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Text & Image
How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
I have to get a steroid injection for my lower back this week. I fell over a year ago and that resulted in a bulging disc that is pinching a nerve. I was actually very lucky. Although I was scheduled to receive it in June, I was feeling well since I had not been working. I work in retail, therefore, I am on my feet for several hours per week which can exacerbate the pain. I knew that when I started taking two Aleve, twice per day, that it was time. I was instructed that I would need to have a COVID test 2 days before my injection, which I was glad to hear. It is a major hospital in CT, so no big surprise about the test and I was relieved to get it done. I was not and am not concerned that it will be positive, given how I and my family have followed guidelines. I can be an anxious person but for some reason, leading up to the test and waiting in line did not make me feel anxious at all. Weirdly enough, while I sat in my car, listening to Green Day, I felt "normal," while also noticing how surreal the actual experience was. The sign directing the line of cars, people in head-to-toe safety gear with clipboards, people waiting in their vehicles. After I checked in and pulled forward for the actual test, I felt comfortable and safe. I am aware of the many types of COVID tests available but did not know which would be used. I honestly didn't care. People complain about the "massive Q-Tip" that is shoved in your nose, touching your brain and I didn't quite understand the big deal, considering the alternative. I did have a massive Q-tip stuck up both of my nostrils and it was done. It was not a big deal and the man who did it was professional, friendly and had his system of conducting the test perfectly established. I drove away, seeing the long line of cars and felt as if this was a normal part of anyone's day, as if it is simply something that we do. Hours later I was wondering if my radical acceptance of that experience was a positive, negative or something else. I decided it's a mixture: a blending of a lot of colors and temperatures...just like any life experience can be, just like any day can be.
August 21, 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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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.
"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.
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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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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Talk about what is most upsetting or scaring you right now about the coronavirus pandemic.
I make a point of living a life that focuses on beauty that can be found in each day. I try not to actively worry about COVID on a daily basis at this point. I could lose sleep every night nursing my fears related to the outcome of the upcoming US presidential election, massive new virus outbreaks at schools and universities, inadequate hospital staff and medical supplies and more. I could be a bigger emotional wreck about how this fall and winter may turn out, if I let myself, but I do not. I cannot. I try to keep my fears about COVID focused on my own life versus expanding my anxiety out into a vast universe of infinite worry. Thus, I would say that my greatest fear regarding COVID centers around me or any family member contracting COVID and surviving, but then suffering long term, permanent debilitating effects, despite having almost no pre-existing health conditions. Currently healthy as an ox (and challenged only with minor, exercise induced asthma), I do not believe that this virus would kill me or my immediate family. (My parents, close to 80-years old, may be a different story). I am less, sure about whether we would escape the pernicious health effects that so many appear to struggle with long after the active virus is gone. A notion exists that COVID manifests as an intense cold for non-senior healthy people and then disappears altogether “like the flu but just worse.” I have read too many stories written by real people that indicate otherwise. Involved in various online running and triathlete groups, I have read posts that previously strong athletes have made about their experiences with COVID that indicate that healthy people can suffer permanent internal damage. “In 2019 I completed my third Ironman. Now, I struggle to catch my breath after going up one flight of stairs, still, 5 months later. I have since sold my tri-bike because I think my racing days are over,” someone said. A different person in her early 30s said that she and her family are still dealing with neurological issues 19 weeks after getting her first COVID symptoms. NPR reported a story uncovering the existence of ”long-haulers"—younger, previously healthy people who are sick for months with a low level of COVID 19. They may experience effects like bouts of fatigue, memory issues (and more) that existing COVID tests do not detect. In addition to dealing with debilitating conditions, long-haulers report experiencing difficulty getting proper, COVID-related healthcare. Because their symptoms extend beyond those commonly associated with the virus, healthcare providers do not always even believe these patients have COVID. I do not want this to be ME! I place a PREMIUM on being in top-notch health and have made every proactive attempt at keeping myself strong and fit, seven-days a week. Being fit is an essential part of my identity and lifestyle. I aim for lifetime participation in activities like running, swimming, lifting and yoga. These things are vital in keeping me mentally and emotionally healthy and happy as a productive member of society. I fear that COVID could possibly impair the quality of my life permanently, leaving me less active and more prone to anxiety and depression for many years to come. Hopefully, my fears will remain in my head and will have no basis in reality.
