At the start of the year China had a new virus come out of there and it was starting to kill people. On They were calling it Coronavirus aka COVID-19. Well it was spreading like crazy and Jan 11 China reported its first death.
I found the following timeline of the coronavirus to give an idea of where this all started.
Jan 20 Other countries, including the United States, confirmed cases. Japan, South Korea and Thailand.
Jan 23 Wuhan, a city of more than 11 million, was cut off by the Chinese authorities.
Jan 30 The W.H.O. declared a global health emergency. The US State Department warned travelers to avoid China.
Jan 31 The Trump administration restricted travel from China.
Feb 2 The first coronavirus death was reported outside China
Feb 5 A cruise ship in Japan began a quarantine of 3,600 passengers that had 218 confirmed coronavirus cases.
Feb 7 A Chinese doctor who tried to raise the alarm died from the coronavirus.
Feb 13 There were more than 14,000 new cases in Hubei Province.
Feb 14 France announces the first coronavirus death in Europe.
Feb 19 Hundred leave the quarantined cruise ship. After 2 weeks, 443 passengers began leaving the Cruise Ship. Those who tested negative for the virus were able to offload. Those who still were infected remained on the ship. A total of 621 people aboard the ship were infected. Yikes.
Feb 21 The Virus appears in Iran from an unknown source.
Feb 23 Italy sees major surge in coronavirus cases and officials lock down towns.
Feb 26 Latin America reports its first coronavirus case.
Feb 28 The number of infections in Europe spikes. Italy, where 800 people had been infected. Cases in 14 other countries, including Northern Ireland and Wales, could be traced back to Italy. Germany had nearly 60 cases , France reported 57, more that triple the number from 2 days earlier.
Feb 28 Sub-Saharan Africa records its first infection.
Feb 29 The United States records its first coronavirus death and announces travel restrictions. A patient near Seattle became the first coronavirus patient to die in the U.S.A. The global cases rose to nearly 87,000. Trump
On Wednesday, March 11 The W.H.O declared the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a PANDEMIC
The Church of Jesus Christ sent out this email out that same day....
| As global concerns over the spread of COVID-19 continue to grow, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are taking additional measures to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus. | |||||||||||||||||||
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These measures include altering the format of the April 2020 general conference, adjustments to the training of newly called missionaries, and guidelines for large gatherings where COVID-19 contagion is a concern.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are deeply concerned about the global spreading of illness caused by COVID-19. We have counseled with worldwide governmental, ecclesiastical, and medical leaders and have prayerfully considered the current circumstances. We want to be good global citizens and do what we can to control this contagious illness. We are most grateful for the many who are working tirelessly to address this health hazard. We pray for them and for all who may be suffering.
To help control this problem, we feel it wise to limit attendance at the upcoming April 2020 General Conference. We plan to conduct all five sessions of that conference at the Conference Center. General authorities, general officers and their spouses, musicians, choirs, technicians, and others will participate as assigned. But, proceedings of the conference will be distributed throughout the world via technology only. The public will not be admitted in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, or in stake centers or meetinghouses in areas where contagion is a concern. Questions about other large gatherings of Church members will be answered in separate announcements.
We live in a remarkable age. The Lord has blessed us with the technology and capacity to participate in and receive messages from Church leaders in all parts of the world. This special conference will commemorate the bicentennial of the First Vision and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days.
We invite all to continue to prepare for this conference. As we do, we will be blessed to hear the word of the Lord and participate in a general conference experience that will remain not only memorable, but unforgettable.
Sincerely,
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
I mean the Prophet did tell us in October that the April Conference was going to be unforgettable.
Getting that email was something so different to think about.
They also added in that email this....
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
With the recent announcement changing the attendance at the April 2020 General Conference, we are providing the following guidance related to large gatherings of Church members.
After considering the counsel of governmental, ecclesiastical, and medical leaders around the world and our own prayerful reflection, we will postpone stake and leadership conferences and other large gatherings in Church Areas where illness caused by COVID-19 is a challenge, including,
These temporary adjustments will take effect March 16, 2020. Large gatherings in other areas of the world may continue as usual unless directed otherwise by Area Presidencies, who counsel with their leaders.
In relation to weekly worship services, activities and other meetings, members should follow the guidance of their local leaders, who will receive direction in the usual manner.
