How's Your Week Going? - Week of August 3rd

[ProudTVJunkie]

Hi All,

I really can’t believe it’s August already. We’re still waiting to find out about our new school year. The school district said we’d likely hear about the plan today, but as of yet nothing has been released.

In July, my county had 332 additional Covid cases with 36 fatalities. (Total 4,649 cases with 483 fatalities as of July 31st). NJ had 9,042 more cases in July with 710 more fatalities. (Total of 180,970 cases with 13,934 fatalities.) And my town had 8 more cases in July and 2 more fatalities (124 total with 14 deaths.)

Our numbers are better than a lot of other states now, but we keep hearing about people in town throwing parties. Even if they are outdoors, I can’t imagine that large crowds are all that safe.

We’ve got Tropical Storm Isaias coming up the coast towards us. It looks like we’ll get the first of it tonight and then all day tomorrow. Hopefully, we won’t lose power and there won’t be too much flooding in this area.

You can tell a storm is probably coming because we’re down to 87 degrees and it’s supposed to go down into the 70s tomorrow. Most every day this summer has been between 90 and 100 degrees.

Hope you’re all doing well. Please check in and let us know how you’re doing when you get the chance.

[geezer2008]

WISCONSIN

58,990(+8,811) cases     955(+49) deaths

BROWN COUNTY

4,011(+189) cases     51(+0) deaths

Sorry to say, we are back trending in the wrong direction. People continue to have large gatherings outdoors with no distancing. Masks are required indoors but it's being offset by the outdoor parties.

We continue to do our thing. We went for a ride Saturday and had our grocery store takeout. It was a beautiful day.

I will go for a bike ride Thursday and Friday, our car has to go in again for recurring computer problems.

Little Pete is playing ball again. They restarted his league, much to our displeasure. SIL decided to let him play again. Hope it doesn't bite him in the butt!! We go but distance ourselves like before.

They are letting our school districts decide for themselves whether to open or not. Green Bay has already said no but some of our burbs are going back. I live in the state of chaos, LOL. 

[ProudTVJunkie]

The school district called with an automated message at 5pm to say that I needed to check my e-mail for new information about the school schedule. So, I check my e-mail and there's nothing. An hour later, still nothing. Feeling as though I've either lost my mind or they are actively trying to make me crazy, I finally go to their website and find this.

[DrvrTrnr]

Arizona now has 180,505 cases and 3,845 deaths from the virus. My county continues to lead in both categories.

A judge ruled today that gyms must have an opportunity to plan for a safe reopening, going against the governor's closure order. Some school districts will have distance learning, while others will allow in class teaching. The teachers in our district will video teach from their classrooms. Kids in foster care are required to attend school in person. I wonder which genius thought that was a good idea??

Our excessive heat warning has ended, but it could be issued again later in the week. As I write this at 8:50 pm, it's still 108 and the low in the morning will be in the 90s. Thank goodness for air conditioning. I hope those of you in the east were not affected badly by the latest tropical storm. Stay safe everyone.

[ProudTVJunkie]

Well, although I never received the email, another parent did and forwarded it to me.

Our school is doing a hybrid schedule. Monday and Tuesday half the class will be in school and the other half will be virtual learning from home. On Thursday and Friday the first group is virtual while the second is at school. Wednesday everyone is virtual. This way they can properly social distance and clean the schools more thoroughly.

The school day will only be 4 hours long (no lunch, recess, gym, etc.) Hallways will be one way if possible. Bathrooms will be monitored so that only a limited number of students will be allowed in at one time. Water fountains will be shut off but there will be water refilling stations and kids and teachers are encouraged to bring their own water bottles from home.

Hand sanitizers will be available in every classroom. There will be private isolation rooms for any students who become symptomatic during the school day.

And for students who require one-on-one aides and cannot be kept six feet away from their aide, the appropriate PPE including masks, face shield, gowns and gloves will have to be worn by staff when six feet apart cannot be maintained.

Whew! It's a lot to read and this isn't even the full plan. Parents can also choose a complete virtual learning schedule for their child. I have a friend who has battled cancer twice in the last five years and I know she's keeping her sons at home.

It's a lot to process but I give our school district credit for doing everything they can to keep things safe. Now we just have to keep our fingers crossed that it works!

[ibmjas]

My daughter's MIL is still on the vent. They are trying to wean her onto the CPAP setting on the vent. When I spoke to her yesterday she was able to do the CPAP setting several hours a day. They still can't get her fully awake and say if she can't wake up by the end of the week they will probably have to do a trach. They are concerned that the COVID may have gone into her brain but they aren't sure. I feel like they are doing everything they can and seem to be up to date on latest treatments and procedures. Praying for good results.

