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shadowkatAlthough, I'm starting to think everywhere is epidemic central at this point. Who was it that said that when the Apocalypse comes it will come with a whimper not a boom? I'm thinking TS Eliot but in far more poetic prose. (I did not like Eliot much as a person, but I do adore his poems.)
My mother has decided this feels a bit like a psychological horror tale or thriller.
The threat is unseen. Invisible. Reminds me a bit too much of the horror film Contagion - which I think I watched in the movie theater in the 1990s? Can't remember.
Anyhow, I ventured outside for about five minutes. I tried the scarf tactic, not sure it is going to work - it's hard to breath with a scarf over one's mouth and nose. My parents retirement center have provided them with protective headgear - it's a mask that can be used over the face and nose, over the head, or as a head band - basically similar to the scarf that I have. None of us can sew - except my sister-in-law. I wonder if she's sewing masks? No one else was wearing masks, except for one older guy. And I couldn't go very far because there was an entire family of four, blocking my path out of the building. Then the mother started to move up to the building. None were really practicing social distancing (why would they, they are related). And a man bringing home a package. So I retreated back indoors - and read the notice that they are moving ahead with the elevator replacement. (Thank god.)
It's not like it was a pretty day or anything. Gloomy. Not raining. Not doing much of anything. Just a blah sort of day with drab gray sky.
Planes are still flying - saw one out my window. It was low enough that I could tell it was a plane, but high enough that I could not hear it. I just wanted the fresh air. Did open my bedroom window, I don't dare open the living room - the pollen out there is monstrous. The window in the bedroom may not be all that much better - but there's no trees or plants on that side, just concrete.
Called my mother in Hilton Head, South Carolina. (She's about -- a two day drive or a two and a half hour plane flight away. Not that I could visit her anyway at this point, they aren't allowing any visitors. Total lock down.).
Mother: I wish my groceries would show up. My email actually did go through.
Me: Can you survive if they don't?
Mother: I'm out of milk for breakfast.
Me: Is there something else you can have that doesn't need milk?
Mother: Well, I do have an egg.
Me: You can call them to check and see when the groceries will come.
It's really the little things that are the most annoying. Like not being able to go grocery shopping and to the pharmacy the way I used to, or getting deliveries from services without warning about things being sold out or being unable to get a slot. Or the availability of items that I need - without the fear of things being "sold out" until further notice. I did receive my paper towels, which I accidentally ordered thinking they were toilet paper. Oh well, paper towels are more versatile. I also found a place to secret them for the time being - which was nothing short of miraculous - since I got the equivalent of twelve huge roles or two packages of six rolls each.
My mother likes being able to go grocery shopping herself - choosing the items she wants. Now she had to figure out her email - which was not working well. It kept erasing whatever she wrote. Then when she got it right, she's not sure it actually got sent. So, she did it through her phone and since her hands shake like mine do (genetic quirk), it took her a while to put in the order. They were supposed to deliver the groceries on the same day.
Mother: So I called them, and it turns out I won't get my groceries until Thursday. They can't do same day any longer. They did however get my order.
Me: Can you survive two mornings without milk?
Mother: I think so. I have some left over gluten-free pancake mix and an egg - I can use water for that. Also maybe the Cypress will let me order some with lunch or dinner tomorrow.
They get most of their meals delivered to them now. But not breakfast - that's on their own.
If you are concerned about the homeless and elderly and poor folks in NYC getting food? Don't be. There is CITY OF NY Food Delivery Assistance for COVID-10, and also area food banks. They are however a bit overwhelmed apparently.
And this Mental Health Resources.
To deal with my own stress - because working for a major state agency, remotely, during a pandemic is kind of its own special kind of hell on wheels - I hold solo dance party breaks. [Boss today congratulated everyone for being professional and stepping up to the plate during this crisis. Also, while we were permitted to go into the office to pick up things or do something - we had to first inform our managers when we were doing it, and it was highly recommended that we do it at an off time and NOT during rush hour - in order to promote social distancing. In addition, it was reiterated that we were under no obligation whatsoever to do so. Our safety and health would always come first. I'd love to go in and pick up stuff - like the hand sanitizer, my tea, my disinfectant wipes, and various files - but the commute is not safe right now. There's no way I can social distance during it.] (It is however good to be busy and for the most part, I like my job and like being useful and helping others in some small way.)
