The world as we know it has forever changed.

I live in Florida, and I have evacuated for major hurricanes more times than I can count. Even more often, I have battened down the hatches and stayed home to ride out the storms.

We knew the storms were coming. We stocked up on water, non-perishable food, and gasoline. We know the routine. I never got flip about this – there were no hurricane parties for us. We evaluated, and made our decision to stay or go based on the facts at hand.

Today, I cancelled all my plans for the forseable future.

We have a pandemic.

I’ve watched the headlines. Most of my info comes from the front line workers – the physicians that I personally know that are working in ER’s and hospitals.

The Chinese Coronavirus has been evolving. The speculators in the media are all over the place. I’m not watching the news.

I will look to the officials who are advising our course of action.

Based on the reports of my medical friends on the front lines, I am in self imposed quarantine. I have asthma as well as type 1 diabetes.

I’ve been watchful. I’ve been cautious. Now I am going to be exceptionally so.

I’m blessed to not have to work right now in my chosen career as an RN. I travel, but that’s on hold indefinitely.

Today the mall closed. The bars and clubs closed last night. Church is now closed until the end of the month. They are contemplating closing restaurants- although, already, most are deeply affected by limits on how close people can sit to each other.

The irony is, while they are seating patrons six feet apart, the wait staff and cooks are tripping over each other in the food prep area.

My family will be deeply hit by the closures of schools and restaurants. Like most people working in those industries, they have little savings, and no other prospects.

I don’t know what’s coming next.

I’m going to continue to monitor the advice…from my home. My husband gets groceries. I cook at home, which is normal for us, but going out to eat is out of the question.

I will not be going to the gym, but I’m outside and exercising more than ever. The stress of this mysterious, nebulous space we are in has me uneasy most days, and anxious others.

I believe in God, and I am praying now more than ever for my family, and for our nation…and the world.