I count myself fortunate that thus far, all the COVID-19 cases and deaths I know are at least two degrees away. I watch in horror as the tickers spin as fast as the number of McDonald’s hamburgers sold.
These are people we’re counting. Actual humans. That were loved. And that loved in return. Now that energy has dissipated as lives have been lost. And for any noble cause? Nope. Not really.
As I was watching mindless television a few weeks ago, a couple was traveling with their six month old in an airport. Alarm bells were going off in my head for the unsanitary and careless way they were handling things. Which, frankly, a month ago would have been “normal.” But – the mom let the boppy pillow touch the wall. She carried it through the airport without cover of a plastic bag. My inner germ sirens were wailing.
I listened to an interview with Rosie O’Donnell on the Howard Stern Show this morning and she echoed this same idea. There will definitely be a before – and an after when the Corona Virus finally retreats.
Overall, I feel like I’m handling this situation as well as I can. But truly, I’m being handled. We all are. We are at the mercy of our circumstances and how they have been impacted by the Corona Virus. We are not really in control of life at large. We can’t plan for a trip to the mall or to Africa.
Neighbors are vigilantly keeping watch and reporting large groups walking by. They are judging each other on whether or not their trip to the store was actually essential.
If we’re not careful, we’ll slip into unhealthy habits. We have to remind ourselves that the only things we can control are ourselves. We can keep vigilant about what comes into our own homes. (I’ve never been one for opening the door to strangers, and now I have the CDC backing me up. So that’s a win. Not that anyone is coming to my door…)
Our goal should be to remain healthy to the end of this chapter. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. That means that those of us who aren’t on the front lines need to remain empathetic. We need to give others the benefit of doubt. And we need to stay put.
Auda Here 