Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the virus…
How are you doing? We are doing OK.
Day 8 of self-isolation.
The days have settled into an easy rhythm–of coffee, meditation, work, and workouts, with healthy doses of cat-cuddling and cooking and eating. The stash in the fridge is starting to diminish as we use the produce we stuffed in there a week ago on our last grocery run. Not missing the half-hour commute to the office–time that has been transformed into writing time–writing for me, rather than for work.
The confusion and anger I felt initially has also given way. The gentle stretch of the day, with my time more under my own control seems to have reduced my anxiety. Since we are on a fixed income now, we don’t have the paycheck worries that so many others have.
I’ve reduced the amount of time I spend reading and watching news. We’ve got the tips on how best to avoid Covid-19; we’re hunkered down, staying in and away from others. I do check for the latest stats–our county now has 90 confirmed cases and Massachusetts has 2,417, as of this afternoon. However, I could not avoid reading the story reported by the Washington Post, that some hospitals are considering universal DNR (do not resuscitate) orders for coronavirus patients, a painful and alarming development for all, but especially for those in our age group. Media just increases my anxieties.
But that’s where exercise comes in. This afternoon, I got out for a run at the beach, where the air was dazzling and the waves sparkled over the sand and cobbles.
Stay well, stay tuned.
Linnea Arold Michel 