August 27, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
The line on this collage says "These unsaid suspensions that refuse us". I was thinking of the suspensions being the droplets of infection in the air - and the refusal they have to allow us humans to exist in our 'normal'. So instead of us humans taking control of the virus, it has happened the other way around.
August 27, 2020
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Are you doing anything artistic or creative these days that you weren’t doing before? If so, talk about it.
I make lots of paper cranes. I made a lot of them before the pandemic to hang up this paper crane rainbow waterfall, but now more than ever I rely on folding the cranes to refocus myself, to relax, process, and feel out my own feelings with every fold. I hope yo make more seeing as my workspace at home is full of sticky notes which helps me stay mindful in getting work done and taking care of myself. I also made a few paper crane gowns since I have so many paper cranes.
August 27, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Over this past weekend, I went to a beautiful spot on the coast of northern MA - Plum Island, pictured above. It is a wildlife sanctuary that includes beaches and coastal habitats. Although I grew up in MA, this is not a place I have visited often. My friend and I went on Sunday - a beautiful, hot and sunny day. We wore masks in her car and had the windows open. We hiked around wearing masks. Much of Plum Island is closed off to the public, but sections of the beach are open. We had lunch in one of these sections, sitting 6 feet apart, unmasked. When we left, we forgot to put our masks on, and didn't remember until we saw masked people coming toward us. It was so nice to take a break from COVID, even briefly!
August 31, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Today is Sunday, August 30, 2020. This is a panoramic picture taken with my cell phone. The rightmost portion of the picture is missing a section of the building and the sky. Technology is far from perfect. ... I took the picture on Tuesday, August 25th while the Bell Choir was rehearsing in the cemetery behind the church. Outdoor activities with at least six feet of space between people reduces the chance of spreading the virus. I also recorded the Bell Choir and the video was part of the church's August 30 worship service -- which was live-streamed on social media -- Facebook.
August 31, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
First day of school for my eldest daughter. They made a shorter ceremony than usual, only about 15 minutes. But at least we, the parents, got to enter the school yard and be with them when they released their balloons to the sky. My daughter was happy. She doesn’t doubt her powers, she entered school with peace and self-assurance. That made me sad, whether of my own disappointments or the ones that may come on her path.
September 2, 2020
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Does this time of the year feel different than it normally does, or different than it should? If so, give some examples of what feels different.
Yes, this time of year does feel different this year. I love summer and am always sad to see summer end and autumn begin. Last fall I did a lot of hiking in NH with my friend and my dog, Teddy. We decided to tackle 4000 footers, an awesome undertaking, and hiked 4 of them. The picture above is from our 2nd 4000 footer, and really captures some of the beautiful fall scenery we saw. We had fun in spite of the really hard work, and felt proud of our accomplishment. There was a sense of freedom and adventure that we could take for granted. This year, I don't feel a sense of freedom and adventure. I feel much more apprehension and worry. I am worried about a second wave of the Corona virus hitting. I am worried about another quarantine. I wonder what it will be like facing all of this as winter approaches. At least when this all started, there was summer to look forward to. I worry about not being able to have social distance gatherings as it gets cold. I am also really worried about the upcoming election. I was horrified when our current president won 4 years ago, and can't imagine what 4 more years might look like. I am also worried at the distrust and confusion that has been created about the upcoming election and voting. There is so much confusion! I never look forward to the end of summer and this year, I am anticipating fall and winter with much more dread than usual. I certainly don't have the sense of fun and adventure that was so present last year.
September 3, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
My daughter began school yesterday...IN SCHOOL, 5 DAYS A WEEK. I was ecstatic because I was so comfortable with the entire safety plans and protocols. I was on the Mental Health Committee and seeing what the other committees produced was extremely impressive. Plans for in person and distance learning, for those families who are more comfortable keeping their children at home were planned and now are in motion. This is the pick-up line of cars at the end of the school day yesterday. My daughter will not be taking the bus this year due to safety concerns. I was antsy waiting to get to the entrance/exit but I got there and my daughter jumped into the car and simply said, "SO MUCH FUN!!" She told me she felt safe and complained how her hands were dry from washing them all of the time! I feel good. She feels good that she is back with her teachers, her friends and she is loving being in her "outdoor" classroom. This is a good start.
