Who isn’t tired of COVID-19?
The World Health Organization officially declared a pandemic on March 11. My home province, Alberta, declared a state of emergency on March 17.
Stores closed. Schools and daycares closed. People started working from home. Non-essential surgeries were cancelled—partly to prevent the spread of the virus and partly to be sure that ventilators would be available if symptoms got that bad.
People were encouraged to wear masks if they had to go out for groceries. And most grocery stores would deliver. Even Staples will deliver free of charge because if you are working from your home office, you need ink.
The local drugstore has arrows to direct the flow of traffic down aisles and thus ensure social distancing. Same for Safeway. I like stores that have that “flow of traffic” figured out.
And now, finally, the curve has indeed “flattened” and some restrictions are being lifted. At least, in most of the province. Calgary and Brooks are a little late since these two cities have had a higher number of cases.
I walk on the path by the river in the morning. People maintain the 2-metre “social distancing” and wave as we pass each other. They are all team players.
Earlier this year, I was one of the lucky ones. I got my “non-essential” surgery done on January 28. A new hip. For me, most of February was a blur as I rotated ice packs, did my exercises, and slowly recovered.
When March came, I was looking forward to getting out into the world again. But then, COVID-19.
At first, the stay-at-home was not too hard to follow. I’m an introvert, after all. So you would think I’d be getting a lot of writing done with this social distancing.
But, not so much. It’s hard to stop thinking about COVID-19.
And, I find that I miss people. Now my favourite café, Friends, has sort of reopened, with take-out service.
There’s Plexiglas at the service counter, and masks and gloves for the staff, and visibly marked-out social distance areas. Using the front and side doors, a one-way flow of traffic has been created. And there’s a brand new “tap” for the credit/debit machine.
They even have curbside pickup.
This morning, two of my writer friends and I met at “Friends”. We got our take-out coffees. (Also, I picked up one of the “Heat & Eat” lasagnas for tonight’s supper.) Then we headed back to one friend’s balcony where we could sit apart but be together. We could have made coffee but it’s just not the same as going to Friends. (friendscappuccinobar.ca)
Zoom has been great, and my writing groups have made good use of it. But I have definitely missed my Friends.
How are you coping? Are you tired of COVID-19? Do you love Zoom?
Mask from Bigstockphotos 351136352
Keyboard from Depositphotos_361140466_l-2015
Friends Cappuccino Bar image from Friends Cappuccino Bar
Hi Suzanne… I do hope all your healing and health restorations continue at a meaningful pace… and that your new hip realizes how important it is to get you back on the ski slopes (and other such places) in the not too distant future. We had our daughter, Katie, (who has Down’s Syndrome) at our home for the March Break and just a few days in, her group home called to say they were going into lockdown and we had a couple of hours to decide on bringing her right back or keeping her for an undetermined amount of time. We decided to keep her with us as we thought that might be safest for her. She was able to go back just a few days ago but was with us for 10 weeks. I think she enjoyed the time here but she’s fairly autistic so words and conversation aren’t her primary means of communication when it comes to giving feedback. Covid-19 certainly has shifted the worlds we live in… and as you suggest, a lot of what we all love and need has been displaced or is simply missing… it’s different. I expect it’s more important than ever to pay attention to those things that haven’t changed though such as the hopes we carry in our hearts for the well-being of those we love. I do hope your new hip becomes all that you would love it to be… stay safe… keep loving life!
Hi Gord,
Good to hear from you!
No doubt Katie was safer with you for those 10 weeks. Plus, she might not have understood why you would be unable to visit her during lockdown. I hope she is settling in to her group home now and reconnecting with her people there.
Yes, Covid-19 has been a trying time, and will continue to be. But we’ll learn to live with it the best we can. I do feel so fortunate to have my new hip, and my strength is slowly returning. They say it will take a year but I’m already so much better than I was. This hip technology is amazing.
Now if they can just invent a Covid-19 vaccine…
As one of your very few extroverted author friends, I was losing my mind by the time we decided to risk our coffee run to Friend’s and sit on DW’s deck. It took just two hours of ‘real’ face time with you guys to refill my empty soul and give me the energy to handle whatever lies ahead for us in these difficult times.
I know!
There is nothing quite so nice as sitting outside with your friends and enjoying a latte and the sunshine. Next week, my backyard. 🙂