We have new neighbors.
They used to live up the street. We would say hello to each other, but did not have much interaction. Then about a month ago they moved into the house next door. They are a family of six - four kids ranging from 11 to 2 years old. The second child is 7 and in Beanie's grade, although they were not in the same class last year.
I have always wished for neighbors with kids so Beanie would have company. There is nothing more fun than going out into the backyard and playing with someone who lives next door. The family is very nice, and the kids love Beanie and vice versa
All would be great...except..its COVID time and the kids all go to school (Beanie is full time virtual). Therefore, her playing with them makes me anxious especially since starting next week, school will be back in full session for all K-5 grades, five days a week.
We already had a scare.
The little 5 year old girl was exposed to someone at school who tested positive for COVID so she and her entire class was quarantined for 2 weeks. In fact, Monday is the first time she will be back at school. The Mom told me this on 10/12. The family had traveled out of state for a funeral and got back in town on the 9th (Fri). Apparently that is the day the child was exposed to the other person who tested positive. We did not see them until that Tue, when the Mom informed me.
Beanie and the kids were very sad that they could not play, so the next day Beanie did play with them outdoors, with all kids wearing masks. Then the next day the Mom tells me the Dad had a sore throat, the girl had a tummy ache and the older kid had a runny nose/cough, so they all got tested last Friday.
Even though when B played with them, they were all wearing masks including the parents, and it was outdoors...I was still very nervous. The results took 5 days but all came back negative, thankfully.
The primary reason I am having Beanie do full time virtual school is because I did not want to go through exactly this -- stress of wondering if she is exposed, waiting for results, etc. And while we did not do need to get tested ourselves, I was pretty nervous since it was so close to home.
I told Beanie that she needs to wear her mask and not hang out too close with the kids but she does not follow instructions. Yesterday I was on a call in the afternoon, the kids were outside and I could see she wanted to play. I told her she could but to stay on our side of the yard. Next thing I know she is hanging out with the 5 year old in their garage - 2 feet from her!!
So now, I have to continually stress about every time she goes out to play and have to police her, make her wear her mask, etc. I told her yesterday that if she cannot play at a safe distance then she can only go out when I am free and can keep an eye on things.
Then my sister's assistance tested positive, so my sister had to get tested. We were supposed to meet my sister and Mom for an evening by the firepit last Saturday, but because of the next door situation I told her we would not meet. Just as well, otherwise we would have been wondering if we had been exposed through my sis. My sis did get tested and is negative.
The neighbors are really very nice as I said, Last night they were planning to do an outdoor move night by projecting on the side of the house. They invited us. Beanie and I got our chairs and sat outside and watched the move. Everyone was social distanced, and it was really enjoyable.
But a part of me wishes they had moved in 6 months from now and not at this time.
