There has been little, or no, escape from what has been on everyone’s mind recently. This current virus pandemic has the world in a deathly grip, affecting so many physically and tormenting most of us emotionally. How do we get through this?
Personally, I don’t know if I am getting through. I certainly talk a good game, do my best in being cautiously-optimistic, but it mostly ends there. That damn fear of the unknown sets in and shakes my ability to maintain a pragmatic attitude.
I definitely watch newscasts far too often, just trying to stay informed, hoping to hear some glimmer of hope, even learn something new with regard to treatment and future preventatives for COVID-19. The time spent not working and somewhat sequestered at home has given me more time to write. A positive. Conversely, this expanse of free time brings along too much time to think…and remember. Kind of a double-edged sword. At least for me.
What I need to do is just dive-in, head first, and busy myself with projects that I keep on lists in my office. Yes, I’m a compulsive list-maker and I’m good at it! I even keep said lists, in files arranged by dates, and review them often just to see what, if anything, I’ve managed to accomplish. At present, I’ve accomplished moving that file box into a closet and thought, as I was closing the door, of that last scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
But…this week, these past few days, have taken the proverbial wind from my sails. A very dear friend is currently undergoing virus treatment, on a ventilator and receiving Hydroxychloroquine along with Z-Pak. Each day, brings another update from his family and a glimmer of hope. Any thought of breathing a sigh of relief is out of the question, the worst is far from over and the situation could change in a matter of minutes, even seconds. And, in the last few days, friends lost their beloved aunt to Coronavirus. None could be at her side when she passed and this heartbroken family now cannot gather to grieve and say good-bye at a time when families need to support each other.
I’ve learned, in fact, I think we all have, that families will quietly join together where they can to celebrate Passover and Easter. All will welcome Spring, birth and rebirth, according to their religious traditions. All have learned that, at this tumultuous moment in time, taking responsibility for themselves, the community and the world is a shared, crucial, obligation.
From Mama Kat’s Writers Workshop:
What do you do to manage anxiety or uncertainty caused by the current Covid19 climate?
Write about something you learned this week!
I combined two writing prompts into my post this week. One just seemed to blend well into the other. As much as I wanted to write about anything other than COVID-19, there is just no escaping it! Possibly I’m not allowing myself to take this pandemic lightly, as many people did, early in its assault on our country. Once everyone lets down their guard and becomes complacent, the virus wins!
When I first looked at the list of suggested writing prompts for this week, I somehow latched
