Inside the outbreak: Scarry times in scary times, Chapter 23 – WORLD – WORLD News Group

Among other things, 2020 may be known as the Year of Zoom. For Chapter 23 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?heres how two WORLD readers are using the virtual meeting platform. Have you used Zoom (or other video chat apps) in creative ways? Tell us about it by emailingeditor@wng.org.

Sandy Lenahan teaches first grade, and she is transitioning to using Zoom: I am in a lot of communication with parents who are finding homeschooling their children a difficult task. Our son is home from Cedarville University and busy doing online classes, as is my high school daughter. We havent left the house for two weeks, but we have enjoyed the worship of other believers from online sources.

Mary Etta Naftel writes from Raymond, Miss.: Our sweet daughter orchestrated a Zoom session so we could visit with her children. She had to walk me through the setup. At the designated session time, I clicked on the link and was thrilled to find all of her children lined up in boxes on my screen. Wait one by one, our other grandchildren started appearing on my screen until all 19 grandchildren, ages 4 to 20 from four states, were visible at one time! We all visited for a half-hour followed by a Pictionary-type game with the older ones for two hours. Fun surprise for the grandparents!

Chapter 22 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?features two ladies who used their families experience or skills to help others during the pandemic. Can you think of any experiences that helped you be ready for the pandemic? Wed love to hear about it! Email us ateditor@wng.org.

Janet Flor wrote: Our week is usually full of visits with friends. Since that has stopped, Ive been trying to reach out more through texting. We were already homeschoolers, and all my friends are now doing it too, so Im trying to offer plenty of encouragement. I have several chat groups going: one for Bible study, one for nutrition and exercise, and one where anything goes. In addition to those, I try to touch base with each of my friends at least once a day to see how theyre doing. For my family, this hasn't been a big deal, but I know for my friends that their world was turned upside-down. All of them had full-time or part-time jobs, and a few of them have never been stay-at-home moms, so this is all pretty overwhelming. But I feel that God is calling me to be a cheerleader and encourager during this time, and the abundance of gumption that I have is enough to share. I know that is a gift from Him!

Lennie B. Knight shared a creative way her family celebrated Easter this year: In our younger days, we used to sing often as a family, publicly and privately. Because distance and stay at home orders now keep us apart, we were inspired by others to continue singing together in our first attempt at recording a family virtual choir (this time including grandchildren). During more time at home, my husband delved into learning more about sound recordings on the computer. He created a click-track to send all of our children, who then taught and recorded their families singing an anonymous round that we enjoyed singing together years ago. All efforts were consolidated and shared as though we were once again near each other! Private heartaches and struggles seemed less difficult to bear when singing together through thick and thin celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! Our joy was amplified to have a unique gift of song to share with others on Resurrection Sunday.

For Chapter 21 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?we hear what its like on two islands in the Pacific.

Pam Daniel lives in Guam (a U.S. territory in the western Pacific Ocean). After a COVID-19 outbreak aboard theUSSTheodore Roosevelt, hundreds of sailors moved into the hotels on the small island. Heres her perspective: The Guam residents are, as a whole, supportive of helping the sailors. The people of Guam are resilient. Surviving World War II and its occupation, earthquakes, and super typhoons, they buckle down and do what is necessary to survive. They come to each others aid in a true sense of community and the COVID crisis is no different.

We have one church family whose son is on [theUSS Theodore Roosevelt], so its been torturous to have him here but not be together. The military is such a part of Guam that many do what they would want someone else to doto take care of their sons and daughters. There are, of course, those who are fearful of the sailors needs taking the resources needed by the island. Some also fear that the sailors will not abide by the quarantine imposed on them and more will be exposed. However, the admiral has been very vocal about the restrictions and took the disciplinary action promised to deal with one sailor who broke the quarantine. I will say that the beaches sure look different when you can look in any direction and not see another person. I have been going daily to do water therapy (in lieu of physical therapy). Most of the time I have the ocean to myself, save the lifeguard on duty.

