Could I get one? Could I even find out where to get one? Or when? Nope. Lots of information on hand-washing and social distancing, but not a single bit of information on testing. So now that I'm feeling on-the-mend, did I have the virus? Or was it a sinus infection? Likely the latter but we'll never know for sure.

Meanwhile, my husband, who has Parkinson's disease (middle stages) is no longer able to care for me, so I continued to do everything even when sick. Well, to be honest, the housework took a back seat, except for toilets and sinks. We subsisted on left-overs and frozen meals. But the puppy would not be denied attention and play sessions. Kind neighbors took him for walks, and bought us groceries, but it was a long, lonely week. I was too sick to attend to my laptop at all. Even watching tv was painful with my sinuses.

Coming out the other side, I'm now beginning to catch up with bill-paying, calling friends, and even starting a short story for my grandkids. We are blessed with a comfortable home, a soothing back yard, and wonderful neighbors. The priest from my church called and I'm on the church prayer list. I feel cared-about, and not psychically alone.

So if you know people who are quarantined, give them a call. Believe me, it helps a lot.

Hoping that's true. We're settling slowly into a rhythm, and now that we have lines of communication (Zoom) with the kids, and know they're all at home, albeit in three different states, and I'm getting at least a call in to friends and family - the distractions are getting so boringly similar that I can actually ignore them better.

Stay well.

I have not yet read the post, but I saw that Writers Helping Writers has one about how in times of crisis, we should do what our characters would do. I thought that was great encouragement for us writers, as you say, to tap into our best coping techniques—both through the writing itself and what we learn about overcoming hardship through the stories we write! Thanks, Colleen. Take care of you and yours.

Lol. I've wondered when we'll need to rationing toilet paper squares here! Actually, it's kind of a good thing that I'm the only female here... Anyway.

I also love hearing the heartwarming stories in times of crisis. People can be pretty awesome sometimes.

Oh, Alicia, you have extra challenges! Glad they're taking it seriously enough to keep y'all safe. And may your best work emerge in the midst of this struggle! Happy writing.

It's so nice to have the option of gathering online in communities of writers! Glad your group took that option. Enjoy the writing!

I've worried about the 20-year-olds too. (I have two of them.) Mostly, I'm just suggesting they socialize with each other and don't go into places also frequented by older folks for whom the virus would be a much bigger deal. In some ways, though, I think it's easier for them than it would have been for prior generations, because they're used to doing a lot of their socializing online and through text.

Hang in there! Hope you can eventually work out the office situation and get things done. ♥