Changed Priorities

Future?

The UK, Scotland, and Edinburgh have just been suddenly hit with the coronavirus reality. It was like a switch suddenly being activated. We watched from afar as the US began to react, slowly at first, then suddenly. Friends we have continued to correspond with have added depth and significance to the news we have been reading. Their lives are being impacted.

The Roanoke Kiwanis Club, where Mike has been an active member, just suspended all in-person meetings. He just helped craft the policy that suspended in-person events at the Boy Scout Council where he serves on the Risk committee. The Taubman Museum in Roanoke, where Beth has been volunteering for years, has closed to the public. And, Washington University in St. Louis, where our son is working on his doctorate, closed.

Now, here in Edinburgh, we are in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. One day, virtually normal. The next day, bam. As depicted in the photo Mike took of a road sign recently, the UK government just publicly announced sweeping coronavirus changed priorities ahead. Public events, museums, large gatherings, and much more...closed. Mike's hill walking club suspended all trips. Two of Beth's volunteer positions, which were to begin soon, have been suspended; same for the two volunteer positions Mike applied for. The two volunteer positions where she has already been working, uncertain. Upcoming shows we booked and upcoming hotels around the country we booked are all suspending operations. Our trip to a friend's wedding in the Netherlands is in jeopardy. Relatively speaking, minor inconveniences for us. Major issues for many others.