Posted on April 22, 2020 at 8:02 AM by Jason Macoviak
It's been five and a half weeks since my husband and I have been mostly staying home and social distancing. I remember the first week was confusing because we were hearing about the COVID-19 virus on the news, but not many people seemed to be taking it seriously. But it wasn't too long after that when people in our community started cancelling meetings, volunteer work, and social time with friends. Then restaurants and other businesses started closing or offering take-out services. Then long-standing events were cancelled or postponed, and nothing has been the same ever since.
Many, many people are struggling financially and I do not mean to minimize this fact in any way. Homeless and immigrant people are being devastated by this virus, and I know nothing I say can alleviate this failure of our country.
What has really hit me during these last few weeks is the idea that the simple things in life are now the most important. I have heard so many people state that they have noticed a certain enjoyment with things slowing down, in being outdoors and taking walks, in reading books, in gardening, in doing a hobby that they never had time for when things were "normal", in discovering great TV shows that they never let themselves spend time on before. I have a good friend in California who spends her days actually telephoning current and past friends just to re-connect on a personal level, something she never "found time to do before." I have several friends who have sewing machines who have discovered a way to make simple masks and have been sewing them to donate to organizations or friends to help keep everyone safe. Families are keeping in closer touch than their pre-virus lives allowed them to do. Some people are creating art in various forms, or writing in order to document this unique time in all of our lives. Most people I know are still social distancing, trying to protect their neighbors who work in local hospitals or medical facilities so that they hopefully do not become overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.
This isn't rocket science! There is no comparison of our need to social distance to the sacrifices of all the people who served in wars, or helped create the way for civil rights changes in our country, or to those who lost their lives serving in law enforcement. All we have to do is stay home and be totally aware of what is safe behavior and what is unsafe behavior, and then find simple things to enjoy!