2020 The Covid-19 Pandemic and More

While we were in Jensen Beach last winter, a virus broke out in our world.  It is a Coronavirus, named Covid-19.  No vaccine at this time, but one is to come shortly.  During this outbreak, all the world shutdown.  In March the public beaches in Florida closed, all public swimming pools (this included our Holiday Out pool), Disney World and Disney Land and every other attraction nation/world wide closed.  All churches, movie theaters, schools, every store except those deemed "essential" for living.  Grocery stores, gas stations, utility workers, hospitals law enforcement officers, etc. all kept working on.  Many were laid off or worked from home.  Covid scare is what you heard everywhere.  Every governor had their daily TV news briefing keeping their state up to date on new cases, deaths and the occasional ones released from the hospital.  

Fast forward to late August, 2020.  We are getting back to some kind of normalcy.  With masks on if you are in public.  Social distance is the word on the street.  You hear those words more than most words.  Keep six feet apart from anyone that you don't share a home with.  After a long wait, phases of reopening started, and gatherings of up to ten people were allowed in Kentucky.  Then churches opened, stores/malls opened, nail salons, etc.  This week, movie theaters are opening, with restrictions.  Everything has restrictions.  The Derby moved from the first Saturday in May, to the first Saturday in September.  September 5th.  No spectators in the stands.  None.  We are hosting our annual party, with ten altogether.  We had to trim our favorite friends.  

But, for the Bakers, we have been more than grateful.  So far, no covid 19 that we are aware.  No hospital stays.  Thank you God.  For all those that have it, had it, or will contract it, God be close to the sick.  To the scared, to their moms, dads, daughters.  Keep us well, through this storm.  Through the battle.  Help the essential workers stay well.  Bring on a vaccination that is available and that works for one and all.  God help this to come to an end.  Let there be light at the end of the tunnel, soon.  People are weary and many are broken.  And broke.  

Fast forward to November 8, 2020.  We are back in #99 (Jensen Beach) for a few weeks.  We have just finished our first full week.  The wind has been heavy making beach sitting scarce.  Today (Sunday) and the next few days, there is a tropical storm moving through south Florida.  

Covid is still as bad as ever, in some areas worse.  The death toll is massive.  Everyday you hear of another family say it has hit them.  Mom, Clyde's mom, both our sisters and his brothers, all our kids and grandkids are covid free (as far as I know).  At least, no hospital admittance, which means no threat of life.  Which is amazing.  Thankful and blessed!  Still no vaccine, but closer than it was.

The 2020 Presidential election was this week, Nov. 3rd.  Although President Trump was not my first choice in the primary four years ago, he was in the 2016 general election.  I especially liked VP Mike Pence.  A Christian and an honorable man.  For them to be voted out of office, is so hard to accept in so many ways.  But they were.  And I know God is sovereign.  He rules.  He orchestrated this election.  We are not to fear.  It is not my job to question.  Do I like it?  No.  Do I wish the office was filled with a Conservative?  Yes.  But God.