96% of the United States in under a stay-at-home order, and somehow it already feels like it’s been that way for months, even though it’s only been two weeks since New York and New Mexico became part of that group. It’s incredible to think about how much has changed during that time.
It hasn’t even been two months since the Oscars. I keep finding unrelated milestones in the recent past to remind myself that it’s been such a short time period. I mean…I was just in New York City at the end of February, and things were business as usual. A little discussion with my dad about keeping iPhones sanitized, but that’s really it. Six weeks ago!
I feel like Friday the 13th of March was the day that everything began to perceptibly shift from where we were in the days of “wash your hands” to where we are now. On the 13th there had been 1700 documented cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and 40 deaths. Just over three weeks later, those numbers have risen to 356,942 and 10,524, respectively—as of the writing of this post, at least. I’ve dealt with the anxious dread of two family members being tested and then waiting and waiting for the results (negative in both cases, thankfully).
I started listening to Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani’s new podcast, Staying In with Emily & Kumail. Not only is it very entertaining, it’s really helpful. Therapeutic, even. Highly recommended.
In the past three days, I’ve watched two movies and binged a miniseries. Contagion, Chernobyl, and…To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. A nice mix of “OH MY GOD THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT’S GOING ON AND IT’S ALL GWYNETH PALTROW’S FAULT AND EVEN SANJAY GUPTA IS THERE,” “I can’t really decide if nuclear fallout is better or worse than a global pandemic,” and “I’m so glad I’m not a teenager anymore, but this is really adorable.”
I went grocery shopping this morning. I wore a face mask, glasses (mostly to keep myself from absent-mindedly touching my eyes, which is hard to not do during allergy season), and gloves. Not unlike what I would wear to refinish cabinets [nervous laughter]! Pretty much everyone at both stores I went to was wearing a mask, and most people were also wearing gloves. It’s weird to shop in a store that’s mostly empty. It’s weird to get excited because you found a package of napkins. I think I’ve gone out to shop twice since Friday the 13th, and both times I felt very sad and very tired by the time I got home.
I’m surprised by the particular items I can’t find anywhere: Frozen peas. Tofu of any kind. Basil. Matzo. I feel like there’s a good Passover joke in there somewhere.
My skin has been patchy and dry lately, probably because of the change in season and allergies and stuff. I started using The Ordinary’s Retinol 0.2% in Squalane (Do you know about The Ordinary? Very inexpensive, very effective skin care products. I’ll remind myself to do a roundup of my favorites at some point in the future!), and it’s helping a lot. I’m applying it over Herbivore Botanicals’ Orchid Facial Oil (yes, I still use my old favorites) every other night to prevent the flaking that can sometimes come with retinols.
Oh! The Tushy bidet attachment I ordered was delivered today! When I ordered on March 24th the ship date was April 20th, so I guess they’re erring on the side of caution with their estimates. Two weeks earlier than expected! So that’s nice. I’ll install it tomorrow.
How are you coping?
48 Comments
OMG allergies.. why are they are SO bad this year?! I gave up on Claritin and I’ve been giving Allegra a whirl. So far, Allegra seems to help my eyes way more than Claritin.. but the sneezing is worse. Pick your poison, I guess. I prefer not wanting to scratch my eyeballs out to sneezing. Baush & Lomb allergy eye drops are my savior . I’m so enjoying your new blog posts!! I refuse to thank this pandemic for anything.. but I am enjoying more Door Sixteen in my life!
Oh, try Zyrtec pills and Flonase nasal spray. It should help if the other ones aren’t working.
I take Zyrtec and Flonase generics, too. It seems to work for everything but juniper, which unfortunately is the top allergen in northern New Mexico. It’s EVERYWHERE, and it’s highly allergenic.
I’m trying to use exclusively holistic, “natural” remedies and an Internet search led me to the nettle plant, which is sold as freeze-dried pills. The only downside to these pills (by Wild Harvest) is that the capsules are made out of bovine gelatin. Being whole-food, plant-based, I dumped the contents of the pills into my smoothie, and lo and behold, it worked! I was totally shocked, to be honest cuz my allergies were severe (persistent watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose). Apparently, nettles contain antihistamine properties.
I had a relapse the following weekend while gardening and I followed up with my nettle green/fruit smoothie and bang — same day relief. I realize this is all anecdotal, but it worked for me. Totally worth trying!
Oh, one more thing. I just bought a package of Traditional Medicinals’ organic nettle leaf tea. If I experience another allergy episode, I’m gonna try it.
Hope this helps! =)
Thanks, Katrina! Nettles had zero effect on my allergy to juniper, but I understand they do work (or appear to work) for some people’s allergies.
