Saturday, August 28, 2021

We've Hit a Wall

I was watching the school board meeting on Tuesday knowing that they would refuse to consider a mask mandate and that I would be returning to a room full of unmasked children again on Wednesday. One of the people to speak was the lady at the district level who coordinates quarantines. That isn't supposed to be her job, but it is now what she does. We have quarantined 15,750 people in the first three weeks of school as a result of 3033 positive Covid cases. And as she started to tell us about the new statistic they were gathering this year, which is the number of teachers and students in the ICU or on a ventilator, she started to break down. She said that we have hit a wall with quarantines and cases. The new focus is on increasing availability of testing for students and staff. 

 On Wednesday Sydney started to feel congested and tired, so I got her in for testing on Thursday to learn that she is positive for COVID. As a critical infrastructure worker, I am still required to go to work every day until I test positive or develop symptoms. I have felt the benefits of the new available test resources, so that is a good thing. I managed to get swabbed yesterday and I am still negative.

While all of this was going on, Kurt was out of town for the week on business and Ryan was living in a hotel and shopping for an apartment in Gainesville after his housing plans fell apart. That is when the car he was using broke down. So all in all, quite a week! Kurt is taking a U-Haul full of furniture to Ryan to help him move into his newly rented townhouse, get the car fixed and then drive home again. They don't go in to the office when there is a household case, so he will be working from home this week. That will let him take care of Sydney who is already bored and sick of quarantine. I think I might sew a bit and then maybe take a quite moment in a dark room to recover.   

 

46 comments:

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

oh no! I hope you find some solutions!

Deb A said...

Hope Sydney has a quick and full recovery and you stay healthy. Sending big hugs all around.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

My heart hurts for you - we all hope for a quick recovery for Sydney and that you are able to stay healthy. I can't figure out these parents/politicians who are so dead set against masks, especially in schools. Thinking of you!

Cathy said...

On a personal note, I’m sending hugs and good vibes for all to be righted in your world ASAP. And I hope you continue to test negative! And a pox on that moron DeSantis! He is giving Florida such a black eye…

Mari said...

When it rains it pours! I hope that you are managing to handle everything and that you escape coming down with Covid as well. Wishing your whole family a quick recovery from their various troubles. Stay safe. And of course, if any of us can help, we'd be glad to do so!

Nann said...

I hope Sydney's case is mild and that she doesn't share it with you or anyone else!

Ivani said...

OMG! Hope Sydney gets well soon. Sending positive thoughts your way.
Here schools opened on August 1st but everybody needs to use a mask, being vaccinated or not, as only now studants up to 12 are receiving the 1st shot.
Stay calm and safe.




The Joyful Quilter said...

Oh, Angela, I'm so sorry that your family has now been directly affected by Covid!! Here's hoping that Sydney feels better soon. What a week you've had!

Sara said...

OMG - my heart is heavy this week in worrying about the staff and kids in schools right now. Our local school board had a pretty contentious meeting this week over masks. So far NONE of the angry parents who are fighting any mask mandates have presented any other possible solutions.

I hope your daughter has a quick and full recovery, and that the rest of your family stays healthy.

Bernie Kringel said...

When it rains, it pours - I am so sorry to read all of this. Your situation sounds miserable! hope life in your household improves and calms down too! Also that none of the rest of you test positive.

Debbie said...

My heart bleads for you and your family. You are showing wonderful restraint despite the circumstances. Oh, how I wish your state were in such a better position. I cannot understand putting people at risk to the extent that it is happening. Sending hugs and positive vibes as you all wait and wait.

JanineMarie said...

I am so sorry, Angela, for your family, your school district, your state. I hope that Sydney’s worst problem is boredom, that the rest of you stay negative, and that your other problems are quickly resolved. I also pray for wisdom in all leaders, but that seems a big ask these days.

Sylvia@Treadlestitches said...

