DH is an airline pilot and his flights have been averaging 2 passengers per flight. If your DH can fly that's probably the safest way to go. The airports are extremely empty. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Did they cancel your flight?

I grew up with only labradors and absolutely LOVED them. Fast forward to us getting a family dog and DH managed to persuade me to get a golden retriever instead. I used to think labs were the best but after having a golden I'd never get any other type of dog. Our old girl just turned 8 and after we got over the puppy stage she's been the best dog. Our labs always took a couple of years to get past the annoying puppy behavior but it was much quicker with our golden. Also, our golden likes to go on walks but is perfectly content to lie around the house all day if we have nothing going on. For some reason ours doesn't shed much so hair isn't an issue here. I wonder if that's because she's a red golden. ETA: We got our golden when DD was 2 and she ruled over that dog as a puppy and even now. No problems with the dog being too big or boisterous.

Timeless, but I'm grateful that they got to an extended finale after the fans petitioned for it. I also really liked PanAm. That was quickly wrapped up in one episode and felt unfinished.

Unfortunately all of the friends I have in medicine are saying it's overblown and the flu is worse 🙄😲, including one who is an ER doc (though not at the main Covid hospital). It's frustrating and infuriating to me. They tout "logic" and "actual statistics" but I think are just insular and locally minded. Our area has seen some cases but hasn't popped yet and so I think they're using that as "fact" that it's being badly overblown. I've honestly been shocked by their views.

This always happens to me and it's frustrating. I've talked to my friends about it before and they all maybe initiate once and then it goes back to me having to initiate. It makes it harder that my DH works out of town and is gone a lot so I feel the lack of check in from my friends more. Often I just have to push my frustration aside and initiate so that I'm not without contact with people other than my kiddos. I guess I have no advice for you except just keep on initiating and try to assume the best of people (even though that's incredibly hard to do). I know that every time I ask people will be glad to talk/hang out (well, before social distancing! LOL!) but I just wanted someone to think of and contact me for once. So far that hasn't been happening no matter how much I communicate that need to people. During this time especially it's made me quite bitter and I'm usually able to get past it much easier. Hugs to you.

My DS turned 15 and I challenged his friends (who are in various families who we are also friends with) to send us a video of them wishing him happy birthday. I told them I'd give extra points for creativity. I have very competitive friends! LOL! I just put it out there for whomever would be willing and I was surprised at the response I got. One friend actually thanked me for giving them something to focus on and work together towards! His/our friends really showed up for him with the videos and he was so happy. It really made it special that some put lots of time into their greetings (of course, we got a couple of just "happy birthday"'s but he loved even that.

I pulled out my grain mill (Nutrimill) 2 days ago! I haven't used it in about 8 years. It still mills nicely! I used to use it every day and I didn't realize how much I missed making things with the flour from it. I have some hard red wheat berries, but my favorite are soft white.

That's a fair point. I may be projecting foreknowledge/interest on people that they don't have. I've been reading about Covid-19 since January and have always assumed that it'll get quite bad over here. I read news from other countries quite frequently, and so am up to date on how it's been handled/not handled other places in the world. Maybe the majority don't do that. In our area most of the spring breakers aren't 18 year olds or even college aged students, but they're families with school aged children. I assumed that most children have been kept home from school for a long period of time now (so the parents would have some idea of how bad it is), but then I also just realized that it's happened so quickly that what has only been a couple of weeks already feels like months to me.

Fly to England to see my parents.

Respectfully, I disagree. I live in a beach town. We'e seen a greater influx of spring breakers in the past 2 weeks. That's after the National state of emergency AND time enough for most to know better. There may be some people who have no idea but the majority fall into one of two camps: Things aren't going to be as bad as they're all saying (people are panicking for no reason), or it won't affect me (or maybe a 3rd, everyone's going to die at some point). I totally sympathize with those wanting to still take their vacations (DH's work is directly related to people doing just so), but I wish they'd err on the side of caution.

