The Coronavirus: Week One

Desperate times call for desperate measures

This expression was first attributed to the Greek physician Hippocrates when he wrote, "for extreme diseases, extreme methods of cure, as to restriction, are most suitable."

How fitting to use it now as we complete our first full week of the COVID-19 "home isolation" practice. This past week, Governor Roy Cooper closed all North Carolina public schools. UNC as well as the majority of colleges in the state cancelled all in-person classes and is moving all learning online. The federal government has encouraged people to only gather in groups no larger than 10. Movie theaters are closed, as are stores like Kohls, and restaurants are closed except for carry-out, drive thru options. All of this to "flatten the curve" and slow the spread of the Corona

virus. It is a scary time. One with lots questions, and one with very few answers.

The Brown's are doing what we can to get by. Keep things as normal as possible. But what does normal look like when school is not in session, Rich is working from home, and I am trying to continue my job search? We have created a daily schedule to keep Grant and T.J engaged in their learning. Grant is having fun in his "social studies time" building a historically accurate castle on mind craft.  TJ has learned a few card tricks via his Math and Magic class found on Great Courses. We are being creative, trying to have fun, and maintain our sanity.

My mom, being 88, has decided to drastically restrict herself to the house. As such, we give her daily phone calls to check in and give her a bit of social interaction. We have gone over to pull her weeds in her yard and talk with her through the windows and screen door. She is fearful, and so am I, with how this virus could affect her. COVID-19 seems to be especially tough on the elderly. And so we keep our distance. Earlier this week, TJ and Grant sat on her back porch to show Grandma the new card trick they learned.

And now, the week through the eyes of both Grant and TJ (as a part of their Friday work)

Grant's assignment was to answer the following questions:
What is going on in the world right now?
A virus is spreading around the globe called the covid-19 with makes its a pandemic not an epidemic.

How has COVID-19 affected you and your family?
Well me and T.J are staying home and not going to school, and same with my dad how he stays home. What about your mom? Oh shes jobless. She was home anyway.

What are some things you have done this week?
I surpassed my class in math by taking a Kahn Academy online class. I perfected decimals in just three days. So take that, Jacob! I'm smarter than you.


What has been the best part of the week?
Oh ummmmm.... seeing my Mom, Dad, Brother, and Dog all week long. It's nice having to see my family for most of the day.

TJ's assignment was a free-write about the week using 8 of his 15 spelling/vocabulary words:

It all started in Wuhan,China. This once-in-a-life-time pandemic (not epidemic) is affecting our lives, like the NBA'S season being suspended and March Madness being canceled. Its crazy!! it affects the respiratory system which involves the lungs, nasal cavity, etc. We are being told to stay safe by washing hands often, not touching eyes, nose or mouth the best you can, and avoiding groups of people of 10 or more. They call this "social distancing." Scientists all over the world are trying to find a vaccine, but it's difficult. Grandma has put herself in to quarantine. We can't even visit her in her house. Instead, we talk through the screen door. My cousin, Grace, had to come back from Italy during her semester abroad. Italy is one of the worst-case countries with a large influx of cases. This virus is supposed to hit real hard in May, so I don't know if camp is going to be canceled. Hopefully, this virus passes though quick so I can get on with my life.  


Desperate times call for desperate measures, that is for sure. I just hope that all of our self-isolation is not for nothing.