World Journalism Institute graduate Kimberly Milhoan lives in Hawaii with her husband, Pastor Kirk Milhoan. She writes: Since Mauis tourism industry has been shuttered by COVID-19 restrictions, conservative estimates are 25 percent of the islands workforce is unemployed. Our church, Calvary Chapel South Maui, has extended our food pantry services, approved as essential by local authorities, from our usual three to seven days per week. Were serving over 1,100 people per week, compared to our previous 125.Volunteers wear masks and gloves. Visitors are greeted at the door with hand sanitizer and a touchless thermometer. They wait, appropriately distanced in the sanctuary, where worship music plays and Bible verses are displayed, until they go into the pantry and are assisted choosing food from shelves. While visitors, some never having been in a church, comment unprompted on the peace and love they experience, volunteers are grateful for meaningful service.

In Chapter 20 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?two moms reflect on the blessings of sticking together with family and neighbors. Email us (editor@wng.org) to share how your family or neighborhood is growing closer during this time.

Ellen Meyer is a 29-year-old homemaker in Hudsonville, Mich. She writes: My husband works in construction, pouring footings for houses, so he has been home with us since mid-March. Our kids are 5, 3, 2, and 1, so keeping them occupied during our stay-at-home order has been interesting! Going outside to get some fresh air is a vital part of our life right now. We go for walks around our neighborhood and look at all the things people are doing. Houses are decorated with all sorts of crafts from kids (rainbows, animals), and some people used window paint to write encouraging things like, Breathe deep and smile because He is good, or made upside down handprints into tulips. They write verses on papers in the fronts of their houses, kids color on the sidewalk, and we made signs that say Hi to our neighbors (we hung them on the windows of our sunroom so that when our neighbors walk by, they can see them). Every time I step outside, I'm encouraged because I see signs of life and of thoughtfulness for others. We are trying to remind ourselves that we are together in this, and it helps a lot!

Melanie Erdner lives in College Station, Texas: We are counting our blessings! Our family of six is not new to social isolation. One of our children was born without an immune system (a condition called Severe Combined Immune Deficiency) and was treated with five bone marrow transplants over the span of seven years. During that time, even a common cold could be fatal for him, so our entire family had to stay virus-free to be with him. God healed him almost eight years ago, and our lives filled up with more normal social interactions and schedules, leaving this Texas momma sometimes missing the simplicity of before. We try to teach our kids to prayerfully look for Gods fingerprints all around us, and not miss one blessing or one lesson He has for us as He calls us to slow down and Be still again, gifting us with time to bask in His Word, time to REALLY pray, and time to seek creative ways to encourage and serve others. We are truly blessed.

While life in social isolation has slowed down for some, others of us are busier than ever. Heres Chapter 19 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day? Tell us what your life has been like recently: editor@wng.org.

Susan Richter is a Christian psychiatrist and a World Journalism Institute graduate: On March 18 I decided my Biblically based psychiatric practice should go tele-. I now sit in front of the computer eight-plus hours each day. I am thankful for my job. My patients, most of whom have post-traumatic stress disorder, are trying to stay stable in the current crisis by Gods grace and psychiatric care.

We start sessions using the platform but proceed by phone if we lose internet. Many patients hope I will continue to provide tele-psych after COVID-19. Like any other stressor, how patients are doing now depends on what they brought to the table. For one with post-traumatic stress disorder, the stay-home order reminded her of being locked in as a child. In prayer during our session she realized she isnt trapped now: She can go outside. Another with social anxiety said, I'm liking less interaction a little too much. One woman who deals with obsessive-compulsive disorder reported, I feel an odd sense of comfortbecause this is my usual life in my head. Welcome to my world.

Sleeping, eating, and exercising on-schedule remain important for stability. One disabled medical doctor makes masks for others. Another delivers groceries, saying, I learned long ago helping others helps me. One wryly summed up his COVID-19 coping like this: God and good drugs [his medication] are getting me through."

