Alachua county Stay-at-home order

Shoppers wait outside a Publix Supermarket in Gainesville under new Coronavirus restrictions

Today was Day 1 ofthe Official Stay-at-Home order in Alachua County. The biggest change I noticed was at the Supermarket.  A police officer stood watch to make sure only 45 people went into the store at a time. On the sidewalk "X" marked the spot for the line outside to indicate where people  should stand to stay six feet apart. Of course my outing provoked scoldings from my two sons who were aghast that I had ventured out.  I will conceed, they  are probably right. 

But other than that it hasn’t been that different from the previous week when I observed an unofficial stay-at-home policy. .  I went out for a walk in the morning to my favorite walking trail. Fellow walkers posted words of encouragement on the trail, like this signpost that urged walkers (and runners) to stay focused and sparkly.

On ocasion I saw a deer or many deers alongside the trail. They hadn't gotten the word about social distancing or staying in small groups.  They were a nice surprise  for  the morning. ​

At home,  online. Almost always. My classes at the University of Florida and at Santa Fe College went from in-person to online. Now I am learning new tools about oneline teaching that I never expected to learn, or even really wanted to learn. Our brave new world is Zooming.  

That's Zoom the new video conferencing tool that is taking over academica and the non-profit world. I have been on Zoom conferences about a dozen times in the past few days. I have given two classes on Zoom. But I am zoomed out now for the day and about to visit my local bar -- the one in my living room. that is.  Staying at home is exhausting. Time for a break.