We are — at least in the USA — in a virtual time out. Almost every facet of our lives have changed in less than a week. In addition to the heath risks {which is not be be minimized}, the economic and social impact of the virus is significant. Closings of schools and offices, suspending or cancelling sporting events, and limiting mass gatherings are bummers. Trying to figure out what to do for day care for those parents where schools are closed by mandate will be harrowing. Tele-working will present challenges. Restaurants and small businesses will be impacted beyond belief. Travel plans and spring breaks are in turmoil.

My travel plans have been altered. While I am in Ohio today, the plan was to migrate back east to New York {upstate} then Massachusetts to get closer to Maine for a follow-up doctor’s appointment April 1. Instead, I will hunker down in Kentucky. I do not know if my doctor will be seeing routine patients. We’re in a holding pattern as the ramifications of the health emergency still sift down.

Time will tell whether we over or under reacted to the crisis. After all, there are an estimated  billion seasonal flu cases worldwide; 9.3 to 45 million cases in the U.S. per year. As of today — less than six months since the first confirmed covid-19 case — there are approximately 222,643 cases worldwide and 9,415 cases of covid-19 in the U.S.  While the mortality rate for the seasonal flu is an astounding 291,000 to 646,000 deaths worldwide and 12,000 to 61,000 deaths in the U.S. per year, approximately 9,115 covid-19 deaths have been reported worldwide; 150 in the U.S., as of today.

However, there are two big differences which have caused alarm. First of all, we have a history with seasonal flu resulting in vaccines and/or mitigating treatment. We have no real experience with covid-19. We are still learning about it’s pathology and transmission. Second, we have discovered the incubation period for covid-19 is much longer than the seasonal flu. The seasonal flu is generally transmitted within one to three days of symptoms, but covid-19 incubates for up to 14 days — with or without symptoms — during which time it can be transmitted to others

You can find up-to-date information on covid-19 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

And so, we are on our mandated time out. All the disruption will give all of us a chance to do less over the next few weeks. Our choices will be limited, which means we should have more time to spend with our families … if we take advantage of it. It could be a time to reconnect with your spouse or kids. It could be an opportunity to catch up on the to do list, perhaps even including the whole family to clean up, spruce up or catch up. It could also be a time to some extra reading or extra study or extra prayer time — again as a family?

As we go a little stir crazy in our own little cocoons, one diversion might be to read a good book or two or a dozen. Chances are it will have to be one collecting dust on your bookshelf or through electronic services like e-books or audiobooks. Amazon has announced suspension of deliveries of non-essential products.

There are thousands of titles available in every imaginable genre, from arts & photography to travel … from biographies & memoirs to teen & young adult … from children’s books to sports & outdoors … from Christian to self-help … from history to romance … from literature & fiction to mystery, thriller & suspense. {Hint: I have three titles available on Kindle in case you’re interested in some  uplifting reading. Sorry for the self-plug.}

How are you surviving our time out? Any innovative approaches you can share? Any tips for others on how to keep the family engaged or keeping up with schoolwork?

My thoughts and prayers go out to all impacted by the pandemic, which probably will be every one of us. I’m concerned … but I’m not worried. Because I also know I am in Good Hands, the Architect who knows the grand plan.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: When you don’t understand it, when you can’t figure it out, when you don’t know what you are going to do, just remember — God has a plan. So don’t worry.