We have a small number of additional freedoms being added in our Stage 2 of lockdown that comes into effect on May 16th. Finally, we can hang out with Mom - inside. We are permitted "bubbles" of our own choosing. Up to 6 people will be permitted in these friend and family bubbles (within our Province, different in other Provinces) to interact inside and out. I am so happy about this. Originally my first thought was I could hug Mom again, but in order to protect her, I think we will hold off on that. We can't have her over for Mother's Day but will plan a drive to the ocean and a BBQ for May 16th in celebration. We won't have any others in our bubble to protect her as she is in the very high-risk category. I will continue to shop for her but at least we can visit more rather than at the door or many feet apart in her back yard.
There are other changes and openings, mostly business-related. Some surgeries are being scheduled and chiropractors, physiotherapists, and dentists will be permitted to be reopened with specific rules. Even hairdressers will reopen in some capacity. I will not be running back, want to see what protocols are in place before I consider that, we can continue cutting our own hair in the meantime. We've learned some skills that people used to do on a regular basis, I don't actually remember getting a haircut from a hairdresser until I was about 12, Mom always did it. Our dog trimming tools have come in very handy.
I am not sure I will be running back to the dentist either unless my half done root canal flares up. In fact it has been pretty stable the last few weeks so again, I want to wait and see how things go. Some restaurants may be permitted a few tables, again we will be foregoing those visits for now. We don't need to be spending our reduced salaries eating out when we eat so much better most of the time.
If anyone looks at the numbers from outside the country it appears we have a lot of cases. Most cases are centered on Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. BC's numbers keep dropping. There have been zero new cases on Vancouver Island for two days, and hopefully, people won't be morons and make that go up.
So yeah, I am super happy about spending more time with Mom. In some ways, if our kids were here it would be very hard to shield Mom from germs but the kids are used to us living away from them and we communicate by phone or web conferencing at least every week, sometimes twice a week with all four of them. Even if flights pick up this summer we've asked them not to come for now until things are safer. Hubby is also in the high risk category with his asthma and we just can't risk them accidentally bringing us germs by traveling.
For now, my friends and I will continue to social distance in back yards (liquid beverages likely) and keep on keeping on.
Stay safe my friends.
The slight relaxing some of the keep safe and well suggestions will make us more alert, especially if many 'small groups' hang out in the good weather days at the parks and walking areas. The long weekend ahead plan for our little bubble is stay home, don't grocery shop. We have 3 in the risk categories. Your Mom will be so happy to join safely in your family bubble. Sunshine and higher temperatures for the next 4-5 days forecast.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
Joy
Yes, we can only hope people are smart, especially here on the island where if we relax it could easily come back.
DeleteWe went to the tax man and dentist the day before the border lockdown set in. Not sure if that was good or bad timing. I am glad BC is getting some slow reopening and hope people take it seriously. It must have been hard for you and your Mom all this time. From what I read there isn't going to be a chance before a vaccine for us to come home without a quarantine period. It has been very stressful for us. We plan to wait until July to make a final decision, but there are some things we have to take care of at home by then. I want to keep my community free of exposure, but I also want a chance to come home and be able to do minimal activities like get groceries and head up the lake to stay at the cabin until our time in quarantine is up. So far that's not allowed. - Margy
ReplyDeletePart of the difficulty of trying to travel home is lack of bathrooms while traveling. Hubby has IBS and we got caught out trying to do our grocery pickup and I had to speed home for him. I don't know of any gas station bathrooms currently open. That might change but does making traveling so difficult. If you do have to quarantine and if you are taking the ferry to the island before Powell River I would gladly shop for you to pick up (safely of course) before you get on the Powell River ferry. Please let me know if I can be of any help, if and when it becomes possible.
DeleteI'm happy to hear that you'll be able to see your Mum and I think you're being extremely sensible by limiting it to just three of you in your bubble.
ReplyDeleteWe've just had our lockdown extended for another three weeks, I'm more than happy to sit tight. xxx
Yes, so sad what is happening in the UK. That is very much what is happening in Quebec right now, so many care homes with deaths they've had to bring in the army to help. Montreal is a very International city and was caught early with lots of cases and is just trying to get around it with no flattening yet
DeleteI'm so happy for you that you'll get a chance to spend more time with your mom! We are really looking forward to seeing our family in June. We will do similar things & not engage with others outside of our family, to reduce risk.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am sure you will be so happy to see your parents. Family means so much right now
DeleteI'm happy for your mom and you. That will be nice for her to spend an evening talking inside, or maybe enjoying a movie together. Our state has had subtle re openings of businesses with no customer facing exposure, and more retail with curbside pick-up. I watch California, with my son. So far not much to move forward in his industry and so far he has seen no unemployment relief though believes he has been approved.
ReplyDeleteMost of our restaurants were permitted takeout and delivery from day 1 - they weren't forced to close as long as they could live within those measures. Some closed, some reopened, many just reopened in the last 2 weeks as things like takeout containers in mass quantity had to be sorted and delivery drivers. It sounds like our Movie/TV Industry which is huge in Vancouver May open in summer sometime in Phase 3 depending on virus counts from here on out. We have so many programs it's hard to keep track, I am starting to wonder how we are going to pay for it all but at least almost everyone qualifies for something.
