". . .I love working with college students. I know right now there are many people frustrated with their age demographic, but I wish people would stop and think a minute. Think about your college years. How did you act at that age? Did you always make decisions that were for the greater good? Or were there a few selfish decisions? A few decisions you wish you could take back? A few impulsive acts?

...I would ask people to please have some patience, some understanding, and a little bit of grace. Wear your masks, set good examples for your friends and neighbors, and most importantly, keep pressure on those making decisions on a state and federal level to make the hard decisions to keep our citizens safe. . ."

Bernard Foster II, Firefighter and EMT, updates us,

"I have remained Covid-free so far... and fortunately we've only had one case of Covid at our station on all 3 shifts this whole time. Not all stations have not been so lucky. There have been some whole crews shut down due to all members coming down with coronavirus.

But I am confident that with discipline, wearing PPE correctly, and taking steps to prevent the risk of transmitting or contracting Covid, we can over come this worldwide medical crisis. We have to."

Photo courtesy of Bernard Foster II

Dr. Sarah Schmitz Burns, Physician OB/GYN, updates us...

". . .As we move into COVID winter I’m feeling exhausted, anxious, and at times, hopeless...At the same time, I am doing my best to find glimmers of hope in the isolation...

...The recent data on the vaccines is exciting. I’m hopeful that our new administration will provide the leadership, support and changes we need, but there is SO MUCH work to do...

..As the community transmission of the virus steeply climbs, I’m angry at our lack of national leadership. My colleague became infected with the virus after delivering a baby, even when she followed all the protective protocols. I’m enraged by all the selfish, ignorant people attending large gatherings, not wearing masks and spreading lies...

...My work is exhausting. My guard is up and I worry every person I see is a potential COVID exposure. All day long, women unload their struggles with insomnia, anxiety, isolation and depression on me.

I want to help, but It’s a lot to carry and I don’t have much more to give. . ."

I received this message over the weekend & suggested we tell their Following the Thread anonymously. They were game.

"Thank you for asking how I am. Let me think about it... As you know, it's been a rough week...we are so low on staff... I need to check myself before I say or do something, because I'm a little bitter right now with the current health care climate. I don't want to lose my job, but I want to scream at my employer...

One of my co-workers said he feels like he's being shot at every time he walks in the doors of the hospital...

The Covid patients are so sick and so infectious. And we are reusing PPE. On top of that, my employer decreased our retirement matching and last week they took away our COVID Leave. So now we have to use our vacation (or go without pay) to quarantine. That only encourages people to show up to work sick. There are so many staff being laid off... It's just gross.

We are not being treated like valued humans who are risking their lives. We are being treated like dogs they want to train to fight."

". . .In the last 8 months, I have been a part of making decision that I never thought I would have to make. Policies about who gets to visit their dying loved one, which team members will take care of COVID patients, how to allocate scarce resources like PPE and vents...

At the start of this I was looking behind me for someone else to make these hard decisions. But, our leadership team quickly realized that this was not how this particular disaster would transpire. No one is coming to rescue us. We are steering this ship. The pressure is intense...

...I am trying to come to terms with watching the pain and fear and exhaustion I see in our teams. I am a fixer, a problem solver. And I can't fix a lot of this. I've learned to focus on small wins. To focus on the fact that someday this will be over. . ."

Anna Dykhuis, Emergency Medicine Registered Nurse, tells us... 

". . .I am exhausted and lonely. Desperately wanting to be outside, but always at the hospital watching everyone else drive their cars around like nothing is happening. A window separates our experiences; I work in utter chaos to keep people’s loved ones alive... My feelings are too big to hold sometimes...

...It feels like everyone is delusional except us (medical providers) and the people whose loved ones have paid the ultimate price. I don’t understand how caring for our neighbors became less important than our freedom to not wear a mask. This is not freedom.

Nevertheless. We committed to serving our community.

And we’ll be here for you when you need us. . ."

*Photo courtesy of Anna Dykhuis, RN

Editor's Note: Please be there for them. Stay home and mask up when you are out, especially with friends and family not in your household.

Michael Coleman, Emergency Room Nurse, updates us...

"COVID19 is real. If you have not been impacted yet, you likely will be in the future. Health care workers have been sacrificing, and showing to help others, since the beginning of the pandemic. Those of us that are still healthy will keep showing up for as long as it takes."

