We’ve started living in a
different world. It’s just the first week for most of us. If you’re a senior
citizen (and yes those of us in our 60s and don’t think we’re seniors- we are) most
of us are staying in and keeping distances. Since I have places to go usually each
day it seems weird and confining. This morning I thought of Anne Frank during
WWII. Many Jews were hidden in small spaces without access to the outside for years.
We are so fortunate since we can go for a walk or drive. Drive through food is still
an option.
Last night we asked our son,
Travis to stop by the house. Today is a Friday in Lent and Bill is adhering to
the practice of not eating meat on Fridays in Lent. We gave Travis money and asked
him to pick up a pizza for us tonight. The scene seamed surreal. We stood on
the top of our front steps, Travis halfway down the front walk and our
grandchildren (age 4 and 5) riding their scooters on the sidewalk. A few times
they started to run up to us and Travis had to remind them they’re not to come
close to us to keep us healthy. A neighbor across the street came out and
standing on her sidewalk joined the conversation. Later someone walking their
dog came up the street and would cross the street to avoid coming near other
people as she made her way up the block. A short time ago this would be strange
but not in the new normal.
Some of my meetings have been
postponed for a month and that is starting to seem too soon. Church has been
canceled week by week. The Battleship NJ (where I am a part-time tour guide) is
closed. Yesterday they announced that the encampment program is canceled until
October 1st. That far off date is a shock. Most places are canceling
for two weeks and then reassessing. While that seemed too short, October 1st
seems like a lifetime away. Businesses are closed except to life sustaining businesses.
So many people unemployed. Our savings and retirement accounts are being hit
hard and we may face financial distress that our parents and grandparents faced
in the 1930s. We’re now closing our borders to everyone. Non-essential travel is
discouraged. This is a new era; one we hope will be past soon.
#COVID 19, #Coronavirus,
#isolation, #Anne Frank, #Arlene Baker
