March 31, 2019 COVID 19

Hi kids,

    I think today is Day 12 of the Shelter in Place or whatever it is called. Both Massachusetts and NH are not completely in lockdown (yet and hopefully not ever although maybe necessary) meaning all non-essential businesses are closed, school is closed until the end of April, no restaurants, bars, theaters, gyms open, restaurants only for take-out, no sports, no talk shows on TV, nothing is happening that involves people meeting in a group of more than 10, and if that is necessary such as in a supermarket, everyone is to maintain 6' apart. Your mother is on the frontline of the horror show of having to work in a hospital that, like all the other hospitals in the US are lacking enough protective gear and equipment to deal with the people already infected with this virus, and we are only just beginning really. The acceleration rate of infected cases is starting to decrease, but it is increasing. Yesterday there were about 157,000 cases total, up about 10% from the day before. In NY City, the cases at been doubling almost every three days, and now they are still doubling but only every few days. So the physical isolation is working (social distancing it's been called) at least, can't bloody imagine if that was not in place.
     Uncle Don was a nervous wreck going to work yesterday because he's so afraid of catching the virus in the plane and of course losing his job. Your dad is busy at work helping people get checks that need help paying their bills since they are not able to work. He sent a picture of the cots they are setting up in Gloucester for the homeless. They are moving them from the crowded shelter to the gym where there is a little more room to spread the cots apart. The homeless have no place to hang out in during the day so they are milling about CVS whereas they'd normally be in the library. Uncle Joe and I are staying safe at home and doing our best to keep the virus out since if it gets me, I'm toast. Probably Uncle Joe too since his immune system isn't top notch given the meds he takes for Crohn's Disease. Holly is stuck in her parents' basement with Ryan while he does his homework. She can't exactly work at home as a bartender. Auntie Kim is working from home and i think her job is relatively secure at least. I have friends that have children working in the front lines and they are very worried about them. And they realize that if either of them get sick, parent or child, they won't be able so see each other. any of us losing a loved one will not be able to come together to grieve and console each other. Primarily it has been people over 70 that have died from it, but people of all ages are in critical condition needing ICUs or ventilators. I had a serious talk with Uncle Joe that I do not want to be put on a ventilator. If i'm that sick, it's time to just say Adios. You could be one on of those things with a tube down your throat for days or weeks, not able to talk, alone in a room and someone comes and flips you every 12 hours. Oh that sounds like great fun. NOT. At that point, the machine is doing the breathing for you and your chances of recovery are not good. I don't know what the rate is yet of people that have been on ventilators and survived but i can't imagine it is in double digits. Uncle Joe was mad at me until i had the palliative care nurse tell him over the phone exactly that. He on the other hand, would want to give it a try for himself, until it is obvious he is not going to get better. A lot of people are being forced with these life or death decisions when they've never talked about it before, and some are now talking about it for the first time. And at some point at the worst point of this virus fallout, we won't have those choices to make. In Italy, they have already gotten to the point of deciding that anyone over 65 doesn't get a ventilator if someone younger needs it.
     On a more cheerier note, Uncle Joe and I chatted with you on FaceTime yesterday while you were at your mom's house. Emily was very interested in participating. We showed her the dogs and she was so excited. "Doggy!" That was fun but i was getting dizzy with the phone moving constantly. Dylan, you are more suited for teaching history than filmography, ha ha! Your bedroom looks cozy with your twin beds and Celtics paraphernalia on the walls and ceiling. Sounds like you are both doing your best to keep up with all the online learning.
   Well, I hope you two stay healthy and heed the recommended protocol of hand washing and not touching your face, especially since your house is high risk with your mom working at the hospital. I'm sure she is being extra careful especially with little Emily. So far kids are not getting very sick from this. You little shits will outlive us all! And make this world a better place. Be what Mother Nature seems to be trying to teach us with this. (you might be saying...and that would be....what??) I'm off to read the news, maybe i'll delve into that philosophy or theory at another time. (i know, you can't wait.)
LOVE YOU,
Auntie Kim