Anyhow to deal with all the stress and anxiety? I went back to my "Solo" dance party breaks. (I basically look like Zoey in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist - dancing to music in my head or in my case earphones.)
Today's selections were:
Month of May by Arcade Fire
Wild Thing by Joan Jett and the Runaways
God Save the People by Steven Schwartz and from Godspell
I listen to music all day long as I work. It's a habit that I started in Junior High and have carried throughout my working and educational life. I focus better with music playing the background. I find it calming. It also distracts the part of my brain that isn't busy working.
The other thing I've been doing is morning meditation. That helps a lot. Don't watch news in the morning really any longer. Just read the NY Times Briefing. And check the John Hopkins Corona Virus Calculator. Which is a compulsive habit that I cannot seem to break. I don't know - I think numbers and figures and concrete facts give me a sense of control?
This virus is weird. We're now being told by the CDC to wear masks because China did. Except it's hard to find masks, unless you sew. People are cutting up pillow cases and have been told cotton is the best material to use. (I bought some on Amazon, and am trying to use a scarf - not that I go out much. I left my apartment precisely once today. ) The symptoms are across the spectrum - everything from losing one's taste of smell and taste, to shortness of breath, vomiting, heart problems...it's not the flu folks. MUST NOT OBSESS ABOUT THE CORONA VIRUS. What's that mantra? I will accept the things I cannot change, change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
I miss people. I miss going to the grocery store, doing laundry, and taking my recycables downstairs without fear. I miss my commute every morning. I miss being able to go to my church. (Not that I was going that often but still.)
They were asking on the news what is the first thing you'll do when this is over?
And things go back to normal?
People were talking about what restaurant or bar they'd go to. I never go to bars or restaurants or rarely. Although ironically - I did go on March 7 with Wales to celebrate my birthday. Birthday was March 9. Just before the entire world began to shut down completely. One guy said he'd go to see a movie in a movie theater. And they wondered if we'll ever do that again?
I don't know what I'd do. Maybe take a walk to the Flatbush Coop and the Farmer's Market? OR go to my church? Do laundry in the basement? Send my laundry out to be done?OR just go back to my small office - with all my files, and crazy co-workers and cubical mates?
My mother has decided this feels a bit like a psychological horror tale or thriller.
The threat is unseen. Invisible. Reminds me a bit too much of the horror film Contagion - which I think I watched in the movie theater in the 1990s? Can't remember.
Anyhow, I ventured outside for about five minutes. I tried the scarf tactic, not sure it is going to work - it's hard to breath with a scarf over one's mouth and nose. My parents retirement center have provided them with protective headgear - it's a mask that can be used over the face and nose, over the head, or as a head band - basically similar to the scarf that I have. None of us can sew - except my sister-in-law. I wonder if she's sewing masks? No one else was wearing masks, except for one older guy. And I couldn't go very far because there was an entire family of four, blocking my path out of the building. Then the mother started to move up to the building. None were really practicing social distancing (why would they, they are related). And a man bringing home a package. So I retreated back indoors - and read the notice that they are moving ahead with the elevator replacement. (Thank god.)
It's not like it was a pretty day or anything. Gloomy. Not raining. Not doing much of anything. Just a blah sort of day with drab gray sky.
Planes are still flying - saw one out my window. It was low enough that I could tell it was a plane, but high enough that I could not hear it. I just wanted the fresh air. Did open my bedroom window, I don't dare open the living room - the pollen out there is monstrous. The window in the bedroom may not be all that much better - but there's no trees or plants on that side, just concrete.
Called my mother in Hilton Head, South Carolina. (She's about -- a two day drive or a two and a half hour plane flight away. Not that I could visit her anyway at this point, they aren't allowing any visitors. Total lock down.).
Mother: I wish my groceries would show up. My email actually did go through.
Me: Can you survive if they don't?
Mother: I'm out of milk for breakfast.
Me: Is there something else you can have that doesn't need milk?
Mother: Well, I do have an egg.
Me: You can call them to check and see when the groceries will come.
