COVID Life

[Medusa]

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!

[Kätzchen]

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.

[easygoingfemme]

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.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

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!

[easygoingfemme]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaMa'am

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.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Originally Posted by easygoingfemme

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.

[VintageFemme]

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.

[Kätzchen]

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

[nhplowboi]

So I went and got my shot on Saturday (03/06/21) and it was the J&J, so One and Done. Hmm OD just does not look right. It was at a mass innoculation site about an hour and a half north of us. Once there it took about 3 hours or so to get through the line. Now it was the first day for mass innoculations and it was cold so there were bumps in the road. I heard Ipads froze up.... but in a true New England fashion, not as in computer lingo. All of this was understandable. After the shot I noticed a little fatigue that night but that was it. The next day some flu like symptoms but they were minor.... achy, nausea, fatigue but no other problems. Now in two weeks I guess I am good to go so here's to modern science!

[theoddz]

It's been about 3 weeks now since I got my 2nd, and final, Moderna shot. I am now fully vaccinated, thank Jeebuz!!

Here in Texas, there are places that have more than enough vaccine, so we've been getting some folks who have driven from other states (some from Nevada, even!!) to get their vaccines. One of my best USMC buddies and her wife live in Ohio and they're still waiting for their first shots. My friend said that she and her wife are on something like 6 lists for the vaccine, and they are still having to wait weeks, despite the fact that both she and her wife are in high risk/priority categories. It's unbelievable!!

Please be patient, folks, if you are on a list and still waiting. It will be worth it, believe me.

~Theo~

[GeorgiaMa'am]

I should have known this without asking, but apparently department store makeup counters are no longer doing makeovers, due to Covid.

I took an online makeup class today, and it became apparent that my makeup bag needs updating. I called the local Estee Lauder counter at Macy's, and no! they don't do that any more! What are you supposed to do now if you need advice? I wonder if there are still any Mary Kay consultants out there? and if not, what are they doing for jobs?