a thousand times, let me list the rest of them:
1. Tens of millions of Americans unemployed.
2. Small locally-owned business going out of business for good.
3. Kids missing out on major milestones of life.
4. College grads not being able to walk the stage.
5. Young kids having no socialization with kids their age.
6. Healthy people believing they need to wear a mask while walking, jogging, running, walking their dog outside.
7. A virus being politicized.
8. Senior citizens being quarantined for weeks on end with no contact with other humans.
9. People who have lost loved ones and have not been able to gather with friends and family to mourn their loss and bury their loved ones.
10. People who have had to go into the hospital alone without family by their side.
I’m not arguing whether or not any of these things are necessary. But these are just a few of the ways in which our country has changed in a very short span of a few weeks. Necessary or not (and again, that not even the point), these things make me SAD. They could all be the most necessary things ever, and yet they make me SAD. Are you telling me that you don’t find sadness in these changes that I’ve listed? You don’t have to agree with me on ALL of them. Maybe you think it’s just fine that kids have been pulled out of school and have no socialization with kids their own age. Fine. We can agree to disagree. But certainly there’s some common ground in this list SOMEWHERE, right? And again, I fail to see how being sad about so many drastic changes that have affected 330 million lives in this country is “political.”
Honestly, this should have been your post. I think it would have helped the dialogue go a little smoother. Now, many of the comments come across as an “us vs. them” thing when the truth is: we’re all frustrated.
I wear a mask because I have a lot of family members with preexisting conditions. I also have a cousin going through chemo for breast cancer. I saw my mom for the first time since February on Saturday. She cried when we met her at the park because she got to see my son (her only grandchild) in person versus over Facetime and Skype. We had a nice, socially distanced picnic and went on our way.
I hate that this is all happening, but we can get through this. We just have to sort out the kinks first.
🙂
SAD–of course! I don’t think anyone would disagree that these are sad things. Speaking for myself–I just graduated with my masters after 2 1/2 years of super hard work. I didn’t get to walk across the stage. My husband owns his own business that we have put our blood sweat and tears into and we don’t know if he’ll be able to bounce back. My best friend just had a newborn, and one week later her husband had a grand mal seizure. Two more seizures left him in the hospital with a tumor diagnosis and emergency brain surgery scheduled. She couldn’t be there with him. All of this is way beyond just SAD. I think you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who would say this isn’t all terribly depressing. But your post came across as demeaning to those who support masks and support taking precautions. You have always kept your blog a space that is current-event free. It’s your blog, you can certainly post to it how you please, but your post felt judgemental to those of us who are just as impacted by these events but still persevere through them while wearing masks. You said, “Masks are destroying our humanity.” That’s an exaggeration in my option. In your opinion, it’s not an exaggeration. But at the end of the day, a store has the complete freedom to say “no socks, no shoes, no service.” so what’s the difference of “no socks, no shoes, no masks, no service.” If you don’t like it, shop somewhere else. But it’s the business’s right to have those rules. “We humans need each other. We need the hugs, hand shakes, and close interactions.” No one is saying we can’t. We just can’t right now. It’s not fun. It’s awful. But I’ll gladly do what I can to protect the elderly, those with pre-existing conditions, etc. if it means we all can make it through. If you want to talk about it being sad, fine. It is, but please, please, please….now is not the time to hug people. We don’t have a vaccine. We don’t have medicine to help. We can’t throw caution to the wind just because we need to smile at someone in the grocery store. And for all of those links you showed where people were “attacked” for not wearing a mask, there are the same for those who are wearing masks.
As a nurse and volunteer EMT in New York I have stopped looking at all social media outlets. I have been excited to get email newsletters from you and others that I follow. I have enough to keep track of with myself and family to deal with all of the negativity out there. Minute by minute and day by day is how this will get better, or at least easier.
I am old enough to have laugh lines. They haven’t ever bothered me but now I am actually grateful for them my patients, friends, and even strangers that I encounter can see that I am smiling because I have wrinkles. I find that those are the details I am focusing on. I hope everyone continues to stay safe and healthy.
