15. Quarantine Stream of Consciousness
We sure are living in historic and challenging times. Millions have been confirmed ill. Millions more have gone unconfirmed. Hundreds of thousands have died. The worldwide economy has ground to a halt in a way that hasn't been seen since the Great Depression. Billions are under stay at home or quarantine orders. People of all kinds are using this to gain advantage. Authoritarian regimes are tightening their grip. Populists are feeding off the chaos. Capitalists are scraping up every free bit of cash. Criminals are preying on peoples' fears.
Personally, I'm in a pretty privileged place and I acknowledged that fact. I get to work full time from home and have only taken a minimal pay hit. My family has always maintained food and supplies storage. That's a lesson we learned from my grandparents who survived the Great Depression in the rural Midwest and has prevented us from having to try to stock up all at once. I have friends who can sew and have made me a lovely selection of Star Wars masks for when I have to be off my property. We've always had some vinyl gloves for various things and those are great when I have to handle things not from my own stocks.
I've converted my spare bedroom into a home office. My new commute is only impacted by a periodic canine wreck on the kitchen or bathroom on ramp. My office has been good about letting me raid the office for things I need to get set up at home. I'm not restricted to a tiny laptop screen, nor did I have to spend my own money on a dock. Between the dock from work and my own spare equipment, my desk at home is as well equipped as my desk in the office. If anything it's better equipped. I love my mechanical keyboard.
I can deal with the fact that my hair looks like I stuck my finger in a light socket, no matter that I do with it. Hats are a thing. I can deal with the fact that I can't go to my favorite taco joint for a cold frosty beverage and tacos with my friends. Take out tacos, fridge beers, and video chat are a thing. I can deal with the fact that my favorite sportsball team (the Cubs, in case you were wondering) isn't playing. Watching old games and sports documentaries can happen.
All of these comforts and conveniences don't change the fact that I have anxiety about the pandemic. Everyone in my household is in a risk category; whether it is through age, chronic illness, or residual issue from a one time devastating illness. This means that every contact with the outside world has a high chance of serious illness in my immediate circle. Real life still happens, though. Milk and eggs run out, the dog needs shots, and we all still need exercise if we don't want to be in worse health when it's safe to return to some semblance of normal.
I pay attention to what the real experts and scientists have to say. I follow their guidelines and advice. This means that I wear a mask when off my property, even if it's just to walk my dog around the block. Masks don't protect you, so much as they protect those around you. I wear gloves when shopping, pumping gas, and getting take out. I then dispose of them as soon as I'm home. Hand sanitizer also rides around with me and I wash my hands regularly. I do struggle with the face touching, though. You do it without even thinking.
I ignore the politicians, since they're beholden to their Wall Street masters or other special interest groups. I also ignore the covidiots out protesting. Those guys are where anti-vaxxers, ammosexuals, and white supremacist meet up and shake hands. That movement is probably one of the most astroturfed actions we've seen since the Tea Party.
Due to my listening to the experts and not the talking heads, I won't be rushing out to hang at the pub until the experts give it the okay. I desperately miss being with my friends in person. I desperately miss the convention season. I don't miss these things enough to risk my or my family's lives. All those people rushing to national and state parks or swarming to breakfast cafes will be the source of another spike in cases.
Personally, I'm in a pretty privileged place and I acknowledged that fact. I get to work full time from home and have only taken a minimal pay hit. My family has always maintained food and supplies storage. That's a lesson we learned from my grandparents who survived the Great Depression in the rural Midwest and has prevented us from having to try to stock up all at once. I have friends who can sew and have made me a lovely selection of Star Wars masks for when I have to be off my property. We've always had some vinyl gloves for various things and those are great when I have to handle things not from my own stocks.
I've converted my spare bedroom into a home office. My new commute is only impacted by a periodic canine wreck on the kitchen or bathroom on ramp. My office has been good about letting me raid the office for things I need to get set up at home. I'm not restricted to a tiny laptop screen, nor did I have to spend my own money on a dock. Between the dock from work and my own spare equipment, my desk at home is as well equipped as my desk in the office. If anything it's better equipped. I love my mechanical keyboard.
I can deal with the fact that my hair looks like I stuck my finger in a light socket, no matter that I do with it. Hats are a thing. I can deal with the fact that I can't go to my favorite taco joint for a cold frosty beverage and tacos with my friends. Take out tacos, fridge beers, and video chat are a thing. I can deal with the fact that my favorite sportsball team (the Cubs, in case you were wondering) isn't playing. Watching old games and sports documentaries can happen.
All of these comforts and conveniences don't change the fact that I have anxiety about the pandemic. Everyone in my household is in a risk category; whether it is through age, chronic illness, or residual issue from a one time devastating illness. This means that every contact with the outside world has a high chance of serious illness in my immediate circle. Real life still happens, though. Milk and eggs run out, the dog needs shots, and we all still need exercise if we don't want to be in worse health when it's safe to return to some semblance of normal.
I pay attention to what the real experts and scientists have to say. I follow their guidelines and advice. This means that I wear a mask when off my property, even if it's just to walk my dog around the block. Masks don't protect you, so much as they protect those around you. I wear gloves when shopping, pumping gas, and getting take out. I then dispose of them as soon as I'm home. Hand sanitizer also rides around with me and I wash my hands regularly. I do struggle with the face touching, though. You do it without even thinking.
I ignore the politicians, since they're beholden to their Wall Street masters or other special interest groups. I also ignore the covidiots out protesting. Those guys are where anti-vaxxers, ammosexuals, and white supremacist meet up and shake hands. That movement is probably one of the most astroturfed actions we've seen since the Tea Party.
Due to my listening to the experts and not the talking heads, I won't be rushing out to hang at the pub until the experts give it the okay. I desperately miss being with my friends in person. I desperately miss the convention season. I don't miss these things enough to risk my or my family's lives. All those people rushing to national and state parks or swarming to breakfast cafes will be the source of another spike in cases.
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