As of today January 6, 2022, In Douglas County there are 107,918 confirmed cases of Covid-19 since March 2020. They say the data is collected from multiple sources that update at different times and may not always align. But to me, I feel like it sounds about right. I feel like everyone I know has it right now. I feel like Will Smith in the movie “I am Legend” but without the dog. I have 7 children and 4 has covid, along with one grandchild. One of my closest friends and her whole family has it right now. I feel like everyone around me is testing positive and hear I am quarantined in my own home, watching American Horror Story while writing this blog…alone. I spent my evening sanitizing everything from washing walls to cleaning every mirror and doorknobs. I can’t help but to say to myself that I will not be attending anymore large gatherings for a while.

I just watched on the news that the Douglas County Health Department announced 1,547 new positive COVID-19 cases on Thursday in a preliminary report — the highest number of positive tests received since the pandemic began. The Health Department also says if you test positive for COVID-19, you should isolate for five days. You may return to your routine after the 5-day quarantine if you have no symptoms, but you're advised to wear a mask for an additional five days Those exposed to COVID-19 who are not vaccinated should follow the same routine: quarantine for five days and wear a mask for an additional five days. The CDC says this also would apply to those who are six months or more removed from their last mRNA vaccine and have not yet received a booster shot. If you are exposed to COVID-19 and have a booster shot you do not need to quarantine, but you should wear a mask for ten days after exposure, according to the CDC.

So, if you are not vaccinated, I suggest that you get it done.  I have listed vaccine clinics below.

Friday:
• Douglas County Health Department, 1111 S. 41st St., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. All vaccines.
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Saturday:
• Kanyaw Baptist Church, 4730 N. 60th Ave 9:00-noon. Pfizer 5-plus.
• Girls Inc., 2811 N 45th St. Noon-3 p.m. All vaccines.

First let me ask... Did you know that in the state of Nebraska the Domestic Violence rate against women is at 33.70% and at 28.00% against men just in 2021 alone?

What is domestic violence? Domestic violence is a violent crime violence or abuse in a domestic setting, such as in cohabitation or marriage. Domestic violence is often used as a synonym for intimate partner violence, which involves a spouse or intimate partner in an intimate partner relationship.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any age and can occur in both heterosexual and same-sex relationships. Domestic violence can also include violence against children, parents, or the elderly and can take on several forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse.

The abuser often believes that the abuse is an entitlement, acceptable, justified, or unlikely to be reported. Victims often feel trapped by the abuser in domestic violence situations through isolation by their abuser from family and friends, lack of finances, fear, shame, cultural acceptance, and power and control. Victims can develop physical disabilities and chronic health problems as well as severe psychological disorders, just to name a few.

Did you know that in the state of Nebraska:

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.
• In 2018, domestic violence accounted for 20% of all violent crime.
• On a typical day, local domestic violence hotlines receive approximately 19,159 calls. That means approximately 13 calls every minute.

Here are some myths about domestic violence:

It’s only domestic violence if there’s physical assault.

FALSE. DV includes a range of controlling behaviors that can be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial.

Good people can’t be abusive.

FALSE. Abusers can actually be very charming, intelligent, and loving-when they want to be. They lure their victims in with affection. They display vulnerability to get the victim to trust them. They provide generous support – emotionally, financially, or otherwise.

Once a survivor escapes or leaves abuser, everything’s rainbows and sunshine.

FALSE. Lots of victims end up going back to their abuser more than once. It will typically take time for a victim to find stability, both economically and psychologically. It can take months or years. They’ll need help finding affordable housing. Getting a job that supports them and their dependents, etc…
 
I would like for each of my readers just to sit and think about the few points that I have made today. I wanted to share a little information on DV before I go totally into my life.
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If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence several resources are available to help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

My name is Colleen. I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota but was raised in Omaha, Nebraska. The land where people believe it is only cows, cornfields, and Husker's football.  I won't go all into saying my age but just say that I have 7 children ( 5 girls and 2 boys), along with 8 grandchildren ( 3 girls and 5 boys). So there is never a dull moment when everyone is together. Some of my hobbies are cooking, binge watching some of my favorite shows like Law and Order SVU, Chicago PD and Power. I also love to go shopping, eating out and listening to music. New Edition, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z are my favorites.  In matter of fact, the title to this blog is from one of my favorites by Jigga.

As a little girl, I always wanted the happy life. Who didn't want to live the perfect life right? I wanted the successful hair salon. I wanted to be married to Mr. Right, that the whole family loved. I wanted to have all of the material things that life had to offer. Everyone wishes for these things right? Until one day, life hits us all and it hit me hard. I won't go all into my different hardships at this moment but I plan to share something weekly.

One of my hardest situations has lead me to my current job working as a Program Manager of the Kumani Restorative Justice Center. The Kumani Restorative Justice Center is just that.. a safe place for returning citizens. I have always been  passionate about helping others and even more so now,  my fellow ex-felons.

So stay tuned and follow your girl while I share my very own personal story. I will share my highs and lows, along with the bad and the ugly.