We admit people to our COVID-19 ward nearly every day. We have partitioned half of our hospital to take care of all of our corona virus patients. We place all of our patients who present to the hospital with shortness of breath, fever, hypoxia (low oxygen levels) into this ward while we await their COVID virus tests to come back. When they come back negative, we move the patients to the normal ward. We try to get them out so that they are not there when the next patient arrives who might possibly be infected. So far we have been able to keep all admitted patients in separate rooms so that we do not cross-infect a negative patient from another who might test positive. Nobody has tested positive in the COVID ward, and we have been able to move them all over to the normal beds. Usually these patients “just” have tuberculosis. Once we start having positive patients we will not be able to transfer patients over to the normal ward, and all who end up the COVID ward will be staying there whether they are positive or not. Because once they are admitted into a ward that has COVID positive patients, they are considered exposed and possible transmitters. This desire to move patients to the normal ward makes us eager to get results, and so it means we make multiple trips to the lab with frequent calls to the lab manager asking if results are back. That is why you see Godfrey begging for results in the picture below. We want to get patients out of the COVID ward to the normal hospital where they belong!
Monthly Archives: May 2020
Par Three at RVA
Last week there was a golf tournament at RVA. One of the staff at the kid’s school put together a small par three course around the upper field. So now this spring instead of rugby cheers on the paddock, you hear cries of “Fore!” Small groups moved around the course, with a closest to the pin contest and free cokes for each hole in one. The low scorer won two free pizzas from the local Pizza Inn. Its a tiny course, but it is a lot of fun for a quick nine holes. Tennis courts are water hazards. Soccer goals are tall trees in the fairway. The wind blows across the pitch toward Mt. Longonot in the valley. You are considered in the hole when your ball is within a club length of the flag. There are no greens and the fairways are deep as rough. David and Peter have picked up clubs for almost the first time, and progress is being made by all of us in our nine iron game.
Hash-up Mash-up
During quarantine, I’ve noticed that everyone’s new favorite hobbies are cooking and baking. I say amen to that. What’s better than a hobby you can EAT? I’ve been thinking I should revive my occasional recipe sharing on the blog.
To that end, here’s a super simple yet satisfying meal for those celebrated “breakfast for dinner” nights. I suppose you could make it before noon, but that’s your call.
Hash-up Mash-up
Ingredients:
enough potatoes to grate about 4-5 cups; 5 or 6 big potatoes, 12 or so medium red potatoes
10 eggs
cooking oil
salt and pepper
- optional: bacon, Freddy’s Fry Seasoning
Directions:
- Boil the whole potatoes in water to cover for 15 minutes or until fork-tender. Set potatoes aside to cool a bit. (If you are in a place where you can get a bag of frozen hash browns, you can skip the potato part of the recipe. This is a missionary blog, so this is how we make it.)
- If you are using bacon, start by frying bacon in your biggest, most non-stick sauté pan.
- Grate the cooled potatoes on the biggest holes of your box grater.
- Leave the bacon grease in the pan or if you didn’t start with bacon, put 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil in the pan.
- Put the grated potato in the oil or grease and spread it out to the edges for a layer of potatoes.
- Here’s the part that requires patience– let it sit at least 5 minutes or more without moving it (more time if you started with frozen hash browns) When you lift up one edge and it looks good and golden brown underneath, flip pieces of hash browns with your spatula. Now let the other side brown. You may need to drizzle more oil on so that you get a good fry. While the potatoes are frying, generously sprinkle with salt and pepper. *On a whim, I bought a jar of Freddy’s Fry seasoning and brought it to Africa. If you live on the I-35 corridor and can get some, we recommend. If not, you can make it. Good stuff to add at this stage.
- With patience, you’ll get a pan of beautiful golden brown hash browns. While you are waiting, crack 10 eggs into a bowl.
- Now you will add the protein. If you have a thick layer of hash browns, you can make little divots in the hash browns to receive eggs. Pour the eggs over the hash browns, evenly distribute the yolks if needed, and cover with a tight lid. The steam from the potatoes will make sort-of basted eggs and the bottom will get nice and crispy.
- Serve a wedge of Hash-up Mash-up with ketchup, sriracha sauce, hot sauce, and/or Ranch dressing, plus bacon, fruit salad, waffles, etc. ¡Bon appétit!Â
Â
Sarah’s Pet
She won’t touch a grasshopper, but she loves a slug!
Life is More Spiritual In Kenya
Scan through this latest notice and tell me you do not agree that life is viewed more spiritually here.6th Presidential Address on COVID-19 – 16th may, 2020
Flooding
I mentioned a few days ago about the rain. Here are some pictures from the flooded out bridge and abandoned train station. We took a pretty long hike (appx 8 miles round trip) to get up to the area of the mud slides. Wow! It was impressive, and I think with more rain we can expect more damage unfortunately.
Social Distance
It’s not so hard to social distance from these guys. Do you see the baby hanging from the second baboons belly?
Lots of Rain – The Plagues
Shopping
The little Super Duka has just what we need . . . tortilla chips, Coca Cola, Frosted Flakes, and candy. All are part of a well balanced diet.