Living Through a Pandemic

 Although we do really miss traveling, that seems rather trivial compared to what some are suffering, so we try not to complain. When the Coronavirus pandemic began in the USA, experts advised that the only way to control the virus was to wear masks, socially distance, sanitize, and stay away from other people as much as possible.  For a few weeks, restaurants, bars, churches, theaters, and churches were all closed.  Politicians, realizing that this approach was difficult for the populace and might hurt the economy, began pushing for the country to open back up.  The experts advised that any opening should be done gradually in stages with strict compliance to guidelines.   

The populace then began taking sides.  Some listened to the experts and some listened to the politicians.  As a result, the country became divided.   

Here at our house, we listened to the experts.  Since the 1st of March, we have not eaten in restaurants, have not been in church, have seldom been in a store, doing most of our shopping online or ordering online for curbside pickup.  We have limited our personal contacts with close family and friends.  This summer we did a lot of socially distanced outside visiting.  We always wear masks when we go out and stay away from those who do not. 

I realize this was easier for us than some.  We are retired and do not have to go to work.  Our incomes were not affected.  But for the most part, we have adjusted.  It is difficult at times, but we believe that the stricter we are about following the advice of the experts, the sooner this will be over for all of us.  We believe in doing our part.   

One of the things we miss the most is traveling.  Since we retired, we have been doing two trips a year.  One in the spring and one in the fall.  As a matter of fact, we had just returned from a trip abroad a few weeks before the shutdown began in this country.  Normally, soon after returning from that trip and resting a bit, we would have started planning for our next trip. A big part of our lives was planning our trips, getting ready for a trip, or going on a trip.