On The Road to Staying at Home

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As we begin our second week of Shelter in Place there are some sobering numbers coming out of Governor Pritzker’s afternoon press briefing - 1,105 new cases of Coronavirus Disease have been reported in Illinois in the past 24 hours. Anyone who doesn’t understand that staying home saves lives is like an ostrich with their head in the sand.

That being said, I don’t want this writing to have a negative tone - quite the contrary - I’m journaling how Covid-19 has changed our world in such a short amount of time, and how we are coping. At ABC 7 Chicago, more and more of my colleagues are broadcasting from home. My “kitchen studio” is one of many throughout Chicago, and cities across the globe - although I’m not sure how many also feature their pets and spouse’s famous banana bread!

Monday 3-23-20

Tuesday 3-24-20

Wednesday 3-25-20

Thursday 3-26-20

Friday 3-27-20

This week Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot closed the Chicago Lakefront, the Chicago Riverwalk and the 606 Trail to keep people from congregating during the statewide stay-at-home order. Grocery stores, one of the few places where people can still go inside to shop, began installing plexiglass panels at check out counters and pharmacy windows to protect workers and shoppers.

Dozens of jobs are still considered “essential” including road construction. I was able to safely drive downtown and capture video of 2 new projects - the Jackson Bridge closure over the Kennedy Expressway and the utility work on Michigan Avenue near Grant Park. It was easy to keep 6 ft. or more away from people because there were so few out and about downtown. Being able to do this work (safely) helps my sanity, in a world that is anything but.

I try to find things to keep me motivated - one can only watch so much Netflix. There are many options through Zoom right now, from live-stream religious services to healthy workouts! My long-time friend and former Pilates trainer Kristen Wolf starting live-streaming her Superior Pilates workouts this week. I felt strong, positive and somewhat “normal” after an invigorating workout Friday morning!

I know not everyone is tech-savvy and might be intimidated by trying to live-stream (full disclosure - I had to have my daughter help me connect Zoom to Apple TV the first time!), but don’t let that stop you! My mom improvised by using cans of food as weights to do arm curls! And speaking of my mom, both my sister and I call her every day, sometimes twice. Use some of this time to call friends and relatives. Check up on those who live alone, especially older family members, and perhaps order some groceries to be delivered to their house. It will sooth their needs and sooth your soul.

Photo taken last year - my Mom and sister Pam at Mom’s Birthday dinner.

Since we could be staying at home for a while, what to do when you’re bored? How about board games! Nothing like a little “old-school” Monopoly, Sorry, Clue or Scrabble. I’m so dating myself!

Read a book, a real book! Water your plants, enjoy some blooming flowers. Take a minute to breathe and take in the slower pace.

Spend time with your pets! I’m sure they’re enjoying having your around for this extended amount of time - I know mine are. If you don’t have pets, I promise to post plenty of pics and videos of mine to keep you entertained!

Lola, Lulu and Sassi

#StayHomeSaveLives #InThisTogether