As this constantly changing situation develops, we will provide further guidance on this topic.
Sincerely,
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
March 12 We finally closed on our Construction Loan. We now have funding to finish the house. Is this bad timing for this to be happening? Or good? Only time will tell.
March 13 President Trump declares a national emergency.
By this time things started to get canceled all over. The NBA season got canceled because 2 players on the Jazz team tested positive for Coronavirus. The Firefighter Ball for March 14 was canceled. I was totally bummed about that one. Plus all the schools had decided that we were going to take a 2 week break from school. Which would lead us into spring break. So 3 weeks at home. Holy Moly. This is crazy!
And it was even crazier when we all got this email from the Church....
What a shock it was to think that we wouldn't be having any church gatherings for the next who knows how long? What is happening in our world?
Not to mention that the grocery stores have gone crazy. Everyone hoarded all the Toilet Paper and water. It's been insane the amount of people shopping. Sales in Utah have gone up 265%. It feels like the end of the world out there the way that people are shopping. Empty shelves of bread, water and any canned foods. All non-perishable items were cleaned out. Talk about the twilight zone.
March 14 The prophet sent out a message to all the members about this crazy weekend. It was on youtube, so I can't really attach it on here, but I can attach what the Desseret News wrote about it....
SALT LAKE CITY — Saying the gospel of Jesus Christ provides hope and help to a troubled world, President Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on Saturday shared a three-minute videotaped message regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These unique challenges will pass in time. I remain optimistic for the future,” he said in the video, which was posted to his social media channels, including Twitter and Facebook.
The leader considered a prophet by 16.3 million Latter-day Saints around the world spoke directly about concerns regarding COVID-19.
“As you are well aware, we as a global church are facing a unique challenge,” President Nelson said. “COVID-19 and its resulting illness has affected thousands of lives and interrupted many regular routines. We pray for those who are suffering and for those who have lost loved ones.”
President Nelson, his counselors in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles earlier this week suspended all gatherings for church worship services, meetings and activities to join the effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. They also suspended all proxy work at Latter-day Saint temples.
“After prayerful consideration, and with our deep desire to be part of the solution to this challenge, we have recently made many temporary adjustments to the way we worship and serve the Lord,” he said in the video. “We are most grateful for your faith, your prayers, your cooperation and understanding.”
He spoke with energy and with a smile. He counseled church members that “Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ know us, love us and are watching over us. Of that we can be certain.”
“During these uncertain times,” he continued, “be comforted by this promise from the Savior. He said, ‘I the Lord am bound when you do what I say.’ I promise you that joy is always within the reach of everyone who will hear him and obey his laws.”
He encouraged members to take care of themselves and their loved ones. Then he asked them to serve and minister to others. He also talked about how church members could move forward during the temporary suspension of church services.
“Temporary changes in our normal routine may allow us additional time to experience how precious home-centered gospel study can be,” he said. “Don’t hesitate to use the new Book of Mormon videos and other technology to study the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Finally, he noted that Latter-day Saints are looking forward to the church’s international general conference on April 4-5. Church leaders previously announced that it will be a virtual conference due to concerns about COVID-19.
“We will focus on the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness,” he said. “That gospel provides certain hope and help to a troubled world. I love you, I pray for you and I promise that you will receive comfort and peace as you continue to hear him.”
How wonderful it is to have a prophet that can send us a message of hope an peace during this crazy time.
March 15 we held our first family church in our home. Jesse's parents came over to our home to join in for the sacrament. We were given approval by our Bishop to partake of our sacrament in our home. Mike and Jesse blessed the bread and water while they gave the bread and water to Ryker to pass out to the rest of us. It was so tender and I just loved it. We a talk by Jesse and Ryker. Cy gave a little scripture and thoughts about it. Jesse got our piano bench and got the cups and bread all ready to be set up for our Sacrament meeting. 
We made a big lunch-dinner together and then Mike and Heidi went home. Jesse wanted to go on a walk as a family and just stop in with the people that we minister to. And as a joke and a way to be loving we gave them each a roll of toilet paper since you cant find it anywhere in stores right now. Unreal! 
