Voicelessness and Emotional Survival > Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
Coronavirus
Twoapenny:
Jab done! It was amazingly well organised and much of it was being done by volunteers which was so nice to see - most of my contact with the outside world has been people telling me I'm an idiot for thinking it's real or telling me that old people should just die so it was nice to see there are a lot of people doing something to help instead of talking about other things. Very reassuring. Son stayed at home; it was good to go alone because now I know exactly how it works I can focus on him when I take him rather than worrying about where to go next so that was a help. I did see something very sad on the way there and that was a funeral team bringing a body out of a house. I've never actually seen something like that before and it was an odd moment - I know it happens every day but I've never actually seen it happen and I didn't quite know what I should do. I was looking at what was going on before I realised what was going on, if you see what I mean, and I felt I'd been a bit intrusive. Didn't mean to be, it just took my brain a few seconds to work out what I was actually seeing. Poor people, it's all very sad. Was just a bit sobering. But jab all done, no side effects or problems at all (which bodes well for son; we tend to react to the flu shot in the same way so I'm hoping this will be the same). Just got to wait for his date to come through now. It was nice to walk through town and to feel there is a time coming when we can walk about without worrying about keeping a distance or wearing a mask. Lots of spring flowers coming up. Let's hope this year ends a lot better than last year did xx
Hopalong:
So glad you're jabbed, Tupp, and ready to guide son through his without worries. What a relief.
It is sad about the cycle of life but spring is a good time to go, imo. I can't grasp criticizing yourself for happening to be passing by as a body was brought out. You may have felt some shock but surely to stand respectfully by could offend noone. Tried to think what I'd do differently...nothing. (I actually think it's good for death to be witnessed by caring community, not sanitized and tidied away in a rush before we put makeup and clothes on dead people and pour too many resources into a ceremony. But I'm an old grump with Puritan roots. Give me some lovely singing and a plain wooden box--and then an excellent party.)
I think I'll have a mask dangling from one ear for a long time, and I don't mind.
There's so much more they have to figure out about how protected others are from the vaccinated (they still don't know if it's possible to asymptomatically infect others after vaccination, or what the variants will be up to). As long as we're not at herd immunity (fat chance here, with governors in two of the worst-hit states lifting all restrictions for political gain) and everybody's not yet vaccinated I think I'll just keep wearing one. A few weeks after Jab 2, I'll switch back to the lightweight ones. That'll feel like a fair compromise as I find it hard to breathe with the N95 on.
There will be good histories written of this pandemic, but I think it'll end with a whimper, not a bang. Nobody's going to forget this in our lifetimes or the next. And though much that is joyful will return to community life, I do believe there'll be a new normal. Including masks in crowds and public areas. In Asia it's been routine forever, because they're driven by community over individual values (too far, imo, but in this instance, much more sane).
Anyhow, I'm not watching numbers any more and do feel anticipation over the simplest joy in life here: going down to the pedestrian, cafe-covered downtown main area again, to sip a wine or beer or eat and enjoy the people/dogs parade. A friend and I did that the other day in unexpected warmth and it was so wonderful. Our server shared his story of holding on to his job, and several of my favorite local cafes/restaurants did survive. It must've been very hard but I was so glad to see them open. I hope people who work for tips are treated more generously forever.
hugs
Hops
Hopalong:
Got this from a kind friend in New Zealand. I like him and his perspective:
This seems like the weirdest start to a year in a long time.
In our earthquake sequence years the phrase " new normal" became popular. It summarised that fact that we had gone through a massive event and that the world for us would be thought of in pre EQ and post EQ terms.
In some ways, even 10 years down the track, EQ-related changes are still playing out. Our city continues to slowly evolve due to delayed rebuilding, individuals and families frequently live in different parts of the city, teens of the time suffer increased prevalence of anxiety, post EQ some businesses boomed and others faltered. In other words, a crisis usually takes much longer to play out than you think, and sometimes the responses to the events are the actual crisis.
I'm thinking CV19 is like a very slow earthquake sequence with a much wider reach. The implications will be with us for a long long time.
Our second grandchild is due imminently.
Our daughter, carrying him, was born pre-internet. She has lived through that (ongoing) change.
Our twins, 10 years younger than R., were born into an internet-shaped world; but they'll experience a pre- and a post- Covid world. Our grand-daughter, aged 4, will have dim memories of lockdown and Covid. But our grandson will only know a post-Covid world.
I think I see in all that our resilience as individuals and people. Change comes, we adapt.
The trick is in the midst of the clamour and drama ( who knew " doom-scrolling" would be a word?) to maintain our equilibrium, our poise, to reach out when we need help and to savor the moment with our loved and close ones.
Twoapenny:
All very true, Hopsie. I hope the new grandbaby arrives soon :)
Restrictions are easing a little here from today. Kids are back to school (younger ones, I think older students are continuing to work from home for a while). Outdoor picnics with one person from another household are allowed - I don't think we'll meet up with anyone but it will be nice to take a packed lunch to the beach if it's sunny and just sit for a while. Care home visits are allowed, lots of safety measures in place but I really hope that will help all those poor people who've been unable to see one another for so long. I think they're reviewing again at the end of March. Does feel like the end is in sight.
sKePTiKal:
Well, it's not over yet. :(
Friday's sales report from the shop came with the news that only 8 of 23 people showed on Friday and that the VP who refused to wear a mask at work visited personally with everyone in their normal, separated spaces... has been hospitalized with CV. The shop foreman is also positive. Saleswomen had to work in shipping to get orders out due to abscences there.
Yes, mama-boss will be checking in today for the latest news. This is in a state that is still enforcing some rigorous shutdowns. In my state, the cases are dropping dramatically - while across the mountain they're still dealing with 10% positive test results resulting in new cases. Not all of those are severe however. I get that.
But the most vulnerable are still dying from this. I'm going with "guarded optimism" for right now and not changing what I've been doing for the time being.
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