Wisconsin is closing in on the one-month mark of the state’s ‘Safer at Home’ order. The order, like in most states and places around the world, has brought a new reality into focus- a world where social distancing is enforced, (most) people are working from home, kids and college students are taking classes online, and our favorite businesses are closed.
So how are people coping with the new ‘normal’? Before we get into it, I’ll introduce myself… I’m Taylor! I work as a Marketing Specialist here at Extract Systems and you may recognize my name from other blogs you have read on our site. For today’s post, I wanted to do something a bit different from our normal… because nothing is normal about the world right now! I asked a few of my fellow coworkers how things were going at home and I wanted to share how folks are adapting to a new routine, what things they have learned, what they are doing to keep busy, and more!
Chris Mack: Marketing Manager
Chris recently bought a new home here in the Madison area and the stay at home order has helped him appreciate his new living space. With more time at home it has allowed him the time to finally set up an office in his home.
A real positive of the order is that Chris has used what would have been his ‘commute time’ to get some yard work done as well as cook dinner as a family during the work week.
He also explained that despite being away from coworkers he’s been able to learn about them as we (all of us at Extract) are setting up deliberate communications, like video calls. He added that he’s been learning all about the pets of Extract including dogs, cats, chickens, and llamas. Who knew we had such a farm?
Troy Burke: Director of Government Solutions
Like most, Troy hasn’t been able to see his family, namely his Dad who lives in an assisted living facility that has barred visitors for over a month. He said one great thing that has come from this is his Dad has learned how to Skype and FaceTime, so even though they can’t be together in person, they can stay connected virtually. His Dad will even take his iPad around the facility and introduce Troy, his sister, and other family members to his friends.
Aside from getting to see family, once the order has been lifted and it’s safe to resume normal activities, Troy is looking forward to getting back to Orangetheory Fitness. For Troy, the gym is just as much about the community built there as it is about the great workout!
Troy, who primarily works with our government clients here at Extract, said it’s been very interesting interacting with current and future customers in both New York, Washington, and other areas hit hardest by COVID-19.
Taylor Genter: Marketing Specialist
I think what scared me the most when the safer at home order was that I would feel trapped. I am the type of person who is rarely at home and thrives on being around people. The first week of the order was the hardest… I, like many, had to cancel our annual family spring break trip, adjust to working from home, and get used to not being able to see family, friends, and coworkers.
I knew I needed a new routine to help me get though the next few weeks (or more). I love to work out, so I’ve been getting up early, then running six or so miles and catching the sunrise. It has been such a positive way to start my day. I even checked off a personal goal of mine- I ran a half marathon!
Aside from people, I’ve been missing sports a lot! My family is a HUGE golf family, and last week would have been Masters Week. So instead of being sad about it being postponed, we rewatched last year’s event- GO TIGER!
My goal was to run it in under two hours, I came up five minutes short, I will get it next time!
Cody Auter: Project Manager & Customer Support Specialist
Cody started here at Extract shortly after the safer at home order was put in place- so hats off to him for being flexible during something that is already stressful and anxiety-inducing. Cody and his wife Katie are considering a move very soon. Katie has been thrilled with Cody being home more, so he has been able to pack, do some home improvement projects, and just get ready to move. He has also been able to get a lot more hobby painting for D&D done and been able to catch up on some shows that were on the backburner.
Like most situations, there are positives and negatives. One positive Cody highlighted was that he doesn’t have to commute to the office! In his case especially, he would be staying the whole work week away from his wife and kids. The negative, he misses being able to connect with friends and family. He attends some local gaming conventions that got canceled, and “game nights” at home, be it D&D or just board games; those have all been canceled or postponed which is a bummer.
Rob Fea: Vice President of Professional Services
When talking with Rob about how things have been shaping out he said even with the COVID pandemic, the need for technical support has not slowed down, so he has been staying busy working with customers and training new employees- remotely, I might add!
Rob said after work he’s been enjoying playing Xbox with his kids, getting outside, and catching up on Netflix (Have you seen Tiger King? CRAZY!) He also noted with no commute to work he’s been able to be more in-tune with the schoolwork his kids are working on and is able to take a more active lunch break by shooting hoops with his kids in the driveway!
