What To Expect When We Are All Free....

It's funny how we all have been reacting to this self-isolation as if we are caged animals, abducted from the wild, pacing in our surroundings, wanting out. We all are stuck in this situation due to a little thing called Covid 19. This novel coronavirus has spread around the world, passing through our breath - well, droplets from our saliva through coughing, sneezing and even breathing. Every country has it currently and Covid 19 has killed thousands of people world wide. In combat of this deadly flu bug, we have been separated from our friends, family and even work-mates in many cases, to avoid passing on the bug. Symptoms don't present at the beginning of the contagion, which is why we could pass it on without even knowing we are infected.

Since early March, we have been told by the Chief Medical Officer, to stay inside, self-isolate, stay away from large gatherings and to wash wash wash our hands. Being cooped up in our own personal spaces due to a deadly pandemic outside our four walls, has brought about some interesting and abnormal characteristics. As humans we are naturally social animals, and although we spend an enormous amount of time on our computer or our mobile phones, and watching TV (or streaming through the internet), we tend to hang out together. The homes we have put together and decorated are now encasing us and they feel like itchy tight wool sweaters. We are all longing to get out, see each other and actually physically hug each other. Even people who don't necessarily like hugging are missing the mutual interactions between their loved ones and friends.

Walking outside for just an hour, or going to get the basic necessities, is a whole new challenge and we can't leave without a large itinerary. Because of this pandemic, we all need to shop as little as possible, meaning ... make a list and bring a car or grocery dolly (for local residents), plan where you are going, prepare for line-ups, and bring a face cover. No matter how little shoppers there are in a store, there will always be those shoppers that don't care about physical distancing, and will trap you in an aisle. I found this in my local produce market. Going outside for a breath of fresh air can be a challenge. The sidewalks are most definitely not two metres wide and people rarely move away or even try walking single file. The good thing is the roads are less busy so veering off on to the road is an option.

Everyone has been pining for the day they don't have to work, but now it is a reality, with thousands and thousands of people laid off, or hardly working. People all around the world are unable to pay rent, pay their bills, and are waiting for assistance from their government if possible. The days seem long, and even longer I'm sure if sick with the virus. Boredom has set in and people are going a bit stir crazy. We all want to "Netflix and chill" but even that is getting boring and the "chill" part is the good stuff -- no luck on that when self-isolation is forced. I time my days by sunrise, the news updates, the 7pm community cheering for the frontline workers, and sundown.

Working is a different experience altogether. Riding the bus is dangerous, working around different people is dangerous, and motivation to work is low. Knowing we are all 'front-line' workers in a way, makes us feel like we are helping but at what cost? Food service workers are trained to clean always, sanitizers and cleaning solutions are used regularly to keep consumers from any possible pathogens, but knowing our actions are only a drop in combating this virus is disheartening.  There is a skeleton crew working and there is not much to do at the moment, but we all do what we can.

Now about the future....when we can all leave our caves, go outside without a face mask, meet our family and friends with a hug and not a fist bump, hold our partners again without worry. When these days come, and they will - perhaps gradually - let's be the people we are right now. Not the greedy narcissistic people that have appeared, selling masks at $40 a pop, stealing free parking for health workers at the hospital, hoarding all the toilet paper. Let's be the people that are helping others with shopping, cooking, phone calls, video calls, group chats. The people that are all of a sudden empathetic to the whole world - "We are all in this together" means everyone on the Earth. 

So in the "free world" future, fist bumps are cool, elbow bumps are cool, hugs are cool, all kinds of communication is cool, helping others is cool, respecting everyone from janitorial staff to the super rich is cool. Don't forget how we all did this together, and how we all helped each other. Don't forget the appreciation you had for the wildlife you noticed when you weren't so into yourselves. Don't forget that we are strong and, although being alone can be like being stranded on and deserted island, the sound of nothing can be the best thing for us, at least for a little while.