Brittany Hochstaetter says: My husband and I just moved outside of Houston, Texas, on New Years and have had little time to put down roots or unpack the final boxes. I teach online courses full-time for a community college and an adjunct course for a private, Christian college. My husband is a regional service manager for an international healthcare company. We work in two fields that were busy before COVID-19, but now our attention is demanded with greater urgency. We spend our days juggling work while chasing our energetic 4-year-old and now homeschooling our 10-year-old daughter. Our nearest relatives are states away. We rely on our retired next-door neighbor to tell us the latest news when we retrieve the mail. We are barely catching our breath.

Kids take the spotlight again in Chapter 18 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?If you are a kid, email us (editor@wng.org) to share how you are using your time while stuck at home!

Kate Vaseys 9-year-old daughter wrote this in a letter to her grandparents: I am going to sleep in a tent tonight. Me and my sister will read with flashlights after it is dark. The tent is inside, but that does not matter. What matters most is that I get to do more reading in myCase for Christ for Kidsbook.Though I already know it is very true, the book is about proving that Jesus didnt lie that He was the one and only Son of God who died and rose again. During this time, I have had much more time with my siblings. We have built a fort, set up a fake ranch inside with stuffed animals, and had lots of fun treats. I feel that the time of COVID-19 is more of a blessing to be with family than a hardship.

Seven-year-old Collins Putnam loves to color. She and her sister started drawing cards to pass out with flowers to their neighbors in Liberty, Mo.We decided to give flowers to people during the coronavirus so they feel happier, Collinssaid. Their dad made the design on their cardfeaturing a rainbow and the words Hope is hereinto $12 T-shirts to raise money for local nonprofits.

Spring is in the air. ForChapter 17 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?were featuring stories of people getting outside for some fresh air. Have you been able to do the same? Write us: editor@wng.org.

Steven Miller is a hay broker in Joliet, Mont., and hes been delivering loads of hay to ranchers producing this year's calf crop and to feedlots. A scene I look forward to every spring is the baby cows imitating their moms as they learn how to be cows. I would miss that almost as much as I miss people. Yes, the schools are closed, the mall parking lots are nearly empty, and the food establishments are carry-out only, but the burgers and barbecue are as good as ever. I miss my morning coffee with the cowboys at the local cafe, but I realized my social needs were being met when my truck was in the shop: I helped the mechanics with small work while they did the heavy lifting. Things arent as intense out here under the Big Sky, but if there is any hope to be found in it, these essential things are still happening.

LeeAnn Cheeley lives in Post Falls, Idaho. Shes getting ahead on her gardening: Every spring I want to start my own plants from seed, but I never have time. This year I have time! I found that I had everything on hand to get started: Broken eggshells, egg cartons, old seeds, old potting soil, and recent coffee grounds. Im hoping the seeds are still good!

Diane Thompson says: I go on walks and stop if someone is in their yard. Well have a conversation 6 feet apart. Im enjoying springbird sounds outside, the odor of newly mowed grass, the cool air before summer hits, and drives to see blooming wildflowers. I listen to audiobooks, clean out the closets, wax the car, exercise indoors with weights, make muffins for the neighborhood shut-ins, pray Psalm 91, and choose hope.

School closures have affected many teachers, parents, and students across the country. Chapter 16 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?features two such people. Tell us how your homeschooling is going by emailingeditor@wng.org!

From Sharpsburg, Ga., Katie Saba writes: My teaching job has certainly shifted since social distancing became the norm. Thankfully, my particular school already functions as accredited homeschooling, so I would only be in the classroom with my students one day per week normally. But that one day was crucial to introducing and practicing new concepts, holding class discussions, and exchanging work. Now with social distancing, my communication with parents and students all happens online through email and, on occasion, video recordings. You might say my job has shifted from classroom teacher to parent guider as parents are now having to do the bulk of checking work and proctoring tests. A lot of my time is now spent thinking about all the issues a parent might run into as they teach each school subject from home and then trying to outline instructions and guidelines as clearly as possible via email.