What a terrible week! I'm so sorry for all your "challenges", especially since they came at the same time! It sounds like you and your husband are a good team, solving all the problems you can. The insanity of so many people around simple disease prevention like mask wearing and quarantine is appalling and infuriating. Best of luck in the week ahead.

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Angela, I too am sorry for all that you has impacted you and your family this past week. I too don't understand the issue behind mask wearing. I have much concern for the under 12 year olds since they can't receive a vaccination.

Last week a seven year old came down with COVID. It is not known where he contracted it. A few days before he was tested, he and his family were at a family gathering. . .you guessed it. There are about ten adults who have tested positive and at least eight of them are sick with COVID symptoms. All the adults were vaccinated hence the reason they weren't wearing a mask. . .sigh. . .it continues to be a long haul.

Sending you a hug to help you through the week ahead.

JoAnne said...

So sorry to hear about the terrible week your family has just gone through. Prayers that your Sydney will have a mild case and that no one else will get sick.

grammajudyb said...

Oh no! It will be so hard to go to work when Sydney is home sick. Glad Kurt will be there. though that is probably a concern too! Fingers crossed for continued negative tests for you and Kurt. Even when are kids are adults, we still worry. Hope all goes well for Ryan and that Sydney gets better in a hurry. Hugs and good thoughts coming your way!

Connie W. said...

You and your family are in my prayers. Having to continue working in this crisis is beyond hard to imagine or to do. May your week get better each day. And, thank you for being there for everyone else's children despite the lack of concern for your health and safety from the community and the vocal majority of the state.
Connie

Michele McLaughlin said...

I am so sorry and keeping you and your family in my prayers. I can't understand why you governor doesn't want to protect children. I just don't get it. Sending you hugs and wishes that your health remains good!

karenbbsnow said...

My heart goes out to you ♥️

Chris said...

Best of luck to you all. Hope your daughter mends soon. Stay safe and hope DeSantis realizes all the people he is harming won’t vote for him. Jerk on steroids!!!

Katie Z. said...

Oh, Angela! I don’t even know what to say to encourage you. You are in my prayers!

Carol Andrews said...

Angela I’m so sorry to hear how this is all going. I can only hope Sydney gets well soon and you continue to stay healthy. If prayers and hugs help you are surely being sent both by all of us out here. I can commiserate with you since my Province has the second highest numbers while having over 84% of our eligible population fully vaccinated and my DH’s daughter is positive. She and her husband had Covid-19 a year ago, both are fully vaccinated and she is one of the breakthrough cases. Try to find a few moments to play with fabric. It is helping me keep calm and sane.

quilter501 said...

Take care of yourself……and your family. As a 44 year teacher in schools and universities, this whole situation shocks me. I always felt people were basically kind and intelligent. How wrong I have been. People who have fervently divided into their ridiculous blue or red tribes are neither kind nor intelligent……and many then go to church pretending to be religious! What happened to common sense? Care for each other? Doing the right thing? We must mask inside and out, socially distance if at all possible, vaccinate unless medically exempt, ….. but MOSTLY WE MUST THINK ABOUT AND CARE FOR THOSE AROUND US! I am ashamed of DESantis, Abbott, Trump and any others selfishly promoting their own interests instead of having a social conscience.

MissPat said...

One of the most disheartening things I read this week (and sadly there were a lot of them) is that DeSantis has an approval rating of 48%. It's very sad when so many people think their "freedom" is more important than other people's lives. Keep the faith and try to stay safe. Get well wishes to Sydney. And thanks for your continued sunrise photos on IG.
Pat


Charlotta said...

Absolutely infuriating! I take it there is no chance the teachers will refuse to go to work/teach under those circumstances? I have been reading that something like half the school districts (or half the children) in Florida are now covered by masking requirements issued by local authorities (local school boards, I assume) contrary to the governor’s insane orders. But sadly, that obviously doesn’t include your area.

What percentage of the students wear masks anyway? Because it surely isn’t forbidden, it just cannot be required. And you can encourage your students to wear masks, right? Even provide masks if you’re so inclined?
What grade do you teach?

