Well, as of this morning, Minnesota has 13435 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 663 deaths. Sherburne County has 130 confirmed cases – this is where I live. Still stay at home except for essential needs in effect, although our Governor has changed the definition of that starting next Monday to letting retail business resume in-store operations at reduced capacity and group gathering of 10 or fewer people, including at places of worship will be allowed. Still restrictions on restaurants, bars, theaters, bowing alleys and venues that attract large crowds. No dining out yet, still order and pick up only, and over the next week they will be assembling a plan for a limited and safe reopening of bars, restaurants and other places of public accommodation on June 1. Hair salons, barber shops, gyms and other currently restricted activities that haven’t been able to serve customers since March are allowed to sell products for curbside pickup but aren’t allowed to provide services in-shop. More detail, one-on-one instruction allowed, day camps but not overnights, camping, all with social distancing in mind.

My husband Dean is working from work every other week, at work on the opposite weeks. His company has redesigned their office space and when he is there only half of the other workers are there, and then the next week, they all shift. Dean and I are both more at risk than the general population. Scary times, but such is life. Every company need to be basically interested in success, staying in business and their bottom line because without success they will simply be out of business.

It has been interesting to hear and watch Dean work from home. I am in awe of his relentless work ethic. He works non-stop when he is at the desk … our partner desk finally came in handy. WOW… he works nonstop during his work hours, only taking a break at lunchtime. I could never ever make the number of calls he does, hour after hour. His client service voice and attitude is amazing. If he were calling me I would just be happy to hear from him and “talk about anything.” He has just the right amount of mix between social and business. I am coming through and out of this experience with a great deal of respect for what he does and how he does it.