March 15 The C.D.C. recommends no gatherings of 50 or more people. March 17 My friend Jenny and I took our kiddos on a hike since we didn't have school now. We needed to get out. It got me contemplating the closures of schools, church and other public settings. And I feel like there's definitely 2 sides to the coin here. The one I want to focus on is: We have been given the gift of time and the chance to slow down our lives and be with our families. And to focus on the peace we can have through our Saviour. I loved spending a little hike first thing that morning with my 3 boys... 
...along side my good friend and her kiddos.
That evening, we went to the school to get the packet pickup for the online schooling that they were setting up. I got the boys all set up on their Google Classrooms that night. Ready or not? Homeschooling here we go.
March 18 We woke up to a 5.7 earthquake in Magna, UT. It was freaky. Jesse was at work and I was home alone with the boys. We were actually up around 7am to get chicks at IFA. We were there on March 16 but the chicks were all sold out due to the freak out buying that was happening all around us. So we were told we could pick up some on their next shipment. At 7:06am Ryker came into my room dressed and ready to go. I told him to get some breakfast and to give me a minute to get ready. I laid in bed for a little bit longer until about 7:15am when the earthquake hit. Talk aout freaky. It wasn't just a quick one either. It really was long enough for me to get out of bed and realized that we were experiencing an actual earthquake not just wind shaking the house. The boys came running to my room. And we just sat there for a min all shaken up. Jesse called me right after that and sure enough he had felt it at the station too. Soon tetexts from family to make sure we were all ok. Even our Logan family members felt it up there. Wo. What is going on? We have a pandemic and large earthquake. AHHH! Thankfully we were able to know that Jesse could come home soon and we still decided to go get chicks. When we got to IFA we couldn't get in the building for a half hour because of the earthquake. Also they hadn't received their shipment of chicks in yet. They took our name and number down and said they would call us when they arrived. By this point Jesse met me at IFA and I left him there with the boys while they bought the supplies that they needed for the chicks. I hustled home and went to work. While I was at work the boys came to show me their new chicks and left. I went to the bathroom while my clients hair was processing and we had another earthquake (4.4 magnitude this time) while I was sitting on the toilet. Yikes. Talk about feeling vunerable. I was just in my underwear for the first one that morning and now on the toilet? Come on. Apparently we have 100 or so aftershocks in-between those 2 bigger earthquakes. I got home and the boys showed me their little set up with our new chicks. I think the timing of getting them helped them not feel as freaked out about the earthquakes that day. 
March 19 Governor Herbert directs Salt Lake and Utah County to prohibit groups of 10 or more people from gathering. This whole week as felt like a bllur. The boys were navigating their new online schooling, I was being extra cautious at work as to not cause anyone to get sick or spread anything. Hearing all the news everyday about the crazy that is going on can be overwhelming. Even the boys are stressed that they are going to get the virus. Ugh. It creates bi-polar moments of freak out inside and feeling like everything will be ok. March 22- Today we had our second week of home church. Jesse is on duty so Mike and Heidi invited us to their home so that we could still partake of the Sacrament. Mike blessed the bread and water while Ryker passed it. Cy and Fynn were so reverent and quiet during it I was happy to see them and feel that this was special. Even though it was only for a short little while. We named our ward The Smith 15th Ward. Because there are 15 people in the Smith Family. Get it? 
HHeidi does the Primary singing time in her ward and made this cute tower for the kids to learn the second verse to "I Love to See the Temple." They had a good time putting it together and knocking it over.
We did Come Follow Me for this week and then went on a walk.
Cutest boys just hangin' around.
When we got back we sat on Mike and Heidi's newly finished patio to soak up the sun while Fynnie served us all some water.
IIt is days like today that make me feel like everything is going to be ok. My boys, my husband, my Savior, Our prophet have given me peace throughout this crazy week and a half.
Then we went home and put on a move and around 7pm we have a 4.0 magnitude earthquake. Aww poop. And I heard that the first man from Utah died today from the Coronavirus and he was at Lakeview Hospital (which is here in Bountiful).
So, what the heck right? I have never been more anxious to hear from our prophet and apostles in 2 weeks time for April's General Conference.
Also a little side note... Cruise lines have canceled 30 days worth of cruises. Our cruise is outside that window and we still have our booked to go. But haven't done anything about it yet. We arent going really most likely. But in 5 weeks maybe all of this will blow over? Who really knows? That world doesn't feel certain. So we shall wait.
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