Chronicles of COVID-19 – Jon & Tasha Morgan

Name: Tasha and Jon Morgan (written from the perspective of Tasha)

Role (if any) at Wisconsin Skydiving Center:

Tasha – AFF, coach, video, rigger
Jon – Tandem, AFF, coach, video, pilot, mechanic

Where Do You Currently Live?: Neenah, WI

What kind of work do you do? How has your job been affected in light of COVID-19?

Tasha – I am an athletic trainer and physical therapist assistant at a private practice physical therapy and sports medicine clinic. And yes, I am affected. As surgeons and physicians are limiting patients’ visits and surgeries, our caseload is dwindling. As of April 12th, I will be furloughed for probably a month. I also work part-time at our YMCA teaching a class and doing personal training. I enjoy working out and like helping others feel good too but the Y has been closed for a couple of weeks now and I miss my workouts and seeing friends.

Jon – pilot with a cargo company so he is still flying!

UPDATE: 

So, my answer has changed as are things daily with COVID-19.  Turns out my company has acquired a small business loan, and with that they have to pay all their employees.   Therefore the next 8 weeks we will all be paid our normal wages.  There is not patient care for me, and most therapists, so we will be doing a lot of project work.  I should be able to do most work asked of me from home, but may need to go into the clinic on occasion.  We’ll see where things go from here!

As for Jon, a main route just got put on hold so his flying may not be as much.  He has other routes and there have been some on demand flights scheduled, so we can hope that continues.  He will still be flying and has to go to recurrent training in a couple weeks, which will not change.

What have you been doing to occupy your time during the quarantine?

Jon has been gone for work much of the last 3 weeks so I have been plenty busy with a 7 and 9-year-old at home, now having to be their teacher, gym teacher, art teacher, cafeteria, recess coordinator, etc…. As well as trying to keep my sanity and have some “me time” to work out, read, cook or something! We also have two dogs so daily walks have been our go-to to get everyone out of the house daily, even if the weather isn’t inviting us out. I’ve been getting into baking as well, lots of sourdough and I’ve made my first batch of bagels!

There have been many negatives related to the coronavirus. What have been the silver linings?

I’m actually okay being furloughed. With Jon’s work taking him away from home often, I need to be home with the kids. We are trying to make the best out of being home all the time with different activities and games. It’s been nice to not be running between work, after school activities, violin lessons, making dinner and all our other “normal” daily activities. But I do miss some of it!

Has the coronavirus revealed things you once took for granted that you now appreciate?

I miss being able to see people! As much as I love being home and my quiet time at home, I’m really starting to miss my friends. I also miss not being able to travel, not anywhere exotic or elaborate, but just to my parents or in-laws, which we are not even doing right now.

What are you most looking forward to doing (outside of skydiving of course) when you get on the other side of the quarantine?

Getting together with friends and being able to go to eat and have someone else clean up after a meal!

What’s your secret superpower that few people know about?

I don’t know if it’s a power, but maybe people don’t know that I am the bearer of many licenses/certifications, both academic (Licensed Athletic Trainer, Physical Therapist Assistant, Licensed Massage Therapist) and extra-curricular (licensed skydiver, rigger, private pilot, motorcycle, National Ski Patroller). I guess if I put my mind to it, I can get it done.

What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

I can’t say there’s been a particular book that has greatly influenced me. I read a lot of fiction for fun or research articles for continuing education and staying current with the parts of health care that I work in.

What is the most useful thing you own under $100?

My Keurig coffee pot! Much needed at this point in time. I would love to say my running shoes or my Kitchen Aid stand mixer but neither is under $100.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

Can’t think of anything!