COVID Life
 

Hey Folks-

I know many of us have had sweeping changes to our lives during the time of Covid over the last year.

Here is a place to vent, talk, chat, and compare stories. Maybe you've found a good resource to help you navigate the world? Or maybe you've tried a new recipe?

Or maybe you are one of the millions (like me) who are now working at home full-time?

How has the world changed for you? Are you working at home now? Going out less? Hate wearing a mask?

Talk to us!

Lots of things have changed for me. I still work on campus; only 1/2 of the people who work in our building work from home. I have learned something important about how masks can save your life, as well as helping me to limit contaminates in the air (ie, pollen, allergy triggers) from making me ill. I usually come down with a bad case of allergies, twice a year, spring and fall, but since wearing a mask (now I double mask), I have not yet had the usual bout with allergens. I look forward to the day when we will not have to wear a mask in public. Overall, I'd say the pandemic has reshaped my awareness in social or private ways.

Hmmm

Work just got more intense for me. I've had maybe two days when I worked from home due to potential exposure but other than that I've been in my office every day. Things are extra hard because all of the courts are closed or virtual and very selective so things like restraining orders, felony charges, evictions are damn near impossible which feeds domestic violence which makes my job extra intense. It's hard to get green cards and social security cards for individuals who are trying to get documented in the states so they are in a shitty limbo. I could go on. But the isolation and lack of resources makes things dangerous and mentally distressing to the vulnerable population I work with.

I pretty much just work and go home. Market when we need to, Lowes, Home Depot. I zoom yoga with my girlfriends on Saturdays. I hate yoga but I miss my friends so I Yoga with them. I really miss my family. I'm coming up on a year since I last hugged my mom and that's a really really long time for us. I haven't had 1:1 time with my nephews in over 6 months- just visits through a window. With this cold, those visits don't last long.

However, Daddy and I make good use of our time on the weekends. I'm learning woodworking and learning that I love creating that way. It's really exciting to think of a project and learn how to make it and make learning mistakes on the way and come out with something to be proud of. We planted a killer garden last summer and are making our plans for what to grow this year. Since we built the fence and garden beds and trellis last year, this year will be a lot easier to get going- just need to plant and maintain.

By the end of February we both will have received both COVID shots so, while we still need to be careful to protect others, we can be a little less concerned and hopefully get some social time with others who have been vaccinated.

As most of you already know, I had Covid at the end of last year. Well, it took awhile, but all of my symptoms are gone except I still don't have my sense of smell back.

So today, I had to get another Covid test (so I can have a hospital procedure next week). When the RN poked me in the nose, I teared up - of course - but then when she quit, I could smell! Only really strong smells - there was a car freshener hanging right by my nose. But since I got home, I can still smell strong smells, like Bath and Body Works hand soap. We'll see what happens!

Wow that's crazy and good! Maybe you should report that to COVID research?

Reminds me of when my chest used to be numb from surgery but when I got the scars tattood my nerves woke up and I could feel my chest again. Mostly.

I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing! I hope your nerves didn't wake up until after the tattooing was over. :)

Well, it was a six session tattoo. After the second session my nerves were pretty awake. After years with no sensation there I had to use a numbing cream for the remaining sessions because it was intense...

Covid
 

I have been working from home for almost a year. I even got a big promotion working from home. It is hard for mom because she is a social lady. I take her for drives and that helps a little. I miss travel and seeing my friends. We all miss eating out.

I’ve been luckier than most without having much of an impact by Covid. I’ve had lots of changes in the last year, but that’s a result of me unexpectedly quitting my job and reducing the stress more than covid.

Still, I had planned on going on a cruise to Panama and through the canal for their Jazz Festival and that’s not likely to happen now that I’m no longer working. I just hope I can be in crowds again for music, lesbian, and art festivals locally.

I hibernate well, but I like getting out amount my peeps and being infused with that energy.

I’m eligible for the vaccination but will get it as soon as my healthcare plan is updated in Michigan. Didn’t want to get it while traveling with the possibly of getting symptoms and being rejected at the airport if tested (as I was tested).

Lucky to be healthy and safe. Just hoping I stay this way till I get the vaccine.

I live by masks and plastic gloves.

Hoping everyone stays healthy and well.

Living in Australia,has seemed like an alternative reality to the rest of the world
I live my normal life,my life has not changed
I feel like shit when I come on here and post rubbish,and then read a member has passed away,not sure if it is covid or not,but I think,why did I post that BS,when life in the US has been impacted forever,with so many covid deaths.
I do think of Sherrie often,when I come on here.
we did use to skype,a long time ago

I just don't have any more words,I just feel so fucking sad for all the members here losing people.

sorry for cursing,it's an Aussie thing

Please don't feel bad to come on here and post about your "normal" life (although it sounds like you have experienced some loss as well). It's wonderful for me to know that somewhere in the world, life is going on for people. I love hearing about your and everybody's everyday lives, with or without Covid, and especially without Covid. It's a relief.

It just feels a bit superficial
with everything in the US

covid
Now Trump being acquited
the election
the stroming of your parliament,Ive been to the US,so I can imagine most folks must have been totally traumatised watching,and now that prick has been equited.

If you were Australian we would say
How much can a Koala bear!!!!!!

for me to complain I got a speeding fine,kinda feels,a bit

strange

But thanks for responding
I never know if I should just shut up.

~~
My only gripe is not being able to fly "safely"!

I don't mind the mask, especially when I'm participating in the type of civil disobedience that could get me arrested.

Other than that, the pandemic has been a real drag. I've lost friends and several dozen members of my local labor union. We have a staffing crisis in my field so I've been working a lot more than usual, and most of the time I'm just thankful to have a job while so many people I know have suffered financially.

COVID
 

I lost my job, which I loved, so that sucked. I don't mind wearing a mask one little bit. I was kinda born to survive a lockdown being the introvert I am so that was not a big adjustment. I love having my groceries delivered! That was a fun and unexpected surprise. I do miss traveling, shopping and the occasional cocktail with friends though. Like everyone, I will be happy when some sort of 'old' normalcy returns to daily life. This simply can't become our new normal.

On the future of working remotely
 

Before the Covid pandemic, working remotely was something not actually utilized in large scale ways across Organizational America.

I read somewhere earlier today that one business (Yelp) had a few laptops available for working remotely. But when the pandemic exploded, they needed 3K laptops, stat, so they could keep moving forward during the pandemic.

I know, at my work campus, many private sector business and our anchor parent business stradles a 50/50 divide, on a normal basis, but since last March, our parent anchor business has gone from 50/50 to 70/30: meaning that 70% of the parent company business ooperates remotely, with major dept leaders working from campus but their work groups work remotely from home.

In case anyone is interested, i found two news articles concerning the current status of working remotely and another scolarly article which discusses the positive upside to working remotely, as well as addressing the downside remote workers contend with.

See what you think, ok?

CNN article: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/09/succe...ter/index.html

APA journal article: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/10/cover-remote-work