Life in the Time of Coronavirus, 5/29/20

Us!

Over Nine Weeks in Quarantine
We've been mostly at home and safe for over nine weeks.  I've lost count of how many times each day we hear the words, "Coronavirus" or "COVID-19". Some days, I have to tune out and limit my news and media exposure.  It's very stressful to not only deal with the virus, but also with the tragic and sad events of the World.  So many sick and dead, protests and riots in the streets, people out of work, families with hardly any means, no food and even locusts wreaking havoc in other countries.  So many people are angry and taking it out on others. And our Federal Government continues to pat itself on the back for doing, "Such a great job". Um, "No!" It is the saddest time that I've experienced in my life, and I do hope that it gets better.  I'll turn 61 next month, and I'm sure that life will never be the same for me as it was just a few short months ago. Maybe that's good? We took so much for granted. Didn't we?

What Happened to Us?

We claim to be the most advanced Country in the World, but we certainly haven't shown it.  At this writing, over 364,000+ people have lost their lives globally to COVID-19, and 104,000+ of those were in the USA.  We rested on our laurels as we saw that huge virus storm coming. We weren't prepared at all.  The tidal wave of Coronavirus/COVID-19 washed over our country with a fury that we never anticipated.  It took weeks (rather like days in virus time) to get ventilators, PPE, and the most simple of things, such as hand sanitizer and face masks, into the hands of our healthcare workers who needed these most, and then longer to get them to the everyday citizens.  It still grinds me that the CDC said for weeks and weeks that we did not need to wear face masks, which are now mandatory.  So many things are so wrong, and so negative. It is frustrating and disheartening. It makes no sense.

There are Bright Lights and Hope

Sorry to be such a bummer, but this is how I feel.  Now for the bright side!

There are positive things that give me hope:

• Our San Diego County and California State Governments continue to move forward with sound strategies and plans to relax restrictions. All have very specific guidelines to follow, but it is good to see things come to life once again.
• Despite all of the bad news, our Carlsbad community continues to be vibrant and kind.  People are pretty much the same as always here - laid back. I don't notice anything that makes me wary.
• While the economy is absolutely nuts, our financial managers are keeping us safe. Being retired, that is a big concern.
• We are getting closer to having home tests and a vaccine.  This monster virus is going to be on Earth, maybe forever, so we need to have ways to fight it off.  Since we don't have a vaccine yet, we need to test regularly. I'm envisioning once a month tests that are mailed to our homes, or we can pick up, and we mail in or drop our tests, get results and know that we are safe to be around others. Once the vaccine(s) arrive, we will probably get them annually.   
• No matter what virus comes in the future, we have learned and 'should' be more prepared.  We should never again let our guard down.  How could such a thing happen in 2020?  This little monster changed the entire World, as we know it.  

We Have Settled into Our Quarantine Lives

Life is good for us here. We want for nothing, which we are grateful for.  We live in such a beautiful place.  We stay home pretty much every day, enjoying our home, yards and pool.  We cook new recipes every day, play games, do projects, classes, artwork and puzzles. It's good to work other parts of our brains. 

Outings

We have been doing outings once each week to drive to the Oceanside Harbor and Beach and then through Carlsbad Village and Beach.  The restaurants are opening to sit down eating, with modifications.  We still notice that almost no one under 25 wears a mask, and only about 30% of all we pass wear masks.  The beach rentals still seem to be thriving, but many places are up for longer term lease or rent.  Our Carlsbad Farmer's Market reopened last week, and there was a 20+ person line waiting to get in on Wednesday, all social distanced and masked, thank you.

We went to our Village Smart and Final and picked up a boatload of good, fresh grocery items again.  There is a young man outside the store who retrieves the shopping carts and sanitizes them for all of us.  All of the workers have masks and most have rubber gloves. I'm so thankful for this store because it's so close and has pretty much everything you would want, even fresh flowers and plants.

Wishing You Well
Please hang in there. Be safe. Be kind. We're all in this boat together, and we will sail through this virus storm into safe waters.  Keep the faith and hold fast. Until next time. Here's a sunset for you!