It
is a bit hard to remember back to like March as Covid-19 was beginning to
impact our country. It didn’t even have a name back then. They just referred to
it as a new type of Coronavirus. It seems to my mind that the time from when we
first were growing concerned about it, to complete lockdown, passed very
quickly. The vast majority of people took the lockdown seriously and followed
the rules. Once the restrictions started being eased, still most people took it
seriously. I know in my household we did. We were scrupulous about wearing
masks, keeping our distance from people, quarantining our groceries, and going
out only when necessary. We still do.
After
months of living in the plague of 2020, I see Covid fatigue setting in. I see it in everyone else, and I see it in myself. The
mind starts subconsciously letting the guard down. I am still careful, wearing
masks etc., but whereas in the beginning, I didn’t have to think about being
careful, I just did it. Now I find I have to consciously force myself into that
mindset. My brain (or maybe it’s human nature) wants me to let my guard down.
But I don’t. I have to work a little harder at staying vigilant, but I do it.
Yes, most people who catch the virus recover, but 240,000 Americans have died
from it. It has touched my extended family. Even though I might recover from
it, I would hate to think that I gave it to someone else who died because of my
carelessness. That would be terrible.
So,
I act responsibly. I do the things we are all supposed to do. It is the human
thing to do. Occasionally there are even benefits from the restrictions. I was
able to virtually attend the Nebula Awards this year, which I never would have
been able to do in person. And today while I was waiting in my socially
distanced line to get into the farmer’s market, I spotted these beautiful red
mushrooms that have pushed their way through the soil (beautiful, but
poisonous. Look but don’t touch). There is also the benefit that this outbreak
may better prepare us for dealing with the next one. There will certainly be a
next one, but hopefully not for many years.
Try
not to kill people. Stay vigilant. Take the benefits where you can find them.
This pandemic won’t last forever.
(My science
fiction novel Star Liner, is now available in paperback or as an e-book
through Amazon and other online sources).
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