Rob has been settling into the new routine by starting his day off by making his coffee with a French press. He said it’s been a therapeutic way to start off his mornings but is looking forward to getting back into the office and being able to go out to eat.
Rob (right) and his girlfriend, Emily (left) picking up Easter basket goodies for their kids. Staying safe and stylish in their masks!
Eric Olson: Regional Business Development Manager
While Extract is headquartered in Madison, WI, we do have some employees that work remotely and Eric is one of them. He lives in Arizona, where they also have a stay at home order in place. He and his family don’t live in an urban area, so he has taken the opportunity to do some trail riding, go on a few hikes, and spend time at the pool swimming. He has been keeping connected with extended family via Zoom.
He explained that though this is a challenging time for many, the silver lining for him has been that he’s been able to spend more time with family- though he missed having his daughter come home for Easter. He’s seen his small town pull together and really stand behind its restaurants by ordering take out- he even got his first to-go margarita!
Being a sales manager, Eric learned that lab managers he speaks with are actually outside building tents in the parking lot as part of the response. Many of his contacts are heavily engaged, sometimes on the front lines of the crisis. He added that he hopes they know how much we appreciate them and respect what they have been doing for the rest of the country.
Eric and his son, Hank, Social Distancing in Cave Creek, Arizona
Doug Beachy: Data Capture Analyst
Like the rest of us, Doug has been finding new ways to keep busy and checking off to-do items. He was finally able to get around to putting up an owl box on a pine tree in his backyard. He is hoping an Eastern Screech-Owl will take up residence, but saw a Starling poke its head out the other morning. Doug has gotten to know the birds in his yard very well; he does a checklist for eBird.org every day before he starts work (in place of his commute). Last Friday he saw a loon fly over, presumably on its way to Lake Mendota!
Doug has also been taking advantage of more time at home by taking walks with his son, Xander, and noted it’s been nice to chat with him more than usual. He also learned how to make tortillas because his son LOVES quesadillas and they ran out or tortillas, so they improvised!
Once things slowly get back to normal, he is looking forward to getting to see his girlfriend again.
Trever Gannon: Systems Engineer
With the safer at home order in place, it forced many businesses to close, gyms included. But that didn’t stop Trever! He has taken this as an opportunity to build his own home gym. He then learned that he really doesn’t like the gym and plans to cancel his membership once this is all over. He said with a home gym he doesn’t have to wait for equipment and it’s always clean!
When Trever isn’t pumping iron he has been using his time to play video games and experiment with his Raspberry Pi.
I asked Trever what he’s most looking forward to when the order is lifted? Going out with friends and seeing family.
Trever’s new home gym
Shane Dickson: Regional Business Development Manager
Shane has been keeping busy with Texas hold ’em poker games, drive-way basketball, four square, tennis, bike rides, and walks with the family on the weekends or after work and school are done. He and his family are very involved in sports and activities outside the home, so the pandemic has given them more time to meal prep as a family. He said it’s nice to actually cook with his wife instead of rushing in-between practices.
He is looking forward to getting back to normal and celebrating occasions, birthdays, and time with friends and family. Shane has also taken this time to focus on his health. He and his wife are making healthier meals and tracking calories. He even bought a speed bag for his home workout area and is looking forward to working on that as a new skill.
Jeremy Schea: Project Manager & Customer Support Specialist
Like a lot of us, Jeremy has been missing going out to eat at his favorite restaurants as well as hosting game nights with friends. But the stay at home order hasn’t stopped him and his wife from connecting with friends and family in other states by playing Jackbox games over Zoom.
On the behalf of everyone at Extract stay safe and a big thank you to all of the first responders, healthcare workers, and essential employees for working day and night to keep America healthy.
About the Author: Taylor Genter
Taylor is the Marketing Specialist at Extract with experience in data analytics, graphic design, and both digital and social media marketing. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing at the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater. Taylor enjoys analyzing people’s behaviors and attitudes to find out what motivates them, and then curating better ways to communicate with them.