It seems we are living in a modern form of hell. Death by Hunger or Death by Virus.
It shouldn’t have to be this way. In normal times, it wouldn’t. But these are not normal times.
There is not much we can do about it. We need to wait it out. Wait until there is some resolution to his crisis. Will there be a vaccine soon? Will some immunity be conveyed to us?
There Is No Answer
There is only time. Time to wait it out. That is the only thing that can be done. Scientists are frantically working on vaccines, antibody tests, and other therapeutics. We all wish them success.
But I am not a clock-watcher, even if time is the only resource.
No Fun
Being home for weeks is not as fun as it might be. Under the circumstances, we are doing well enough. But there is a toll for being isolated (even self-isolating). I certainly miss social interaction.
Home Is Where We Are
We have been home for two months. Fortunately we had enough food and supplies. We’re not hoarders or preppers, but we usually buy in bulk, especially when we find things on sale.
After this amount of time, it becomes time to get more food. About three weeks ago, we arranged for some food delivery by a delivery service from a local supermarket. It was our first delivery experience. While perhaps not new for some, it was new for us.
We found home delivery of food to be expensive, and with limited choices. Several things shown as available when we placed our order turned out to be out of stock.
Finally, a few days ago we ventured out to a local grocery store. The local government has mandated that everyone wear masks, and so we suited up, masks and gloves. No one was admitted into the store without their mask and gloves, and personal shopping bags were not permitted.
We did not inspect every part of the store, but some items remained out of stock compared to when we visited two months ago. Still missing were: flour, oatmeal, toilet paper, paper napkins. Available now that were not available previously: carrots, rice, bread.
It was slightly scary to be inside a store. We tried to maintain distance from everyone else, and left as soon as possible. We bought enough food to hopefully last several more weeks.
Life Or Death
It is easy to be scared in these times. It is easy to think that without the utmost diligence, I might make the wrong, fatal move.
It is tiring to live this way.
Let’s look forward to better times. I hope you are. I am.
Where are you in all this? Comment here.
The illustration is of “Chinese Immigrants At The San Francisco Custom-House” by Paul Frenzeny, February 3, 1877. Courtesy New York Public Library.
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