Published Date: Monday, March 16, 2020

Hi everyone,

Today is the first day of lesson pickup for the kids to learn at home (or, let’s face it - pretend that we have some semblance of something normal for now).

This is amazing that the teachers have created these alternative learning tools for us.

The most natural feeling for all of us as we go to pickup is to want to see each other and catch up. Our kids are pining for each other. Totally normal. We may forget to social distance, and hug or stand next to each other, thinking that we are immune.

Please, don’t do this. Delete this temptation by figuring out a plan to not bring your kids to pickup, and to not get close to each other at pickup. All of us could be carriers and show no symptoms. If you must bring your kids to pickup - if you are solo - keep them in the car. It’s too hard to control them when they get excited and want to see each other.

If you are feeling symptoms - even the slightest ones - consider asking a neighbor to pick up your lessons for you. If you have coronavirus/COVID-19, chances are your entire house does too. Even though they may not feel symptoms ever, or they may feel mild symptoms.

If you had a mystery cold last week, or the week before, consider really isolating. It’s also allergy season, so add that to the list of “Am I feeling a symptom?” circumstances. It’s OK. Just keep taking your temp. Call your doctor with questions. It’s all good.

I woke up with ever-slight asthma this morning. Totally normal for me during the spring. I always get a bad cold in April. Just check my doctor records! But it’s upped our game plan of “just in case.”

Our plan is to ask a neighbor to pick up our materials, or send one of us in the car and make a grab dash. Our teacher also emailed a PDF of things. If you are a single parent, and you are practicing “just in case,” just skip it altogether and ask a neighbor to bring it home for you if you want to. Stay healthy. Stay rested. Stay positive. Do what is best for you to take care of your family.

This isn’t forever. Our kids will learn. They will not be stunted. This will be OK.

Let’s just flatten the curve.

xoxo