Life in the Time of COVID-19

Here it is, April 22, 2020. Earth Day.  I have been in self-isolation since March 16 and I'm ready to climb the walls.  I've piddled around and done a little of this and a little of that, but mostly, I have done nothing much at all.  I've watched TV, but that becomes repetitious all too quickly; I've read some books, but I usually fall asleep; and I've taken to having a daily nap with the dogs snuggled up close.  I also have developed the habit of watching CNN and being amazed at the politics of this COVID-19 event.

One of my favorite commentators is Chris Cuomo, who was diagnosed with the virus and lived it out on TV.  He spoke about the constant fever, the extreme constriction in his chest, and his fervent prayers to get through the viral attack.  He did prevail, and he's now fine, but still has some nagging little hangers-on from the experience.  His wife did test positive, but after 14 days of quarantine, she was tested as negative.  So far, no sign of the virus in the children. And he has interesting talking topics and guests on his show, so I watch him every day and see what's going on.

Meanwhile, on the home front, Y quit his job because the employer wanted everyone at work without masks and no social distancing.  He didn't feel safe in that environment, so asked to work at home 3/4-time, going into LA once a week for a check-in.  The management would not agree to that, so Y resigned.  He did apply for, and was approved for, unemployment.  He stays with me, but did pay a month's rent on his LA apartment, giving him some time to decide what he's going to do.  He has been in contact with some potential new employers and has applied for a master's degree program in LA.  Other than that, he cooks--and he's a good cook--but he's messy as all get out!!  He doesn't have the "finish" aspect of cooking down yet, the cleaning up of the mess he makes doing the food prep and distribution.  Often I volunteer to do the dishes so I know they all get done with hot water and dish soap, and are scrubbed clean in the process.  I also clean the stove and the countertops, which Y often overlooks.  We've had some wonderful meals and I really appreciate Y's cooking, so cleaning up the kitchen afterward is a small price to pay for not having to come up with plan and the ingredients to prepare meals.

The dogs love having us both in the house, and we've upped the walk to two a day, which is met with great glee.  It's funny how the dogs have internal clocks and know what time it is during the day.  They come get me when it's time for the walk, or time for our nap, or time for our snack or a meal. The little kids are home next door, so both Sparkle and Cinnamon have to go out and supervise when the kids are in the yard playing, and often that involves barking, which is annoying.  All in all, life is good for the dogs in the neighborhood.

So, life goes on with or without me.  I'm terrified of going outside and being around people, especially those without masks, as I'm 75 years old and have asthma.  If I get the virus, it could be fatal, and I don't want to get the virus.  I have been wearing a mask to walk the dogs even though we seldom see anyone else out when we're out, so probably don't have to wear it. Y goes with us for the walks, which is really nice.  We know all the yards and dogs around our block, and feel quite comfortable in our own little corner of the world.

But believe me, I'm ready to resume some semblance of normalcy.  I want to jump in the car and go down to the post office, the drugstore, the gas station, the grocery store.  I want to feel free to meet my 2 girlfriends for our weekly lunch and a movie.  I just want to feel normal again and not have to worry about the what if's.  As my mother always used to say, this too shall pass, and it will.  We'll always remember the time of the COVID pandemic and where we were and with whom, and how it affected our lives, but we will move on from this to new adventures and events.  Stay safe and stay strong, and this too shall pass.