Retired military chaplain Mike Curtis lives in San Antonio. He writes: Prior to our Stay Home, Work Safe, I was a booster club volunteer and a stay-at-home dad, enjoying moments with my boys. Now with a college student and two high-schoolers doing schoolwork, and my wife teaching AP chemistry from the bedroom, I feel like an office manager, making sure we have all necessary supplies, building furniture, and cleaning up the break room. Weve been able to start some great discussions over the kids assignments and CalvinsGolden Book of the True Christian Lifeand catch up on our family time!

Extra time at home provides extra time for musing. Two WORLD readers share whats been on their minds lately for Chapter 15 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?If you have thoughts to share, send 100 words toeditor@wng.org.

Melvin Starr writes: The U.S. Congress, in its wisdom, has decided to give me and my wife $2,400. I am retired, after teaching high school history for 39 years, so I have a pension, Social Security, and modest royalties from my medieval mysteries. Do I need the stimulus funds? Not much. But many Christians, I'm sure, have lost work and do need the help. These brothers and sisters in Christ are likely not able to support their church and other Christian ministries as they did in the past. Churches, Christian schools and colleges, and other organizations will suffer. My wife and I have decided to give the funds from the stimulus to our church, several Christian schools, and our local mission to make up for the donations that will not now come from those who have lost income. Perhaps you will agree that this would be a good idea for all Christians who have not been badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Crystal Gonsalves has been thinking about how to apply 1 Corinthians 13 to these difficult times. Here are her thoughts:

Love is patient.

Love is kind.

Love does not envy.

Love does not boast.

Love does not dishonor others.

Love is not self-seeking.

Love is not easily angered.

Love keeps no record of wrong.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.

Love always protects.

Love always trusts.

Love always hopes.

Love always perseveres.

Love never fails.

Welcome to Chapter 14 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?Emaileditor@wng.orgto share how social isolation is impacting what you do, what you eat, etc. Life has changed a lot for some of us, but we can still encourage each other and enjoy learning about others experiences.

Fred and Wendy Smith live in Colorado. Wendy writes: In our retirement, my husband and I volunteer with Prison Fellowship, mentor young people, and serve in our church on Sundays. All of a sudden life has become very quiet. Now we extend devotional time each morning. We delivered letters to 40 neighbors offering help, prayer, and spiritual discussion in this time of uncertainty, isolation, and fear. We made bread and cinnamon rolls for people on our street, the garbage collectors, and the mailman. We cleaned and reorganized closets and cabinets. Ive been making cards and gift boxes and working ahead for Christmas!We made face masks and hand sanitizer for a few older folks. (Cautious of Mathew 6:1, we share the things weve tried to do for our neighbors in an effort to share ideas with those who are bored or want to reach out to othersto spur one another as instructed in Hebrews 10:24). Our time together has been rich.

Harrison Watters in Louisville, Ky., said, Mainly I chip away at tasks for work and schoolall behind my computer screen. This season feels busier in social isolation than before, partly because of how much needs to take place just inside my head. When I'm not writing or editing podcast audio, I'm trying to watercolor more. I am also building a game board which mimics the way planets revolve around the sun, but haven't yet decided whether it will be played more like Risk or Settlers of Catan. When its time to shut the laptop, I go outside to play soccer and basketball with my brothers.

From California to Alaska, COVID-19 has touched family life and work. For Chapter 13 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?a farmer and a pilot tell us how their lives are different now. How has your work changed? Tell us:editor@wng.org.

Vernon Peterson is an organic stone fruit farmer in California. He writes, Our family employs 150 people year-round to farm, pack, and ship stone fruit, pomegranates, and citrus for ourselves and about 80 neighbors. We consider ourselves a small farm and a medium-sized operation around here. Were hand-thinning apricots, nectarines, peaches, and plums right now for a harvest that starts in five weeks. Our packing facility was more productive the last two weeks than any time in my career because stores were empty, and it was our duty to do everything we could to get them restocked.