That said, in the event anyone reading this is tempted to try nettles, please do check with your doctor first to make sure you’re not taking any medications that could adversely interact with them (like for diabetes, for example, since nettles can cause an unpredictable rise or drop in blood sugar that could be dangerous in that case, or if you take immunosuppressing drugs) or if you’re pregnant.
NOT trying to be dismissive or a downer, but as someone with an autoimmune disorder, I get very nervous when I see non-regulated supplements recommended without any caution attached.
OMG juniper. I grew up in Abq and one year I went to the doctor because I was convinced I was practically dying from the most severe sinus infection ever. It was just allergies! Ugh. The worst.
I watched Outbreak with Dustin Hoffman and the most unrealistic part was how quickly testing became available.
OMGGG, I did not know that — thanks, Anna!
In the day of sponsored posts, let me say I’m just a person who had bad allergies, no commercial connections! My allergies gave me two-inch bumps from mosquito bites as a kid, tissues in every room and every jacket pocket as an adult, etc. My boyfriend suggested getting allergy-tested, and it verified that I was allergic to lots of things. I did allergy shots, and things got better. After about 20 years, the allergic reactions got stronger again.
So now, obviously, I’m older. The weight battle has been going on, and I started using collagen protein. I suddenly realized that my allergies were…almost non-existent. It’s been great: no more antihistamines, no collection of tissue boxes everywhere, no itchy eyes, no sneezing marathons or runny nose. The theory (and I say that knowing that health/wellness information is rife with crazy “facts,” so you have to decide whether you can trust the source) is that collagen helps heal the lining of your intestine, which among other benefits, can keep allergens from getting into your system and causing inflammation/allergic reaction.
It’s just been so thrilling to me to have relief from allergies that I have to work really hard not to tell people about collagen. It also helped with weight loss, for what it’s worth, and of all other weird results, better eyesight. Sigh. I sound like an infomercial.
Anna, so glad to hear from you again! I love your writing voice and style. It’ll be fun to watch your house change.
Friday the 13th was our first day of staying home in Northern California. So weirdly appropriate. And easy to remember!
We’re managing to keep ourselves busy (and relatively sane) with house and garden projects using stuff we already had on hand and a delivery or plants. Of course you and Daniel & Juliette are keeping us inspired and entertained. Hugely grateful for that!
Very much looking forward to your post about the Ordinary! I’m using the same retinol and their Buffet. Always love your skin care posts♥️
Curious who Juliette is/ what blog you mean. I’m missing out! Thanks.
I think she might mean Daniel Kanter’s friend Juliet, who is staying at his house and has been in some of his recent Instagram stories.
Thanks! It’s nice reading your and Daniel’s posts again. I’m not signed up for Instagram so I can see photos but not stories.
OMG! Chernobyl! I’m glad I watched that months ago when it came out. I don’t know if I could watch that now. If I have to pick one thing that’s been helping me cope is not actually a thing, but my Zorrito!
Take care Anna. Thankyou for the effort you are making to keep us entertained! I feel a bit like I’m watching in horror at the US situation and so wish you had someone better in charge. We have lockdown here in NZ but also complete trust in our PM and I am so grateful to have her! One thing I have been worrying about is the move for you to all wear masks and how it is not in line with WHO advice (which is under review as I understand). Has there been proper advice provided by the govt as to how to use them properly ie never touching it once it is on, removing from the back, straight into the wash or bin once removed etc? I have been trying to avoid listening to Trump as it stresses me out!
Jemma, I can’t speak to what the WHO is currently recommending, but the CDC has a page with guidelines for cloth masks: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
For me day 1 was March 6 – my department had an oddly emotional meeting and then dispersed into working from home. So far masks don’t outnumber bare faces in my Seattle neighborhood.
My skin likes to freak out when I’m stressed. In college my feet would peel every time I had to take a flight and now my face gets super dry all of a sudden. Usually I change my skin care routine to something for dry skin, but now I’m trying this new thing called…water. No cleanser, no treatments.
Yes, Washington state definitely got hit earlier than the rest of the country. 🙁 I feel stupid for somehow thinking it would be mostly contained in one facility? I assume I thought that, at least—it’s hard to look back now and be clear in my mind about what my perception was at what time. Sigh. Hopefully what you’re seeing in your neighborhood isn’t representative of the rest of the state.
I would love to hear your review of The Ordinary products! I’m relatively new to the “taking care of your skin as an adult” club and have been wanting to try some of their stuff.