I belong to a large community of artists in a small town. Precovid we got together several days a week in groups of 2-20, each working on projects from water colour to quilting and enjoying the company of like minded people, almost all of us over sixty and retired. Luckily most are on pensions that still go on so financially we are fine but our creative outlet has largely disappeared. We could, of course, work on our projects just as easily at home as we can at our art centre but most us have lost that creative spark. I have started several projects but all of them sit unfinished. Motivation seems to have left me. Most of the other members seem to be in the same mindset. “ what the heck, there is always tomorrow, I’ll feel more like it tomorrow.” I am sad that our happy place is closed, with no idea when it will be safe to open again. I worry that the creative spark will not return. We all so need that “light at the end of the tunnel”, the hope for the future. All we can do is support each other virtually as best we can and put one foot in front of the other with hope that one day our equilibrium will return. Hang in there all you creative people.
I do understand what you are expressing, Kristi. I, and most, have the same emotional upheaval going on in our lives. My family does wear masks, primarily because we would never wish to cause harm to others. If we could all just be kind in how we speak to and treat one another, we would all live in a safer and more secure feeling world. Because I do believe in God, MY FEELING is that, if we all abide more by what the Bible preaches, rather than follow what people ( who will ALWAYS have conflicting opinions) say, we would be a far happier lot. Even if one does not believe in God, following the Bible would cause us to live far more harmoniously–that just seems win-win to me. It is also sad that our country is so divided because of political affiliations. It is more important that we live with good morals, understanding and kindness. It is also true that most would rather judge than listen; how can we possibly feel the pain dwelling in others and help them if we just keep judging? I wish you a lovely and safe week.
I think you are one of the most creative and talented bloggers I have ever come across. I have checked your blog everyday for years! Stay safe. Love your Blog!
Hi Kristi,
first let me say you I’m really happy to hear that you and your family are ok. I’m from Spain, and here we have had taught time… and I usually don’t comment but I’ve been looking for updates to know that you are fine. It’s really strange that we don’t known each other but I really care about you and your loved ones.
I think that you are a brave, kind, funny and resourceful person and enjoy your post about decorations, live, diy… because you surprise me with your overcoming spirit 🙂 ( aka Wonderwoman)
Anyway, I only want to say that you are right to express yourself and to express your sadness in YOUR BLOG. The sad true is that just now when we need to be more ( tolerant, patient, kind and understanding ) there is people who respond with the opposite, letting the hate marks their discourse. That’s what it’s happening here in my country, and looking through the comments I see that some people there are taking this direction too.
Please, don’t let them took your magic, you are a honest and good person and it’s nothing wrong if your politics, opinions or thought aren’t the same all theirs, guess what… mine personal position about a lot of things about USA is not like yours but I still enjoy visiting your blog and learning with you.
So I send you and your family all my love.
Laura
Yes! It amazes and saddens me to read people say they will no longer support a blog they have read for years because of an opinion. An opinion expressed BY YOU on YOUR OWN BLOG. I am still shaking my head. It frustrates me that discussion and conversation have turned into vitriol and spite. I read lots of design blogs and I politically disagree with many of them, but I view that as immaterial. I love the content and can be inspired no matter what the social or political persuasion of the writer. I read people who are openly atheist, Mormon, Christian, agnostic, etc., Hillary devotees and Trump diehards. It is my choice to read them or not, and sometimes I don’t read all the way through a non-design post, but that’s my choice and I would NEVER want them to feel they couldn’t voice their thoughts.
I’m amazed and saddened by this too. Hopefully some people will read yours and Laura’s comments and realize that it’s a shame to “cancel” someone they’ve supported and followed for years just because of a difference in personal opinion on an issue unrelated to the general theme of the blog. And if not, well then, no great loss in MY opinion 🙂
Kristi, keep on doing your thing, girl! I know that you will 🙂 As the others have said, this is YOUR BLOG and you have a right to post whatever you choose, just as people have a right to read it or not. And for the few small-minded people who just can’t tolerate a viewpoint different than their own, just know there are many times as many people out there who will continue to support you, Kristi!
Take care in these trying times <3
Well, if I had to do, feel, and think like all the people I love I wouldn’t love or even like anyone. These are hard times for everybody. And, not a time to shut people out ( just viruses). I hope you feel better soon, Kristi, and try not to lose faith in people. These times are windows into our strengths and weaknesses, not the cause. I’ve found in times of stress we’re a lot more transparent. If we can love anyway, we’re better off for it. Looking forward to your next project.
Well said, Sabrina, well said.