Jered Gebel is a pilot in Southeast Alaska. Heres how his life has been affected: Since not many people are traveling, our operations have shrunk, and all pilots have been put on a 10-days-on, 10-days-off work schedule. My wife is a stay-at-home-mom with our 4-year-old daughter. This time of year I am normally very busy at work, working 13-hour days, five days a week. With work slowed down, its a very strange, eerie feeling. I'm in the middle of my 10 days off, with possibly more time off. What a wonderful blessing it is to be home with my wife.Weve been keeping a loose schedule, or else Ill go crazy.We wake up, have coffee, read our Bibles side by side. Our daughter is usually up by the time we're done, and shes already asking for booberries and a snack. Many oranges, berries, and a few eggs go into her bottomless pit before she announces, I full! Play with me. We do some light preschool homeschool curriculum with her as we finish our eggs and more coffee. These last few days, its still unseasonably cold out, yet unseasonably sunny.While we wait for the temp to climb out of the teens, we clean up the house. After cleaning, if its warm enough, we start making plans to go outside for fresh air. A clear day like this in the early spring means wind, and lots of it in some places. Last night downtown recorded a 95 mph gust. Its a balmy 35 degrees. The wonderful part of living in Juneau is that, despite many people being off work, there are very few crowded places. Our favorite trails and beaches usually have just a few people, easy enough to be socially distant.We try to smile at others. I can tell theres a lot of stress on everyone. In the evenings were back at the house, smelling smoky from the inevitable fire Ive made to keep warm while we enjoy the spring day. If we get lucky, there will be Northern Lights late tonight to enjoy as we doze off.

Welcome to Chapter 12 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?Two ladies near Atlanta are staying busy serving others. How is social isolation impacting your daily life? Let us know: Emaileditor@wng.org.

Terri Terrell lives south of Atlanta andis doing whatever I can to be useful! I have been cleaning at a local church building that has an almost exclusive senior membership. They are without a shepherd right now, so it is very hard on them. There are projects I can do, and we have let the members know that we are available if they have needs. I am reading and meditating on God's word, praying for many people, and then texting them to let them know I am praying for them. And I might have played Minecraft until the wee hours. I'm well and blessed beyond measure!

Debbie Lorincz said: I am sending cards to elderly folks in nursing homes, weeding my garden/prepping for planting, learning how to use Evernote so I can cut down on my papers and be more organized. I have been practicing my macrame knots as I make jewelry from colored hemp cord, taking a course on Bible teaching from the Simeon Trust Foundation, doing a little spring cleaning, making cards for future birthdays, getting a box together to send to my son in South Korea, and trying to keep in touch with family and friends through various video outlets (a learning curve in itself).

For parents who work in healthcare, childcare can be a challenge. Chapter 11 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?features two families who are making it work. Send your stories toeditor@wng.org.

Bill Mann has three grandkids, ages 11, 12, and 14, whose parents are primary care doctors an hour away. He says: Keeping them away from infection is paramount. We have managed to keep busy by doing several things togetherriding bikes, playing golf, and tennis. A neighbor has a trampoline to play on which provides unlimited joy. Breakfast is a big dealwe change it every day and plan the menu. The kids go in the grocery store with a list and money while my wife stays outside. My wife is teaching the eldest how to diagram a sentence into subject and predicate. My grandson goes to a private Christian school that has been having online classes for at least six hours per day. Planning dinner is a joint projecteach has favorites, so we come to a consensus. Oh, and watching reruns helpsthey love Carol Burnett.

Lissa White is at home with her five kids. She says: We went from a charter school two days a week to full homeschool. My husband is an ICU nurse and is gone five or six days a week. With five kids at home it would be easy to go crazy, but the opposite is happening. We are reading more, drawing, eating dinner outside, checking on friends and family, and mostly taking hope in Gods sovereignty. I am hopeful that this will be a time our kids look back and see the goodness of God and look to love those around themeven if thats taking diapers or toilet paper to someone.

Weve reached Chapter 10 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?Today we have two people whose jobs are impacted by the pandemic. How is social isolation impacting your daily life? Let us know: Emaileditor@wng.org.

