Week 33 & 34 of school - 32nd COVID-19 Test

 Week 33 & 34 of school.
32 COVID-19 test. 

I’m posting this late and again I missed a week of testing. I did test this past Monday at the school testing site. I was negative. 

What to say about weeks 33 & 34?

More and more people are getting comfortable being in the world without masks. I’d say about 40% of the folks at school are unmasked. For the first time this year, I am not feeling pensive when someone walks in a room without a mask. I think it’s because the folks who are choosing to unmask at this point aren’t doing it to prove some sociopolitical point and aren’t being jerks about it. 

Of course… with this also comes the news that one of my close teacher friends who’s family has been careful about masking ended up testing positive last week after his wife (also a teacher) got it. Thankfully they both had a mild case, but he was pretty fatigued this week. 

I have been stepping back out and attending in person meetings and events again. 

It’s a slow process and I’m much more aware of my surroundings and the people I associate with than I was before March 2022. There are a few people who have said and done things to show their true character and heart in the last 2 years. I simply don’t have the desire to surround myself with anyone who doesn’t lead with love and grace... and as I integrate back into the world, I’m being careful to avoid them. 

That said. I still mask indoors and in crowds, and as long as there is one person in the room with a health condition or someone wearing a mask I will continue to do so. 

Yes.… I’m doing it to prove a point. And that point is, I love you. I care about your health and safety. I care about my family and your families well being. 

Because #lovemovesfirst 

Imagine how awesome it would be if we all lead with and responded with love?

I’m take my 35 week test today and update you early next week. 

Love you. 

(The photo is from #MustacheMonday at school.)

Week 32 of school.
31st COVID-19 test 

I was approached at a meeting this week by a person in their 70s. She thanked me for wearing my mask inside as she was feeling like she wouldn’t because none of her friends were wearing theirs and my wearing mine gave her the courage to put hers on. 

How sad is that? Someone who is at risk wasn’t wearing a mask because she thought someone would point her out and make a comment. 

I’ve had that experience too. Comments (In a sarcastic tone) like “Oh, you don’t HAVE to wear a mask in here.” “You can take that thing off in here.” Or “Oh, you’re still doing that?”

I calmly explain that I’m a high school teacher and I am just taking extra precautions to do my best to protect the students and their loved ones as well as my own family who are immunocompromised. At this point, you do what makes you comfortable, and I will do the same.

I will continue to choose to attend or not attend meetings and events based on the protocols in place and my general feeling of safety. When I do, I will be masked inside and while in crowds. 

I do it because I love you. 

I do it because you should not feel pressured to “unmask” before you’re comfortable.

I do it because your health and safety is more important than me being slightly uncomfortable with foggy glasses. 

I do it because I am getting back out into the world and want to make sure I don’t get anyone else sick.

I do it because #LoveMovesFirst
I tested last Saturday. I was negative.

Week 31 - 30th COVID-19 Test

Week 31 of school.
30th COVID-19 Test.

Yup.. it finally happened. Life got so busy that I didn’t take time to get tested last week. I could have… there’s rapid tests at school. But between getting the yearbook finalized, coming off Spring Break, the kids doing UIL and (insert other excuses here) I didn’t. After testing every week, I missed one. I’m sorry.

There was just 15 new documented cases in Kyle last week, 2 hospitalizations and, unfortunately, one death.

Nationally (as of April 3 averages) there are 30,898 new cases a day and 658 deaths a day. If you’re a stats person, that’s a really good sign. If you’re a loved one of someone who contracted COVID-19 because they didn’t believe it was real or they didn’t get the vaccine or take precautions because of some political belief… and they died… it’s heartbreaking… and I’m sorry for your loss.

I’m still masking indoors and when outside in crowds. For me, I’m more comfortable that way. I can take the snide comments from “friends” who feel they have to point it out… I’m masking for their safety as well.

Still trying to lead with love and walk away from those who choose mockery and/or return love with hate.

Love y’all.
#LoveMovesFirst

Week 29 - 29th COVID-19 Test

Week 29: 
29th COVID-19 test. 

It was an interesting week last week. 

First week that wearing a mask was optional. 

I remained masked indoors unless I was alone in my classroom. 

Interesting observation… there was just about as many teachers as students who decided to forgo masks. Very few on both ends… probably less than 50… 

No big deal was made. 

No grand gesture. 

It was not announced.

For the students, it seemed to be the ones we’d had issues with wearing masks correctly that took it off… and athletes (who have been used to not wearing a mask while around their peers because of athletics). Everyone else, it seemed, to be comfortable in mask and are kind of like a lot of adults… looking to see how the first wave of unmasked do… before making the best decision for themselves. 

