#30: Video Fridays in 60 Seconds — Week 7 Lockdown: An End in Sight (maybe)

This handkerchief art was created by a convict who divides his time between arts and crafts and training dogs. Anubis is an Egyptian god.

So ends week 7 of our COVID-19 lockdown. No inmate cases–still. I’m beginning to think we might dodge the bullet. Word on the Grape Vine is that we will return to a normal operation on or around June 9th, providing we don’t have any additional staff (or inmate) cases. I’m looking forward to it. Frankly, I think the guys have already returned to normal operations in their minds. I’m seeing less mask wearing and more socializing. It was inevitable. In week 3, Video Fridays In 60 Seconds #27, I predicted that it would only be a matter of time before convicts tired of their digital baby sitters. That time has come. The sunshine and warm weather only sped up the process.

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#28: Video Fridays in 60 Seconds — Week 5 Lockdown, and Another COVID-19 Match Lit

“Tennessee Living” is a portrait drawn from a photograph. The man and woman are husband and wife. By Anonymous (OH)

Well, it looks as if we are on ANOTHER two week extension to our COVID lockdown. This week marks week #5. One of the unit managers tested positive for COVID-19 two days ago. It’s a bit frightening because the unit managers interact with us within the housing units daily. Rumor is that both of our nurse practitioners tested positive too, which if true would be bad as they see inmates every day in a small office like room. Don’t know yet, but will write about it when I do. I’m more and more convinced that it’ll be a miracle if COVID-19 doesn’t eventually rip through here.


WEDNESDAY: La Isla Bonita

*image credit: Gary Larson, “The Far Side”

Every morning when the sun crests, a nurse is here to take our temperatures with a hand held laser thermometer. With each zap her voice chimes out “97.1” or “97.4” or “97.5”, etc. as she tells each person their result. By now guys have fallen into this morning routine without hesitation, and within 15 minutes everyone will be back to doing whatever it was they were doing. It’s almost my turn. Surprisingly, the line conversation is upbeat this morning.

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TUESDAY: Mouse Racing & Social Distancing

img_3174By now, everyone reading this is suffering from the same thing we prisoners are: boredom. Stuck at home with nowhere to go. Everyday I watch stories on television about how people out there are managing their boredom and self-imposed isolations. Some have rediscovered the love of their pets; walking the dog has suddenly become a favorite pasttime. I’ve taken to watching internet videos on television of animals doing the funniest things. Who can tire of seeing puppies and kittens?

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