". . .I feel like my sense of self has become very strong due to The Pandemic. Maybe it's because I also turned 40 right as everything started, but my priorities have become clear. My relationships with people have become stronger, and any loose ends have been tied up. My home has become a sanctuary and I feel so full of gratitude for the life I've created as well as for the simple basics in life like good health, clean water, fresh air, etc.. . ."

Maya Robinson, Student, Grocery Cashier, & Online Shopper, tells us...

"This photo is after an 11 hour day.

*Photo courtesy of Maya Robinson

". . .In addition to my role as Lt. Governor, I’m a mom, a wife, and a daughter of a parent with underlying conditions and I am navigating all of this as a human being, too. I think we sometimes forget to remember that we are all human beings doing the best we can and that no matter what, we can all start each day and each interaction with empathy and understanding...

...We’re in this together, Minnesota. We all must keep doing the best we can in this unprecedented time. . ."

Rebecca Wieben, Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, updates us...

". . .These last 8-months have been brutal. I am burnt-out. I live everyday with constant anxiety. Our medical community is being pushed beyond anything that is remotely sustainable. Add to this, working through two hospital closures. My friends and colleagues are going to lose their jobs. During a pandemic...

And then I see people refusing to mask. Comments that we're doing this to make money (I assure you, we're not. ) Comments about having big holiday gatherings... because "it might be grandma's last one". Well. Gather together and you can ensure that it will be grandma's last one.

I'm so very tired. Tired of people being so selfish. So stupid. Tired of seeing people suffer. I need a break. We all do.

We all may be connected by a thread, but my thread is wearing thin."

*Photo courtesy of Rebecca Wieben

". . .Being unemployed doesn't mean being uninvolved.

As someone with a chronic illness, the pandemic has further highlighted the challenges of living with an often invisible illness. What is different about the pandemic is that each individual has a choice about how to respond to it. In the United States we seem to still be stuck on the debate of if it is serious or not. I don't have the luxury of choosing to not take it seriously. My hope is that we all see those in our lives that don't have that luxury and consider what it may mean for someone who does not have the immune system to fight COVID19. I hope that time has arrived. . ."

Registered Nurse Angie Haigh begs us... 

"This is hard. But please, PLEASE take this seriously. The average person may not think they have a big role to play, or they may think that this is overblown and their actions don't affect others directly. I assure you, all of our actions matter.

Health Care Workers cannot carry all of this on our backs. Hunker down, realize that life is not the same right now, and make some serious adjustments that will benefit the health and mortality of your community.

Please! This nurse is begging you!"

*Photo courtesy of Angie Haigh

". . .These pandemics have open the eyes of many to understand that radical systemic change needs to happen for us to reach equity. If someone gets COVID-19, it not only impacts their physical health. It takes a toll on their (and family's) mental health, lingering health issues, their job, housing situation, etc. These aren't new problems, many of us are all a paycheck away from becoming unhoused. Many of us forget or don't realize that. I worry that once COVID-19 is "under control" people will no longer advocate/fight for equity because things have gone "back to normal." My hope is we keep the momentum and keep moving until we are all liberated. . ."

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris WIN!

Taking our Joy and Relief to the streets in St. Paul, Minnesota for the best day in four years.

 I spent most of today checking in with my by_a.thread participants and telling their Election Day stories. 

Thank you. 

Be patient. We got this.

Dr Frank Villaume, Emergency Medicine Physician, updates me... 

". . .This fire is out of control. I can't think of a time in 15 years of working in ERs where hospitals are so overwhelmed. And I think this is just the beginning unless something changes...I have a simmering concern about ongoing surge of Covid in the community, without any apparent new efforts to curb spread. This is especially concerning as we have seen widespread lack of hospital bed availability in the broader metro area of the Twin Cities...

...I miss being able to interact with patients without the barrier of a mask. We have lost the ability to connect on a personal level with a smile. A smile can really do so much in so many situations..."

(What can't you wait for, post-vaccine?)

"I can't wait to have a huge, crowded and intimate party with family and friends. Sharing food and drink and plenty of hugs and kisses."

*Photo courtesy of Dr. Frank Villaume, IV

Michelle says! Vote like your life depends on it.