Thank you so much for posting again. You’re one of my absolute favorite bloggers/designers. I started using herbivore botanicals because of the post you did about your skincare routine. I have, in the last few months, incorporated a lot of Youth To The People into my routine and have found their products to work amazingly well with my acne prone adult skin. If you haven’t tried them yet, I would highly recommend them.
I haven’t heard of that brand before, Sara, but I will check them out!
I second Youth to the People!! All vegan and full of superfood properties! I’ve been using it for a year and have the best skin of my life.
It’s so hard not to touch your face right now during the pollen season. Coping well, all things considered! I saw something on the news this morning that mentioned how changing your perspective will help you survive the quarantine. Instead of saying something like-I’m tired of eating the same thing three days in a row this week because I can’t go to the store, say-I’m glad we have food on the table and aren’t struggling or wondering where our next meal will come from. I thought that was a powerful message and reminder.
Kaitlyn @ Oh, the Places We’ll Go!
March 13th was my last day of work before a planned week of vacation, and I found out late that afternoon that daycares across the province (i’m in qc, canada) were closing for two weeks. I spent that week of vacation in quarantine at home, anxiously wondering if I would still have a job after my vacation. The two weeks were extended to 4, then 6 weeks. I went back to work for two weeks
and then found out I will be out of work until june, possibly july. Everyday brings a new version of normal and I alternate between being totally fine and being anxious AF.
I cope by doing pilates everyday and tackling home improvement projects. I can’t wait for your post about painting your tile floors!
Somewhat related: have you tried bakuchiol by herbivore? It’s meant to be an alternative to retinol, minus the side effects. I’ve been using it for a few months and it has changed.my.skin.
Chloe, I’m so sorry to hear about your work situation. Crossing my fingers for you that your job is still intact when we’re able to go back to work.
I don’t know about Bakuchiol, but I’ll look it up!
On Friday the 13th I was supposed to fly to Arizona for a long weekend in Sedona, returning to work on Tuesday the 17th. Colleges here (N. California) had just shut down and people were starting to panic buy. My friends and I cancelled our trip at the last minute, and I just stayed home, only to have the shelter-in-place order go into effect on the day I was supposed to go back to work. I’ve cobbled together a work at home situation, and am deeply grateful to still have a job. I missed all the panic cleaning product buying and can’t get my hands on any bleach-based cleaner (or regular old bleach, or peroxide, etc.) so I just hope my hippy-dippy homemade surface cleaner does something. I also can’t get flour and feel like the only person with an IG account who is not making my own starter and baking sourdough. I have fresh supplies of Herbivore Orchid Oil and Lotion P50, though, so at least I have good skin in quarantine! I started on these products because of your review and love them!
I have flour, but I’m out of yeast, so I’m not making any sourdough loaves either! Even in the best of times I manage to bake bread maybe twice a year, so that’s OK.
Something was up with that Friday the 13th, right? The night before we hit the grocery store HARD and the frenzy had just begun. I took a sick day on the 13th, just felt completely lousy and fatigued. After that I started working from home.
Maybe we’re nerds (probably!) but we’ve really enjoying the LEGO Masters show. Coping on comfort foods, puppy pics from family, and new-to-me clean beauty products. Like others, I took your tip on Herbivore’s Orchid face oil awhile back and also LOVE it. I’d like to try their Jasmine toner and Coconut body oil. My arms have been so dry. I ordered some Weleda skin food (lotion) – it’s way thick. Do you have body lotion you recommend?
P.S. Curious about the 1st photo. Do you have a 2nd floor or basement?
I really like O’Keeffe’s body lotion (I have very dry skin, and the climate here really exacerbates that), but it’s hard to get the last 1/4 of the lotion out of the bottle, which frustrates me to no end. I wish they sold it in a tub!
The first photo was taken inside of an old commercial building in downtown Santa Fe on March 14th. The second floor is all office space, and it was completely empty—because it was a Saturday, not yet because of quarantine. I’ve wandered around in there a few times, and the corridors are stairwells are really beautiful.
Oh gosh, Friday the 13th.
Back in November, one of my best friends who lives in DC and I had made plans to meet up in Amsterdam the weekend of March 13th (short train ride for me from Paris).
Two or three weeks beforehand, she told me that her parents (retired university professors) had asked her please not to come. That seemed a bit over the top to me but then again you have to respect your parents (she is in her mid-40s and I am 50!).
By the week before, she had pulled the plug on the trip. And then literally Saturday the 14th was when President Macron came on the TV and said all restaurants, bars, cafés, etc, would close that night at midnight, until April 15. My husband is a sommelier and works in a restaurant (in another town!) and so stayed there Sunday March 15 closing down the restaurant and packing up his short-term rented apartment, and Monday March 16, he caught the train back to Paris.
