A news commentator recently mentioned that, during these days, we do not have the luxury of making plans but only of having hope. During these uncertain times, we listened to these comments with concern and believe them to be true. Our plans for a summer trip to New England to see relatives and friends has been cancelled and we can only hope that we are able to go next year. Currently, it is difficult or seemingly impossible to plan a day around social gatherings. We find ourselves grappling with how to shape our “reentry” while staying safe. We have listened to medical experts and scientists and have grown comfortable cloistering ourselves away from people although it can be daunting at times. When we have gone out for essentials, we take a healthy sigh of relief when we arrive back home to our safe haven.
We have become accustomed to wearing masks when going to appointments or any necessary but limited shopping. Even though there seems to be a deep divide between those wearing masks and those who do not, we prefer to err on the side of caution. It has become a comfort and provides a level of reassurance and added protection that we have grown accustomed to. A journalist from Politico last week commented that you can tell the smug liberals by those wearing masks and those who refuse to are reckless Republicans. From our vantage point, it seems that those on the far right, instead of wearing masks, tend to arm themselves with guns and dress in camouflage and riot gear. Their protests are a fight against the necessary evolutionary leap that the current day changes require. They support propelling the country in reverse and returning this country to living in Mayberry with Aunt Bee and Thelma Lou.
As always, we have been listening to and are interested in the comments from our blog followers. Many seem to struggle with the same issues and are asking when we will be safe to start venturing out or begin inviting friends to come to our homes. We feel that those who have outdoor seating areas and can accommodate at least 6 feet of distance have less of a struggle. We thought that this is a safe option if 6-foot spacing can be provided between chairs. We began the process at our home, spaced the chairs, and suggested that a few friends in the neighborhood bring their own drinks and snacks to eliminate contact with others. With this setup, everyone stayed outdoors and felt safe. Another advantage to being outside is that natural ultraviolet light (UV) helps to destroy microbes so the outdoors is deemed much safer. Maggie likes to tell an interesting story about her first recollection of UV when growing up in DC. Apparently back then, the downtown department store bathrooms had regular toilets and other toilets that cost a dime to enter. Her mother, being a nurse, would always go for the one that cost a dime. After putting the dime in the slot, she would open up the door and reveal an ultra-clean toilet seat saturated by blue ultraviolet light. All for a dime! That and Clorox brought us all reassurance during those times!
This week as we drove through downtown Sarasota, the smell of Clorox filled the air. We could see stores and restaurants anxiously cleaning inside and outside while preparing to reopen. We recognize that some customers are anxious to return to these public spaces while others are uneasy with returning and will not do so at this time. We were surprised to see how many people were not wearing masks or gloves. We remain on the wait-and-see side of the re-opening of America. As Florida opens, we will not be the first in line for anything except for a reliable COVID-19 antibody test when it finally becomes available. If you asked us whether we would like a meal out or a clean bill of health, we would go for the latter. We can wait on a movie, a play, or a meal cooked and served by someone else. These are things that we love to do and hopefully it will become easier for all of us as time passes. We will slowly and safely adjust to the new reality. During normal times, transformations to societal norms are subtle and take place over a long period of time. Opposite of that, two US modern day occurrences come to mind:
- 9/11 was an abrupt social crisis that resulted in mandatory actions taking place at a swift pace. It resulted in overall fear and uncertainty. Travelers experienced immediate change. There were long waits at airports, increased security with bag checks, shoe removal, etc. Not unlike today, many of the rapid changes were perceived as mere inconveniences while others valued the need for change.
- In the 1990’s, the AIDs crisis altered behaviors in other ways. The AIDS epidemic was traumatic and led to many early deaths and resulted in years of research to hopefully find a cure.
Unlike 9/11 and HIV/AIDS, Covid-19 has affected the entire world simultaneously. Changes have been fast and the societal impact has been across the board. And yes, there are still those who deny its existence. We can only hope that humans can continue to evolve and adapt to these new and necessary changes and become even more human as this pandemic moves beyond us. As one friend said, “The earth is speaking.” That perspective makes us wonder if humans are listening. We wonder what all of us can contribute while living in the center of this social evolution. This state of affairs remains a huge opportunity for our leaders to create new norms where peace and social justice reign. As with the chant we recall from AIDS activism of the 1990’s to the Reagan White House, “the whole world is watching,” and we all are with this crisis! Our hope is that false leaders will shrink into oblivion as a new order of leaders rise from the ashes. We cannot believe that humans could go through a “world changing” event and come out on the other side unchanged. Let us work together to assure positive changes so that none of us have to remain an island in isolation. Live, Love, Learn.
An Island We Are Not
No person is an island
Although we are told to stay away
An interesting theory
We grow closer while we are apart each day,
The birds are still singing
So, I will do my part
I will connect and reconnect
while keeping us all apart,
This is an opportunity for a
geographic shift
to grow closer to nature
our dogs and even wild hogs can be a lift,
You will know who your friends are
The meaning of owning a pet
What it feels like in the shower
How glorious it is to just feel wet,
Like the rain we knew of yesterday
As the sunrise clears our sorrow
No person is an island and
We will certainly welcome another tomorrow.
–Words from Maggie
