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diff --git a/memories/covid-19/index.md b/memories/covid-19/index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..96dde7a --- /dev/null +++ b/memories/covid-19/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,223 @@ +title: COVID-19 +start: 2020-03-01 + +<p> +This memory summarizes my personal experiences of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic">COVID-19 pandemic</a>. +I've written it in first person as Blaise Thompson. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-03-18><a href=#2020-03-18>2020-03-18 Wednesday</a></h2> + +<p> +Today is the last normal day of work on campus. +We have been told to prepare to shut down for at least eight weeks. +It's hard to imagine that it will actually be that long. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-04-11><a href=#2020-04-11>2020-04-11 Saturday</a></h2> + +<p> +Gas is cheaper than I have ever seen it in my lifetime. +Near my friend Zach's home in Baraboo, gas is under $1. +</p> + +<figure> + <img src="./gas.jpg"> +</figure> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-04-25><a href=#2020-04-25>2020-04-25 Saturday</a></h2> + +<p> +I move back to Iowa City to live with my parents for the foreseeable future. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-04-30><a href=#2020-04-30>2020-04-30 Thursday</a></h2> + +<p> +It's my birthday today. +I turn 31 years old. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-05-03><a href=#2020-05-03>2020-05-03 Sunday</a></h2> + +<p> + I move back to Madison. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-05-08><a href=#2020-05-08>2020-05-08 Friday</a></h2> + +<p> +Day 52 of work from home. +</p> + +<p> +The chair of the Chemistry Department, Judith Burstyn, sends an update email entitled "Patience, please" [<a href="./may-8-update.pdf">PDF</a>]. +In this email, Professor Burstyn clarifies that campus is not in control of the situation and there are no details to be had regarding plans to return to campus. +She includes two attachments from Wisconsin Health Services: +</p> + +<ul> + <li>Safer at Home [<a href="./EMO28-SaferAtHome.pdf">PDF</a>]</li> + <li>Badger Bounce Back [<a href="./EMO31-BadgerBounceBack.pdf">PDF</a>]</li> +</ul> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-05-13><a href=#2020-05-13>2020-05-13</a></h2> + +<p> +<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/05/13/855782006/wisconsin-supreme-court-overturns-the-states-stay-at-home-order">Wisconsin Supreme Court Overturns The State's Stay-At-Home Orders</a> +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-05-18><a href=#2020-05-18>2020-05-18 Monday</a></h2> + +<p> +Day 62 of work from home. +</p> + +<p> +I am partially furloughed from my job at UW-Madison. +Essentially this means that I am forced to take four days (32 hours) of unpaid time off between now and the end of October. +By "firing" me for this short period of time, the institution hopes to save money to compensate for decreased income. +While I'm disappointed to have reduced income, I am impressed with the equity of campus' response: all staff and faculty are being furloughed together. +Click here to read the furlough letter that I received: <a href="./furlough.pdf">PDF</a>. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-05-21><a href=#2020-05-21>2020-05-21 Thursday</a></h2> + +<p> +Day 65 of work from home. +</p> + +<p> +I finally receive my $1200 "Economic Impact Payment". +To be fair, I signed up to receive the payment by mail rather than direct deposit. +I am thankful that I have not lost my job. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-05-22><a href=#2020-05-22>2020-05-22 Friday</a></h2> + +<p> +Day 66 of work from home. +</p> + +<p> +Again, the chair of the Chemistry Department sends out an email entitled "more patience". +Read it here: <a href="./may-22-update.pdf">PDF</a>. +The Department is preparing to organize for whatever campus needs. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-05-23><a href=#2020-05-23>2020-05-23 Saturday</a></h2> + +<p> +Day 67 of work from home. +</p> + +<p> +It's Memorial Day weekend. +Last night I slept over at my friend Zach's house in Baraboo Wisconsin. +Given the Wisconsin Supreme Court order, the local restaurants are now open again with reduced capacity (Baraboo is in Sauk County, not Dane). +For the first time in weeks, I have brunch at a sit-down restaurant: Broadway Diner in downtown Baraboo. +Things are different. +They have every-other booth taped off, so customers cannot sit directly next to strangers. +There are no paper menus, only QR codes to scan with your phone and download a PDF menu. +There are no condiments, even salt and pepper, unless explicitly asked for. +Still, it feels so nice to go back to relative normalcy. +After brunch Zach and I go out to Devil's Lake for a nice long hike. +There are lots of people enjoying the nice weather, and we see many rock climbers on the bluff. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-05-25><a href=#2020-05-25>2020-05-25 Monday</a></h2> + +<p> +Day 69 of work from home. +</p> + +<p> +George Floyd dies at the hand of police officer Derek Chauvin [<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_George_Floyd">wikipedia</a>]. +This event feels like a tipping point for civil unrest in this country. +Black lives matter. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-05-27><a href=#2020-05-27>2020-05-27 Wednesday</a></h2> + +<p> +Day 71 of work from home. +</p> + +<p> +For the second time since work from home I get permission to temporarily enter the Chemistry Building. +This time, I am picking up a bunch of small parts for a hardware project that I am trying to work on at home. +Everything in the electronics shop is exactly as I left it. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-05-29><a href=#2020-05-29>2020-05-29 Friday</a></h2> + +<p> +Day 73 of work from home. +</p> + +<p> +Again the Chemistry Department Chair emails about this situation. +"Research reboot lite" [<a href="./may-29-update.pdf">PDF</a>]. +This email shows that actual progress is being made. +Campus is entering into "Stage 1" of reopening, which includes limited research restoration. +This "Stage 1" will probably last through the month of June. +</p> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-06-02><a href=#2020-06-02>2020-06-02 Tuesday</a></h2> + +<p> + My gym (downtown Anytime Fitness) is open again. + I've gained a lot of weight being sedentary, so it feels so good to exercise again. +</p> + +<figure> + <img src="./gym.jpg"> +</figure> + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-06-05><a href=#2020-06-05>2020-06-05 Friday</a></h2> + +<p> +Day 80 of work from home. +</p> + +<p> +Research reboot stage one is beginning to come into focus. +Finally, the department has a concrete plan for beginning research again: [<a href="./research-restoration-plan.pdf">PDF</a>]. +It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out. +</p> + + +<hr> +<h2 id=2020-06-12><a href=#2020-06-12>2020-06-12 Friday</a></h2> + +<p> +Day 87 of work from home. +</p> + +<p> +Chemistry department leadership again respond to the situation with COVID-19. +They also address issues of diversity and inclusion, which are coming to a head in Academic Chemistry. +Read Judith Burnstyn's letter: [<a href="./june-12-update.pdf">PDF</a>]. +</p> + +<hr> +<p> +<a href="https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/">CC0</a>: no copyright +</p> + |