That same evening, the prime minister announced the complete lockdown of France beginning at noon the next day, Tuesday March 17. And as that week went on, things were getting crazy with the calls for Americans to come home and then France (and the rest of the EU) notifying that it was closing its borders to non-citizens and non-residents . . .
My husband brought home the Covid-19 from Lille; he started exhibiting symptoms that Tuesday the 17th. At first we didn’t think too much of it and I am ashamed to say I went to work again on Wednesday. As I got home Wednesday evening, I realized he really probably did have it so started teleworking the next day.
Friday afternoon, I had a light fever myself. My case of Covid only ever was two afternoons/evenings/nights of light fever, and the fatigue and loss of smell/taste. My husband had it worse but still very mild considering how bad it can get!! He had a fever for 9-10 days, and severe muscle aches and headaches for another 5-6 days even after the fever had stopped. He never had any respiratory issues, thank God.
Because we live in the city and thus in an apartment building (and on a high floor), we have to touch several surfaces to leave the building and re-enter (elevator buttons, elevator doors — two parts), keypads for door codes, door handles . . . therefore I have reduced our outings to the very strict minimum necessary (in order to avoid leaving the virus anywhere on common surfaces that our neighbors will touch). I will be glad once we are out of the infectious stage and can at least go out for the daily one-hour walk that is allowed within a km of our apartment.
So I guess that is our coronavirus story here from Paris!! Sorry to go on for so long!
(Just a little way of saying how much I am appreciating your posts, as they are bringing in something else to think and talk about!!!)
Stay safe Anna.
Oh, Kim!!! I am so glad that you and your husband have both recovered quickly!! How scary—though maybe also a relief on some level knowing you’ve been through it already. I wish we could know for sure whether people can be reinfected, but apparently the science isn’t clear on that yet. I was very sick in late January/early February with what I assumed was the flu—but I was tested for the flu, and it was negative. Now I wonder whether I actually had COVID-19 during that period of time before we realized it had indeed spread to the US. I think about this every day.
Same for my brother. He had what he thought was a terrible flu in February. There was even a respiratory component. In retrospect, we wonder if he had COVID-19 before it was known it had spread.
Yes, all my friends here assume I am now immune, but I have pointed out that we don’t know yet — and I saw one study that suggested that some people who had it tested with very low levels of antibodies. Anyway we will just have to keep learning about this virus!!
It’s just kind of cute — the last three or four mornings my husband has been singing some of his silly songs (his Italian drama coming out) — and I realized I KNEW he was better now because I hadn’t heard those beautiful sounds for weeks!
I’m a big Ordinary fan too, but sometimes feel overwhelmed by all the products and how to use them – so a post on that would be great! I have sensitive skin and have had issues with retinols in the past, but I’ve been using their Granactive Retinoid and it’s really good. I had to slowly work up to using it every second day. I had a bit of purging at first, but none of the dry, flaky irritation that I experienced with other retinols. If irritation is an issue for you – I would recommend giving this one a go.
Thanks, Trudi! As long as I wear a barrier underneath retinol products, I’m fine. I’ll probably try the Granactive formula when it’s time to reorder.
On the other side of the world – Germany – it is not much different. I work from home anyway, so it wasn’t much of a change for me. Being somewhat introverted keeping a social distance is not to difficult for me. I don’t miss things like concerts, theater, etc. but I miss inviting friends for dinner. Especially those not having a partner, it feels horrible to know they are home alone most of the time.
On the other hand the world outside feels much quieter, less excited to buy stuff, get entertained, cover their own feelings with action…Do you know what I mean? It is calmer, people have time to think what is really important. I like that.
I know of all the drama this virus is bringing to the world, but it also has a positive side. I try to focus on that.
I understand what you’re saying, Stine, but I absolutely cannot see a positive side to any of this. At all. On a personal, individual level, I don’t really feel much of a social difference in my life, but it’s how ALL of society is affected as a whole that’s so disturbing to me. I can only speak about the United States, but in this country there is already a revolting “every man for himself” attitude about life and economy that has been instantly exacerbated by the physical act of isolation and the total detachment from community involvement even on the daily commerce/basic needs level. Beyond the obvious tragedy of illness and death, in the United States this has brought into high relief the horrendous healthcare/insurance system in this country, and in particular the lack of access to healthcare among black and brown communities—for example, in Michigan, 40% of the COVID-19 related deaths have been black people (despite the black population of the state only being 14%). This kind of pattern is repeating all over the country—the disenfranchised are the hardest hit, as always. NOTHING is being done on a federal level to help the arts and freelancers and sole proprietors, and the barest minimum is being done to support small businesses. None of the relief checks that have been promised have been dispersed. People are truly suffering and struggling in the immediate moment. Rent is due. Bills must be paid. Business are already failing. Children with the greatest need are falling behind rapidly, to a point that they may permanently lose a critical learning period of their lives. This was already a country of enormous economic, social, and legal inequity, and on the other side of this, that will only be worse. I am thinking about what is really important, and sadly, those are the things that people are losing the fastest.