World Journalism Institutegraduate Victoria Johnson writes: My husband is a police officer in the city of Phoenix. He says the virus has changed his job in three main ways. From a patrol perspective, he handles fewer calls for service and fewer car accidents. The bad guys are easier to spot because their behavior hasnt changed while everyone elses has. From a legal perspective, courts have postponed all trials involving juries, and command staff discourage officers from booking suspects for misdemeanors. From a political perspective, many officers are uneasy about enforcing emergency measures. They feel they are walking a tightrope between following orders and violating constitutional rights.

Jennie Higgins, 62, works at a Costco near Houston, Texas, and her husband is a Costco driver. Were considered essential people now, Higgins said. In the last three weeks, she has experienced a wide range of emotions: You get up and realize you dont know what youre going to face ... Ive prayed that God would allow me to be a light in an unusually difficult situation. Besides her own emotions, she deals with customers anger and fear. Higgins tries to listen and acknowledge how difficult the situation is, and people often thank her for listening and understanding. She also has opportunities to bless coworkers by staying calm and being kind: One told her seeing who she was in this crisis had changed him. I had no idea that just being kind and asking questions about his life would change his life so much, Higgins said. She realized that God was using her: One heart at a time, I just keep sharing. I keep thinking, OK, Lord, whatever little I can do, let it make a difference.

Heres Chapter 9 ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?Let us know what youve been up to ateditor@wng.org.

Social isolation means more family time for many of us. Heres how two families are using that time:

Leah Beecher, her husband, and four daughters live in Avoca, N.Y. Leah says: The novelty of being home all day with your family members (like its the pre-industrial revolution) has most definitely worn off. My husband and I and our four school-age daughters stick to a routine: up at 8 a.m., breakfast and reading the Psalms together with schoolwork, working from home, and housework to follow. On Sundays we sing worship songs accompanied by an acoustic guitar and share what we read in the Bible that week. For lunch we buy take-out from a local restaurant and watch a documentary. Because lets face it: There has been a whole lot of binge-comedy-movie-watching during the week.

Julie Sokol is a single parent of an autistic teen. She writes: Since his school closed, hes been camped out in his bed working on anime drawings and keeping up with online chats. Hes an introvert and finds much of this new arrangement to be a natural fit. I telework downstairs. My Siamese cat sits at the front window and watches all the new passersby in our neighborhood. My son and I usually make a nice lunch together, go on quick bike rides, look up his friends houses on Google Maps, and talk about memories with friends.

Heres the eighth edition ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day! Send your own socially isolated happenings toeditor@wng.org.

Some people are running out of things to do during their time at home, but in Austin, Texas, Cindy Seaton is staying busy. She writes: My husband and I work from homehe is an Oracle Cloud Training Manager and Im a 1031 tax-deferred exchange coordinator. Were guiding our 16-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter through homeschooling without the resources of a co-op and dual credit classes at the community college. My parents are healthy, but were helping them around the house cleaning and running errands. For our neighbors, were delivering water or supplies to friends who need them and shipping toilet paper to colleagues in other states.

Lee Pitts teaches journalism at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, and is the associate dean of the World Journalism Institute. Launching my first online college class session, I did not know what to expect, he said. Would students be ready to learn after a two-week break? Would everyone be able to log-in from time zones all around the nation? Would they even care about learning at this moment? But student after student popped into my Zoom meeting. Near perfect attendance. They smiled at each other, waved, and gave tours of their bedrooms. New students even joined the class: Gibby and Leon. Two cats. As the students peeked at one anothers pets and posters, I realized they werent giddy about my upcoming lecture. They were just happy to see each other. A campus community broken, now reunited.

Todays edition ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day?features two examples from outside the United States. If you are stuck in social isolation, wed love to hear how youre using the time: Email 100 words of description to editor@wng.org.

Prema Sunder and her husband, Sam, live in India. Prema writes: The deadly virus is very much here in Chennai. They call it the imported virus, as it was first found in people returning from other countries. Most of those who had it were elite and middle-class people who could isolate themselves. But now cases are appearing among those who havent traveled overseas, and it is spreading to the community. Our people in villages are very poor in hygiene and most are day laborers. How are they going to survive this lockdown? Already we hear of people going without food. Sam and I do not go anywhere. All the ministry centers are closed. We organize fasting prayers within our homes and have virtual worship in most churches. We thank God for it!

