In December, China experienced the first cases of COVID19. They tried to warn us. Our leaders didn't listen. By January, South Korea and Italy began experiencing the virus, with quite a bit of television coverage. Our President called this a hoax, propagated by the Democrats. Concerned scientists tried to influence his opinions. It was of no avail.
Finally, cases of the virus began to explode in Washington State, then New York City, spreading to New York State, where I live. Within the space of one week, the cases in New York, now the highest concentration in the U.S., rocketed from 1400 on March 18th to 8377 on March 21st. I had heard on the news that the virus would expand exponentially, roughly doubling every six days. Meanwhile, cases in Italy have overwhelmed the system. At last count (this morning), I read that there are over 8000 cases in New York, 20,000 cases in the U.S., and 277, 300 cases in the world. These are only the cases that are being tested, verified, and reported. It's suspected that there are many, many more.
One week ago today was the last "normal" day I've had. I went to my YMCA to work out, came home, went to the grocery, and gassed up my car. By that evening, all the schools in my county, the YMCAs, and most churches had closed. As of tomorrow, all of New York State, with the exception of "essential businesses" (grocery stores, pharmacies, media, doctors' offices, hospitals) will be asked to stay home. 100% of the workforce not included in the "essential" category may not return to work until further notice.
It could be weeks. Or months.
There was panic in the grocery stores. Long lines, some fights that required police intervention, and shortages ensued. People are hoarding things, causing further shortages. In short, our lives are beginning to resemble a disaster movie. "Contagion," perhaps?
The international stock market continued the tumble that had begun a few weeks ago. At this point we estimate that it has lost approximately 50% of its value...not a pretty picture for retirees. Not at all.
What will become of us? We honestly have no idea. Hospitals are being built in state fairground buildings. Hotels, motels, and college dormitories will be taken over to house patients, and possibly military troops who are called in to help organize food pantries and keep order in the streets. There are currently so many shortages of medical supplies that some hospitals are asking civilians to sew home-made medical masks.
When I began this blog 4 years ago, I had no idea that it would become a place to discuss an international pandemic. It was a blog created to be an intergenerational discussion of grief, as I was taking a course on death and dying at seminary and needed a project that would be open to all for discussion.
Now it's going to be a discussion of what a pandemic looks like. Our lives are changed forever. How are you coping? Feel free to discuss, and add to the conversation. And truly, yesterday never looked so good. And yes, it is hard to say goodbye.
