I remember clearly when the 2020 coronavirus pandemic became real to me. On March 14, after many conversations, prayers, and talks with Amy, Ken and I canceled our annual vacation in Crystal River, Fla. We had just shipped our golf clubs three days before -- our decision was that quick. News of the virus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, was everywhere. We felt that leaving home, getting on a crowed plane and waiting in busy airports, was just too risky.
The virus was a hot topic of conversation at the St. Paul Women's Retreat that morning. Little did we all know that would be one of the last times we would be together in a large group for several months. Sunday worship on the 15th might have been canceled, or we just didn't attend. My 11 am Jazzercise class on Monday the 16th was the last in-person class I would attend until an outdoor class in the summer.
Church services and Jazzercise were live-streamed on the Internet. We went out only to buy groceries. Date Night became carry-out and delivery. We got used to using the Uber Eats app. Schools began teaching online, with classes via Zoom -- an online meeting app that would become way too familiar for everyone in the months to come. Work meetings, Bible studies -- almost everything -- became a Zoom meeting.
Michigan went under a stay-at-home order on March 23. A federal stay-at-home order went into effect through April 30. So no visits to the kids in New Jersey, which was getting hit even harder than Michigan.
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