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We’re seeing dramatic differences in rates of COVID infection, illness, and death in different places. What do you think about these differences?
Unfortunately, I think it speaks to the overarching attitudes and culture in those different places. I think particularly in the South, we've seen the overall attitude of "it's my right not to wear a mask" and then we've been seeing these huge breakouts there. I also think there is a dangerous attitude of "I won't get it," and the belief that this pandemic isn't real, which those people then partake in the huge parties and celebrations (i.e. weddings, anniversaries, bar mitzvahs, etc.) with huge numbers of breakouts afterwards and heartbreaking videos of people dying from COVID trying to warn people not to make the same mistake they made. Most recently, I saw on the news that people were coming out from everywhere in Sturgis, South Dakota, for the annual motorcycle rally, despite the outcry from the local members in that community saying they didn't want it this year. I have family out there and it's worrisome to know that so many from all around the country flooded into that community, and without taking any precautions (no facemasks, etc.), possibly spreading it to that community. There is a reservation near there and I heard that members of the reservation were blocking the road going into their community because they didn't want to risk that exposure to their community from the motorcyclists. And, I know a lot of people are really worried about schools reopening. I think we're going to see where people are taking precautions that it will work just fine, and where they aren't, there will be huge outbreaks.
August 22, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Not much has changed since last week. Work has started for me. It's all virtual (I'm a teacher) which is a blessing for our health, but a curse for teaching effectively. Wishing everything would go back to normal. Hurt my hand so can't type much this week. Extra thankful for technology.
August 22, 2020
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Let's talk about the environmental impact of COVID-19. The masks. The paper masks. They need to go. I am so disgusted by the amount of paper masks being strewn about on the sidewalks, on local hiking trails, and in waterways. The flimsy film is not biodegradable and the straps are choking our sea creatures. Something needs to change or we're never going to recover from this pandemic. I saw this mask on the floor when I was taking a walk back from the dining hall. I was so upset. I couldn't even pick it up because I ran out of hand sanitizer. I'm going to invest in a trash picker at this point. I'm sick of it. I don't care if people call me gross or make fun of me for picking up litter. This is our planet, people; and we need to take better care of it. The rubber gloves. First of all, as of right now, wearing gloves has been deemed ineffective for fitting off COVID-19. We need to ditch the rubber and just start washing our hands! On top of that, we need to stop discarding of rubber gloves. Here's a suggestion: if you're so concerned about wearing gloves, why not invest in reusable cloth ones? Although they are ineffective as of today, at least cloth ones won't pile up in a landfill (the same thing goes for masks). I am outraged at the human race right now. Not only are we selfish, but we are sloppy, too. We must do better. I may go around campus this weekend and pick up garbage. I am so shaken by this behavior. I'm sure our planet is shaken, too.
August 22, 2020
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Many of us have experienced restrictions on movement and social contact during the pandemic. Talk about any restrictions that have especially affected you.
The most drastic change for me with the restrictions on movement and social contact has been that I am not able to return to my university for the Fall 2020 semester, and was pulled off of campus in March 2020 for the end of the fall semester. This is only my second year of college, so it has been emotional and difficult and sad to be fully online and not having the typical college experience. I have not seen my college friends since march when I moved off of campus, I had to move back in with my family and fully quarantined for several months. Restrictions have shifted throughout these five months, but it's been strange to only see close family and friends, go everywhere masked, never travel, avoid eating out, and watch the world go through endless turmoil all from my childhood home.
August 22, 2020
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We’re seeing wide variations in how different countries are handling the pandemic. What do you think about these differences?
The biggest and most notable difference in how other countries are handling the pandemic is that a very large number of countries that are back on track with living life are led by women. I am not saying that only a woman is capable of doing all of the right things in fighting the pandemic, but it is an interesting statistic. All I can do at this point is pray for major changes in our government. A male and female can take over and undo what will be future pain and suffering as a result of the pandemic. They can SAVE lives which was never a concern of the current administration. It is these two people who actually care about other people, who emanates their concern for others in a speech or in an interview. There is nothing fake, it's part of who they are. It's heart and it's what we desperately need and have needed for the past 3 1/2 years.
