Wow. #CoronaMonday indeed. It’s so quiet.
You don’t realize how quiet until the sounds of every day weeks start to go quiet. We heard the trash truck this morning, but not the school buses. The neighborhood and extended neighborhood in which I live is just still. It’s not like everyone is so noisy, but it sure gets quiet when the everyday sounds are less.
Life in general is just quieter, isn’t it? Except for the pandemonium of the grocery stores. And of course the liquor stores now. The whole liquor stores thing I don’t get, probably because I just don’t drink very much- it’s not so important to me.
Of course psychologically speaking it’s when we are told we have to be quiet and calm and stay in our homes that no one wants to. But we really have to. It’s the only way to beat this thing.
Late yesterday, Chester County offered a mapping tool for tracking the spread of the virus. They also have an entire page up about Covid19/coronavirus. But it is what it is, and we need to calm down and live our lives essentially in self-quarantine.
Look I know first hand it is all a bit overwhelming and perhaps scary. How do you think I feel after finding out I attended an event where a confirmed Covid19 victim was? My whole house is in self-quarantine now, but you know what ? It’s not forever and NO ONE is sick. THAT is what is important.
Yesterday I shared the Facebook Live feed from the service Rev. Abigail gave at St. Peter’s in The Great Valley on a community page. I am more spiritual than religious, but yesterday that service and sermon spoke to me. And it was calming. Sadly, this one person had this to say about that:
“God won’t help you avoid the virus….I assume faith is a form of mental illness.”
I found that sad and not the point. And I am not super-religious. It’s about faith more than religion. Faith that we can put aside our differences even for just a little while and handle this thing which poses a threat to us all.
I saw this posted this morning:
It’s a little airy fairy, but is it completely wrong? I don’t think so.
And then the practical in me discovered this blog post, actually a website :
A Movement to Stop the COVID-19 Pandemic
Our governments are only slowly implementing measures to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Slow reactions, public appeasement policies, and their urge to stabilize the economy have kept them from taking the measures needed to protect millions from this disease. However, it is not only the government’s burden to bear. It is time for us, as citizens of this earth, to take action now and do our part in fighting COVID-19.
Let’s put it bluntly: Stay The Fuck Home!
The Self-Quarantine Manifesto
The Self-Quarantine Manifesto
With no well-studied treatment and no viable vaccine available for at least another year, the only effective way to keep the coronavirus pandemic at bay is to give the virus fewer chances of spreading. The following list of actions, ordered from easiest to implement to most effective in the fight against the pandemic, should serve as a set of loose guidelines for people who wish to join the movement and take action that can actually make a difference.
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Don’t panic, but be alert.
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Wash your hands often and practice good cough and sneeze etiquette.
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Try to touch your face as little as possible, including your mouth, nose, and eyes.
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Practice social distancing, no hugs and kisses, no handshakes, no high fives. If you must, use safer alternatives.
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Do not attend concerts, stage plays, sporting events, or any other mass entertainment events.
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Refrain from visiting museums, exhibitions, movie theaters, night clubs, and other entertainment venues.
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Stay away from social gatherings and events, like club meetings, religious services, and private parties.
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Reduce travel to a minimum. Don’t travel long distances if not absolutely necessary.
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Do not use public transportation if not absolutely necessary.
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If you can work from home, work from home. Urge your employer to allow remote work if needed.
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Replace as many social interactions as possible with remote alternatives like phone calls or video chat.
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Do not leave your home unless absolutely necessary.
Please keep in mind there is no right or wrong amount of actions to take. Only take the actions that you feel comfortable with and that do not endanger your livelihood. Do not quit your job over this! However, keep in mind that every action helps.
Why it’s so Important
Why it’s so Important
SARS-CoV-2 is a highly infectious and potentially deadly virus that causes a respiratory disease called COVID-19. You might know it under one of its many other names, including 2019-nCoV, novel coronavirus, Wuhan coronavirus, China or Wuhan flu, or just simply coronavirus. All of these refer to the same virus that this movement is trying to stop.
I suggest you go visit their website for more. It’s not alarmist, it’s common sense.
And take the time to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. The world will not end if we have to slow down for a couple of weeks and mind our health.
Enjoy the life pause. And be grateful to be alive.