Michael Kearney is a Ph.D. student at Adam Mickiewicz University in Pozna, Poland. He writes: Europe shut down during my semester abroad, so Im riding out the virus in a dorm room in Poland till Junefeeling sometimes like an inmate, sometimes like a patient, sometimes like a monk. The monkish times are the best. Silence is important; breaking the silence is also important. I read out loud. I pray out loud. I sing a bit before bed. I dictate essays to myself. I listen to the church bells. I curl up in the afternoon sun and take a nap. I fret over the days international headlines and their implications. I sing a bit more.

How are kids handling social isolation? ForWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day, Chapter 6, three kids tell us whats keeping them busy. If your kids would like to write about their social isolation activities, send their descriptions to editor@wng.org.

Desarose Stewart, 12, lives 40 miles above the Arctic Circle in the Inupiat village of Kobuk, Alaska. Heres her take: Hours after Kobuks social isolation rule was announced, men snowmobiled onto the ice-locked river hunting caribou for Kobuk. The hunters dropped off one or two of these reindeer-like animals to every household. For 10 hours my family cut stew meat, ground some into sausage, and deboned our two caribou. Weve also streamedAdventures in Odyssey, dog mushed, and wiggled through 5-foot deep snow. Mom has us outside for six to eight hours daily to maintain healthy bodies.My friend flew home from boarding school and we air-hugged from 12 feet apart. So far, social isolation is not too bad.

Lydia and Guelah Branham are sisters. Their dad, Josh, works for a company that collects and shreds trash from hospitals, nursing homes, and banks.

Lydia Branham, (almost) 10 years old: When my dad comes home from work, the day is almost over, and we dont have to be concerned with the chores, schooling, and busy schedule of our household. But even at the end of the day, there are hints that the virus is still out there. Dad goes up to change his germy clothes so he wont give the virus to us, and then greets us.

My dad thinks keeping in touch is important, so were doing a lot of video-chatting. When we use Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime, the picture is normally fuzzy and everybody talks over each other.But even so, we get to catch up with our friends. Since we cant go to the library, my mom unpacked a whole wall of books from storage. I entertain myself with an old, battered copy ofThe Lord of the Ringsand pray for better times.

Guelah Branham, 8 years old: Life hasnt changed, not too much. Daddy has to get the groceries; he doesnt want us to get the coronavirus. He doesnt stop going to work because his job shreds hospitals trash. Were homeschooled, so theres no big change in schooling. Whenever we switch on the news, they are talking about the coronavirus. They talk about social distancing, so we dont give the virus to someone older or who is already sick and could easily die. Church is closed, so on Sunday we watched part of a sermon at home. We can still play outside, although we arent lately because of the bad weather. Were doing a lot of FaceTime and cards to keep in touch.

In honor of childrens illustrator Richard Scarry, heres the fifth installment ofWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day. If you are stuck in social isolation, wed love to hear how youre using the time! Please send your 100 words of description to editor@wng.org.

Natalie Boltz is a stay-at-home mom to three kids under 4 years old. Shes working to keep them entertained: We are having fun in the kitchen making carrot applesauce cake, homemade whole wheat bread, strawberry yogurt popsicles, and pancakes. The kids drag their chairs up to the counter and help with mixing and adding ingredients. The 4-year-old can even measure some of the ingredients. Were grateful to spend time outside in the sunshine and brighten our home with bouquets of the yellow wildflowers overtaking our backyard.

Speaking of yellow flowers, Amy Boyd and her family came up with an idea to bless their neighbors. She wrote: Were a homeschooling family with eight children. The social isolation has been a relatively easy adjustment for us, but we knew many of our neighbors in Buford, Ga., were struggling. We set up a flower stand and gave away free daffodils from our garden to anyone who walked by. Chairs were a careful 6 feet away from the table. We plan to continue the Free Flowers stand every spring, Coronavirus or not.