I, myself, will continue to mask in public crowds outdoors and when indoors… and I will continue to test each week in order to assure I’m being as safe as possible with the students safety as possible. It’s my way to express my love and concern that they and their loved ones remain as safe as possible.

Last week a mother I know couldn’t hold her newborn in the hospital because she contracted COVID-19 and they couldn’t risk the child being infected. 

I also learned a student couldn’t get into his Senior medical Practicum next year because he isn’t vaccinated… because his doctor told his family he didn’t need to be. No preexisting conditions or anything to worry about… the rest of his family got vaccinated… but he didn’t. It floored me when he told me. 

Just a reminder… it’s still out there. Please be careful. 

I love you. 

#LoveMovesFirst

Week 27 and 28

Week 27 and 28. 
27th and 28th COVID-19 Test 

 

Sorry I missed updating last week. 
It’s been stressful and I didn’t take the time to sit and take things in enough to formulate a post.

 We also had my sister’s oldest in town last weekend from Boston (on a college tour visit) so that was a wicked awesome 24 hours. 

A lot has changed over the last few weeks. CDC has updated recommendations for mask wearing to align with “Community levels.” What does this mean?

 “CDC looks at the combination of three metrics — new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days, the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days — to determine the COVID-19 community level”  (From https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/). 

This means every community can have a different recommendation based on measurable stats. 

 What this means for me is…. My school has lifted the mask mandate starting Monday March 7. As of that morning the community level in Travis County was low. 

Check your county here;

 (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html) 

Game changer. Many will be shedding the masks at school as they have done in public. 

Honestly, I’m very pensive about this. Especially since we are one week away from Spring Break when people will travel and many will party like…. Well… like they haven’t been able to party in 2 years.

Transgender Texans, You Are Loved (Thoughts on Governor's 2/22/22 "Order")

Texas, We Are Better Than This.

This is my reflection on this news:

Texas Governor Pushes to Investigate Medical Treatments for Trans Youth as ‘Child Abuse’

In a letter on Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate gender-affirming treatments for transgender adolescents as “child abuse.” (from NY Times 2/23/22)

 

It’s 2022. Texas, we’re better than this. 

In a time when self-care and mental health is more important than ever, for a leader like Greg Abbott to come forward with an “order” on 2/22/22 to criminalize medical treatment for trans youth is at best confusing and at worst deadly. 

It is staggering how many people he is willing to hurt to appeal to his ultra-conservative constituents in an election cycle.

I will continue to affirm and love.

A human has the right to seek medical care to allow them live the gender identity outwardly they are internally. 

Transgender kids… you are seen. You are believed. You are loved. Please know you are loved.

Texas… it’s your job to voice your love for our kids with your vote. It’s time to remove Abbott from office in November. 

Lead with love. 

#LoveMovesFirst

Week 26. 26th COVID-19 Test

Week 26. 26th COVID-19 test. 

What to say that hasn’t been said for the last 6 months. There’s still a pandemic. People are still getting sick and landing in the hospital. 

People who aren’t vaccinated at this point are making a personal choice. The problem with that is… that personal choice, if/when they get COVID-19, they make other people sick. If/when they land in the hospital, they take beds from people who need them (I have a relative who should be in the hospital after a surgery this week… but was sent home because beds are full with COVID-19 patients).

This isn’t political. This is life and death. 

Your personal choices are yours. 

When your choices adversely effect others, it crosses a line.

That is the line where you show your true self…. And when you surround yourself with people who believe that crossing the line is encouraged and acceptable, you become a parrot of hatred. You cause harm.

Me? I’m listening to qualified medical professionals who specialize in infectious diseases for my medical guidance. I’m working hard to love. I’m trying not to be dissuaded by people who respond to love with anger or seek to cause harm… or who simply act like they’re not concerned when they make choices that directly effect my family. 

I’m finding myself getting angry over little things that I used to shrug off. I’ve got to spend more time in silence and prayer this week and work on my heart. Because.  I love you. 

I challenge you, this week to…

Do no harm. Lead with love. 

Love moves first. 

#LoveMovesFirst

My test was negative. 

Here’s to being in a better headspace next week.

My Journey:

Week 1 - link
Week 2 - link
Week 3 - link

Week 4 - link

Week 5 - link

Week 6 - link

Week 7 - link

Week 8 - link

Week 9 - link

Week 10 - link

Week 11 - link

Week 12 - link

Week 13 - link

Week 14 - link

Week 15- link

Week 16 - link

Week 17 - link

Week 18 - link

Week 19 - link

Week 20 - link Week 21 - link

Week 22 - link

Week 23 - link

Week 24 - link

Week 25 - link  

Week 26 - link