Front yard in Crocus Hill, St. Paul, Minnesota. Thank you Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Gov Peggy Flanagan for your work to keep all Minnesotans safe and thriving during this difficult time.

". . .This is my first year as an elementary school principal so sometimes It's hard to distinguish what unique to this year. What I find most challenging this year is the wide range of what parents and teachers want. Some families would like synchronous lessons all day with a lot of online work and some families want very little. Some folks are really ready to get back into the building and others are very scared and worried. The range of opinions and emotions is great...

...I want to support our teachers, staff and parents and listen during this most challenging time. My hope is to be transparent and honest. And as we potentially move toward hybrid I want the school to be safe. This year has taught us that nothing stays the same. We can continue to shift and grow as we teach and learn during a pandemic. We have never done this before and we need to give each other grace. . ."

For over a decade I popped in daily to Dunn Bros on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. I would get a coffee, donuts for my then cherubic toddlers on their way to preschool just down the street, and enjoy a brief connection with the warm and smart staff and my always quirky and kind linemates.

I took it for granted, mainly. That it was always there (I had been going infrequently since I was an aspiring Gen Xer in the early 90s). And that it would remain...

...I'm not sure when we will be back inside, brushing an accidental shoulder with a stranger and smiling without masks concealing our hearts. So until then, I'm gonna do my damnedest to smile big with my eyes.

We're all connected by a thread.

Dr Jason Wirtz, Infectious Disease Specialist, checks in... 

"Caption it this- Just another day of not letting this virus dominate my life (Insert HEAVY sarcasm and dig at Trump)...

...just got a message from my best friend from medical school... My friend said, 'Tested positive today guys...doing ok. Mild fever, mild cough, some aches and chills. Little diarrhea...Started getting a bit of a cough Wednesday. Got the test yesterday. Here we go...' "

(What do you miss from the "before", and if you could do anything from then right now what would it be?)

(without hesitation) "Live Music. I'd take in a 3 hour set by The War on Drugs at Union Transfer in Philadelphia."

". . ."I think one of the most important things this virus has given me is perspective. My father has a type of cancer that would not mix well with Corona, so my family has taken extra measures to stay inside and away from people. I have watched from afar as my friends and schoolmates hug, play with and hang out with each other, and it isn't the best feeling in the world...

...As for George Floyd, that is one of the most life changing things for me. I live in Saint Paul, so the protests were rather close to my home. Honestly, I wished I could've gone out there to protest with them. I wished I could use my voice to speak out on this issue, to reach out to the black lives that have been effected by police brutality/cruelty...

...Blue lives don't matter. At the end of the day, you can take of your uniform. I can't take off my skin. . ."

It's Indigenous Peoples Day! Who's land do you live on? What language do they speak? What was done to them? How are they now?

Educate yourselves. Here's a great resource: https://native-land.ca/

 Marriah LaVigne, Salon Owner & Stylist... 

“Salon life is starting to feel more and more normal. Which is a testament to how adaptable humans can become. Wearing masks and cleaning incessantly doesn’t feel like a big deal anymore. What does feel like a big deal though is how wonderful it is to see old and new clients smiling under their masks. Having good hair, being pampered, and taking some time for self care is more important than ever.”

Ruthless Event hosted by Wet Paint and Brandon Litman. 

Art as Protest. 
Art as Inspiration.
Art as Therapy.
Art seeing us through 2020 in all the ways. 

". . .Due to COVID-19, I haven't spent much time with my family or friends for months, because of cross contamination worries and health issues. It's a very lonely existence. I message or phone friends, I write with online poetry groups of virtual friends all over the world, I read, I watch movies...I know I'm one of the lucky ones, as I still live in my own home with my husband, Tom. But due to a botched hip replacement four years ago, going up and down stairs and getting exercise are difficult. I didn't expect my end days to be like this, that's for sure...

...Due in large part to the murder of George Floyd, I feel like I am finally beginning to comprehend the impact of racial injustices, here in Minnesota and across the country. I never understood the extent of the white privilege that I've benefited from all my life, until now. I'm heartsick and ashamed...

...I'm incredibly proud to tell you that Katie Howie is my daughter! I like to think I'm a strong woman who raised a strong woman. I'm proud of her passion to show the world what being Human in 2020 looks like through telling your stories. . ."

*Photograph of Marianne and her daughter Katie around 1991

Teaching my kids that Voting Counts! Make your plan, and vote!