So sorry for what you and so many on the front lines are facing. I am fortunate to be retired so I mostly can and do stay at home. I even missed a nephew’s wedding last week, because I knew it would be too dangerous. Unvaccinated people would attend, no masks would be worn, and in was being held indoors. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that it will not turn out to be a superspreader event. Many young children were there and a couple of very old people who are very frail.

sue s said...

It's absolutely criminal what's happening in Florida! Please take time for yourself. It's good your husband is back to help.

Julie in GA said...

It's hard to believe how much pushback there has been about requiring masks. I don't understand why people object to doing something that will protect them, their families and their community.
I hope Sydney recovers quickly and that no one else in your family gets sick. Take care and good luck.

Jenny said...

Sad reading indeed. I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter testing positive and do hope it doesn't spread through your household. You and your family are certainly in my thoughts Angela, do take care as much as you can. Have you received instructions on how to keep the rest of the household safe while caring for a positive family member?

Maria said...

It's such a difficult time and I hope your daughter recovers soon and the rest of the family stay well.

Rosemary B❤️ said...

I hope your daughter recovers easily and smoothly. She will hopefully be protected now from the other variants for a while anyway.
I do not have much patience for pointing fingers.
Masks are garbage unless they are N95, my sister works at NIH lab and they test those outcomes thoroughly. The vaccines are not the cure, and not even close to being protective unless we keep jabbing people every 406 months. No one is going to do that. That is nuts.

We will be dealing with this virus for at least 5 more years, so stay healthy and protect YOURSELVES. Many countries around the world have not worn masks at all... many states in the US do not mask.
If you are worried, stay home.

Polly said...

We’re in lockdown in NSW Australia. Thinking of you and watching whats happening USA and UK to show us how/where we will be next in relation to Covid19. Also concerned Louisiana in for a rough time which will hopefully not affect Florida.
Thoughts are with you

Preeti said...

That is such a poopy situations, Angela!!! I can feel your frustration. I would be yelling and screaming. I am sending healing wishes for Sydney. Stay strong, Angela.

Bonnie said...

I ditto what most people have written. I hope Sydney gets better soon, hubby and son keep well, you persevere and keep going strong. It sounds like you need a sewing break.

Lin said...

Hugs - lots of them! xx

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Chantal said...

So sorry to hear this, Angela. Sending prayers and hugs. I hope the worst is behind you and things will get better this week. Take care. ;^)

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Oh boy, I hope you will be fine, and Sydney will recover soon. Take care, stay healthy. Hugs

Angie said...

Positive thoughts and hugs to you and your family!

Quilter Kathy said...

Oh dear... I do hope that Sydney's case is mild and that no one else gets it. Sending healing thoughts your way.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

How stressful!! and holee cow - you have a huge school district!! I mean I knew the numbers were high - but I didn't know you had that many kids in the district!! wow!!I sure hope you stay negative and sydney heals fast - hugs!!

gpc said...

It is so hard. I grew up in a culture of science and find myself suddenly an old woman living in the dark ages. I have grandchildren ranging from 4 months to 16 years, and of course the baby can't be vaccinated, so my husband and I have to choose who to see, and then quarantine after seeing the older ones before we can see the baby again. If both families need assistance, as sometimes happens, we each help with a different age group and then have to quarantine from each other! What a crazy world we've created, damaging all creation and one another. I am sorry you have to deal with so much tension and wish you well.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I totally missed this post and I do hope that Sydney is recovering and that you and your husband do not get it also - so glad you are vaccinated.

Andee said...

So sorry to hear about Covid in your family. We have four members (not in our household) with it currently. A few of them on their second go round. UGH! I feel for all of you still teaching. So very hard to deal with all of it and still try to teach something!

Jennifer said...

I am so sorry to hear of the Covid challenges not just in your school but in your home - I hope your daughter recovers well and the rest of you manage to stay healthy.

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