In honor of childrens illustrator Richard Scarry, heresWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day, Chapter 4. If youre hunkered down, let us know how youve been spending your days. Please send 100 words of description to editor@wng.org.

Katie Winkler: I am quarantined in Romania after a mad dash through Eastern Europe to reach safety. After my school plans fell through at home, I planned to spend a month in Eastern Europe and a month in Ireland exploring what God had for me next. Im still exploring that, just in a totally different way than I expected. As I prayed and walked the driveway loop yesterday (19 times makes 2 miles), I asked, What did Paul do in prison? I think he steeped himself in scripture and the Lords presence until epistles poured out. So I pray, study, and memorize Scripture, invite the Lords presence into my day, and read John BunyansThe Holy War.

Christianna Kinney: The coronavirus has brought home all five of our children (ages 4 to 11). Instead of hurrying to get them dressed and out the door each morning, we eat breakfast together and learn around our table. Our afternoons are busy playing games and building forts instead of driving to dance lessons and basketball practice. During our late-night talks my husband and I talk about what the kids said that gave us hope. Our kids are oblivious to the world's chaos and fears. Our 6-year-old said, Mommy, can I keep homeschooling until Im 14?

Kim Downs is an artist who has read WORLD for more than 15 years. She shared how her family is dealing with social isolation: Were a family of five with little boys ages 5, 4, and 1. Im spending days with them like always, except stuck mostly at home, but with the bonus of my husband working (plus playing and disciplining) at home with us. We've had picnics, walks, and lots of yard time. Yesterday we watched our church music leader and his kids livestream scripture songs, and tonight my ladies small group Bible study discussed Philippians 2 virtually. My husband took our boys to watch the sunset with my parents.COVID-19 is pressing us into contentment in simplicity and treasuring community.

Tamara Shoemaker said: Its no secret that Ive lived in Facebook-land since schools let out and the coronavirus became the only topic of discussion, ever. My job at a local elementary school was put on hold, my graduate classes all moved online, and I began to homeschool my three children. I watched my Facebook newsfeed in horror as shortages, especially medical shortages, cropped up everywhere. When a call for fabric masks from a local medical center appeared, I jumped in with both feet. I have a sewing machine and basic sewing skills: I could volunteer! The next day, a worker at the center had picked out fabric, elastic, and thread for me, delivered it, and I set to work. They were easy to make, and I felt better, knowing I was doing something to help.

In honor of childrens illustrator Richard Scarry, heresWhat Do Socially Isolated People Do All Day, Chapter 3. Im now turning this feature over to WORLD reporters Hannah Harris and Charissa Koh, so please send your 100 words of description toeditor@wng.org. If any children want to draw pictures of what they imagine John Erickson and Hank the Cowdog look like, please email them to that address as well.

John Erickson, the author of 74 beloved Hank the Cowdog books, lives on a Texas panhandle ranch with no neighbors for miles around. He writes, You might say that Kris and I have been quarantined for decades.Over 53 years of marriage we have learned to cope with isolation and even to enjoy it.We play instruments and sing together.We share a glass of wine in the evenings and talk to each other.We watch old movies on DVD, the most recent being the Marx Brothers.We also have our own interests.Kris enjoys cooking and quilting.I am interested in Texas Panhandle archaeology.But we also enjoy singing in our church choir and being part of a worship community.We will miss that for a while.

World Radio features editor Paul Butler writes about a meeting inLaMoille, Ill.population 725of three local pastors with the mayor, school superintendent, and two concerned community members: Within hours wed initialized a pay-as-you-go cell phone as a community hotline, designed postcards to go to every mailing address in the area, and published a flyer for the post office. The first call came from an octogenarian needing a few things from the store, and someone to pick up her mail. I bought the apples and evaporated milk. When I dropped them off, I passed the young man delivering her mail. Before this crisis, wed never met. Who knew isolation could actually bring people together?Marvin Olasky

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Inside the outbreak: Scarry times in scary times, Chapter 23 - WORLD - WORLD News Group

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