Pandemic Week 90: Omicron

Theresa at the "Santa Spin" class
 Just when you start to think things are improving, you get a reminder that the pandemic is not yet over.  This week the omicron variant appeared in the U.S. just in time for the holidays.  Everyone is waiting for researchers to determine how contagious it is, but let's face it.... we are not putting away our masks and hand sanitizer any time soon.   Meanwhile, the school continues to send out vaccine and COVID testing reminders.  Starting Monday, the local libraries will be distributing free rapid COVID tests for at home use.  The pandemic continues.

On the plus side, the holiday season this year is very different from last year.  Anna is looking forward to The Snowman concert this Saturday morning with her high school choir and orchestra.  There were definitely no concerts last year!  Breakfast with Santa was held this year in the neighborhood, albeit outside (and breakfast was Anita's breakfast burrito food truck, which is quite delicious).  One of the main activities was also collecting donations for Toys for Tots with some local marines on hand to assist (it helps that we have marines in the neighborhood).  Santa arrived in the local fire truck after cruising the neighborhood.  As one of the neighbors commented, the pandemic really forced some of the traditional neighborhood activities to evolve, which has been great.  This week one of the local dad bands will be playing holiday tunes in the club house parking lot with a hot chocolate food truck.  We continue to make the most of outdoor activities.

In other news of the week:

  • Joe got his COVID booster shot on Monday.  Just in time for omicron!
  • Theresa attended her first spin class, thanks to her friend Joy who won a free class for her friends.  It was a fun night out, including some outdoor dinner afterwards.
  • Anna & Theresa attempted to do some holiday shopping on Saturday morning, beginning with Hobby Lobby.  The store was ransacked with no holiday decorations to be found.  There were aisles of empty shelves.   Anna was able to find her yarn.  Target holiday decorations were also completely gone.
  • Sunday involved some holiday decorating.  It was only some because of course there were lights that were not working.  Given the mobs that stormed Hobby Lobby, Target, and we can only assume Michael's, Theresa opted for an unlikely supplier.....CVS.  Hopefully the word does not get out that they actually have lights.
  • We took a break from decorating on Sunday for a quick hike on a local trail.  Sometimes you just need to step away from decorations.

We will see what this week brings.  Temperatures are supposed to soar to 70 on Monday followed by highs in the 30s on Tuesday.  It is going to be a wild week.



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