It IS truly depressing to see the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. And eveything else about the U.S. non-response.
My husband is a sommelier — his place of work has been closed by law since March 15. The government is paying 84% of his (and his colleagues’) salary while the restaurant is closed so that the owner of the small hotel/restaurant won’t have to fire them and their jobs will still be there when this is over. That is psychologically HUGE for us. He received his salary as normal at the first of April! Incredible!!!
(We live and work in France.)
You’re right! My last day at work was the 12th, and since that Friday the 13th things have been bananas. Things are similarly eerie in Portland too, masks and gloves to shop. Mostly just wanna shout out to say enjoy your Hello Tushy! We’ve had ours for almost four months and love it. My hairy husband thanks me for buying it at least once a week
Those numbers are incredible and it makes my heart ache for you all. In this IG community alone a potter I follow, her beloved father contracted it and was taken away by ambulance. He was treated in hospital but died alone days later and they never saw him again. The grief around that story and more like it is touching millions. My own parents have been home voluntarily for nearly 4 weeks. I can’t risk them going anywhere so deliver everything they need – thankfully they still have each other.
Here in Australia only 5900 have vivid-19, with 45 deaths. Those numbers seems something to be oh so grateful for.
In terms of passing time, lots of sewing in this house, so more wardrobe options with nowhere to go. Grocery shopping is so stressful but luckily all shoemakers have now imposed limits in store at a time so although you wait you feel safer when you’re in there. I just feel for all those working there.
Stay well, safe and sane!
Fortunately in New Mexico the governor has ordered that grocery stores operate at 20% capacity, but unfortunately the federal government has been unwilling to issue nation-wide mandates. It’s maddening.
Izanami is selling tofu for $4 in the grocery items section of its takeout website – little bit of a drive up the mountain to get there, but maybe worth it if you want to stock up? They have other fresh produce and pantry items, too.
Thanks! I don’t know where Izanami is, but I’m really trying to not go out unless it’s to do a large/one-stop grocery run once every couple of weeks. Thank you, though!
Izanami is the restaurant at Ten Thousand Waves, located on the road that leads to the ski basin. They’ll deliver your order to your car if you change your mind. I’m trying to avoid the grocery stores and get everything I need from small shops/restaurants where I’ll encounter the minimal number of people. Not sure which approach makes better sense, best of luck!
March 13 was definitely my turning point, too. We had a meeting at work and we left with a “ok, we MIGHT potentially work from home for a week” and that was the last time we were in the office. I work in a tiny landscape architecture firm and I never thought I’d miss seeing my co-workers so much. 🙁
Allergies – I have lived in Austin for 15 years and it took me SO LONG to finally go get tested. I endured back to back sinus infections for years with all the mold and cedar in the air. After I found out I was allergic to pretty much everything in this city, I started with the allergy shots treatments 7 years ago and haven’t looked back since. I know they don’t work for everyone, but It’s the only thing that has helped me.
I’ve considered the allergy shot route (my mother did the same a few years ago, and it was life-changing), but the need to travel at least an hour each way to do it multiple times a week (plus the unlikelihood of my insurance covering it) has put me off. Of course now we can’t even go to the doctor for non-emergency reasons, so…sigh.
So far it helps that we’ve maintained our normal routine. During the work week: eat healthy, cook at home and rarely drink. On weekends we usually go out, drink, eat fattening food. The big difference is that now the food is takeout, and the drinking is happening in the backyard or over Zoom with friends. Another new thing is that our booze is being purchased as part of our takeout from our local restaurants — a great way to get more money to them.
I miss being around lots of people IRL, but so far things are working for us. It helps that the weather has been good and we’re still allowed to go for long walks.
We’re on week 4 of quarantine, and it’s been…a ride. For the most part, fine, but days like today have been heavy. All of a sudden you just get hit by frustration, sadness, longing. We have a curfew here and there’s cops doing rounds to make sure everyone is observing, so even walking the dog gives me anxiety. Then my computer started acting up, and I’m trying to extend its lifeline until the end of the semester. Did not plan for that expense, so I’m kind of freaking out about that. Glad we’ve still got jobs, but administration isn’t wrapping its head properly around the concept of work from home…