I’m glad to see another blog post from you Kristie. I’ve missed reading your wonderful, encouraging blog. As for the current state of affairs. I too, am saddened by current events. While the virus has not effected me personally, my heart breaks for those who have lost friends and loved ones. And those who have fought or are still fighting the illness. I feel our society is not handling this crisis with grace and kindness. And now with the civil unrest. I’m very concerned about how we treat our fellow citizens. I’m horrified to think my black friends often fear for their lives when out living their lives. We should be better than this. We, and especially the next generation, deserve better than this.
Missed you Kristi! Even though you don’t know me I consider you a “friend”. I’ve always admired your talent and passion. I painted my master bathroom (which I’ve never liked) during all of this but couldn’t find a color I liked that went with my counters and cabinets. So I decided to paint my cabinets using your tutorials about the Critter sprayer. It worked awesome and they came out amazing! Thanks! I used Lowe’s cabinet paint and the satin was more of an eggshell which is what I was looking for. I got no less than 10 paint samples, along with a couple of gallons that didn’t work and so I wore my mask–because I was hoping the paint guy wouldn’t recognize me! He still did however…. 🙂
I’m very glad to see you back, Kristi. I’ve missed your posts. I do understand what you are saying. This whole year has been one heck of a challenge and we are all coping the best we can. It hurts my heart to see you being attacked by people. I’d like to think they are coming from a place of fear, but it’s really no excuse. You are truly entitled to your opinion, especially here, in your own space.
I lost my job back in March because of Covid-19. Week one I was a machine, working around the house, getting on with jobs I hadn’t had time for. Weeks two to five turned into a depression episode that I didn’t even recognise for those whole three weeks. Days of not getting out of my pyjamas, wild hair, hoping no one came to the door. It was not fun. It’s natural to feel scared, alone, even angry and so often, helpless.
My motto currently is: I want to be even kinder than I normally am. With all the conflicting information around Covid-19 we’re all suffering in one way or another. We should be straightening each others crowns, not knocking them off.
Kristi, I hope this episode doesn’t discourage you posting. I love seeing your designs and you inspire me in so many ways. Keep being you. You are wonderful, just the way you are.
Love your heart, Kristi! Thanks for blogging.
Goodness! I cannot believe how hateful some of these comment are. Kristi, this is a free country and you are entitled to voice opinions. You haven’t lost much when hateful commenters decide to stop following you. Disagreement is okay. Hate is not. I have missed your posts and look forward to the future.
The cabinets in your mom’s kitchen look great!
Welcome Back! I’ve really missed you and am glad to hear that you and your husband are well. We have managed to stay well but our daughter in Chicago had Covid 19. She has recovered now but it was a long spring for all of us. I have also spent a lot of my time sewing masks. About 175 of them were sent to my nurse sister who works in a hospital that had very little PPE for the first 6 weeks. The rest have been added to other home sewers masks to be distributed in our small community. At least we tried to help a little bit. Other than that, I haven’t left home except to get groceries every couple of weeks. I worked from home, walked daily, read, crafted small things and prayed that this would go away and stop affecting others.
Love your blog and missed your posts. I hope that the mean comments haven’t discouraged you. But as determined/talented as you are, I doubt that. I’ve never been affected one way or the other by a blog post or social media until just recently. I’m sorry to say that I have had to steer away from some social media, but not your blog. I appreciate you and what you stand for and your opinions. But even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t try to humiliate you or strike out in anger at you or ANYONE for that matter. I would just keep scrolling. Why can’t people just keep scrolling? What drives a person to cower behind a screen and lash out, trying to start a fight, or hurt someone or humiliate? The problem is within them.
Thank you for asking. We are doing fine. We are retired on a defined benefit pension with additional accumulated savings. We are empty nesters. Our kids are both employed and able to telecommute, so I’m feeling really blessed.
I’ve been making masks 😷, which are not required in my county, but are required by some merchants. I’ve made about 150 of them for family, friends, and to donate. I ran out of elastic and was touched by several friends going through their stashes and giving me some they had. I was equally touched by other friends who in return or just because brought me flour (I’ve been baking sourdough bread for a few years), even though I didn’t ask for any. They are the best of humanity.
