The Pandemic
The speed that the pandemic turned normal days into a strange world should not be forgotten. The month before it was just some routine news about a new flu outbreak in some unheard of place in China, Wuhan. But sensationalist news media has long since desensitized us to sensational news. Everything is secretly taken with a grain of salt no matter how much of a buzz it elicits.
Occasionally a twist will cause a bit of concern in even the more skeptical--or cynical--of us. That the virus was surprisingly showing up in Italy and Iran suggested something that actually could be worrisome. But still, “over there”. Then, it arrives in the U.S.
Now, it has already become the new normal. But it happened so quickly, it is both easy and amazing to reflect on the old normal as it was only a short time ago. The first week of March, outbreaks were evident in parts of the U.S. Even in little affected parts of the country--like here--the unease was beginning to become palpable. Still, that first week, just about two months ago now, life for me was unchanged. In fact, it was a busy week. I had three tours and two lectures at Reynolda, we could get together to select and order our Riverrun tickets, the Super Tuesday primary was Tuesday where I would, as a new Independent, vote on a Democrat ballot for the first time. And I would get a haircut.
Bill and I had plans to have supper at the West End Cafe on the next Monday. It was that second week that the real skittishness was beginning. I was uneasy about eating at a restaurant but figured that since I was by nature a self-conscious worrywart, others wouldn’t be so concerned as me. So I acted cavalier when Bill expressed concern. Fortunately, the next day he begged off. Perhaps I didn't need to pretend I wasn't worried. Truthfully I was relieved by his concern. Neighbor Ray also cancelled his beloved St. Patrick’s Day party which also made me feel better about my fearfulness. Still, that second week I would take my car in for an inspection and even more surprising, go to the Marketplace Cinema with Kirk on Saturday. People were already voluntarily staying in so our action felt quite daring.
The theater was not crowded, however but that would be the last of that for a while. Then cancellations and shut downs began happening in a flurry. What had been a full calendar for the rest of the month transformed into blank spaces literally overnight. Our Great Decisions series I help with had all of our topics and speakers lined up and the hard work was behind me. But WFU was cancelling classes and events, so it was cancelled as well. Riverrun cancelled and $130 worth of tickets I had just ordered two weeks earlier would end up being a donation. And of course, Reynolda would close. And the YMCA.
I wasn’t dwelling on the speed of the change at the time. But now I take time to reflect and document those thoughts. The next step was to adjust to these “strange times”--mainly planning how to get and stock groceries-- and libations usually available at the corner tavern. Then getting used to distancing from people. And most of all, keeping hands clean and fingers out of my mouth.
More: The Cavalier
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