We live by the beach in FL and last week had a ton of spring breakers which caused the local authorities to close the beaches and station LEO's at the bridge to check that only locals who lived on the barrier peninsula were the ones heading over. Even though it stinks to have the beaches closed I'm glad that they did so because us the locals are the ones who are going to suffer from spring breakers bringing the virus here (even though I think it's probably here anyway). The more people who are out the worse it'll get for our area. Hopefully a lot of them have gone back home (no doubt infecting their hometowns too if they have it lying dormant. Sigh). This post sounds crankier than I actually am about it, I'm just frustrated that our family is quarantining and socially distancing and will probably have to pay the price for those who think it won't affect them. All of our neighbors are elderly. It makes me mad for them.

I put my phone on silent when we start school. A lot of my friends like posting group texts and by the end of our school time it's not uncommon for me to have 30 texts to read. DH knows not to call unless it's an emergency (and to call... I do check for that every now and then). It's been really helpful.

I am so, so sorry. DH left flying O & G in the GOM 3 years ago. I can't believe how much the price of oil has fallen since then. As of right now I think DH will be ok with his job: Airline pilot. I think he's senior enough that he'll still have work. There's lots of rumors of furlough though. Not sure what will happen. Lots and lots and lots of hugs, thoughts, and prayers for you and your family.

My dad fits into this category (though my mom is just shy of it). Blah. Probably will be best for him, though, as he is very high risk to be one of the people that doesn't come through this virus well (diabetes, heart disease, other heart issues, etc...)

I'm so sorry, I can't imagine your stress level right now. DH is an airline pilot (though not for United 😞) and we haven't heard of any rumors of any airports being closed (and DH works out of DC). I'm hopeful for you that it's just what you said (a nasty rumor) and your DS will be able to fly as normal. Sending hugs!

One of DH's friends, who lives in Italy, shared this on his FB (and asked people to share, and I thought it was worth it): Living in Italy, times are tough right now. We are on lockdown. If I leave the house I have to have a form filled out with a specific reason for which I am out. I cannot visit my parents. I stood in line outside a pharmacy to be admitted one at a time, I was just buying allergy medicine for my wife and daughter, but was treated as though I had an infectious disease. I watched my daughter talk - or more like yell - to her best friend across a bike path (about 2 meters wide) because nobody knows who might be carrying this coronavirus. We have over 12,000 cases and over 800 dead. This is not a partisan agenda. People are dying. Hospitals are saturated. Nobody benefits by Italy shutting down. We are going to suffer economically for years because of this lockdown. But the Italian people - for the most part - are respecting the temporary rules. This is a huge sacrifice we are all making to extinguish this Covid-19 outbreak. Italy is fighting to prevent more deaths and to regain control of its hospitals. We are fighting to prevent the continued spread of this coronavirus, even to other countries. Why shock and shame? While we are sacrificing so much, friends in the US are calling this a scare tactic. They are calling it fake news. They are calling the pandemic a money making scheme (although, I am unclear who is profiting). They are ignoring the data that has been collected are call Covid-19 a "flu-like" sickness you just get over. I have been mocked in first person for my "fear" when trying to warn of the dangers of this sickness. There is no spin to these deaths. There is no agenda to keep thousands in the ICU. There is no benefit to shutting down Italy. Please set aside your political beliefs and listen to the data from Italy. 3 weeks ago we had 3 cases in all of Italy. Today, we would be happy if we had less than 1,000 new in a day. I - and many others - am trying to raise awareness of the reality. Our sacrifices are pointless if other countries ignore the warnings. If we beat Covid-19 in Italy, at this point, my biggest fear is that it will come back because other countries are being flippant about it.

I'm so sorry. DH flew helicopters for O & G in the GOM for 3 years. I know a little bit about the anxiety related to oil prices and jobs/layoffs. I will be praying that both of our DHs can keep their jobs through this year and beyond. Hugs, hugs, hugs.

I'm not worried about the virus. I AM worried about DH's job: He's an airline pilot. If people aren't traveling that's not good for his job security. I'm already assuming that we'll get Covid19. I have a hurricane supply kit (we live in FL) so already have food/water/everything we'll need for a small amount of time. If I didn't I'd probably pick up some things in my regular shop.

