Social Distancing
Today I told the students who came out to my two Friday classes that I wanted them to stay home, to restrict contact, and to avoid the community center. It broke my heart a little.
A few hours later Portland Parks & Rec announced that all community centers were closed through March 31st. At least.
I’m worried about the houseless citizens who use the center to shelter and shower.
I depend on teaching to keep my energy balanced!
I practiced bowing gassho to people today.
I ran the last errands. We’re staying low, hunkering down except for essentials like prescriptions.
Let's all learn how to better connect without getting closer than 3-6 feet from one another. I told students to use this time to learn how to use tech for connecting. I'm going to bed making good on my talk of practice videos and mighty even try to live stream.
What strange days.
Nice Day for the Pandemic
School district’s closing up for 2+ weeks. Just told the community center director that I actively discouraging my students from coming tomorrow. I told them I’m taking at least a 2-week hiatus from teaching their, starting Monday.
90-95% of my students are over age 60. Some of the younger folks have chronic illnesses. I’m a fifty year old with lifelong asthma! My wife’s lungs are worse!
I’m going to get more videos up and might try to livestream content to students.
Strange times.
Pandemic
No longer a thing of history books. We’re living in terrifying times and the load on my nervous system feels pretty heavy today.
I’m wondering justhow long I’ll keep teaching at the community center. On one hand, I support people getting out to move and be in community. These things usually support the immune system. My class numbers are dropping daily.
Oregon’s Governor just announced a 4-week ban on gatherings over 250 people. So much for soccer season kicking off. If the schools close the community centers will too.
We’re trying to stay present and not drop into anxiety. I’m limiting news even more than I already have been. We’re trying to get enough rest.