So, this is the first time I think most of us have experienced something like this. We were nervous with SARS and H1N1 and we absolutely lost our shit with Ebola, but this, this is different. We are expected to be alone, no gatherings, no out to eats, no St. Patrick's Day parades. And if we aren't panicking, then we are frustrated or irritated or some other unpleasantry.
I way over read. I listened to NPR like I was an intellect. I knew too much. I now know as little as possible. And I feel better. I have sworn myself off of Yahoo news. I might watch the evening news, but probably not because M*A*S*H is on at the same time on another channel and, well, I can deal with that war.
I understand why people want to hoard. It is something they can do in a time where they feel like they can do nothing. I don't know why toilet paper was the hoard of choice. I don't know why people weren't buying up chocolate and beer, but suit yourself, it's your two months. And in regards to the hoarding of toilet paper and hand sanitizer, I hope no retailer accepts returns of these products and other pandemic related items.
I am concerned for the economy. For the small businesses that won't rebound. For the retail and restaurant employees that are out of jobs for weeks and maybe months. Honestly, for my own little business that doesn't really make any money, but that people won't come back out to craft shows and farmer's markets, that people will be afraid to buy their wants just in case. I hope that companies with a little breathing room in their budget will help out the people and businesses that don't.
But at the same time, maybe the world needs a month off to get their houses cleaned and check books balanced. Maybe this is a good opportunity for some businesses to figure out some of their issues. Airlines could review the limited social distancing in airplanes and spread those seats out a bit. They could also look at their customer service record and fix that up a little. TSA will have less screenings to do so they could reorganize the area a little better so people weren't on top of each other while putting lap tops in bins and taking off their shoes. Companies could repair their parking lots and facades.
I am not social distancing any more than usual. I am usually home, only working two days a week now, so my schedule is really unchanged. I don't have to struggle with child care for the next month or longer. I don't have anyone with compromised immunity in my home. I have no planned vacation to cancel. The weather is warming up so I will be able to go outside, if only in my yard.
Facebook, though great at sharing dog photos and recipes, has become decisive over this virus. Like we aren't in the middle of an election year, and we needed something else to argue about. Anyway, there is a lot of good information out there that is great to share, but also remember that anyone can make a post or a meme with any information that they want. The spread of false information is such a shitty thing to do. It takes an extra 20 seconds to verify if your facts or opinions are factual. And if you overhear someone say "I heard..." don't repeat it. Remember that there are some people, even on your friend list, that are scared, or feel anxious or irrational. There are some that are far from home or from their loved ones or their paycheck and they are afraid. Be aware of that when you tell people to stop overreacting or that this will blow over. Tornadoes blow over but can also fuck shit up.
And while on the subject of Facebook, the doomsday biblical posts aren't helping.
This seems like the perfect time to figure out what is important, focus on that. Try a few new recipes. Read a book. Check off a few to dos on the list. Appreciate who you are social distancing with. Binge a comedy. Oh, and be kind to everyone.
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