My family are all introverts and readers. Our library has a great selection of audio and ebooks for download, so that’s kept us entertained. Plus, when I was 14, I spent 4 months flat on my back in a body cast without being able to leave my bed, so being able to walk my dogs and enjoy my yard is like heaven relatively speaking.
Hubby and I are doing a DYI gut and remodel of a 1300 sq ft 1938 home about an hour from us. We have 4 phases. Phase 1 (bedrooms and master bath were done before all the restrictions). We are on phase 2 (living, dining, guest bath, kitchen, laundry and mud rooms). That part of the house was gutted in early March. We were supposed to be on a river cruise in April. I was supposed to be rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon with some girlfriends in May, and we’d planned a camping trip with some other friends in late a May. All canceled. The good news is that we are now ahead of schedule on the reno. We passed the framing, plumbing, electrical inspection earlier this week, so it’s on to insulation. Wahhoo!
In terms of shopping, our Home Depot has curbside pickup for most things, but I’ve been trying to support our local non-chain merchants, and their SIP arrangements are even better! So, it’s all good. Hubby, who is 67, gets Orders the stuff and has them load it on his truck. The house we are remodeling has a detached garage in the back with a gated driveway, so he just drives it in and let’s it sit in the sun for a day or two for sanitizing.
The other good thing is this house under reno is one we are downsizing into, so except when we are there working, we are living in a perfectly comfortable 3000 sq ft house.
My sympathies go out to those who have lost a loved one. My neighbor had to bury her mom a month ago (not related to Covid). And I know this is stressful for those suffering financially. We are all in the same storm but not in the same boat.
Comment on the masks: real smiles light up your eyes too!
PS. I’ve also missed your blog. I’ve copycatted some of your ideas. I love the cabinet clear coat, and I bought hubby the Drexel multi tool. I bought myself a compound miter saw. He has one, but now we have one at each house.
I cannot wait to see your next reveal on your house.
Your post made me cry, a lot, and I realized just how much stress I have been under. Thank you for expressing your thoughts so eloquently. Many blessings to you and Matt and your families, and I look forward to whatever you want to share.
Hello
I’m from Australia and just wanted to send my blog community colleagues positivity and a virtual hug. I’ve been watching the international news closely and the evil of this virus is appalling. We’ve had 102 deaths here – mostly amongst the elderly with a particular concentration in nursing homes (which did not follow hygiene protocols – Hope the are stripped of their licence!!).
A close friend is a Senior ICU Dr responsible for one of the first diagnosed cases over here – she sent her family to live elsewhere and didn’t see them for 2 months because she didn’t want to infect them. She contacted everyone in her circle of friends and pleaded with us to do everything possible as early as possible to protect ourselves. She told us her colleagues in the UK & Singapore warned this is far more CONTAGIOUS than the flu!!
I pulled my children out of school, we started working from home and restricted our movements severely even before our gov locked down borders and restricted international visitors (which they did despite WHO criticisms for going too far).
Forget what the politicians are telling – do your own research, and look at medical evidence from other countries. Protect yourself, your family and your community from asymptomatic transmission!!!! That’s what does the most damage!!!
UV destabilises it so summer should help you in the US.
Take care, praying for you 🙏
Kristi, it seems to me that some of the mean comments above proved your point. I have always smiled and said hello to people as I meet them on parking lots or in stores. I made my first outing since the shutdown to a fabric store last week. As I was going in I didn’t have even one person make eye contact with me. Unusual. There were a lot more people in the store than I had expected. Probably a little over half were wearing masks. I chose my fabric and as I was waiting to have it cut I was observing the people there. I didn’t see any conversations going on except for people who came in together. The whole time I was there I was not able to make eye contact with even one person. I had to keep asking the lady cutting my fabric, as well as the check-out clerk, to repeat what they were saying because with the masks on, their speech was muffled. That was embarrassing. All my life (80 years) I have enjoyed conversations with other customers about the projects we are buying fabric for, etc. Not this time.
A friend of mine told about her first outing to the grocery store since the shutdown began. She wore a mask. After she had been in there for a while she started feeling light-headed. As soon as she got back to the car she took the mask off. She had to sit there for a while before she felt that it would be safe for her to drive.