". . .As a writer, I have been feeling full of emotion and have felt challenged to write. So many feelings and instead of spilling out, they are waterfalling inside of me with seemingly no end. And I am discovering that somehow I am still grateful to be alive and be apart of this movement work, this healing journey, this surrender into sweetness and abundance for Black life...

...There will always be struggle in some way, but I have been forced to explore actual sweetness and softness within me in order to survive...I hope this time in history will allow us to acknowledge and heal with our ancestors. I hope white supremacy gets rooted out of everything that it currently rots.

...I want to end the lie that something about Blackness is inferior or troubled. . . ."

Kaytee Crawford, Artist, Doula, & mother to now four beautiful boys...

“This pandemic has been hard. But, we can and have done hard things. We welcomed our fourth son and he is the brightest spot on this dark and stormy season. I am so thankful he’s here.”

Editor's note :: Photo courtesy of Kaytee Crawford, by Gather Birth Minnesota.

". . .Justice Ginsburg's decisions are the first ones I ever read where I felt like I was the subject and not the object of the decision...I didn't always agree with her decisions...But Justice Ginsburg was a plaintiffs' lawyer who knew the value of redress through civil litigation and access to the courts, and her decisions reflected that...

...for women lawyers especially, her legacy is one that we deserve to be in all places where decisions are being made, and that we could do that while parenting and working and bringing our whole selves to both. . ."

". . .I spent almost ten years in the Army Reserve, including a couple trips to Iraq. That service has given me a pretty deep well to draw from in the COVID environment...as a combat vet, having Blackhawks flying over my house all night and being able to hear and smell what was happening on Lake Street brought back some feelings I never expected to feel in my own house...

...If we listen to what our friends and neighbors of color are saying, and what they have been saying for decades, and we make real progress towards true racial justice in our country, then maybe we can count that as good that came from this time...

...I think we're on dangerous ground for democracy and I'm not sure we can take another four years of a man who has no concept of service or sacrifice or working for something greater than the self. . ."

"I've been on quarantine for a week and a half since I was exposed during my first week of school. I still have to stay home from work another half a week but I am continuing to do all my lessons on Zoom, teaching a full day from my house with my students in my classroom in the school building."

Editor's note :: Photo supplied by Tommy Murray.

". . .The pandemic has hit different industries in different ways, including advertising...throw in an unexpected stage IV cancer diagnosis, and all bets are off...

...as a creative, it's often in our nature to use our work as an outlet and I plan to do just that. These days, while I prepare for the toughest battle of my life -- so that I can have a life -- I'm exploring creative opportunities to share my story and experiences with those around me.

Put simply, right now my life is my job. . ."

". . .There's a tension...I think many teachers are struggling with anxiety about getting back in the classroom and making sure that we can still do the job AND maintain the health and safety standards that we feel are necessary to keep people from getting sick.

My job is prioritizing student learning and I know being with them physically maximizes the potential students have for learning. . ."

". . .We know our local business community needs support more than ever right now so we're getting creative. What we've been able to do and what we're planning to do moving forward is thanks to so many community members who've made a renewed commitment to shopping local, supporting local, etc.

...As a POC who's benefited from an immense amount of privilege growing up, I've quickly realized in a short amount of time that there's a lot more that I should be going to combat injustices, racism, and systemic inequities in my own community. . ."

". . .Human beings are pretty fucking incredible. I’m so lucky that I get to listen to people as part of my job. I witness bold truths, powerful stories, and beautiful experiences around love, solidarity, justice, and connection every day.  

I worry about my family. I worry about my loved ones or I getting sick. I worry about the lack of healthcare, the lack of care infrastructure we have, homelessness, abortion access, and anti-Asian racism. I worry about things at different levels. My worries turn to rage some days. We deserve so much more...

...storytelling is how we make meaning, see connections, access our lineage and ancestry...it's an integral part of the human experience. I'm also thinking about which stories we're telling ourselves about humanity, care, love, and justice...how do we use that to build more power for ourselves?"

". . .Due to The Pandemic I’m more cautious about protecting myself from possible exposure from my patients and am very meticulous about wearing my PPE. And I make it a priority to be aware of my surroundings while on calls with a potential for violence or police interacting with us, not only at work, but also while I’m off duty. . ."

