Eleven weeks. Our “Stay Safe. Stay Home.” has been extended until June 12th in the state of Michigan. Some things are partially open like stores are by appointment or with limited capacity. Everyone is supposed to wear masks and maintain a 6 foot distance. They have not opened dine-in restaurants, hair salons, nail salons, or spas. They just opened for non-emergency dental procedures, doctor appointments, and testing this past week. The Barber Association of Michigan has petitioned the governor to open hair salons and barbers with an 8 point plan they have created. I have not heard anything about it yet.

On Memorial Day our beaches were pretty full. We were not there. Stayed home and cleaned our flower beds out, set up our upstairs porch, and grilled quite a bit. I am still not comfortable with being out in large groups, I have 3 underlying conditions that put me at high risk for illness (not just Covid-19), and being with people without masks or social distancing isn’t safe for me right now. My family has been VERY understanding, especially the kids, with knowing that even though their friends are starting to get together they cannot right yet because of what they may bring home to me. I have been outside our house and drive around once a week or so in the car for fresh air. But, other than that I have not been in a store or restaurant in 11 weeks.

I may start to venture out a bit more in about two weeks. I figure by then any spread from this past holiday weekend will be known and I can assess at that time how comfortable I feel going out. A spike in Covid 19 cases will keep me in longer but if there is a decline I will feel better about going out into the world. We shall see. Right now Michigan’s numbers are very low but after the Memorial Day Weekend gatherings I just want to wait and see where things fall.

I remember when this started I was excited because I thought I was going to be able to stay home with my family for 2 weeks. We have all had our moments of breaking down a bit but overall I have to give my family kudos for sticking together through this. It has NOT been easy but we are making it work. I think we are closer as a family and this time we have had together will influence them the rest of their lives. I am hoping that this extra time we have had together (without outside influences) will really cement our values in them. They are ready to go back to school now and for my daughter to move into the dorm but we have 3 more months. Sigh.