B.C. (Before Coronavirus) I had a busy schedule. Most mornings, I would enjoy coffee while watching the morning news and checking the weather. I would touch base with a family member or friend and we would share our day’s activities. I usually spent the early morning writing and editing. Lunch was often a time to see a friend. In the afternoon, I would run errands and do some shopping. Late afternoon meant a visit to the gym. Other activities were dropped in as needed – a visit to the dentist, a relaxing mani-pedi, and once a month, a haircut at my local salon. My husband and I usually ate out once during the week and once on the weekends. If we didn’t attend mass on Saturday night, we went on Sunday.
Now, like so many of you, one day runs into another. I still watch the news, although I have cut back on how much I watch. It’s too depressing. Weather? Who cares? It’s not as if I have somewhere to go. Shopping is a quick trip to Whole Foods, mask in place, to wait in line and then get out before social distancing becomes difficult. I still exercise, but now I’m following Jane Fonda on screen. Since I gave up coloring my hair years ago, I don’t worry about grays. But my short bob has grown out and my two attempts to trim my locks were not successful. (Cutting bangs is more difficult than it looks.) I’ve decided to let it grow for now.
I know I am more fortunate than so many others who are truly suffering. And like so many others, I’m trying to help where I can. Since I’m a senior, technically in the at risk group, I’m limited in what I can do in person. But I can check in with relatives and friends who are struggling. And I can donate to causes that are helping to shore up the safety net. But governments – local, state, and federal – need to step up. So far, the efforts on the federal level have been disappointing, while governors and mayors have worked to fill in that void.
What I’m feeling, however, and what I know those being careful to observe the social distancing guidelines are feeling, too, is a sense that we are living in a real life version of Groundhog Day. That film was a comedy starring Bill Murray, What we are experiencing now is far from humorous. Every day seems to be the same. One day runs into another, one week into the next. We will soon turn the calendar to May with no hope that an end is in sight.
People are frustrated and they desperately want to get back to work. We all need to get back to work, to some environment that seems normal. But that time is far in the future. Some governors are reopening their states to nonessential businesses. In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp has given the green light to gyms, tattoo parlors, nail and hair salons. In making the announcement, he stressed that those businesses would still have to observe social distancing. I’m not sure how it will be possible to get a haircut or a manicure with the technician standing six feet away from the client. This policy is a sure fire way to spread the virus in a state, mind you, where the cases have been steadily rising. I take this personally because my daughter lives in Atlanta and I worry about her safety.
I watch the protests erupting around the country, criticizing the governors who have put stay-at-home orders in place. But even if those orders were lifted, would you resume your normal activities? Are you ready to go to the gym? Have a manicure? See a play? Dine at your favorite restaurant? Until we can all feel safe from this virus, life as usual will not be coming back any time soon. The protestors may blame the governors, but that blame is misplaced. We are battling a silent enemy, one that can attack without warning. This is not the regular flu. This is not like the common cold. And it won’t go away when we have warm weather, witness what’s happening in Florida, and what will happen when cases once again begin to spike because Governor Ron DeSantis reopened the beaches.
What makes me truly angry is the disrespect these protestors are showing for our health care professionals who are putting their lives on the line every day to care for those who are infected. I pray for these health professionals. And I pray for these protestors that they won’t need the care that these dedicated medical people are giving to anyone who passes through their doors.
There will be plenty of time after this virus is under control, with treatments and, ultimately, with a vaccine, to assign blame. We have an election in November where we can make our voices heard.
Until that time, perhaps we can take a lesson from the film, Groundhog Day. Phil Connors (Murray), manages to break the cycle of reliving the same day again and again by changing himself and his attitudes. He uses what he has experienced to become more charitable and learn new skills – playing the piano and learning French. The fact that he can’t save the life of a homeless man affects him deeply. When he wakes up on that special morning, he hears the same song on the radio – “I Got You Babe” – but the woman he loves is beside him and the calendar has flipped to February 3. His nightmare is over.
Ours will be, too, one day. But until then, we need to remain vigilant, patient, empathetic, and safe. Please take care of each other.
Top photo: Bigstock