August 24, 2020
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This is a flower on a Rose of Sharon bush from my front yard. When my grandmother died I brought two Rose of Sharon bushes from Ohio to Connecticut. Those original two have seeded many additional plants. This is one of those plants. Most of the flowers are white with a deep purple center, some of the flowers are all white. This is the first pink flower I've ever seen on any of my Rose of Sharon bushes. It makes me happy!😎
Flowers, and nature in general, are daily reminders of life going on. The world will continue, and the pandemic will pass. I look forward to a better future. ❤
August 24, 2020
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Has the pandemic disrupted your plans for the future in any major way? If so, talk about the most significant disruption(s).
Future? What future? My "plan," which wasn't really a plan but simply living my life was to continue working 12 hours a week at a job I love. My "plan" was for my daughter to attend school in school without a deadly virus killing hundreds of thousands of people. My "plan" was for my husband to work at his office, not from home. My "plan" was to continue seeing my therapist four times per week, in her office, not via zoom as I have for the past 5 months. My "plan" was not for my anxiety to increase to a point where I have anxiety attacks and panic attacks with intense worry I will never see my therapist in person again. The train tracks next to the ocean represents a danger too great for a human to have to navigate. Can you hear the train coming? Can you stand back and wait or do you go for it and jump across, closer to the sea? I'm at the point now where I am jumping over those tracks with all of my might, unsure how close I'll be to the ocean, unsure if there is more possible danger there. I will decide my future with whatever power I have. I will control MY PLAN, and fight like hell for my future, my life.
August 24, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
I am 40 weeks and 5 days pregnant. I am desperate to have my baby. This waiting time without my family or friends had been eternal. I am trying to keep my mind busy and myself positive but it’s hard. My mom couldn’t come to be with me in this moments and I couldn’t get a doula either, the hospital doesn’t allow more than one support person so I will be alone with my husband. Last week he started coughing, we immediately thought it was Coronavirus so he got tested. Since he is a health care worker, he was tested in his own hospital and got the results the same day. The results were negative. We were lucky, most of the people have to make long lines to be tested, and wait around two weeks to receive the results. I can’t imagine start labor and the hospital denied my husband to be with me, under suspicion of being infected by the virus. These are complicated times, maybe that is the reason my baby doesn’t want to come yet. I talk to her saying we will be fine, things will be better and the world is still a beautiful place to be.
August 24, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
"Each morning I must push my voice up through the rusted filings settled in my throat."
August 24, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
More and more I find myself planning for the fall and weighing risks. Should my kids go back to school? Will my daughters lung disease in her early years make her more vulnerable? Was I overdoing it when I wore gloves pumping gas? The emergency precautions I took, I thought, temporarily, are now being strangely reevaluated as I try to compromise and build a new normal for covid.