It's really the little things that are the most annoying. Like not being able to go grocery shopping and to the pharmacy the way I used to, or getting deliveries from services without warning about things being sold out or being unable to get a slot. Or the availability of items that I need - without the fear of things being "sold out" until further notice. I did receive my paper towels, which I accidentally ordered thinking they were toilet paper. Oh well, paper towels are more versatile. I also found a place to secret them for the time being - which was nothing short of miraculous - since I got the equivalent of twelve huge roles or two packages of six rolls each.
My mother likes being able to go grocery shopping herself - choosing the items she wants. Now she had to figure out her email - which was not working well. It kept erasing whatever she wrote. Then when she got it right, she's not sure it actually got sent. So, she did it through her phone and since her hands shake like mine do (genetic quirk), it took her a while to put in the order. They were supposed to deliver the groceries on the same day.
Mother: So I called them, and it turns out I won't get my groceries until Thursday. They can't do same day any longer. They did however get my order.
Me: Can you survive two mornings without milk?
Mother: I think so. I have some left over gluten-free pancake mix and an egg - I can use water for that. Also maybe the Cypress will let me order some with lunch or dinner tomorrow.
They get most of their meals delivered to them now. But not breakfast - that's on their own.
If you are concerned about the homeless and elderly and poor folks in NYC getting food? Don't be. There is CITY OF NY Food Delivery Assistance for COVID-10, and also area food banks. They are however a bit overwhelmed apparently.
And this Mental Health Resources.
To deal with my own stress - because working for a major state agency, remotely, during a pandemic is kind of its own special kind of hell on wheels - I hold solo dance party breaks. [Boss today congratulated everyone for being professional and stepping up to the plate during this crisis. Also, while we were permitted to go into the office to pick up things or do something - we had to first inform our managers when we were doing it, and it was highly recommended that we do it at an off time and NOT during rush hour - in order to promote social distancing. In addition, it was reiterated that we were under no obligation whatsoever to do so. Our safety and health would always come first. I'd love to go in and pick up stuff - like the hand sanitizer, my tea, my disinfectant wipes, and various files - but the commute is not safe right now. There's no way I can social distance during it.] (It is however good to be busy and for the most part, I like my job and like being useful and helping others in some small way.)
Anyhow to deal with all the stress and anxiety? I went back to my "Solo" dance party breaks. (I basically look like Zoey in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist - dancing to music in my head or in my case earphones.)
Today's selections were:
Month of May by Arcade Fire
Wild Thing by Joan Jett and the Runaways
God Save the People by Steven Schwartz and from Godspell
I listen to music all day long as I work. It's a habit that I started in Junior High and have carried throughout my working and educational life. I focus better with music playing the background. I find it calming. It also distracts the part of my brain that isn't busy working.
The other thing I've been doing is morning meditation. That helps a lot. Don't watch news in the morning really any longer. Just read the NY Times Briefing. And check the John Hopkins Corona Virus Calculator. Which is a compulsive habit that I cannot seem to break. I don't know - I think numbers and figures and concrete facts give me a sense of control?
This virus is weird. We're now being told by the CDC to wear masks because China did. Except it's hard to find masks, unless you sew. People are cutting up pillow cases and have been told cotton is the best material to use. (I bought some on Amazon, and am trying to use a scarf - not that I go out much. I left my apartment precisely once today. ) The symptoms are across the spectrum - everything from losing one's taste of smell and taste, to shortness of breath, vomiting, heart problems...it's not the flu folks. MUST NOT OBSESS ABOUT THE CORONA VIRUS. What's that mantra? I will accept the things I cannot change, change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
I miss people. I miss going to the grocery store, doing laundry, and taking my recycables downstairs without fear. I miss my commute every morning. I miss being able to go to my church. (Not that I was going that often but still.)
They were asking on the news what is the first thing you'll do when this is over?
And things go back to normal?
People were talking about what restaurant or bar they'd go to. I never go to bars or restaurants or rarely. Although ironically - I did go on March 7 with Wales to celebrate my birthday. Birthday was March 9. Just before the entire world began to shut down completely. One guy said he'd go to see a movie in a movie theater. And they wondered if we'll ever do that again?
I don't know what I'd do. Maybe take a walk to the Flatbush Coop and the Farmer's Market? OR go to my church? Do laundry in the basement? Send my laundry out to be done?OR just go back to my small office - with all my files, and crazy co-workers and cubical mates?
no subject
Date: 2020-04-01 01:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-01 04:48 pm (UTC)