Target is very popular here and busy as well. KMarts all closed here quite a few years ago.

It should be checked out for sure, since it’s a change for you, but my cycles have become increasingly bad over the last year as well (I’m 48). They’ve always been bad, and I’ve had PMS with anxiety for many years. In the last year, though, it’s become much worse....heavier with severe cramps, pain in my right side mid-cycle and during period (went to ER because I was concerned it was appendix). I’ve had three separate ultrasounds and a CT, which all showed nothing that would be causing the pain. Gyn thinks I likely have endometriosis, especially with my past history of infertility, and this is peri menopause hormones wreaking havoc. She basically gave me options of bc pills, hysterectomy, or trying to manage symptoms with nsaids and anxiety meds until menopause. I’m trying the third option.....some months more successfully than others. My mother didn’t have menopause until 61. I don’t know that I can make it that long. I hope you’re able to get feeling better soon!

Would it be possible for you to pay for his insurance for awhile while he continues school and the jobs that are currently working for his schedule (and yours) or deduct that amount from what you pay him?

If needed, reduce hours at other job(s) and work 20hrs/week at Starbucks for the benefits? The ones in our area still have signs up that they’re hiring with flexible hours.

I also saw the murder of the researcher on the regular local news and newspaper.

Coffee aversion (couldn’t even stand the smell of it, and I normally love coffee) went away by about 20 weeks. Water had to be ice cold. Teriyaki aversion lasted throughout pregnancy. Eggs, I still don’t eat 16 years later.

Yes, I think you both had it. I had an illness very similar to your symptoms also in mid-February. My worst symptom was also an extremely sore throat, low fever, and a dry cough. The cough wasn’t deep or severe but lasted for weeks. I haven’t had the toe thing. But, based on your other symptoms, I would guess you had it.

It’s getting really hard now for my teens. They miss their friends. My ds’s birthday is next week, and we’re allowing his best friend to come by to sit outside on the porch (at least 6 ft apart) and visit for a bit. I suppose it’s technically against the social distancing rules in our state but is a really small risk we’re taking for the sake of mental health. They’re 17, so I’m confident they can abide by the 6 ft rule.

I would also guess blackberry.

This is how I understand it too, though I don’t think he’s certain yet Stage 2 will start June 1. He said something about it possibly starting “deeper in June”. We’ll probably have to wait and see how things look at the end of May.

My parents also see the podiatrist monthly for their feet, and theirs is covered by Medicare.

Our state already had mandatory paid sick leave for all employees, and restaurants serving takeout are being inspected and contacted by the health dept to make sure they understand and are complying with absolutely no sick workers. We are ordering takeout a couple times per week to support local businesses. Dh works in public health and has no reservations about it at this time. So far, there is no evidence of it being transmitted through food.

If asked, I would help where I could but am not offering unsolicited advice.......except to my sister. She has three kids suddenly at home while she’s also trying to work from home. She was frustrated with not being able to stick to the schedule she made. She shared it with me and it was super detailed and taken from a public school classroom schedule. I suggested that since her home isn’t a school, they may feel less frustrated trying to stick to a more general routine rather than a highly detailed rigid schedule.

My dd (now 15) did this until she was 2. Nothing we tried worked. I read every book published on babies and sleep, saw the pediatrician multiple times, and even had her on the church’s prayer chain......I finally gave up and just started helping her get settled again when she woke. That way I was only up about 10 minutes each time but very much remember how totally exhausted I was those 2 years with constantly interrupted sleep—and I also had 3 year old and worked full time. It was brutal. On her 2nd birthday, she started sleeping through the night. I don’t know why......I would get rid of the late afternoon nap and then phase out the morning nap too. But at night, I’d do whatever you can that is the least disruptive and gets you the most sleep as possible. She won’t do this forever.....but I know it feels like it now.😊

As long as dh and I are still able to continue working, I don’t have a problem continuing classes or lessons online for awhile. My dd’s dance studio is continuing classes on Facebook Live. No, it’s not the same as in-person classes, but it’s the best we can do for now, and I’ll continue to pay for the classes as long as we are able to.

I get this......I’m also not out and about constantly and am an introvert, but the feeling of not being able to go out or not being able to get things is raising my anxiety. Yesterday I had to go out to pick up a couple prescriptions and a few grocery items. The store wasn’t crowded at all but obviously had been. When I saw the empty shelves with no bread, no cereal, canned goods, paper products, or even flour and sugar, I almost started to cry. I’ve been watching the news and have been preparing but seeing this really upset me. I’m hoping once the panic buying is over, grocery stores will be able to restock. I’m also concerned for my very extroverted teen ds, who also deals with anxiety. He’s very unhappy his classes will all be online for spring quarter, and his need for a lot of interaction and talking does wear down myself and dd, who are both introverts. Dh will be working from home and is very much an extrovert like ds, so hopefully they can keep each other company while dd and I take a break in our rooms each day. 😊

Under the current circumstances, the way things are changing so quickly, and with it only being a couple weeks from now, I would cancel (I’m also near Seattle area). I’d be sad and disappointed, but would cancel.

This is how mine is coming in too....it’s really uneven gray. The front/sides are pretty gray with almost none in the back. It’s not a flattering look at all. I’m hoping it will even out by my mid-50’s and become a pretty silvery gray....then I’ll stop coloring. I only have it colored about every 8 weeks and use root touch up in between.

I’m about half gray, and not a pretty silver or white at this time.....it’s an uneven gray/brown mix. I thought I was going to let it go gray naturally, then I went to the doctor and the receptionist was updating my account. They had an old employer listed for me, and I said I no longer worked there. She asked if I’d retired! I’m in my mid-40’s. My skin looks younger than my actual age, but my hair was aging me. When I got home, I made an appointment to have it colored and haven’t looked back. I won’t color forever, but I think until I actually do retire.

I have no science to back it, but I’ve had a few jobs (in a daycare and years later in a busy public library), and for the first few months working at each place, I was constantly sick. After that, I was rarely ever sick. Same was true of my coworkers. My coworker used to joke that working there was like receiving a little vaccine every day.

I agree with you that the news here has been informative, and I think trying hard to give people up to date information and not cause panic. Same with the press conferences from King County and the State health departments.

This is what I do too, and my phone is fine. (It is in an Otterbox with a glass screen protector, so I’m actually cleaning the case/screen protector).

That’s terrible....I’m so sad for the residents there and their families.

My mom had these symptoms and was diagnosed with PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica). It’s also autoimmune, and can have some other complications, but can be treated and typically runs its course in about 18 months and doesn't cause the joint damage that RA does. Seeing a rheumatologist would probably be a good place to start.

I agree.....but it will need to be widespread closures, not just a few schools or places here and there. I think covid-19 is already widespread in the area, much more so than is being reported. Very few people have actually been tested, so I think we’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg.