Corona Letters #7

Dear Fellow Quarantiners,

Well, it's official now, isn't it?  Our Governor has announced that Massachusetts residents must Shelter-in-Place.    So, stay at home we must.  Except when we need to go the grocery store.  Or pick up take out.  Or go for a walk.  Or go to work if we're essential employees.   Or go to the doctor if we are sick.  Other than that stay just where you are :)

In all seriousness though, my brother, who lives in Denmark told me a couple weeks ago that the only way we could contain and "conquer" the speed of this virus was for the states to go back to our federalist roots and for every state to take care of it's own people.  This country is just too massive for the federal government to keep things in check.  Denmark, which is geographically bigger than Massachusetts but smaller population wise, was able to shut its borders with relative ease.  It's much harder for a country the size of the United States to do that. So,

"Go back to the country's federalist roots."

That's a great idea in theory but only works if the President lets it.  Which our President doesn't seem inclined to do.   Our President outbid Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker for necessary PPE after announcing in a press conference that the states must procure their own medical supplies.  Wait.  What?  You tell the states they need to get their own supplies and then you outbid them for those same supplies?

Meanwhile, Florida (a red state, just sayin') puts in a request to the federal government for PPE and gets everything (or at least most of) they requested.   I'm not saying there is favoritism or anything but, hmmmm.

So, how can the states take care of their own when the federal government is using its power to block their attempts?

This is a very good question.

I keep reading in the news that this country is at war with this virus.   But, clearly there is another war brewing.   Who will get good medical care and who won't?  Is it about money?  Politics?
How much favoritism will the states tolerate before they start fighting back?  How ugly will it get?

I understand that these are charged questions, and could create significant debate, so feel free to challenge these words I have written.

I am quite sure we will see more favoritism brewing in the coming months and if we looked at a map, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this favoritism mimic electoral maps.

How will we deal with this?  At the personal level?  The community level?  The state level?

That has yet to be seen.

But, Mr. President, don't underestimate Massachusetts.   This is where this great country started and we pre-date the federalists.   We were the ones who threw all the tea in the harbor when we had enough with being governed poorly.   Yeah, taxation without representation.  Remember that little debacle?

No.  This is not a threat but we take care of ourselves in this state, and will continue to do so with or without your support.

It's happened before.

Corona Letters #6 - Corona Lessons

Dear Fellow Quarantiners,

Since today is Sunday and usually a day of reflection, I am going to use today to reflect on the positives I am taking from this experience

**********

Yesterday I had an epic meltdown.  I just didn't want to deal with everything anymore.  I had reached my limit.   I think it's important to admit that we all have these moments.  

Anyway, I was mess, a puddle of tears.  I lashed out at my husband at dinner for no particular reason and it was all over after that.  This sums up about how badly I wanted this whole crisis to be over, and how I was expressing myself last night:

Alas, my tantrum was not effective in ending the spreading the virus.

However, all hope was not lost.  By evenings end I was receiving texts from various friends trying to get people involved in different efforts to help people who were affected by this quarantine in different ways.   It's hard to stay upset when people are being so kind.

My takeaway - I will have moments during this time when I feel overwhelmed by this quarantine but if I wait just a little while, the good in the world will show me the silver linings.

********

Which brings me to the next lesson:

This world seems topsy turvy right now and we've all been put in a "time-out" by the powers that be. "Stay home", "keep social distance", "keep away from everybody".   You'd think this would be enough to make everyone crawl into bed and hibernate until it's all over.   It seems quite the opposite to me though.   Everywhere I turn people are trying to help each other through this difficult time.  Yes, it is from afar but I'm amazed at how creative people are being.      It can be as simple as texting each other and checking in, or as complicated as trying to sew masks or other gear for medical workers.   It can be running to the grocery store for a friend who is quarantined due to being vulnerable, sick, or having traveled out of the country.  It can be FaceTiming a friend who is alone and needs to see another human face.   It can be leaving a book, a bag of candy, or a container of oatmeal on a doorstep.  These, among other things, are all things helpers do.

I feel like I need to add to the abundance of creative expression I see on social media.   This helps too.

People sing, write poetry, dance, and create other kinds of art and these efforts are very touching and can help us all feel our common humanity.

I don't need to look for the helpers Mr. Rogers.  I am blessedly surrounded by them.

************

I'm sure you've read like I have that with everyone quarantined, people are traveling less and there are less carbon emissions amongst other things.  Mother Nature is getting a much deserved break and the world is starting to heal itself.   There are actually dolphins and fish swimming in the canals of Venice, which hasn't been seen in a very long time!   We should be paying attention to this.   We are healing too.  Yes, we are spending a lot of time on computers, social media, and Netflix.   We are also getting back in touch with our immediate surroundings.   Spending time with our families, our pets, and even walking with our neighbors (at a social distance of course).   When this is all over, let's remember all the healing that took place during this time.

It's like Mother Nature is saying, "I really didn't want to do this, I warned you to take care of the Earth, and you didn't listen so now look what I have to do. Sigh."

***********

That's all I have to say on this Sunday.  Hope everyone is healthy!

Take Care!  Stay Connected!  Stay Virus Free!

Deb

Corona Letters #5 - Weekend edition

Dear Fellow Quarantiners,

Here it is Saturday and it's just like every other day of the week.  At least in our house.  Yesterday, I picked up the Weekend section of our newspaper and I don't think I've ever seen it so paltry on a Friday before.   And, to be honest, they didn't list many fun things to do (unless you consider how to avoid getting the coronavirus "fun").  How strange to look at the weekend section of the newspaper and see no ads for concerts, shows, and museum happenings about town.

For me, like for many people, thoughts about our current economy are at times as scary as the pandemic itself.   For the foreseeable future our family should be fine.  But, who knows down the road?  Unfortunately, there are huge groups of people that are being effected by this right now.  And, it probably won't get better any time soon for them.   My daughter told me yesterday that I need to be more positive.  So, my family and I sat down this morning and talked about ways we could help.   I know many people are worried about small business owners, as we should be.  They are likely to be the hardest hit.   Here are some ideas we had while brainstorming:

1.  Get take out from local (not chain) restaurants a few times a week
2. Make Care packages for friends buying locally sourced products (i.e. honey and potted plants)
(and leave those care packages on doorsteps and keep a safe distance)
3. Visit local garden shops (most of their wares are outside)
4. Order flowers from local shops (I imagine they will be hurting without local proms, etc)
5. Buy some groceries from small mom and pop shops.  (Some of these smaller stores rely on students and local business for their daily trickle of business.  That trickle has dried up)
6.  Get coffee from local businesses instead of chains
7.  Buy gift cards from local businesses even if we aren't currently using them.

Anyway, these were just some of our ideas.  Let me know if you have some others.   We want to support the local economy as much as we can, while we can.   Another important thing we can all do to help the local economy is help out people who normally provide us services, even if we don't need them right now.   People that we all use as dog walkers, housecleaners, babysitters, landscapers etc. depend on getting paid for their livelihoods.  We can't forget them during these times.  We all have to help each other through this.

I think a lot of people, including myself, at times are worried about going out into the world at all.  And sometimes, visiting small businesses requires going out. And, I'm not sure what to tell people to do about this fear.  It's valid to feel this way and yet we need to go out into the world from time to time.   I will say that you shouldn't feel embarrassed to protect yourself in whatever way you feel see necessary.   I saw a meme of a woman covered from head to toe in garbage bags and duct tape.  Hey, if that's what you need to do to feel safe.  Go for it.

"Okay" you ask, "So I can protect myself, but how do I know that the people in the businesses I'm visiting are taking precautions?"   I guess you don't.   I went to the pizza place the other day and they girl behind the counter was not wearing gloves and neither was anyone else.  The counter girl was handling money and not doing anything between customers to disinfect.   If I'm being honest it concerned me more than a little bit but did I bring the food home?  yes.  Did my family consume it? absolutely.  I am 100% sure we won't get the virus?  Nope.   There are no guarantees.

BTW, in case you are wondering, pizza places are doing VERY well during this crisis.  


******

In the numbers,

The cases in Massachusetts are climbing, and I there has been one reported death.

Italy is bringing in the military to enforce lockdown because their numbers keep rising even with their efforts to isolate themselves.  They had 793 deaths in the last 24 hours.  The largest number of deaths in that period in the world so far.   Just devastating.

I haven't heard of any more cases in our town, and I don't personally know anyone who has it, but I do now know people who know people who have it, so it's getting closer.  It will affect us all in the long run.

*********

On a personal note, yesterday I wrote about the dilemma of whether to have our oldest daughter come home for the day.  We ended up having her here for about seven delightful hours where we all kept the proper social distance and we covered all the furniture with sheets to protect them from being "contaminated".   It feels so odd to have to behave like this with our own daughter but my mother in law will be returning here soon and we have to take necessary precautions.  But, I realize that with all the precautions we took there still are no guarantees.

There just aren't any guarantees.

Take Care! Stay Connected!  Stay Virus Free!

Deb

Corona Letters #4

Dear Fellow Quarantiners,

I'm writing earlier than usual today because last night my head was brimming with thoughts and questions and this is the best place for me to get those thoughts and questions out.

The first thing I want to discuss is Florida.  Oh Florida.  Yesterday several of my Facebook friends posted videos of college students partying on the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale.   Reporters interviewed some of the inebriated students.   They were mostly loud, obnoxious, and entitled sounding.  They said things like "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me!  I'm not gonna blow it!" (cheers near by from fellow drinkers).   You know what else is a once in a lifetime opportunity?   Death.
It upsets me because these idiots are confirming for the world that this generation is a bunch of entitled brats.   It perpetuates a terrible stereotype.   Meanwhile, there are sooo many college students, safely at their parents homes, hating life right now, but knowing it's the right thing to do.  I see you guys and I applaud you.   I think your generation is awesome from handling this situation with a grace I don't know if I would have had at your age.

There are two kinds of people in Florida right now.  There are the drunk, idiot college students and then there are the old, vulnerable people (yes, I know that Florida is more diverse than that but humor me).  These two do not mix well during these troubling times.   Imagine that one drunken(and unknowingly infected) idiot goes into a Publix to buy a bag of Doritos and crosses paths with an old lady buying pepperidge farm cookies for her Mah Jong group.   In the check out line, he tries to be kind and helps her unload her cart, touching her several times.   The next day she goes to Mah Jong and infects all her friends.   Two weeks later all the elderly in Florida are dead.  Okay, I know I'm being hyperbolic but whatever.   We all know that if the virus reaches Florida it ain't going to be pretty.

This is all why I was so upset last night when I saw on the news that Governor DeSantis of Florida refused to close the Florida beaches.  WTF?  That seems like a crazy decision.  He said it was up to the local governments which seemed like he was passing the buck.   I was up tossing and turning about this a lot last night.  This morning when I "woke up" (can you wake up if you're not really sleeping?) I decided to write about this subject.   But, first I wanted to google it and see if he had changed his mind.  This is what I found.   The governor "refused" to shut ALL the Florida beaches because people use some of the beaches in the rather large state for refuge, for walking, for fresh air.  He didn't want to take that away from the places where the beaches were less crowded.  That actually makes total sense.   He left it to the local officials to close the beaches in places like Ft. Lauderdale which they did.  And, he 100% supported it.    I guess what I learned from this is that during these troubling times, and always, we need to dig deeper when we read something like this.   There may be sound reasoning behind it.

Good Luck Florida!   And, if you're over 60 and vunerable it's probably best not to meet your friends for Mah Jong.

**********

Feeling Unified,

Yesterday a friend texted me and asked me to write about a positive effect this virus/isolation thing is having on our world.  She asked me to write about how it felt unifying to see people all over the world posting about this experience.   It is so lovely to see people singing out their windows from China and Italy.  It does indeed make the world feel smaller.   It makes us feel empathy for people all over the world.  It makes us love the humanity and sameness in us all.

She also mentioned the "Imagine" video that a bunch of celebrities had collaborated on to put out to the world to show solidarity to show that "we are all one"    She thought it was wonderful.  Most of them had sung from their own homes, their own places of isolation.  They are "just like us".

What I didn't tell her was that I had started watching the video and then turned it off quickly.   I do not feel unified with the celebrities.   I "imagine" it's a lot easier to be quarantined in a 10 million dollar home with a swimming pool, multiple stocked kitchens, and maybe even a personal bowling alley than it is to be in my house.  I also "imagine" that some of them have a staff who go shopping for them, clean their homes, and keep them well stocked with toilet paper.  So, it doesn't work for me.   I'm really am happy for her that she feels unified with these people, and after all, they are just people.   I feel more unified with the woman in Italy singing from her apartment then I do with celebrities.   What do other people feel about this?  Unified or low key disgusted?

***********

By the numbers,

I don't know of any new cases in my town.  So far just the one.

But, I was thinking about it.   I wonder how many people will actually report if they suspect they have the virus.   It's like admitting you have the plague and having a black X on your house.  If you or a family member had the virus, would you post it on Facebook?  Or would you keep it quiet?
I remember when my girls were little, every now and then, someone in their class would get lice.  A letter would go home to the class alerting us that our children should use precautions because someone had the tiny nits. This would always cause a flurry of conjecture, and nobody I know ever personally confessed to having lice in their homes.  Yet, somebody did.   Now, I know this is different, but still.   Would you admit it publicly?

The U.S.  is currently at a pace that will quickly surpass Italy in numbers.   My husband and I were discussing this last night.    The U.S population hovers around 330 Million, Italy's population is around 60 million.   This means our population is between 5 and 6 times greater than Italy's so of course we will have more cases?  Does this make it "okay" that we have bigger numbers?  Of course not.   To the people who are sick, and the families of those who die even "One" is too big a number.

**********

On a personal note,

Last night we were FaceTiming with our oldest who I haven't seen for a while due to this outbreak.   She lives and works in Boston and is around people all the time(by necessity not choice).  When my mother-in-law was in the house it seemed like a bad time for her to come home.  But right now, his mother is in the hospital for at least a couple more days and the hospital is not allowing visitors.   My daughter doesn't have to work today and so we discussed the pluses and minuses or her coming home for the day.   I have no doubt that we can "decontaminate" the house before his mother gets home.   I have my lysol wipes!   The big question is what if my daughter is already unknowingly infected?  What if she passes it along to my husband, myself, and other daughter?   Are we being irresponsible?
But, she is our daughter and this is her home.   Such a tough decision.   I will write about it more tomorrow.

Hope every one is doing well out there!  Today is International Happiness Day so, be happy?

Take Care!  Stay Connected!  Stay Virus Free!

Corona Letters #3

Dear Fellow Quarantiners,

Well, the inevitable has happened and we have our first confirmed case in our town.   On the positive side, this brought out much concern and well wishes from the community on our town Facebook group.   On the negative side, it also brought out the witch hunters.   For some reason people feel like they deserve to know who this person is and where they have been.   No.  You have no right to that information.   However, I think what you should assume is that they have been everywhere and touched everything.   I'm not saying you should live your life in fear but you should be prudent and use all the precautions the CDC and mothers everywhere are advising, "Stay home, wash your hands, and don't touch your face."  the end.    If the person who has the confirmed case is reading this then I wish you a safe recovery.

I keep hearing about parents of teenagers and college students who are letting their kids go over to each other's houses so they aren't lonely.   Can you please just stop?  Do you realize how irresponsible this is?  How truly dangerous?   If you have five kids over and one of those kids has the virus and is asymptomatic, you haven't only just exposed the other kids, you've exposed their families, including people who might be vunerable.   In other words, your need for your kid not to be lonely could absolutely result in someone's death.  Please. Just. Stop.

I think we've all read a lot of comparisons between the conoravirus and the flu.  People say, "But we don't react this way to the flu.  Why are we overreacting?"  There are many scientists and other very intelligent people who will explain over and over again that this is not the flu and that it's way more contagious, etc.

But, what if instead of saying, "we don't act this way for the flu?" we took some lessons from this whole corona virus thing and applied them to the flu?   For example, what if parents kept their sick children home from school instead of giving them Advil when their fever spikes and sending them on their way?   And, what if when one member in your house gets the flu, every one stayed home until it made it's inevitable way through the household?  We all know that everyone is contagious well before they are symptomatic, so why not just nip that in the bud?   And lastly, but maybe most importantly, could we please let students and employees of all kinds be sick at home without being penalized?  How many of us have gone to work or school sick, because we are worried about the consequences if we don't?   What if we always gave each other permission to be sick and stay home?  What if schools were more flexible with make up work and employers said, "we will manage without you for however long you need."  I know this isn't practical in all industries, but perhaps we could get closer to this mindset.   It's okay to be sick and slow down.    Keeping people home will pretty much stop any virus in it's tracks.  Let's hold on to this lesson.

******

I so wish our President would stop calling this virus the "Chinese virus".  First of all, dude, it has a name, use it.  Second of all, can you stop being so divisive in these troubling times?  We need leadership that is unifying right now.  This is just so awful and there is already so much sinophobia out there right now, can you please not encourage it.   I mean, we could start using the adjective "white" to all the horrific things white people have done.  Do you REALLY want that to happen.  Think about it.   And start using the right name for the virus!!!

(On a side note, I just learned this weekend that Covid-19 stood for COrona VIrus Disease - 2019 this passed weekend.  I guess I'm just thick, but I wanted to share that for those of you who are also thick. You're welcome)

******

Thoughts on the need for connection:

We haven't been quarantined for very long but yesterday I was binge watching a bunch of shows on Netflix and one thing I noticed pretty frequently is how much people touched each other.    I'm not just talking about hugs and kisses but simple touches between people who knew each other, intimately or otherwise.  It's what people do.  It's part of being human.   But, we can't do that right now and that is terribly sad and isolating.   I felt twinges of jealousy watching these fictional characters interacting in a way that just isn't possible for us right now.    How lovely it will be when this virus is over and we can just enjoy the simple "luxury" of just being together with the people we love and not have to worry about "social distancing".

It reminds we of how I feel when I watch a movie from before the year 2000.   You will see crowds of people congregated in public and they are all talking to each other and enjoying each other's company but something is wrong and you can't quite put your finger on it until you realize that they aren't using cell phones.    Everyone is just enjoying each other's company without distraction.

This is another positive lesson we can take from this virus.  When it is over, let's just enjoy each other's company.   We all need human connection without distraction.  Let's be better at that.

********

In the numbers,

There is one person in my town who has been confirmed with the coronavirus.  I still don't know anyone personally in my town, or elsewhere with the virus.

Yesterday, China had no new cases.  Yay China!

Italy has yet to plateau.  Hang in there Italy!

***********

On a personal note,

 My husband spent the entire day at Mass General Hospital yesterday where his mom had lung surgery.  The surgery went well and she's recovering well.   We have spent quite a bit of time at Mass General in the last couple months,  meeting with her doctors, and creating a treatment plan.  This hospital is the largest hospital in a city known for it's hospitals.  And, it's usually hustling and bustling with activity like Grand Central Station.  My husband was amazed at how quiet it was there yesterday.   If there was a buzz of activity, it was a silent hum behind closed doors.  He was impressed with the friendliness of all the staff he encountered, from the bottom up, and the precautions they were all taking to keep the hospital safe for those who need it.   Luckily, they are not currently overwhelmed and they are able to serve everyone, including people with things other than coronavirus, who needs their high quality kind of care.
We are so grateful for this and we thank everyone who is doing their part to stay home, flattening the curve, and giving the hospitals a fighting chance at taking care of everyone who needs it!

Take Care!  Stay Connected!  Stay Virus Free!

Deb

Corona Letters #2

Dear Fellow Quarantiners,

I am not sure if quarantiner is a word, but I'm making it one.  That's a perk of being a writer.  Just ask Dr. Seuss.
Right now it seems like we are either making way too big deal over this virus, or it just hasn't hit us yet.  Everything I see and read tells me it's the latter, but I am still seeing a ton of precautions being taken, and very little actual illness.   And, I'll take it.  I really, really hope it stays this way.

That being said, I think this virus and ignited a huge epidemic of hypochondria.   Every cough, every sneeze, every scratchy throat could be "it".   People sneeze once and quickly lock themselves in their rooms for 14 days.    Of course, it is also allergy season, so it could be that.

Can we talk about school for a minute?

First of all, I just want to say how grateful I am that I no longer have a child in K-12.  My heart goes out to these parents.   Quite suddenly they have found themselves working from home and somehow need to make sure their kids do educational activities and don't fall behind.  That's a tall order.   Not only that, but they can't even take a break with a play date, or a trip to the playground, zoo or aquarium.   That's a whole new kind of hell.  My hat is tipped in admiration to these parents who try to navigate this new reality.   AND, let's not forget the poor parents of quarantined teenagers. Oh. you. poor. people.   Telling a teenager that they are stuck at home with their parents and siblings, and can't "hang out" with their friends is equivalent to hmmmmm.   I can't think of anything that wouldn't be insensitive to say in these dire times.   Let me just say that I am soooo sorry.   I hope this ends soon.

And then there are the college students.   These poor kids.  And yes, they are kids.   Maybe it's because I'm the mother of a college student but I am so sympathetic to this group.   This is the best time of year to be on campus.   You can smell spring in the air.  People are venturing outside again, most roommate issues have been resolved.  For freshman, their tribe of friends is becoming solidified.  Seniors are starting a series of lasts, last shows, last games, last concerts and of course, graduation.   Poof.  It's all gone.   Move home.   You can't come back until September.  Or ever, if you're a senior.
I see that some graduations are going virtual while others are being postponed.  This stinks for the students and parents alike.   Graduation is such a rite of passage and is such a profound moment of closure.  This chapter of your life is over.   But, instead everything is nebulous and the kids are left back in the childhood bedrooms, scratching their heads, wondering what just happened.  But, don't forget to do your on-line work!!!

And let's talk about that on-line work for a minute.  These kids are all supposed to use the same app to "attend" class.   Yup.  Every college in the country is pretty much using the same group meeting app.   Every home is filled with people going on line and trying to work or study from home.  If that is not a set up for disaster I don't know what is.   My daughter has already had trouble with the app suddenly dropping her in the middle of the class.   I'm sure she's not the only one.   I feel bad for the students, but also the teachers, I don't know how they can possibly grade anything this semester under these circumstances.

Good Luck to all the students K- senior year of college!  Good Luck to all the teachers, trying their best to teach remotely!  And, good luck to all the parents of children every age trying to keep everyone engaged, fed, and not killing each other!  May the odds be ever in your favor!

In transportation news,

Some people still need to go to work and use public transportation.   This week, Boston decided that it would reduce the number of trains and buses because the number of commuters has significantly decreased.    My daughter, who commutes to work on public transport, told me yesterday that this had created a whole new kind of catastrophe, overcrowding.   Fewer trains and buses meant MORE people on those trains and buses, exactly what the world is trying to avoid.

This morning I saw that Boston had upped the number of buses and trains for this exact reason.   I'm guessing that my daughter was not the only one who was concerned about this problem.  I'm glad to see they are being so pro-active about this issue.  Sometimes the world suprises me in a good way.

In sports news,

Yesterday Boston took a brief respite from the coronavirus to mourn the departure of Tom Brady from the Patriots.   Personally, I don't care all that much but I thought I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this tidbit of info that distracted an entire region of the country from a pandemic for an entire day.   I'm sorry for your loss New England.   He was. a legend, who may or may not have deflated a football.

In social media,

Facebook is still a buzz with the latest coronavirus updates.  San Francisco has issued a "shelter in place" order.   And, this finds millions rushing to google what "shelter in place" means and how it is different from what everyone is already doing.   Kansas has cancelled public school for the rest of the year.  God Bless the parents in Kansas.   Tom Hanks continues to amuse us all with his funny coronavirus tweets from down under, making us all love him even more than we already did.    Funny music parodies are starting to pop up.   "Covid-19" sung to the tune of "Come on Eileen!" is particularly funny.

Numbers,

Lots more people have coronavirus in the US and I feel fortunate that I still don't know any of them.  There are a couple cases in neighboring towns so it's getting closer but hasn't burst our bubble yet.  Just a matter of time "they" say.

Personal note,

On a personal note, my husband took his mother to the busiest hospital in Boston for lung surgery today.   We thought it might be canceled, but "fortunately" her case was serious enough that it wasn't considered "elective".   The surgery is scary enough, but now my husband and mother in law are possibly being exposed to everything in a hospital that is kind of the epicenter of coronavirus treatment in Boston.   So far, we've been keeping our house pretty safe and suddenly we feel very exposed.    Sometimes you have to decide which is worse, the possibility of exposure to this virus and/or attending another insidious disease.  In this case, the latter was chosen and we will find out if this was the right choice.  But, this is the very reason we all need to "flatten the curve".  My mother in law is able to have this necessary surgery because at this point the hospitals are not overcrowded with coronavirus patients.    Quarantining ourselves allows ALL medical needs to be taken care of and for this we are grateful.

I guess that's it for today.

Take Care!  Stay Connected!  Stay virus free!

Deb

Corona Letters #1

Dear fellow quarantiners,
This isn't really a blog.  This is more of a free form letter.   I make no promises about my grammar (sorry to my grammarian friends).  I also make no promise of making sense.  I was watching a video about what Italians would have told themselves ten days ago and that made me want to chronicle things better.  So, I've decided that I'm going to write a daily letter, to myself and whoever might be interested in reading it.
Things seem to change very quickly these days and I might miss some of the nuances if I don't write things down.   I'll try to weave the personal with the impersonal so it won't be just about me and my little corner of the world, but that is what I know the most about.

