2020 Pandemic
I never would have imagined seeing anything like what we have been seeing recently in our world. Lives have been changed by the Covid-19 pandemic declared March 11th, 2020. At this point in time, living in rural South Dakota has kept us safe from some of the effects of the virus. However, it is difficult to escape the heart wrenching stories in the news and on social media. In order to forever remember the many ways it has impacted our country, I share the following non-inclusive list:
Schools closed. Students finish the year with online education only.
Many people have been working from home. Many workers have been laid off. The U.S. unemployment rate is the highest that it has been since the Great Depression.
Social distancing measures have been implemented and enforced.
Gatherings were first limited to no more than 50 people, then no more than 20, and then no more than 10.
Many turned to online platforms such as Zoom to hold meetings and gatherings.
Tape has been placed on the floors in stores to help distance shoppers (6ft) from each other.
Panic buying has occurred resulting in no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towels, no laundry soap, and no hand sanitizer available on the shelves.
The number of people inside stores has been limited, therefore, lineups occurred outside the store doors.
Non-essential stores and businesses were mandated to be closed in cities and states across the country.
Parks, playgrounds, campgrounds and trails were closed
Entire sports seasons were cancelled.
Concerts, tours, festivals, and entertainment events were cancelled.
Weddings, family celebrations, and holiday gatherings were cancelled.
Churches were emptied on Sunday as people stayed home to watch online.
Funerals had to limit the number of guests to immediate family only and ceremonies were held virtually.
There has been a shortage of personal protective equipment including masks, gowns, and gloves for our front-line health workers.
Those who become sick and must be hospitalized have been isolated from their family. Family members were told to quarantine at home alone away from everyone.
There was a shortage of ventilators for the critically ill.
Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switched their lines to help make ventilators, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE.
The government closed the border to all non-essential travel.
Fines were established for breaking the social distancing and shelter in place rules.
Stadiums and recreation facilities opened up for the overflow of Covid-19 patients.
Press conferences occurred daily from the President and the governess. There has been daily updates on new cases, recoveries, and deaths.
Traffic on the road significantly decreased.
People started wearing masks and gloves in public places.
Essential service workers have been terrified to go to work.
Medical field workers have been afraid to go home to their families.
The food supply chain has been disrupted due to the drop in food service demands and the forced temporary closure of processing facilities that had infected workforce.
Through all of this, it has been refreshing to also see the response in kindness and support. There have also been many positive stories of how people have helped others in a time of need. Thankfully, technology has helped keep people together even when we had to stay apart. Even though this has been a difficult time in many ways, it has also given rise to big learning opportunities. It has given us a chance to slow down and be thankful for who and what we have. It is a reminder to live each day to its fullest and to be truly present with fewer distractions when we are with the people we love and care about. This challenging time shall pass and may we never forget the time we had to be apart so we don’t take for granted the time when we get to be together.
God Bless,
~Dr. Shawn
Thankfully, we have been able to remain open during the pandemic. However, we did choose to lock our front door in order to limit traffic and give us time to disinfect properly between patients.