August 24, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Yes, Dad, it was, indeed, a great run! My dad died last Wednesday. He was buried on Sunday. And because of the Time-of-Corona, we have completed our public mourning rituals a few days early. Dad is now by Mom’s side—and they are under a bench that reads, “It was a great run.” Yes, it was. We, the kids, ages 59 to 67, dodged some huge potential bullets. Dad lived in senior housing that did not have any cases of Covid. Phew! While Dad missed us, missed seeing us on a regular basis, missed the ability to go to play bridge or kibbitz in the dining room, missed visits with his lady friend, he did experience Zoom, while staying comfortably indoors. He was thrilled to watch his grandson get married — with only an hour’s notice. Dad was delighted to zattend (zoom + attend) the wedding, and was happy with the ability to watch the ceremony in his bathrobe. I am thankful for what Dad did not experience. He didn’t suffer with a debilitating illness, a recurrence of the throat cancer he had 18 years ago. He never faced years, months, or even weeks of disease. We learned that his esophagus stopped functioning. He couldn’t swallow anymore. It hurt to eat. He definitely did not want a feeding tube. And he never told us any of these things. He told one of his fellow residents that he was going. He wouldn’t see a doc and he didn’t complain. What did happen was that he woke up in poor health last Tuesday. We, the kids, rallied and coordinated implementing hospice and 24/7 care—which was in place by 7pm. My sibs and I all were able to visit Dad—a miracle in the Time of Corona. We talked with Dad, held his hands, looked into his eyes. He looked back. We were able to say goodbye. Last Tuesday, before midnight, Dad received his first dose of a morphine/Ativan mix. He died about 24 hours later. He lived 93 years, 8 months of a great life, and he experienced a relatively short exit. That, according to a friend’s campfire story late one night, was a blessing. Yes, we lost our dad. What we didn’t lose was months of agony, fear, anguish, self-doubt, exhaustion. My heart breaks for friends and acquaintances whose parents lose consciousness, or brain function, or dignity. The heartbreak of Covid is the distance of family members. There are stories of family members who cannot see or touch their parents. They stand outside, both psychological and geographical states away. So we faced the inevitable, and we prevailed. He prevailed. He is now buried under a bench that is designed for visits. Even in death, Dad can entertain, surrounded by family and friends. He had a great run.
August 24, 2020
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En estos tiempos, hemos escuchado hablar mucho del impacto económico de la pandemia. ¿Ha pensado en eso? Si es así, cuéntenos lo que ha pensado.
Okay, en un principio la economía en mi familia estaba bien, de hecho no nos preocupábamos en nada, pero ahora si nos apura. Estas ultimas semanas hemos escaseado en cuestión de comida, nuestra alacena esta vacía y el refrigerador igual, pero al menos entiendo la situación. Mis padres acaban de pagar nuestras para nada baratas colegiaturas, aun faltan los libros y en los casos de mis hermanas las playeras del uniforme. Pero vamos, se que estoy mejor que muchas personas que viven en situación de calle o que no tienen ni siquiera trabajo. Lo mejor que puedo hacer es comprender la situación y asimilarlo.
August 24, 2020
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¿De que manera el coronavirus le está afectando su vida en este momento? Cuéntenos sus experiencias, sensaciones/emociones, y pensamientos.
En México seguimos en un punto crítico de la pandemia y como ya he escrito en repetidas ocasiones, diferentes problemáticas que se han venido acarreando desde siempre, han hecho que el panorama de la situación y crisi actuales y que se vienen no pinten nada bien. A pesar de esto, gracias a Dios que mi familia y yo nos hemos mantenido saludables y de alguna manera progresando. Estoy feliz con lo mucho que estoy aprendiendo de mí mismo y las actividades que he llevado realizando y perfeccionando en estos días. Empecé un blog que me sirve para desahogarme y lo comparto entre mis contactos, de manera en que he recibido muy buenas reseñas de los que me rodean y esto me motiva a seguir escribiendo. Tambien he estado escribiendo alguna que otra poesía que refleja mis sentimientos mixtos que he tenido en estos días atípicos que hemos pasado. En resumidas cuentas estoy feliz, aunque con un poco de miedo porque las actividades empiezan a retomarse paulatinamente en el país y me da temor en que las decisiones que se están tomando no sean las correctas para la gente de ir levantando las medidas de restricción de movimiento. Yo me he mantenido en casa lo mayor posible, aunque sí he tenido un par de salidas y visitas para mantener mi salud mental estable.
August 24, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
I am currently back at school. It feels like we are walking on eggshells. It feels like we are in impending doom. People have masks on sure. However, people have cars. The need for social contact is insane. You are in the middle of nowhere with no people in your dorm. We are trying to maintain this bubble that will not be here. It feels like it is all on us. I just want to focus. It feels like it can all come crashing down so soon.
