COVID-19

We started hearing about this new virus late in 2019 and more and more in early 2020. Little information was known about it, other than it was a respiratory virus from China. We were amidst one of the biggest show season at work. We were working on one of the biggest shows (Little Mermaid) that I have ever created when the world shut down. Yes, literally the world shut down. We were beginning to see the panic shopping and hoarding of citizens. Toilet paper, cleaning supplies, paper towels were all in short supply. Never would I have imagined that we'd see empty shelves of toilet paper. Even now, months later, cleaning supply shelves are still empty. The toilet paper shelves are beginning to refill. There were limits on meat products and eggs in the super market as well. Libby and Josh were sent home from UNCA and WCU during spring break, then it was extended two weeks, and then for the remaining of the semester. We then were put under Stay at home orders by early March. Clyde and the younger Wardlings were now either teaching online or learning online. The amount of anxiety running not only through our home, but all over our nation has been overwhelming. I spent the time at home making, donating, or selling facemark to help out and to continue bringing in revenue for the costume shop. To date, I've made well over 3,000 facemasks. The costume shop at one time had dozens of groups calling and requesting facemasks for their staff. PPE was in very short supply. Medical personnel were using page protectors as face shields and bandanas as facemasks. There was a fear that due to the rise of COVID-19 cases that the supply for facemasks was dwindling dramatically. Thankfully, months later the disposable facemasks are back on shelves but nearly quadruple the price...right along with hand sanitizer, which has dozens of recalls! We have an insane President who has led this county into a battle zone of misinformation, distrust, and complete chaos. Families have divided over facemasks and the thought that our President is a man of God. I cannot make this stuff up. We are still uncertain of what the future holds with jobs, schools, community, and our health. We haven't gone into a store without a mask on since March. This isn't going away anytime soon either. Best guess, is that we are deep in this for at least another year. Vaccines are in the works and the conspiracy theories are floating through social media blazing a path of destruction. True colors of family and friends are as vibrant as a stain glass windowpane.