I live in northern Minnesota and we've had some disturbing news in the last couple of days.  Our Governor in in quarantine, our Lt. Governor lost her brother to Coronavirus and our Senator Amy Klobuchar's husband is in the hospital with coronavirus.  We currently have around 235 cases (mostly in the Twin Cities area) with 1 death.  The county I live in has only one case so far. We haven't yet gotten the official Stay at Home order, but we're expecting it since neighboring states have done it.  We have had only essential businesses open for about a week and 1/2.  

I work at a local nursing home, so I'm still working.  We haven't allowed visitors (except for hospice/end of life care) since March 13.  All workers and necessary people (pharmancy, doctors, etc) have to be screened before being allowed further than the front door.  We have no cases at our facility.  

Our local stores have had the same issues with out of stock items.  I hate to grocery shop so I've always been a "stock up" shopper.  Did manage to fine TP last week, but even my 2 cat's food was hard to find.  Have to go to the pharmacy this week and maybe one last run to the grocery store for a few things, but then I'll hunker down.  The only thing that sucks is that I was suppose to go to my sister's this Wed (she's my hairstylist and lives 3 hours south of me in the Twin Cities) to get my hair done, that is now out the window.  Haven't had long hair in a very long time so this should get interesting, may come out of this with a whole new look...…can't remember what my natural hair color is, but I guess I'll find out......LOL.

I belong to a couple of game sites, have DVD's I haven't watched and books I haven't read, guess I could also try and fit in some Spring cleaning (NOT!!) and of course there's MC and the MC forum to keep me busy and somewhat sane.

Stay safe everyone, keep and eye out on your family, friends and neighbors and support the bars/restaurants (that are open) if you can.

Woke up with a sore throat.

Kinda scary, but I'm self-isolating and doing the right things.

There is no reason I would have C-19, and a quick check on the official government site agrees.

Either way it would be irresponsible of me to do the road trip.

I'll see how I feel tomorrow as to whether I should go to the doctor.

I'd never go see a doctor for a cold or flu in normal times and I don't want to take a test away from someone who needs it.

There is also the psychosomatic factor.  I'm acutely aware of anything out of the ordinary.  Any other day I'd just ride a sore throat out and get on with life.

Good news is, we have found paper towels!

Whoever said they were using them as loo paper, be careful or you'll be hit with a hefty plumber bill.

I forgot to tell you that every night at 8:30 we all go to our windows or balconies and applaud our medical and paramedical staff, nurses and first reponders and security employees, police , military.

Hello, wonderful MC friends!

Here in New Mexico, USA, we have a proactive governor and a few people with common sense. The governor asked us to shelter at home today. Essential people/businesses still going. Restaurants take out only, although they may close soon. School closed since the 13th, our school sent students home on the 12th. We are trying this great experiment in teaching online, too early to tell if it will work. Some of my students don’t have Internet at home, or it’s too spotty for doing schoolwork.

Both my husband and I work at the school. We have decided to send home learning packets with review work and/or enrichment activities that those students without Internet can do the old fashioned way. Hoping to finish the year with a graduation ceremony, but it will depend upon events that are out of our control.

Both of my sons work at a grocery store and are “essential “ for now. People have been a bit weird, grabbing whatever is there for no apparent reason. Don’t they realize that if everyone just got their regular groceries, there would be plenty for everyone? By giving in to their fear of others hoarding, they have ensured that the store shelves would become empty. However, the supply chain will work itself out eventually.

I have spent some time calling friends and relatives to check on them. So far all is well with them. I’ll continue to check on them. Like most of you, I have plenty to do here in the house, with lots of fun in the castle to look forward to. I’m glad we have this forum and each other to lean on.

My prayers for all, stay healthy!

Hi, 

This situation is going to effect and change so many things for a long time, across the world. 

I feel frustrated, a retired nurse just over a year ago. Early might I add. Have been asked to go back, to help out. Which I so want to. But I’m a ‘vulnerable person’ being T1DM. So can’t. 
Husband works in the NHS, so can shop before the stores are open. We have enough things in the cupboards anyway. No need to stockpile. We will be having some interesting meals, I’m sure, before the end of this. Chance to grow some veggies, perhaps. Healthy exercise, out in the fresh air, in isolation. 
Elderly family members, not good with computers, only eat a small number of things. Which are now low in stores and not available online. Worrying about them. Now increased contact via emails, to a few times a day. 
Getting on with the lockdown. Spending more time on Ancestry. Helping and supporting friends and family online. Oh, I’ve even washed the car. Enjoying the sunshine, birds singing (quite around here now). 