I have no health problems, but I have not worn a mask because I feel like I can’t get enough air. I have a thing that measures your blood oxygen so after hearing my friend’s story I decided to see if maybe the mask affected that. Maybe that was why I was feeling that way. I wore it for 15 minutes while doing things around the house. Before I put it on my blood oxygen read 98. At the end of only 15 minutes, it read 94. So I’m pretty sure that was the problem my friend was having and she wore the mask for much longer than 15 minutes. And that is why I won’t wear one.
I think it is sad that so many mask wearers try to shame and condemn those of us who don’t wear masks by saying we are selfish and inconsiderate. I just want to breath!
Kristi,
So good to read your blog post and I agree with everything you said. It’s very sad to see all the anger and hatefulness on social media lately. Wish these experiences could bring us together instead but that doesn’t seem to be happening. Looking forward to future projects and hearing what you’ve been up to lately.
I hate these masks and can’t wait until they are no longer necessary. I work at a nuclear power plant and have to wear one almost all the time. You can always tell who the fuel handlers are, they almost never wear a mask and rarely social distance. I guess when you are handling nuclear fuel rods for a living, this virus is the least of your worries. 🙂
I didn’t read all the comments, but I was wondering why Home Depot is a place of dread for you? Are you afraid of getting the virus there?
My first outing after lockdown was to HD. I admit, I was in a mild panic, but quickly found solace in like you say “my happy place”. The aisles are wide, not usually too crowded, although I did have to stand in line and wait one time. But still…no biggie.
I also just like to hear others thoughts on the virus. My dad taught me…I know what I think, what do you think”. You explained what you think very well! Except that point… why is HD a place of Dread?
Have a pleasant day!
Uh, Where to begin? I’m in the “more affected age group”, so am sure to wear a mask when I go out. I USED to go to the gym 5 days a week. but of course it closed mid-March. I HAVE to get my exercise, and we (fortunately) had a cooler spring that usual so I started walking, but I’m used to more rigorous exercise, but running is hard on my feet, AND I almost immediately started getting shin splints JUST FROM WALKING!!!! So I make sure to NOT walk on the sidewalks now, and found some areas where I can even do a bit of light jogging, and I also got my bike fixed. I HAD pretty much left it by the wayside after I had wiped out prior to joining the fitness center. THAT was interesting – we had to wait outside to even enter the store (they limited the number of people they let in) They said they had more business than ever!!! Earlier in the spring I saw a LOT of people out – and that’s unusual around here (I DO NOT wear a mask when I walk/lightly jog/cycle btw) and people smile, nod and wave, so that was/is nice. I don’t see too many people these days, although there are still some other fools that brave the heat – it was 111 two days ago. They opened our church back up 2 weeks ago, and my family got together to celebrate my and my daughter’s birthdays last weekend.
And I agree, now the radicals are burning businesses down and what happened to the need for masks? That’s sad and depressing. I worry for my children’s future.
OMG Kristi!! You opened a can of snakes!!. I have missed your blogs alot and when i read your blog today i knew you were in for an onslaught of nasty!! I too, am ambivelent with the mask thing. I am a nurse and feel it takes away from personalized care. You cant see me smile , and alot of folks we work with are elderly and it is difficult to hear w/ it on. Plus I have a sore throat at the end of my shift from speaking so loud all the time. Yes ,yes I understand why we use them tho articles to support them are flimsey……. you can still get COVID-19 with one on but i wear one all day, to protect??? my patients. Looking forward to you getting back to business as usual. I just LOVED your moms kitchen and hope she is still delighted with it!
Glad I was late to this party here, I didn’t read all the comments, but I gather it’s pretty much the same as it is everywhere on the internet. Our world has certainly gone topsy-turvy in an amazingly short period. At my age, (66) I am torn by my feelings, having lived through much so far, and worrying what I might witness before I pass on. I’m still locked down, on the advice of my doctor ( where I might add we had a “virtual” checkup for me over the phone!) because I am considered “compromised.” Hubs and I have so far weathered the storm that is COVID-19, but apparently we are not out of the woods around here. I have been confined home since March, except for a few short trips to pick up meds or food early on in the lockdown. But after they stated that one family member take on the public mixology, I am home. Have seen family on two occasions, keeping distance, when I was dying to hug my grandkids. I am depressed at times, eating too much, drinking more than normal, some days not leaving my PJ’s or even showering and spending most of my time on the computer. I don’t know how or when or IF things will ever be normal again, and it breaks my heart, breaks ME. I can’t get away from any of it, even going outside, I am confronted with it, because no one is out like before. I hope you figured out a project to give us, because we need something from before all this started. I didn’t want to come here and spout my opinions or talk about riots or protests, there’s enough of that elsewhere, and my opinions are mine, but they do change! Glad your family seems to have so far been okay, and hope that continues. I wish you and everyone who visits here the best of health and well being.
