Slowly, but surely, we’re getting there. The COVID-19 pandemic is slowly, ever so slowly, going away.
Five regions in New York State are entering Phase II of their reopening as of today. Phase II includes most office workers and some retail (with restrictions). For many, it seems the most important aspect of Phase II is that hairdressers and beauty salons will reopen (again with restrictions). Blonds can be blond again, and none of us will be forced to cut our own hair (or shave our heads, as some men have done).
I live in Western New York, which is still in Phase I. The question now is: When will we reach Phase II? Western New York may, or may not, reach Phase II on Tuesday of next week, depending on how many COVID-19 hospitalizations there are in this region over the next few days.
The good news is: I have been in contact with my employer, and even if Western New York officially reaches Phase II on Tuesday, I won’t need to return to the office until Monday of the following week. I am in the high-risk group for infection based on my age and health condition, and there are still issues in the office building which need to be resolved to be in compliance with the state guidelines for reopening.
As you all know, I am in no particular hurry to get back to work, especially under these circumstances. I’ll be happy to take a few days vacation or unpaid time while everyone else gets their acts together.
Meanwhile, here in the backyard, nothing has changed. The weather alternates between sunshine and monsoon-like rain. Puppy Cody patrols the perimeter looking for bunnies and squirrels:
View from Under the Crabapple Tree (see Cody over by the fence?)
Mr. Rabbit, Where Are You?
I tried numerous times to get Cody to pose for me (“Cody! Be Pretty“), but no dice. She was simply too intent on her “job” as she sees it.
Of course, Cody decided her security duties ended when The Boss got home from shopping:
Dad’s Home!
I should rate such enthusiasm. But then, I wasn’t returning from the store, maybe with treats.
Hope all is well with all of you. If you’re in the Northeast, things are probably improving; everywhere else, you may have a long road ahead of you. But in any case, this pandemic will end eventually for all of us.
Hugs, Everyone.
__________
I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook or Twitter pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
__________
Images by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
Blondes can be blonde again. Great line, CM!
LikeLike
Wish I could claim it, but I paraphrased something I saw on Facebook.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like all your fun, staying at home, may be over soon.
When my wife returns home from wherever she’s been, our dogs go nuts, they’re so happy. But when I return home they act like, meh, whatever. I think it’s because I’m not the one who feeds them.
LikeLike
The funny thing is, Cody usually is my dog. In the house, she stays next to me and gets really upset if I go anywhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well maybe you both feed her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our county just had 3 new cases ofCovid 19 diagnosed, after two weeks of none. I think it’s going to be a long time before it’s over.
LikeLike
Yep. Our county, which was on the decline, had 20 new COVID hospitalizations yesterday, and we’re up to over 5800 cases in the county. It may be enough to delay Phase II. We’ll find out soon.
LikeLike
Puppy Cody is so lucky to have such a big backyard to explore, CM! Great shots as always! Stay safe, healthy and happy! ♡(ŐωŐ人)
LikeLike
That yard was the single most important consideration when we were looking for houses. I didn’t care that the house was old, dirty and would take tons of work and money in order to be livable – I wanted that yard!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you, CM! Yup, nothing like a big yard. （*’∀’人）♥
LikeLiked by 2 people
Darling Cody still looks like a puppy, running around all happy like that!
Well done, CM
LikeLike
Cody is 7 years old already, but yes, she does act like a puppy sometimes.
LikeLike
I’m glad you will be home for at least one more week, and that Cody is on patrol!
LikeLike
Thanks, Nick. It looks like it may be longer than a week – our hospitalization numbers are going back up.
LikeLike
Enjoy and appreciate your at-home time, CM. I have gone to the library for only hours spent around just a handful of co-workers. All distanced. All wearing masks. All aware of guidelines and overall safety. But moving out of the nest for next steps around more people is a leap nevertheless.
LikeLike
Erie County has had an uptick in the last couple of days. We’ll see what happens. I do know that an awful lot of people were partying for Mother’s Day and Memorial Day; hopefully, they didn’t cause a resurgence.
LikeLike
I hope they did not spoil it, CM.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re opening up very gradually here just across the border. I’m concerned about the riots… I find that so heartbreaking. What can be done for your country? I don’t know.
LikeLike
The riots scare me, too – especially since I have a daughter who’s planning on going to the protest here. She’s an adult, and I can’t tell her anything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope she stays well, and you too. I understand the desire to protest. I so get it. I don’t understand to bring more harm to people or things. But I’ve done dumb things when I’ve been angry, too. Just hope we all grow out of those tendencies and find a different way to show our indignation, because I think it’s necessary to stand up and say something, now more than ever.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The good news is, Trent: none of my girls went to that protest. They all said they didn’t want to be around that many people, even if wearing masks. The bad news is: the protest turned into a small riot later in the evening – burning police cars, breaking windows, looting stores – even setting fire to City Hall. One person got pulled from a vehicle and brutally beaten, and wound up being taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Even so, the situation here in Buffalo was mild compared to other cities. I understand it was worse in Rochester, and of course, NYC had a big problem the day before.
You’d think by now people of all races would have grown out of these issues. It’s very sad.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Maybe one day, CM. I look forward to that day. I figure I’ll do my part, whatever that is. If we all did, maybe we’d be okay.
LikeLiked by 2 people