I'm
not a big fan of the expression 'self-quarantine,' and feel more reassured
saying 'sheltering in place' (I think because of the connotations of the word 'sheltering')
though they mean pretty much the same thing (welcome to 'potato' and
'poetahtoe' I guess).
Admittedly
they both offer a portrait of each of us adrift in our separate boats not as
aware perhaps as we should be that we still share the same ocean. Maybe the
keyword in 'social distancing' should be social, to help us better remember
that alone together is a temporary measure for a greater good.
Meanwhile, probably like you, for every story I've read (and worried about) on the scale
and scope of COVID-19 and the toll it's taking across the country and world,
there are also stories about how here in Norwich small businesses are
supporting one another and
how a coalition of neighbors created Norwich Acts of Kindness, to
say thank you to first responders, health care professionals and those caring
for the less fortunate in our community. Those stories make me smile and are
proof that when all we can count on is one another, we are in good hands.
And
who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Woof! I turn sixty-eight later
this month and have a few more medical issues in real-life than the guy who
peers back at me from the mirror every morning wants to think about as he
prepares to seize the day, so I don't need to be reminded more than once about
self-care, the importance of taking precautions and learning to adapt and
overcome.
Last
week I had a doctor's appointment that I kept without leaving my house, thanks
to Tele-Health. My provider's office staff sent a link to my smartphone, and
shortly before my appointment time I signed in and entered a virtual waiting
room. I prepped a bit and set the mood by buying a few copies of older issues
of Car & Driver and People magazines and scattering them about on the coffee table to help the virtual waiting room feel more like the real one.
Then my doctor and I were speaking screen
to screen as if this were the most normal situation in the world. And for right
now, it is. Okay, I’ll concede there was one moment of
awkwardness when I was asked to turn my head and cough, which I did (into my
elbow, of course). Visually, it looked like I was dabbing or half-dabbing
to be exact. Between us, I was a bit bummed when the visit was over that I couldn’t help myself to a lollipop but I will get by, as, too shall we all.
-bill kenny
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