What a hell of a year we’ve had this month! With news and updates regarding the novel coronavirus changing by the minute, many of us have found it difficult to plan out our week, let alone the next few months. And, like many of you, I find it difficult to stay at home.

Kevin wanted me to share this story about his wonderful, energetic 80-year-old mother—who is on oxygen—and has been doing her best to self-quarantine. When he asked her how that was going, she said, "I've only been out three times this week. I went to the store, to see a couple of relatives and visit a few neighbors."

It's that type of quarantine that motivates the government to order lockdowns. Quarantine means no people any closer than six feet away. It's the only way to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Be healthy, stay home

Staying at home has its perks. For me, my year-long honey-do list is bound to shrink. I may also finally teach myself how to use the sewing machine I borrowed from my mother-in-law months ago.

Quarantine doesn’t have to be a death sentence for your social life. You can still do many of the activities you enjoy if you’re open to the possibility of experiencing it just a little bit differently.

Get your May and June BEACON online

Since Coloradans are under orders to stay at home, we are preparing to deliver the May and June issues to you online.

We’ll have exclusive stories, COVID-19 updates and lots of jokes. You can read these new issues, as well as previous ones, at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com.

We can also deliver the BEACON straight to your email inbox. Sign up for our newsletter at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com, or email [email protected]. (We post some great stuff on Facebook, too.)

Our first priority is the health and safety of our staff, clients and readers. Our second priority is to share with you the truth of our current situation and the hope that it will get better. COVID-19 is not the zombie apocalypse, but it is serious. Everything we do over the next few months will be to save lives and spread hope.

BeaconFest is now August 19

April’s annual Grand Junction BeaconFest is rescheduled to Wednesday, August 19. So, re-mark your calendars, invite your friends and we’ll have an awesome time in August.

Three-county coverage, one issue

As COVID-19 affects us all, we want to provide readers with all the coverage, insights and entertainment we can without being limited by page count. Starting with April, we have combined our Mesa County and Montrose-Delta editions into one—at least through June. Enjoy the stories you love from our award-winning writers from around the Western Slope.

Even through these uncertain times, the BEACON is here for you. While the hours we spend in the office are fewer, our phones are open. Shoot me an email, follow us on Facebook, or give us a call at 243-8829. Stay well.