2020 Life Logs, Day 341: Life in the Time of Covid
Date: Monday, December 7, 2020
Weather: Partly Sunny and Cold: High 35, Low 29 Degrees
Location: At Home in The Cottage, Falmouth, MA
Just last night I was with the Goldstones ushering in the holiday season. We were all so healthy and so happy to be together. Tonight, we are all still healthy, but there has been a ‘breach in the wall’ and everything has changed. Just like that. Sam’s principal called tonight to tell them that Sam and everyone in his class had a primary exposure today to someone who has tested positive for Covid. That means that any of the students exposed, plus their siblings and parents, must be in quarantine for the next 8 days when the students exposed can be tested (the schools require 8 days, not 5, after exposure before testing) and then the additional 2-3 days until the test results are returned. Or without testing, they all have to be quarantined for 14 days. So, what to do? Do all of the Goldstones stay together and all quarantine together and all take the risk of getting Covid? Or do they split up between my house and their house so that Jonah and Ollie can continue to go to school? In that case, one parent and Sam would stay at one house and one parent, Jonah. Ollie, Shadow, and I would stay at the other house. That is probably the safest option for all, but making the decision so quickly is so hard. Heather and Jed will decide tonight and we’ll take it from there in the morning. One way or another, if Sam does not get Covid, we can all be back together by Monday the 21st for solstice and then Christmas. In that case, we will definitely have a special celebration this year! Other things happened today, but whatever those things were pale in comparison to a Covid exposure that instantly changes the lives of so many. But there was one bright spot. I learned today that my friends Linda and Mike Stuart became first time grandparents. Welcome to Grant William Stuart. He arrived a little early and I will talk to Linda on Wednesday night to learn the details.