August 24, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Went for my Covid testing for work today and took a pic of the testing tent. A woman with her two little girls was a head of me -- so cute but no masks and running around which kind of made me nervous. It was strange standing in the line for testing, felt so surreal. Have seen the testing tents on the news and in photos so often it was weird to actually be in a line for one of them. There were circles with the Husky symbol on the ground to keep people in line 6 ft apart but the line went pretty quick because we had to pre-register and basically just show our IDs to the check-in nurses through the plexiglass. The whole things was pretty straight forward – they called you up, verified you were in the system, had you go to a chair, turn it around and sit in it. After a while a nurse covered head to tow in a gown, gloves, disposable pants, mask, hair net and face shield comes up to you with long stick, says this is going deep in you nasal passages on both sides then plunges it in. It is a shock when she does it -- definitely hurts to suddenly have a stick shoved up your nose, and I joked with her that I was really awake now It gave me a mild headache afterwards but the whole thing was super quick so I wouldn't hesitate to have it done again. (...)
August 26, 2020
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We’re seeing wide variations in how different countries are handling the pandemic. What do you think about these differences?
[...] The wide variations in how different countries are handling the pandemic do not surprise me. Every country handles its medical, educational, military and financial policies differently, and those differences can add up to really big differences in results. [...] What HAS surprised me is how incredibly incompetent the United States has been in its handling of the pandemic. Its a great example of how anything can be politicized -- even facts and science -- so that our reactions and ideas can become both inefficient and potentially dangerous in the process. Most of the world already thinks we are a strange, violent society with our guns and our constant flag waving and our refusal to embrace universal health care and our willingness to invade other countries on the basis of erroneous information and the whim of our leaders. Now they get to see how stupid and incompetent we are internally as well. The fact that a huge numbers of American citizens seem to be just fine with this incompetency just underscores what a complete and utter joke the United States is during this pandemic.[...]
August 26, 2020
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We’re seeing dramatic differences in rates of COVID infection, illness, and death in different places. What do you think about these differences?
I'm not really sure what to make of this. I guess it has to do with government responses, 'luck' and randomness, but also accumulative effects of policies taken early on.. However, I believe the picture will keep changing. I read that Wuhan managed to eliminate it recently, and I saw pictures of huge concerts and parties taking place without any sort of protective equipment required. On the one hand, I feel envious that China managed to succeed in this respect. On the other hand, I feel that to achieve this, we all in the West need to accept being controlled and regulated 24/7, which goes against our cultural ethics and our belief in individual choice and autonomy.
August 26, 2020
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Talk about what you think the world will be like after the pandemic is over.
I am not sure the world will change that much. I mean, the economy will be destroyed, and young people will suffer a year of bad education and too much screen time. But I don't think that people will refrain from hugging or that there will be more social distance than before. on the contrary, from what I see around me, people want to hug each other even more than before. still, the anxious people will have more virus-related anxieties, and we will see more books and movies on pandemics, disasters, and agoraphobia.
August 26, 2020
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¿Cuál es un obstáculo que usted ha encarado durante la última semana? ¿Cómo lo ha enfrentado?
He estado luchando contra mis inseguridades, ya que no paran de estarme mi molestando día con día aunque no esté haciendo absolutamente nada, estoy trabajando en eso.
August 26, 2020
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¿De que manera el coronavirus le está afectando su vida en este momento? Cuéntenos sus experiencias, sensaciones/emociones, y pensamientos.
Casi resulta un complot en mi familia, y eso es porque mi hermano comenzaba a tener síntomas desde el viernes Básicamente, ya estaba por confirmarle que podría estar infectado de covid, pero afortunadamente solo fue una falsa alarma, además que la falta de aire fue el único síntoma que no se presentó. A pesar de ser un alivio el golpe de suerte, no niego que estuve reflexionando y pensando lo difícil que puede ser para otras personas que no corrieron la misma suerte que yo.
August 26, 2020