A series of text messages sent to my pediatric dental team, during the coronavirus pandemic shutdown of 2020.
March 21, 2020
Dear Team,
I hope this message finds you and you loved ones in a safe and healthy place and space. It has been one week since we were busily going about our routine working Saturday. Unbelievable what a few days can do and the entire world is nearly shut down. The few days of disruption has made me realize how much we can take for granted. I still wake up every morning wondering if this is really happening. There is nothing more right now that I would wish for, but for things to go back where it was before. I know that we will get through all of this, but in the meanwhile, I miss you all so dearly. Can’t wait until the day we can reunite and until that time, I pray everyday for you and your families in health, safety, and spirits. Please stay strong, healthy, and in place.
March 28, 2020
Dear Team,
It is 14 days since our last day worked and hope that you have all maintained good health. Some of you have updated me on how things are going with you and your families, of which I appreciate very much. I am very thankful for unlimited texting because I haven’t texted this much in my entire life (daily average of 200+) and it gives us the ability to communicate. It has been nice to have some time off, though I must admit I am getting a bit restless. I know that some day that this will be over, but my patience is wearing a little. I’ve had my eyes glued to CNN to the point where I feel like the Cuomo brothers are family, haven’t put on makeup in 2 weeks (just put it all away for now) and make meals using the ingredients that I have (nothing to waste). Certainly this week has been about different perspectives and how quickly our usual routine has been disrupted. The very same street that I used to hurriedly drive on to get to work has now become my daily exercise routine, I can actually enjoy a sit down breakfast and savor every sip of coffee ALL DAY. I’m sure that this period of time has allowed for reflection for all of us and a time to slow down. According to the stats, it appears that we are still on the rise for COVID-19, so we are not near the plateau. This past Wednesday, I participated in a very well done webinar on COVID-19 by the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry and wanted to share it with you. The presentation was done by a doctor that previously worked for the CDC and specializes in pandemics. There is so much information everywhere and this webinar does a great job of presenting facts, stats and graphs. So much is still unknown about COVID-19 and it’s progression in the US, but this information is accurate as of Wednesday. If you are interested, click on the link below (you have to download Zoom). I believe you can get CE for this as well. I continue to pray for all of you and especially lift up the Andrews family, as this weekend is a big one for them. Please continue to be vigilant about staying safe and healthy. Thankful more than ever for you all!
April 4, 2020
Good afternoon Team!
I hope you are all doing well. I still wake up every day thinking what we are going through is
still so unbelievable. I'm still trying to figure out a good routine, you would think that I would
have figured this out by now. This morning, the air was still very chilly, but looking forward to a
high of 60s this Wednesday. Seems we are still on the rise for coronavirus, but I feel that
governor J.B. Pritzker is doing a great job for the state of Illinois. As I was walking this morning,
I noticed there are no lack of cars on the roads and wonder where are they are going? There’s
not a lot of places one can go to right now, but life still goes on. This week, this particular video
really put a smile to my face. Something about the kids, their creation process, the smiles on
their faces, their togetherness, was just really hopeful, despite their circumstances they must
be going through in Italy. The title song is “Viva la Vida”- Long Live Life, kind of ironic in these
times, but even as we are shelter in place, life still goes on. And at some point this will end and
we will probably celebrate life and be more thankful because of it. We all saw that Randi’s
miracle baby was born this week on April 1st , it is a culmination of events that definitely will
not be forgotten. So, I wish for you another week of good health and spirits. Please take good care of yourselves.
April 11, 2020
Dear Team,
I hope you all continue to be healthy and safe. Here is the 411 on 4/11, as you can see how I
keep track of the days. Happy Easter weekend to you all! Easter is the time of year to bring
renewal and rebirth, but most of all hope. In the past couple of weeks, we have welcomed
baby Kennedy, said goodbye to baby Andrews and anticipate the arrival of baby Patera. These
life events lead to such joy and such sorrow, but also so much hope- hope in the healing,
peace and the being still.
It has been one month since we all worked our last day and can appreciate in the screenshots I
share with you, how drastically the numbers reflect the rate of infection and deaths in about
one month’s time. The way we move forward will not ever be like that last day that we worked
and we are in the midst of defining a new normal. That definition changes every day and even
though we plateau, it doesn’t mean that it changes anything that drastically. It seems that the
plan right now is to open the offices in May, starting with operative appointments and hygiene
appointments starting in June, but this can also change.
As soon as we shutdown, the days couldn’t go by fast enough for me, but nowadays, I don’t
know where the time goes. I wondered why there was such a difference in this perception of
time. Initially, it was the thought that after an impatient reprieve, we would get back to right
where we left off. However, every day that passes, I awaken to the fact that the way we live,
work and the world, will be a completely different paradigm. Thinking about that reality makes
the whole day go by so quickly, like I don’t have enough time trying to prepare for the day that
we will return and to ensure health and safety for everyone. What gives me the most comfort
above all, is the hope in each other and the community that we have built. We are all in this
together and we will get through this together. We are a team that will make it work.
