I get that we’re all really antsy to get out of the house and resume “summer vacation” activities. When we’re inundated with different messages from the WHO, CDC, government, friends, and family about when shelter-in-place orders will be eased, it’s easy to just take the path of least resistance and go along with the crowd. But seriously. Read the numbers and you’ll see that the numbers of COVID-19 cases are still rising across the US. Yesterday in California, we had more new cases in one day than we have had since this pandemic started in February. A new study reveals how the 2020 Spring Break help spread COVID-19 on college campuses and the surrounding communities.
Statistics speak volumes and when researchers looked at spring break vacation dates, cell phone data, and reported cases of COVID-19, they found that student breaks are partly responsible for the continuing growth of this pandemic. It’s not just spring break, but fall break, Thanksgiving break, Christmas/Winter break, and long weekends.
Many colleges are starting early this fall so they can switch to online classes and shut down campuses and dorms before Thanksgiving. This can prevent the spread of COVID-19 when the students would return to campus from all over the country and world after the holidays.
We’re still plagued by the worst pandemic of our lifetimes, and we need to shelter in place until the coronavirus is under control and there is an effective vaccine. Imagine what’s going to happen if everyone takes their summer vacation trips all over the US and world during the next 8 weeks, we’re going to have a 2nd wave before flu season starts next winter. The sooner we stop the spread of the coronavirus, the sooner we can resume our normal lives again. It has to take place in this order – not the other way around.
I get that we’re all really antsy to get out of the house and resume “summer vacation” activities. When we’re inundated with different messages from the WHO, CDC, government, friends, and family about when shelter-in-place orders will be eased, it’s easy to just take the path of least resistance and go along with the crowd. But seriously. Read the numbers and you’ll see that the numbers of COVID-19 cases are still rising across the US. Yesterday in California, we had more new cases in one day than we have had since this pandemic started in February. A new study reveals how the 2020 Spring Break help spread COVID-19 on college campuses and the surrounding communities.
Statistics speak volumes and when researchers looked at spring break vacation dates, cell phone data, and reported cases of COVID-19, they found that student breaks are partly responsible for the continuing growth of this pandemic. It’s not just spring break, but fall break, Thanksgiving break, Christmas/Winter break, and long weekends.
Many colleges are starting early this fall so they can switch to online classes and shut down campuses and dorms before Thanksgiving. This can prevent the spread of COVID-19 when the students would return to campus from all over the country and world after the holidays.
We’re still plagued by the worst pandemic of our lifetimes, and we need to shelter in place until the coronavirus is under control and there is an effective vaccine. Imagine what’s going to happen if everyone takes their summer vacation trips all over the US and world during the next 8 weeks, we’re going to have a 2nd wave before flu season starts next winter. The sooner we stop the spread of the coronavirus, the sooner we can resume our normal lives again. It has to take place in this order – not the other way around.
While the idea of being “quarantined” sounds stressful – conjuring up visions of claustrophobia – it may be just the relief we all need. We’re busy with work or school, childcare or homework, and traffic and over-scheduled activities. Racing around town and juggling commitments just wipes us out and we become vulnerable to all kinds of sicknesses.
So the new chant “Stay at Home” may be just what we all need. Take this opportunity to protect yourselves and your loved ones by cancelling social gatherings and events for the next 2 months. Take this time for YOU and rejuvenate. When you’re not stressed out, your body will better ward off illnesses so you can optimize your chances of not getting COVID-19.
I look forward to doing projects around my home and property now that I’m staying put. Here are some things you can do to improve your life and get a jump start on all those little things that you’ve put off for too long.
1. Connect with family and friends using Google Hangouts or Skype (online)
2. Spring clean your home
3. Plant veggie seeds to get your spring garden started
4. Put together your Go-Bag
5. Start your genealogy research by reaching out to family via email, text, or hangouts.
6. Set up free exercise/yoga schedule and do this in your living room
7. Binge watch your favorite episodes or discover new shows
8. Sit in on webinars and participate in Q&As
9. Dust off those books that you’ve wanted to read
10. Take online classes to expand your mind (or get college credit)
11. Find your “to-do” lists
12. Purge your junk (get rid of stuff you don’t use or need)
13. Weed your gardens
14. Limb branches 100 feet from your house to prevent fires
15. Move firewood and wooden furniture at least 5 feet away from your house
16. Give yourself a facial or do your nails
17. Work on your taxes
18. Meal prep and freeze for later
Regardless of your age or health, stay at home and avoid going to places where you’ll interface with people. If you’re over 60, you may get COVID-19 and die. If you’re under 60, you may carry the coronavirus (and get sick) and even worse — infect your parents, grandparents, or loved ones and they can die. Either way, STAY AT HOME! Relax and work on your to-do lists! You’ll also reduce your gas mileage and CO2, and you won’t be wasting your precious time in traffic.