April 7, 2020 7:00 am Published by

Wow, it’s amazing how time changes when you are “staying in place.” March only lasted 855 days! 

We’ve been quarantined about three weeks now opting to act more on the conservative side as my husband is in healthcare working in the petri dish called The Hospital. The likelihood of him experiencing COVID-19 is in the 40-80% range…if that’s a range. Nevertheless, we decided we’d be better trying to be safe rather than sorry. 

It is surreal to see all that has changed in the year we called March. Our parks are closed for the summer. All major events as well as the Olympics have been postponed. Local business people are working tirelessly to ensure safety and extreme cleanliness. Essential businesses are pivoting to offer “drive through” services. Front line workers are dealing with the burden of being non-essential. A  plethora of other things have also changed that I haven’t the space to mention in one blog. 

And yet, we drive by the dog parks and people are there, not separated. People we know are on planes or going to parks, having been exposed to COVID-19. They visit grandchildren or family and friends with raincoats on backwards and gloves on, thinking they’re clever and being safe. They’re not. Furthermore, they’re endangering themselves and others because they don’t like being cooped up, losing privileges, observing rules, or being without for a short period of time relative to the scope of a lifetime. 

There’s a reason people worldwide are wearing masks and washing their hands incessantly. There’s a reason we’re all supposed to be sequestered for this brief window of time. There’s a reason healthcare professionals are dressed like pseudo-astronauts and companies are pivoting to make masks, medical supplies and sanitizers. It’s to save the lives (or refrain from harming) of people you may never meet.  

Is it really so difficult to stay home, to reset your life and priorities, to endure being deprived of certain first world privileges, to be inconvenienced of the relationships and daily rituals we so easily take for granted? If so, dig in. It’s a few weeks of your life so that you and others can live. It’s that simple.  

When it comes to making a difference in the world, lip service is easy. If you are struggling to stay home, go suit up to volunteer at a shelter, kitchen or hospital and do the hard work first-hand. You’ll then see what those on the front lines see every day. If you’re not willing to suit up, say thank you and stay home.  

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