Thank you for being that community for me, sharing life and awaiting what the future holds.
Please continue to take measures to be healthy and safe. Thinking of you all every day.
P.S. Everyone can always use more cookies, so I am sending you a link to the just released
Doubletree Tree Hotel Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. It’s the best cookie in the world! And the
second best is the Vanishing Oats Cookie from Quaker Oats...
April 18, 2020
Dear Team,
I hope this finds your healthy and safe and hope you all had a beautiful Easter. Today is a
beautiful sunny day and I still can’t get over the new reality we are living in. One day snow, one
day sunny weather and we still have to keep ourselves SIP. The novelty of this new world still
has not worn off, I learn new things every day and it is still a mystery. With all of the time I’ve
had, I managed to dust off my bicycle and can’t believe that I still remember I know how to ride
one. The exhilaration of riding my bike made me reminiscent of the days as a kid, riding around
on my banana seat pink Schwinn (no gears, no helmet, no cell phone), all for the carefree goal
of making it to White Hen Pantry for slushies. Nowadays, everyone definitely needs to wear a
helmet, need to keep track of the kids, it’s just not as simple as it was before- just like now.
This week, a lot of decisions and plans will made on reopening of everything. This week, I’ve
recited the lyrics of ‘The Prayer’ to myself- talking aloud to myself these days. I’ve attached a
link to the song, for those that are not familiar. Andrea Bocelli had a special Easter concert from
the Milan Duomo, which shows just how much the whole world is all in this together.
Not sure if you’ve gotten crafty about DIY masks, I sure have and found that simple shop
towels at the auto stores have pretty good filtration rates. Since masks are so hard to come by,
I am attaching a pretty simple DIY link.
Finally, a whole bunch of celebrities and performers are coming together today for a special
Global Citizen Together at Home special.
I hope today will be another celebration at home together because certainly some day we will
be busily back to our lives and probably won’t have this opportunity again. I think of you all
every single day and pray for all of our health and safety.
April 25, 2020
Dear Team,
As we wake up to this rainy morning, I hope you are all healthy and safe. I love the rain
because it is calming and cleansing. I wish we could all be done with this pandemic and hope
to be cleansed of it sooner than later. They say that perhaps the sunlight and warmer weather
will help with things, it as we all know, no one really can make any claims because this is all
novel. I think of those that are working at the office now, particularly, Becky, Colleen, Sarah,
and Shelley, so a tremendous shout-out to them. The company is making a lot of decisions
right now and with all that is going on, I am busily researching and thinking through the most
safe way through all of this- it occupies my mind 24 hours a day. There is not enough thanks in
this world for all of you and the community you bring. For those that who are resting at home,
get your rest because it will be busy when we get back and for those that are working, thank
you so much- even those simple words are not enough to express my gratitude. These days,
I’ve found some comfort in music and I don’t know if some of you were able to see the Global
Citizen concert, I really loved this song sung by Jennifer Hudson. Be well and safe and thinking
and praying for us all!
May 2, 2020
Dear Team,
Today is probably the most beautiful day we’ve had since this whole ordeal. When you look
outside and see the birds and flowers blooming, it’s like we never skipped a beat. I’m sure for
all of us, these past almost two months have been a roller coaster of emotions, life still went on
with its ups and downs within the pandemic, which made it much more heightened. It really
seems like even a simplest of things like going out for a meal is such a luxury. Today, I send to
you the many memories we’ve made in the past years, I look forward to making many more.
Thinking of you all every day. Please be safe and healthy. Love you all.
May 9, 2020
Dear Team,
From St Patrick’s Day to Easter to Mother’s Day, I hope you are enjoying these times with your
families and Happy Mother’s Day to our moms. Some of you are like mommas to me, so thank
you and I celebrate you. It’s been 2 months since the beginning of this very strange time in our
lives and I’m sure you have had a lot of time of reflection and hopefully some relaxation. I can
tell you that it’s been quite an experience for me, unlike anything I’ve known. During this time,
I’ve been learning quite a bit and am eager to share with you- you can never stop learning,
that’s for sure. I can see that the world is starting to open up, the signs of summer are showing
and there’s a little more life everywhere. I look forward to our reunion and wish you all a very
wonderful weekend. Please be safe and healthy. Love you all.
May 11, 2020
Hello, I wanted to do a Zoom call this weekend. Can you let me know what time is best for you
Sat at 10 am or Sun at 2 pm? If both are ok, please indicate that as well. Thank you so much!
May 20, 2020
Hello, I would like to do another Zoom call, does Monday, June 1st at 10 a work for all of you?
May 31, 2020
Good morning! We will have our Zoom call tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM. I am attaching
some documents for your review. Please try to read them over before the meeting. Thank you!
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Dr. Mina Chung is a pediatric dentist and partner of North American Dental Group. Prior to joining North American Dental Group, she was an owner of Grove Dental Associates, a multi specialty group practice in the Chicagoland area.