“Crisis mode”

We got an email from our principal today, in the middle of an afternoon of zoom meetings, telling us that we’re officially in “crisis mode” (her words). We have five, maybe six (one is still waiting on PCR results) teachers out for the whole week. We have exactly one sub to cover them. Attached was a spreadsheet where we could sign up to cover during our prep periods.

The only spots left during my prep period this week are for the teacher who is not vaccinated. I know she would probably have gotten Covid even if she were vaccinated but still… I feel more angry having to give up my prep for her since she wasn’t vaccinated. Which is silly I know. I haven’t actually signed up yet.

I have a feeling a LOT of students will be out this week. We shall see tomorrow.

Meanwhile my friend, who spent Thursday night with us, is feeling very sick. He got a PCR test at lunch today. Hopefully he’ll get his results tomorrow. I was able to schedule a PCR test at school on Wednesday, so if he is positive, I’ll be able to check myself straight away.

I know it’s going to happen eventually (testing positive), but it’s going to be a lot of this kind of stuff until does. We haven’t even gone back and yet and I’m already very tired.

Today was rough, but SO MUCH BETTER than teaching would have been; I am glad we had a professional development day instead of starting with students. I probably enjoyed the day more because I was allowed to stay in my classroom alone for all the zoom meetings, since I may be finding out I’m a close contact. Although I guess if I am a close contact I can keep teaching as long as I’m asymptomatic (because I’m vaccinated). I wonder if this is the case if my kids test positive too… Can I keep coming to school if my kids are at home with Covid? I need to ask someone that.

The SF SketchFest was postponed. We had tickets for four separate events, costing quite a bit of money each. Since it’s postponed, we are not getting our money back. I doubt it will actually be rescheduled though – each show includes so many different comedians. It’s a real bummer. I was so looking forward to it. My husband and I started dating at SF Sketchfest shows many years ago and we’ve made a point of going to at least one show every year since. Of course we couldn’t go last year, and I guess we won’t be going again this year. I don’t know why, but it’s hitting me pretty hard. I guess it just feels like this is never going to be over.

I don’t know why I’m being such a downer lately. Things are looking up. The low for the next three days is only 50! Our downstairs unit didn’t feel quite so frigid today and the heat didn’t kick on so much this evening to keep the upstairs at 63. It’s only supposed to rain for part of tomorrow too!

I’m also loving the audiobook of Apples Never Fall. Caroline Lee always does an extraordinary job of narrating Liane Moriarty’s books but this one seems especially well presented. It feels like… hanging out with friends and family. Maybe because the “kids” in the book are my age and the parents are exactly the age of my parents (who also just recently retired). Of course my mom isn’t missing… thank goodness! But it really is a fun read. I’m enjoying it immensely. A big thank you to SHU for mentioning she was reading it. I didn’t even know it was out! And I can’t believe Axis 360 had an audiobook copy available straight away! It’s been the saving grace of my break, and will certainly help get me through this first week back to school.

Speaking of which, I should head to bed soon. And I have to create a game for my students tomorrow.

I hope everyone is having a manageable week of reentry after the holidays.