September 3, 2020
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
One thing I can say about the pandemic is that it has brought us closer to nature. And sometimes closer to long lost friends. Today I met with my high school best friend from over 20 years ago. The only thing we could safely do was go for a picnic and a walk. That was just what both of us needed. We reconnected with each other and were grounded by the serene lake. The trees and rock and birds were oblivious to our problems, stress, and anxiety. And so for a little while we escaped them too.
September 3, 2020
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Talk about what brings you happiness these days.
It is the spontaneous little moments of beauty or relaxation or connection that make me happy these days. Taking my daughter to the lake and watching her play in the sand, finding a beautiful snail, seeing my 1 year old's smile when I give her macaroni. It is also the brief little vacations from my life that give me joy. Watching TV after the kids are all in bed. Going on a drive. Reading an article. Scrolling through social media and getting a peak into other people's lives. I am like a parched desert, soaking up every drop of happiness that I can find and trying to make it last.
September 3, 2020
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Are you doing anything artistic or creative these days that you weren’t doing before? If so, talk about it.
Definitely the ukulele is one of the joys of this pandemic. I had started to play a few years ago, but then got caught up in life’s persistent activities, and stopped for a while. In January, I joined a weekly community ed class. By March, I was one of the regulars when the class was forced to meet on Zoom. Our teacher hosted a weekly meetup through which I learned about other jam sessions and additional instructors. By a month into quarantine, I was taking three to four classes a week, which led to additional drop-in sessions. I started listening to daily ukulele tips stretched from 5 minutes to nearly an hour, depending upon the presenter. In other words, yes, I am doing something artistic that I wasn’t doing before, and honestly, I think the ukulele is keeping me sane in the chaos of lockdown. Ukulele is a happy folk instrument played by casual and serious musicians. Many of us had not played a musical instrument before, or not seriously pursued musical experiences. It’s tremendously creative and forgiving. Easier than guitar, the uke has only four strings—and I have four fingers—so a relative beginner can make some nice sounds. Our groups are collaborative. Everyone offers positive suggestions. It’s just plain fun. I’m even arranging some of the songs, writing melody, counter-melody and combining the two. Even though I have not met any of them in person, my weekly fingerpicking group is my go-to feel good group. We’ve bonded over music and life stages. We truly care for one another. I hope that someday when we are able to once again gather in public, we will actually meet. Because of zoom, our regular groups consist of people from all over the globe. In lockdown, Australia can be next door. I enjoy an occasional class given by the guy in Albuquerque. One teacher is in England and one of my study partners this week is in Italy. I have new friends in Texas and California...and I’m outside of Boston. That’s the cool thing about Zoom sessions that wouldn’t be possible —nor have even crossed my mind — before Covid. Before Covid I didn’t take it that seriously. During quarantine, ukulele is my lifeline. I find I can lose myself in the music, and in the camaraderie. I’m smiling at the end of each long ukulele jam session.
September 3, 2020
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Think about the people closest to you. Tell us about how the coronavirus has affected them, and their life.
This is myself (in the fighter pilot helmet) hugging my daughter who had been working as an ICU nurse with strictly COVID prone vented patients for 4-6 weeks straight. She was struggling with her work and her inability to socialize - see family and friends - and working 12 hour shifts 5 or 6 days per week. She was a new nurse (only been in ICU for 4 months when COVID hit). She has a passion for elderly and hospice care (she worked at the VA in step down care the year before). I was getting calls from her in the middle of the night crying and hysterical because she was profoundly sad that COVID patients were coming in talking and walking and then would be on vents within 24 hours. The idea of not having anyone with them when they were dying was tearing her apart. She was seeing patients her own age, her parents age as well as older patients. She was seeing a large portion of the patients being black and hispanic. She was literally operating in a 'shock' mode. She was so worried about myself and my husband getting sick. I was so proud of her and worried for her own health and mental health but could do nothing other than face time and send her gifts. In this photo we met at a highway rest stop in Indiana (we each drove 2 hours to meet) and our family brought her the family dog to help with her sanity and be sure that she felt less alone in her Chicago apartment (which her roommate had moved out due to my daughter working strictly with COVID patients). Our dog stayed with her for 3 weeks and I truly believe that this saved her life (mentally at least). Her mood and ability to cope changed immediately. People need people (or dogs) and they need 'a reason to keep going and getting through the days'. Thanks for letting me share.
September 7, 2020