Hi Kristy
I follow your blog years ago but never wrote a comment before because my english is not very good, so please forgive my mistakes. First of all I totally agree with you.
I am from Argentina, here we have been in lock down for 80 days. People are calling it “the longest quarantine in the world”, it is longer than that of Wu Han.
And so far we have had 300 deaths from covid, in a country with a population of 45 million. I suppose you will imagine that the measures here are more draconian and ridiculous, because the rulers of Latin America are not in such a hurry to take authoritarian measures.
Here the use of masks is mandatory, they make you expensive fines if you do not use them and you can go to jail if you do not present a permit to circulate outside your house. Not everyone can circulate, only those that the government decides. While we are going to the worst economic crisis in the history of our country, with more than 60% poverty, but people do not care about those who starve or suicides from the crisis, only care about the coffins of Bergamo that they’ve seen on television.
The lock down for me and my husband meant the end of all our dreams, we could not carry out the fertility treatment that we were doing, my husband lost his job and here there is no unemployment insurance and we lost all possibility of having our own home. So we will migrate to Europe, when the offices in Argentina open and we can carry out the necessary papers. A company in Sweden hired my husband. We are both happy and sad at the same time, it is like an exile, we would not want to leave our families, friends and customs, but we have no future here despite being both university professionals.
But beyond my situation, I would like to tell whoever reads my comment that our warmth and humanity have to be stronger than fear. Kristy is right, we need smiles and hugs. Let’s go back as far as we can to our daily routines and activities. I think that is the best way to resist. Kristy, give us again the wonder of your projects please. Your blog is that corner of peace and inspiration that you want it to be. I admire you a lot and really enjoy your blog.
Love
Érica
If you listen to this, you should feel less like you’re crazy, (https://youtu.be/_VmPTEGy91Q). There is no time to skirt around things or walk softly. This is criminal activity being forced upon us. You have a great opportunity to do something about it because you have such a large audience. You sort of made this political simply by posting this.
This whole event was planned, it has been being planned for years and years. The only thing they were waiting on was for technology to catch up. It’s caught up. The evidence for the plan is documented, all you have to do is look — all kinds of people searching for the answers you have posed questions for are exposing the truth. Look up Event 201,(https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/event201/about), Rockefeller Foundation “Scenarios for the Future of Technology
and International Development”
(http://www.nommeraadio.ee/meedia/pdf/RRS/Rockefeller%20Foundation.pdf)
Bill Gates patent for a vaccine to allow for inserting micro sensors for the express purpose of utilizing humans to mine for crypto currency WO2020060606A1 (https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2020060606A1/en)
Anyone who takes this vaccine is asking to die. Everyone who took any Flu vaccines are 36% more likely to get sick from whatever “this” is, (https://www.disabledveterans.org/2020/03/11/flu-vaccine-increases-coronavirus-risk/). No one who was un-vaccinated has died. “This” has NOT been tested to be shown it is anything they are claiming. Nothing was isolated and no trials to see if whatever “it” is were used to determine if “it” was what could be causing whatever illness is presenting. The illness presenting is very much like “decompression sickness”/The Bends as if the lungs are not getting oxygen to the cells, not that the lungs aren’t working. They are working, cells aren’t getting oxygen. Electromagnetic radiation at the level of 5G does the same thing. Almost 100% of people intubated die. People are being intubated when they shouldn’t be. People are being murdered, (https://virutron.com/its-murder-at-elmhust-hospital-military-nurse/). The tests they are using to detect whatever “it” is are faulty, faulty, faulty and useless.
Worrying about masks that are a statement of surrender is useless. We have to be serious. There isn’t enough time to get this wrong. The WHO, The CDC, Bill Gates, and all celebrities and politician are equally criminally complicit.
I don’t really want to reopen subject and post comment but I thought of you when I saw this covid info.
https://www.ftportfolios.com/Common/ContentFileLoader.aspx?ContentGUID=a9e49836-abc7-41cf-8949-4497ddee0018