Dh is an airline pilot (Domestic) and his company hasn't provided any guidance on closures (except for some international routes through China). I'm not excited about him flying, but he's not super concerned (yet). He's based out of a large city and has around 60 flights next month 😑. He washes his hands a lot but that's generally the only precaution he takes. He's already had the flu this season. Sigh. I think it's hard to predict how things will be even in the next couple of weeks. The large crowds at the parks would possibly concern me with an immunosuppressed hubby. Then again, everything could be fine. I don't envy your decision. 😥

I plugged in a multi-city request into American Airlines' website and came up with $560 round trip from ORD-LHR in the beginning of the summer and DUB-ORD at the end of the summer. I don't think you'll get much cheaper than that! It would probably work with your preferred airline if that's not American. Just pick advanced search and search multi city request. I prefer booking directly with the airlines as it usually makes it much easier to change itineraries if you have to. ETA: Be careful with hidden ticketing, especially if you're checking bags. I'm not sure how that would work internationally, either, since she wants to fly to LHR.

Did you do this with your local school or do you have a homeschool group that you do this through? I just went on a rabbit trail looking into this and it looks very interesting!

That's definitely true! The majority of Americans that I am friends with right now in the area that I live in have not traveled outside the US. I thought your analogy of parenting only one child was a great one. 🙂 Nope! Nuh uh. Not touching that one with a ten foot pole. 😂🤣😂

Most Americans that I know (hence my experience, and opinion 😂) intellectually understand from a macro view that people all over the world live differently, however, in small ways and in regular conversation show that they don't actually understand that deep down. I'm an immigrant and have been surprised (but then not...) at how many times people have assumed that my home country has similar laws/holidays/commercial enterprises/thought processes, etc... to here. When I point out the truth (that they don't) then they sort of slap their heads and say "of course!" but in my experience it really is a mindset that's ingrained. Heck, I've lived here 29 years and I have developed some of those patterns of thinking. My mom likes to point them out to me when I visit as how I've "become so American". 😁 Some of you may not see it, and that's okay, but don't discount the experience of those of us who do. I'm American (granted, an immigrant who has lived here a long time) and I've seen almost everything that the non-Americans have - including the stereotypical drunk Aussies 🤣 (how do people not know that this is a stereotype of a section of Australians!?! LOL!) I know America and Americans very well and still have the same opinions of the non-Americans on this thread. I don't think it's ignorance or lack of knowledge, just their experience.

My DH is a pilot so my kids have a lot of airline experience but I have anxiety so I completely understand your nervousness, my kids have yet to fly alone (14 and 10). You should be able to get a pass to go back through security with her. Is she flying by herself or as an Unaccompanied Minor (this is an official service that can be a separate charge). If she's flying UM then you'll definitely get a pass back to the gate and like the PP said you'll see her board and have to wait around until the flight is airborne. They'll take her down ahead of all other boarders and usually they'll put them in a seat close to a Flight Attendant who will check on them during the flight. If she's not a UM but she's only going from one airport to another where family is picking her up that should be smooth sailing. Go early to the airport and talk to a ticketing agent about getting a pass to go through. If you can pick a seat for her pick the last row aisle as that should be close to an FA in case of emergency. If you can't pick a seat, don't stress, I'm sure everything will be fine! Make sure she packs her toiletries (less than 3oz for each liquid) in a plastic ziploc. Lately, depending on the airport, they're asking for snacks to be pulled out of bags and placed in a bin separately so she may have to do that. She'll have to pull out her tablet, e-reader, or laptop and put that in a separate bin, and if she doesn't have TSA Precheck then she'll have to take off her shoes and have those go through separately as well (this is why I agree with Lanny to check a bag if you can so she doesn't have to deal with juggling lots of things). Have her pack an empty water bottle to fill post security and that way she won't have to pay exorbitant fees for a bottle if she's thirsty. You can google her flight at the airport to see what gate they'll have her flying out of and landing into and you can look on a map of the arrival airport with her (one caveat is that sometimes this changes in flight so tell her not to freak out if this happens) and let her know the general area where she'll be arriving and how to get to baggage claim. You can also input her flight onto flightaware.com and you can follow it the whole way from gate to gate. It will give all of the stats including route and where they are at that time. Have her text you when she lands and is taxiing in and you could always help her through navigating over the phone. Flight Aware is incredibly accurate. I stalk my DH on it all of the time (he knows, lol!) She's 16 so I'm sure she'll love the independence. Good luck to you both!