Friday, March 20, 2020

Beginning life in COVID-19


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

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