My son graduated college 2 years ago but couldn't get a job in his field (computer science!) so he's been working at FedEx. Today he had a telephone interview for a job in his field. They want him to talk to someone else within the next week and we are hopeful he can get it.

My husband was working from home for 2 weeks because they had another case in the office, but he went back this week. He has had little to do at work for a couple of weeks and is hoping they won't lay him off. So many companies are cutting back on projects it's affecting his company (engineering). It's a domino effect.

We've had a ton of rain the past week but now the weather is very pleasant with highs about 80, winds out of the north and lower humidity. We opened up the house Tuesday. It looks like tomorrow will be beautiful and starting to heat up on Friday. Then Sunday returns with all the stifling heat and humidity we had most of July.

Our state has just over 3000 deaths, our county has 13.

[ibmjas]

PTVJ are the kids going to be riding the bus to and from school like normal? Will they do anything different for safety?

[tycho657]

ibmjas I continue to keep you family in my prayers. I would think with covid your son will be able to find a job in his field.

Schools here are starting to ramp up. Most are doing all virtual learning. I am thankful that I am retired and don't have to think about dealing with this. I was the computer geek so everyone would come to me for tech questions. I would be going crazy with the new norm.

I just ordered a new cell phone. My note 8 was starting to get a few issues so I figured why not. I am getting the new Samsung Note 20 Ultra. It will be ready for the 5G as it is coming and I hope to keep this one for a few years. I won't get it until the 21st. My favorite case with the little pocket on the back side for my credit card, license, insurance cards and $20 was available in only 3 colors, bronze, white and black. The black one I can get Monday the others are already on back order until Sept. So...I ordered a black case. I really wanted the white as the black gets too hot in the sun. I might get a better color in a few months maybe?

I have to shake my head that our Gov. went to DC so the Pres and him could pat each other on the back for the "good job" they are doing with the virus. Really?? we have been one of the worst states for the virus and deaths.

[DrvrTrnr]

Our governor is doing such a 'fine job' that we're getting over a billion dollars in assistance (he's been a good little soldier, following orders from the Commander in Chief). Some of the money is going to the Navajo Nation which has been shortchanged throughout this whole ordeal. At least the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Health Services Director have announced some guidelines for reopening schools, although following them is not required. Just some things to consider.

[ibmjas]

My daughter's MILs family had a family meeting Tuesday and decided to go ahead with the trach since she couldn't wake up so they scheduled it for today. Yesterday she woke up! They extubated her and last night her family video chatted with her for 4 hours! She has no confusion and when she found out what day it was she regretted missing her brother's birthday. She's been in the hospital for a month and on the vent just a couple of days less. I'm not sure if she'll have to go to rehab before she can go home, but I'm sure she'll be home soon. It's quite joyous! I really appreciate all the prayers and concern.

[DrvrTrnr]

ibmjas, in spite of her ordeal, she is one lucky woman to come out on the other side! I'm sure you're all grateful for the care she has gotten.

[ibmjas]

Aug 7, 2020 17:11:37 GMT -5 DrvrTrnr said:

ibmjas, in spite of her ordeal, she is one lucky woman to come out on the other side! I'm sure you're all grateful for the care she has gotten.

She lives in a rural area and was taken to a nearby small town hospital (pop 25000). I wasn't sure how state of the art the care would be, but they seemed to have learned a lot from what NY and others had to deal with in the earlier COVID wave. I know they tried a couple of newer drugs on her but they didn't seem to do a lot. I was impressed with her care and thankful she pulled thru.

[tycho657]

ibmjas wonderful news. Glad things are looking better. This is a real crazy time for families.

[ProudTVJunkie]

ibmjas, I'm just thrilled for you and your family. What a relief.

And yes, I think part of the reason some of the fatalities aren't as high as NY/NJ compared to the number of cases is that doctors have learned a little more about what works and what doesn't, and they are coming up with some new treatments. It doesn't make it any less scary, but hopefully it worked in you in-laws favor.

[ProudTVJunkie]

Aug 6, 2020 2:01:01 GMT -5 ibmjas said:

PTVJ are the kids going to be riding the bus to and from school like normal? Will they do anything different for safety?

There will be busing. They said they likely can't do six feet apart, but it will be one child per row, hand sanitizer as they board, and masks are mandatory.