Ten days ago I was at a funeral for a dear friend.  The news of this virus was just starting to seep into our collective consciouses, and no real precautions were being taken yet.  There were lots of hugs at the funeral.  SOOOO many hugs.   Some of us might have been thinking "Should we be doing this?"  But we did.  We were sad and the only thing that seemed to comfort us was human contact.
This past weekend many of us that attended the funeral were commenting how the funeral couldn't have happened these mere seven days later.  To have that big a group of people together? crying and hugging?  Unthinkable.  Irresponsible.   I am so grateful that we were able to celebrate her life before the hammer came down.

Another friend had been at a wedding at the same time  and she said the mother of the bride had told her that had the wedding been just one week later, it would have had to have been cancelled.   Just one week.

A week ago stores had toilet paper, purell, and meats of all kinds.   Not so much now.

It has all changed daily.

Last week people were going to work.  No more.
Last week kids were going to school.  No more.
And the poor college kids.   The colleges seemed to change their decisions on a daily basis.  "Schools out for two weeks", "Wait, three weeks" "Never mind, it's closing tomorrow for the semester.  Please pack up all your belongings."

Then there is social distancing.

Being around people who aren't your family, that you live with, is frowned up.   Well, it's more than frowned upon, it's highly discouraged and may be a felony in some states (just kidding).  But, it might be in the near future.

My side porch has never seen so much action.  In the past few days, I have left things out there for people that just "disappear" with no knocks on the door, or even a shout out through a cracked door saying, "I got it!  Thanks!"    Things have also been left there for me, usually accompanied by a text, "check your porch".

I have managed to take walks with some friends.  We keep our distance though and we don't greet each other with the accustomed hugs.  It is weird.  It is really weird.

We send each other photos of food, drinks, and pets to stay in touch.  Who am I kidding, we do that all the time, but now it's definitely more frequently.

We say we need to get off social media and need to stop reading about the virus but we don't.

Speaking of the virus, here's where we are today, 3/17/2020:

Our state has closed all schools and all restaurants for the next 3 weeks.   We are still allowed to get take out but that's it.   People should stay home from work if they can.

The president has said that we should stay in our homes for 15 days, to slow the spread, and only go out if absolutely necessary.

Basically, that's what everyone is saying.  Let's "flatten the curve".

Personally, I don't know anyone who has been officially diagnosed.  There hasn't been anyone in my town who has been officially diagnosed yet.  That I know of.

And luckily, I don't personally know anyone who has died from the virus.

I read a quote that said, "We will never know if we over-reacted to the virus, but we would definitely know if we under reacted."   I don't know who said this to attribute it to, but I believe it to be true.

There still aren't enough test kits.  More people need to be tested.  I wrote recently how my daughter took her friend to an urgent care clinic with many of the symptoms but they had no test kits available.  That really opened my eyes to the situation.  Because, she was a college student, and without a diagnosis she was probably going to continue to spread the virus if she did indeed have it.  College students don't quarantine themselves unless they have to, in my experience.   Luckily, she appears she didn't have it.   And, as a result of her not having it, my daughter and all the people she had contact with, did not catch it.   Not yet anyway.   It really made me see how quickly things could get out of hand without adequate testing.   Just imagine a bunch of college students infecting each other, and then getting sent home and infecting their families, their communities, etc.

It sounds like they are trying to get more tests out there, and multiple companies are not creating their own versions.   But, is it already too late?  I guess only time will tell.

It seems like life has slowed down for everybody really quickly and people are adjusting to a new normal, that will probably be our normal for a while.

The past two mornings I have woken up and had to plan my day in a totally different way, and I think "what am I going to do to be productive today?" has been one of the top things to pop into my head.  I wonder if other people think this too.   I'm so used to waking up and having my day already planned for me with gym visits, appointments, and other things.   All those things don't exist anymore so my days need to be re-defined.   Being productive is different too.  Today I finished reading a book.  That made my morning productive.  In other times, that would be a lazy morning.   Do other people feel the same way?

As I stated earlier, this is a very informal letter, kind of like a public diary I guess.   I want to keep better track of the daily changes we are all experiencing.   I hope I continue to not know anyone with the virus.

Take Care!  Stay connected! Stay Virus free!

Deb