". . .This past string of seven sleep deprived overnights in the hospital was a hard one. I saw some very sad Covid cases. But, I saw more "normal" cases and how they have been affected by The Pandemic...these patients weren't able to get the care they needed when they needed it, and it's now spiraled out of control...

...I am very happy this week is over and definitely don't feel like a hero. I just want this thing to leave us all alone already. . ."

Editor's note :: Photos supplied by Dr. Lourdes Villaume.

". . ."Being the wife and caregiver for someone with a serious illness and the mother of a person of color has never been boring, but in this moment of a global pandemic and racial upheaval, it feels like everywhere I look danger is targeted directly at the two people I love the most...

...Loving my family should include wanting them to be healthy, respected, and safe. If you shout and post and tweet that "All Lives Matter," then please include the two that live with me. . ."

". . .Many of our patients may have Covid-19, they just don't present like it...and so we would not know, and would not test as they do not present with a Covid-19 symptom profile. It's a scenario that requires us to adhere to strict PPE usage no matter what the chief complaint is...

...the embracing of anti-science worries me, it should worry everyone. I hope black and latino voters show up like never before in the fall...I also hope people start see the value in science and the scientific model, and lean back into it and trust in it wholeheartedly. If these two things happen, that would go a long way toward steering our society back toward decency and common sense. . ."

Editor's note: it is with a heavy heart that I let the @by_a.thread community know that  beautiful & brave participant Lindsay Norton (@lnortonj33) passed away Friday, August 21, 2020 from cervical cancer. She is missed immensely already. Deepest condolences to her husband, five year old son, mother, and all who loved her. This is a gutting reminder to love your people. And to tell them you love them. 

Life is a Gift. We're all connected by a thread.

". . .If there was ever a time to be kind to one another and ourselves it’s now. . . "

". . .I was at the protests everyday for two weeks after the murder of George Floyd. Then I began volunteering in the neighborhoods that were affected by the store closures. There are two pandemics, COVID-19 and systematic racism...I have always been outspoken, but I am even more so now because I have nothing but conviction and time. . ."

". . .I want people to know that both masks and fares are required to ride the bus. And that as Bus Operators, we are essential workers who are doing the best we can under difficult circumstances...cleanliness (disinfecting, sanitizing, washing your hands, covering your mouth or sneeze) is not just an option, its a necessity. Unfortunately, I've seen first hand that common sense is uncommon to many and quite disrespectful. . ."

Participant Justin Cohenour, MD, tested poistive for Covid19 last week. Here's what he wanted to share with our @by_a.thread community:

". . .I probably contracted this at work from an asymptomatic/presymptomatic patient who wasn’t wearing a mask. Going forward, I will insist every patient wear a mask when I’m seeing them because that is most important for preventing the spread. People keep telling me at least I’m immune now, but we still don’t know if that’s true. I’m going to continue with all the precautions necessary. . ."

Editor's Note: a huge thank you to @jrcohenour for sharing his Covid19 Experience. I am so thankful you are doing well. We're all connected by a thread. Photo by Justin Cohenour, MD.

". . .I was up late the night Minneapolis police killed George Floyd. I came across the video while scrolling and immediately wished I could unsee it. It was horrifying. The next day, I was glued to the news and social media. By the following night I was down on Lake Street at the protests. Up until then our family had been social distancing quite seriously, but the enormity of this injustice was so great, that I couldn't stay home. . . ."

". . .Something that society might not realize is that teachers are CONSTANTLY observing. We watch kids interact with each other; we notice slight changes in behavior. This allows us to get to the bottom of what is going wrong or right in students' lives. It was really difficult for me to do that for the last 3 months of school, and I worried so much about so many of my kids...

...I am an optimist at heart. And I'm hopeful that people will vote early. I think positive change is coming and that we have a lot of healing to do. I have faith in my generation and the generations after mine. I believe we will carry this momentum forward and create a better world. . ."

The pandemic has forced every single business to pivot, including the Hang Family. They are local farmers that have taken their Farmer's Market bounty ordering online Fridays to then directly bring it to your door on Saturday! This is what my family received - it was as delicious as it is gorgeous. I highly recommend you put in an order for the next Saturday you are able:

https://hangfarm.company.site 

And! Make sure to tip generously. We're all connected by a thread.