The 1st reported case in the US was January 24, 2020. March 09 began the upward climb in U.S. Through February we watched as the government hid the danger and as the numbers in China grew out of proportion. The beginning of March I was finalizing the agenda for the IAEM R5 2020 conference to be held the beginning of April. The Columbiana County EMA was scheduling the dry run and exercise for the Beaver Valley Nuclear Plant. Then began the order, slowly trickling in. First no more than 100 in a room –> K12 & IHE closed. And only one visitor at a time to nursing home. Next – no more than 50 in a room and NO visitors all nursing home, cancel all school and professional sports – concerts, fairs, conferences, etc…. Then began the stay at home recommendation – no one wanted to listen – bars and restaurants only carry out & drive thru. Then came THE order on 03/22 (Ohio)  – “Stay at Home” – only essential businesses and that included those as part of the supply chain. The president issued “15 days to stop the spread” last week – our numbers are continuing to rise – before long we will surpass Italy then China – not only in cases but in deaths also.

In the beginning the federal government downplayed the severity of the situation and called it a democratic hoax and fake news. Even now, he (President Trump) wants all businesses open and people back at work – he is losing money as the stocks have been cascading in a downward spiral. Once in a while, they go upward only to lose what they may have gained. The U.S. is in a crisis like never before – “unprecedented” as everyone keeps saying. They are using the 1918 flu as their model – it is inaccurate and our peak of this “enemy” may not come till June or July.

Twitter is full of people at home trying to make sense of it all but not placing blame. We (my household) are following “stay at home” – but we go out once a week – an intentional trip. I am choosing 03/08 as day 1 for this log – it was the first reported case in Ohio. 

We have ordered seed for our garden this summer – some has shipped, some has been held up. Some there isn’t any news. So this weekend, I will go to Tractor Supply and purchase a large portion of what I have not any news. Many states have “lockdown” in place and many items I have ordered cannot be shipped – one large fabric order and a kit for a tailored jacket.

Today is it low 50’s and the sun is shining (finally – but not for long). Now, it is no more than 10 people in a room – and social distancing – stay 6 feet apart…. We are #alltogether during #covid19 #stayathome