This morning I saw my neighbor's cleaning lady park in front of my house and had a small wave of jealousy. I can just as easily call my cleaning crew and schedule a cleaning. They would be thrilled to come back. I see people on social media posting things like "finally alone!" after sending their kids to camp. Or taking their first "back to work" selfie.
I could do all these things if I chose to. It's not that I don't want to, it's that it feels unsafe to make those choices. Would it be nice to get some space and quiet? Sure. Would it be nice to have someone else take care of the cleaning, or get takeout instead of cooking, or a million other things we took for granted in the past? Sure. But not at the expense of any of anyone's health. It doesn't feel safe to go out. The virus is out of control in the United States and I just don't think it's worth the risk.
I don't wish anything bad to happen to people who make these choices. But I wonder how it's possible for some people to go regular grocery shopping, send their kids to camp, have their cleaning help, go to work -- in short, live "normally" -- and not contract anything. Or maybe they are just asymptomatic and are lucky not to be suffering from it. I wonder if it's selfish of them to do those normal things at the expense of spreading the virus and extending this nightmare for everyone.
Regardless of why or how, it must be nice to not live in a head-space of constant worry. Maybe that's what I'm jealous of.
Friday, July 17, 2020
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I’m lucky enough to live in a state where covid is nearly under control (we’re in phase 3 of opening) but other than wearing a mask everywhere not much about my life ever changed. My partner and I are both considered “essential” workers (I’m in finance, he’s a machine mechanic in a plant that makes medical and aerospace equipment) so we were never home from work. We accepted the risk early on (which was hard to do) and moved on with life in general. Now I honestly don’t give it much thought now. I always wear a mask and use a ton of hand sanitizer when I’m out and wash my hands constantly. Knock on wood we’ve managed to stay healthy.
ReplyDeleteHere in London UK we had a strict lockdown , now masks mandatory on all public transport and finally shops. I think the lockdown has been lifted to fast due to economic pressure so i think we will have further lockdowns . I operate with a ' better safe than sorry' view . Do what is right for youand your family :)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to find you are writing again. The decisions about having household help and going to work are really tough and what works for one situation does not work for others. It is really important to not judge others. Also to wear a mask if going out. They said it protected others at first and decreased the spread. New research out of UC Davis says it reduces the wearer risk significantly also. www.ucdavis.edu/coronavirus/news/your-mask-cuts-own-risk-65-percent/?fbclid=IwAR3i3noF220T15T553BAolOXNgNkP8WF-Fc3A4Xmky7QCjAV9YI895TW0Wc My source. Some people are physically unable to clean their homes. Some people are considered essential workers and must go or be unemployed, some child centers provide care for essential workers. Inside some medical worker's homes people may be doing strict isolation of the worker and we cannot see inside the house. AND, some are disbelievers in the virus and how serious it can be .... others believe their religion will either keep them safe or let them join their god which is acceptable to them..... but these people spread the disease.
ReplyDeleteBottom line is to remember we do not know what other people are dealing with and we need to do everything we can in our own lives to stay safe, keep our loved ones safe and our neighbors. This is a very hard time. If not having help or services is what is right for your family think about your ability to continue to pay for the services you normally would have had..... paying anyway may be the difference between having food or going hungry.
The lack of support for science and willingness to sacrifice other people's lives from the government is .... depressing is the polite term. Please keep writing. Isolation is hard.
I constantly struggle with knowing what is ok to do and what isn't. It frustrates me when I see other people not wearing masks and not socially distancing.
ReplyDelete