Take care, Tracy 

Checking In.

I'm in Fort Worth Texas. I'm doing okay just taking care of my mom. She ended up with a UTI and has to convince the nurses at her doctors office to call in an antibiotic. They wanted her to go to Urgent Care. She is 87 years old and no way am I letting her get out. She is high risk.

My county has not set up a stay at home order yet buy bars, restaurants, which will only do takeout or delivery, and gyms are on the closed list. Other non essential business has been asked to close their doors.

I'm doing okay but the one that has to get out for food and pharmacy runs. Im also high risk as I have COPD. So its nerve racking to get out. Also we have no car so I have to take a Lyft to get wherever I need to go so there is added contact.

My grandson needed a place to stay for a couple of weeks so he is here staying with us. That's the one bright spot that has happened since its been ages since I have seen him.

Other than that I have my same routine. Watching TV, playing my mobile games and gifting out in MC. I no longer do the rounds and just play during events or content update.

Everyone stay safe.

ETA: Today my county finally issued the Stay At Home Order so its official, although I have been doing that already.

ALL MY PRAYERS AND THEN SOME MORE TO YOU MY FRIEND

And also to all the rest of you in this traumatic time we are in.

I live in South London in a beautiful Care Home where we are considered to be a Category One risk so have been locked down already for a week. Our Dining Room, Chapel and all Social venues shut. Each location within the grounds isolated from each other with different key or card locks. Strict security everywhere with temperature and well-being assessment being checked daily on ALL care and administrative staff. Our families can deliver essential items we need but  labelled and only to security at the gates where the parcels are sanitized.

We can walk in our grounds but alone only and must avoid all contact with others who are mobile. We can no longer visit our sick friends in the Home.

Life for me revolves are breakfast, lunch and supper (reduced menus!), my computer and the TV. My daughter has put Netflix on it for me so I have some films too. I am also in phone contact with my family

So to my friends living far and wide as well as those of you who I dont yet know, I send my prayers and comfort.

I consider myself blessed to be here in this protected environment

Lady Di (Wench, Shade, Rory and KC) are all hunkered down in the "Nature Coast" of beautiful Florida.  I personally have not left our property since Mar 12th.  My sweet husband does all the grocery runs...I don't like shopping to begin with.  He says the stores are pathetic, shoppers are hoarding items, no paper products, sanitizers, or water available.  Our governor has told people that this is not like a hurricane situation where you have to stock up on water, batteries, food, etc.  The supply lines should still be in tact, electricity will be supplied, water lines will  not be interrupted...but still they hoard!  We have always been cautioned to "have a year's supply" of necessary items in our food storage, so we have tried to do that.  There is really nothing we need and are always willing to share what we have.  We are very blessed.  Our pool is 86 degrees, we have sunny weather, we have thoughtful neighbors, and luckily, we are healthy enough to be able to do our own yard work...and there is a lot of that!  We need to weed, mulch, mow, etc.  I also am very active in "indexing" genealogical records.  I recently added four generations of ancestors to my dad's tree (he is 97 in Arizona), and I'm feeling really happy about that.  Our three (adult) children are scattered: Houston, Lexington and Columbus areas and seem to be doing OK so far...they are all under 40.  The grandchildren (11 of them) are happy to be out of school, but unhappy about their lack of social interactions with their friends.  Electronics seem to be our salvation right now.  I love MC.  It keeps me semi-sane.  Thoughts and prayers to all for their health and safety.

“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art and music, and played games and sang, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

"And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

"And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed."

~Kitty O'Meara

Now the world is completely mad

it makes me angry, makes me sad

at least there’s one place with no hassle

yes, you’ve guessed it - Midnight Castle!

So, friends, stay safe within these walls

as we wander through the halls

this tunnel is long and dark like night

but, at the very end there must be light

Best wishes to each and every MC player

Shroomie xxx