Hey, how ya’ doin’? How are you doing during the pandemic? Are you ready for it to be over? Ya, me too.
I live about 2 hours drive north of Seattle, Washington, ground zero for the first coronavirus death in America. Whatcom County is locked up. On this day March 19th: restaurants offer take-out or drive-through only, grocery stores and gass stations are still open. Grocery stores offer early hour shopping for the over 60-year-old crowd.
If it involves being closer than 6 feet or crowds of 10 or more, it is closed. Imagine a city with no sit-down restaurants, movie theaters, music concerts, bars, schools, worship gatherings, gyms, sports, business meetings in conference rooms, discussion groups, no food banks, retail stores. Public gathering places are closed. Everyone is online, video streaming, phone calls, emails. Bellingham was quick to use Facebook to connect healthy people with those in need of help. An obstacle is few folks over 70- the key target of the virus- are not on social media. Hopefully, the friends and families of the elderly will bridge that gap.
Meanwhile, some very real stories are beginning to surface. Yesterday I called one of our contractors for a quote. She sounded like she had been crying. When I asked her what happen, she told me all her clients called, one after the other, all morning to cancel cleaning services in order to practice social distancing, the same morning her husband was told to not come into work. Boom. Just like that, once again, the working class gets a boot to the behind. Many hourly-paid folks are up a creek. The unemployment rates will go up nationwide!
One aspect of trauma is a sense of losing control. Do not kid yourself- this- ALL OF THIS- is traumatic. However, times like these are opportunities to build character.
“I judge you unfortunate because you have never lived through misfortune. You have passed through life without an opponent—no one can ever know what you are capable of, not even you.” – Seneca
How am I doing? This week I am “sheltering in place.” Today I need to find my feet and snap out of this gloom hanging over me. Remind myself what I have control over, and find the courage to freakin’ do the right things. Let’s hope this ends quickly.
Please take care of yourself, and check in with those around you.
The coronavirus COVID-19 is affecting 176 countries and territories around the world and 1 international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan). The link below: The day is reset after midnight GMT+0. The “New” columns for China display the previous day changes (as China reports after the day is over). For all other countries, the “New” columns display the changes for the current day while still in progress.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
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shannon p. laws 
Shannon, thanks for writing this post. It’s so important to share our thoughts and experiences at we weather this storm. We, too, are sheltering in place, with the exception of daily “forest bathing,” (going for walks among the trees for the healing benefits of plant aromatics and exercise). Thank goodness for books, journaling opportunities, our garden, and e-connections to help us feel connected. We are grateful to be able to read your words today.
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