DeleteThat will be nice to be able to spend more time with your mom. I'm a little confused about what is allowed in our phases as some things took effect at the beginning of the week and others in the next week or so. I think if we're all cautious we will be able to keep this at bay.
ReplyDeleteTake care and stay well!
It's still confusing here but they say there is more clarification coming. Dr Henry's approach is that most of the onus is on us versus her telling us what we have to do. It's worked so far, and I am glad as we've had a lot more freedoms. Many businesses ave offered curbside pickup or by appointment entry into their stores from the start, makes it easier to try and pay the bare minimum bills instead of nothing. People are still staying home thankfully
DeleteIt's interesting to see how the reopening is going in both the US and Canada. We are still on step 0 but I think our governor is being pressured to start opening some places sooner rather than later. We will see how it goes. Glad you get to see your mom again!
ReplyDeleteWe've had a lot more open in our Province than other Provinces....takeout from the start, delivery from the start, curbside pickups for retail etc. We've really been so fortunate that way although many still can't afford takeout and delivery due to layoffs or salary reductions. At least the businesses have been given a fighting chance. Yes, visiting with Mom will be so much easier and enjoyable
DeleteI'm so glad that you'll be able to get together with your mom again soon. I just learned tonight that Haute Savoie (my region) has been classed as a "green zone" so hopefully from Monday we will be allowed out without attestations and can mingle freely, with travel being limited to within 100 km of home (fine with me). To be honest though I don't see anyone dashing out and throwing a party after what we've just been through. It would be so stupid to throw away all that has been achieved these last 8 weeks!
ReplyDeleteThat's exciting, now you can go hiking again! And see your family :) Likely the 2 most important things in your life right now that you are missing. Yes, no one wants more harsh lockdowns.
DeleteThose little freedoms will be so appreciated. Especially being with your mother! My orthodontist phoned and I'm scheduled to go back on the 12th! Strict guidelines. A questionnaire. Instructions for when I'm there. I trust in the process and am so excited to maybe possibly hopefully get this last wire removed from my mouth!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's great! I know it has been bothering you. Exercise and your wire removed - it's like Christmas!!
DeleteI have never heard of this way of opening up, but it seems reasonable and safe. Little freedoms are big sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple of Provinces doing this, so the masses don't go out and throw big parties (little ones are ok with up to 6 people). This is a long term thing, not sure when we will be permitted more. I feel it is a very wise thing to do and was kind of unexpected.
DeleteHaving a bit of freedom is going to be wonderful. I am so looking forward to being able to see Kris without feeling guilty about it.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
You should not feel guilty about seeing Kris. You were his caregiver when he was injured, his only way to get groceries etc. Really, you were mandatory and much safer than getting an outside nurse to come help him with certain things. I am just so happy he is on the mend. Plus you've been super careful, so no guilt should occur.
DeleteI am just catching up on a week's worth of blog reading now as I had a really bad/painful pinched nerve in my neck. I was so glad the chiro was still seeing patients. We are slow to re-open because our case rate has not decreased. We had a cluster in the area, but luckily not in my immediate neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI think it will take me a long time to feel safe back out in the world. At least until there is a vaccine and our case count is near 0. I don't know if you're going to go back to getting Buddy groomed, but I think I'll opt to go DIY. That's unfortunate for Teddy....
I am glad your tooth is feeling better for now. I think you're wise to wait a bit.
My groomer voluntarily closed March 27. She posted a notice that she is doing renos to her grooming place (her detached garage) so there is a safe pickup place for animals and also to pay. She isn't likely opening until June at this point. I trust her, there are still lots of groomers open as they weren't forced to close but to be frank I'd never take Buddy anywhere else and I am actually getting good at minimal grooming. I did his face yesterday and he was pretty patient. I do need someone to do his nails though
DeleteIt sounds like you have thought everything out very carefully, especially in regard to your Mom. I did hear the Premier say to a reporter that it would be oaky to hug her Mom on Mothers Day but based on what their personal physical circumstances were. We intend to keep on doing what we have all along. My priority is to see a chiropractor and to get my glasses adjusted ( they are really bad & bothering me to no end ). My veins can wait as can any hair service but all of it will have to wait. I won't go into any situation unless I am confident on how the area is sanitized. If and when I do so something I will likely sanitize the area on my own first. We managed with getting the car and RV repairs done but we sanitized and sanitized over and over. I am responsible for my health, no one else.
ReplyDeleteYes, we certainly have to look out for ourselves these days. Hubby went to pick up a motorized lawn edger today at the rental place which is next to the bottle depot. They just opened it this week. He said no way were people social distancing there. We will keep on avoiding it.
DeleteI'm pleased that you can see your mum again. Boris has announced a few more changes today. It's going to be a slow process.
ReplyDeleteYes, but better slow than dangerous. It is what it is, and I believe it will remain this way for a while. It just takes getting used to
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