Pandemic, Week 10 (Yada, Yada, Yada)

The world hit a 5.4 million COVID-19 cases and 344,000 deaths this week of which 1.7 million cases and 99,000 deaths were attributed to the United States. The President informed the public that he is regularly taking hydroxychloroquine (an anti-malaria drug) to ward off the coronavirus. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, expressed concern about the President's decision to take the drug due in part to his morbid obesity.  This became a "thing." Two dams were breached in Michigan, the state with the eighth highest number of COVID-19 cases and fourth largest number of deaths (though apparently some states have been combining viral and antibody tests, so the actual ranking is probably not accurate). Meanwhile their secretary of state announced she was sending absentee ballot request forms to all registered voters which prompted the President to threaten to withhold money which prompted the secretary of state to just send all Michigan registered voters absentee ballot applications. So it too has become a "thing." Also, Eddie Haskell from Leave it to Beaver died.

This week we had parent-teacher conferences, where we were informed that both of our children are a joy to have in class though at least one of our children could use help in their organizational skills. Conferences occurred one week before the final day of school (which is three weeks earlier than the scheduled last day of school), so much of the discussion was focussed on next year. Mayor Muriel Bowser released a proposed opening schedule which would have schools re-opening August 31st (as scheduled) but would have 6th and 9th grade students (ie our children) returning as early as August 11th, which means Nora would actually get three extra weeks of middle school. Huzzah!

Nora participated in her class' formal thank-you to the Belgian Embassy for teaming up with them this year in their french studies. It involved lots of comics and talk about french fries. She finished her science fair project and gets to present next week. She also recorded this weeks podcast, entitled, The Curse of Summerdale Mansion.

Owen spent most of this week catching up on his work (his grades went from zero in everything to a 96 in English, a 104 in Science, a 300 in Social Studies, and a 60 in Geometry — Mr. Surprenant is still grading past work). He started rehearsals with the drama club for their performance, 10 Ways to Survive Life in Quarantine, and used his spare mattress as an unofficial green screen. He also recorded his DCYOP concert piece in style (though unfortunately in landscape mode so he then had to record it again).

As for the rest of us, we have little to report. There was game night (Elaine wins!), a personal puzzle care of Dave and Kara, a bike ride, cocktails and an incredible paella (including a pan) from Jose Andre's Jaleo (which we failed to capture on film).

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)