TGIF would be my usual greeting to my colleagues if I were in the office today and would be looking forward to the weekend, whether doing something fun outdoors, running errands or catching up with friends and family over a drink or a meal. Then when I get home, I’d be so relieved that the week is over and would be looking forward to Fridate with the hubby, perhaps a simple dinner out or dinner at home and then catch a movie. Some ‘us’ time since we haven’t seen each other much during the week.
Those days feel like long ago. The traditional division of space and time between work and home is at a pause. Work and home are together and worst, without leisure.
I have been staring at my e-gadgets the whole day today in-between phone calls and when work was done, nothing really to look forward to but stepping a few minutes outside and then going back in for dinner. Is this how it feels to be on a house arrest? Like Julian Assange or Edward Snowden? I’m almost certain it’s very close to how they feel.
A friend messaged me about Pope Francis doing a special mass and blessing at the Vatican in response to the CoVid19 pandemic via live telecast. It started at 1 PM Eastern Time. I went online to check and I listened for bit but I had to go after the blessing because it saddened me even more. It was very solemn but very surreal. It was dusk in the Vatican and it was raining. He lifted the holy scepter towards the balcony of emptiness. Not a soul infront of him. Italy’s people are dying by the hundreds. Their government system broke down.
Another friend sent me photos from Italy of sick people in hospital beds and wheelchairs outside hospitals waiting for a room or for attention. I couldn’t bear it.
What is to become of us? I can only hope that other countries, including the US, are paying attention and not commit the same mistake as Italy. This morning I read about accounts of doctors and nurses in the frontlines. It’s very difficult to be in their position right now. They, too, have families and loved ones to think of and protect. The burden on them is more than on us. Some have even started preparing and/or reviewing their wills. Heartbreaking yet they continue to show up. Bravo!
Right now, we can only hope. Keep still, stay in place, wash your hands with soap and water. Stay healthy. Sanitize. Help flatten the curve. Practice social distancing. Buy us more time to develop a vaccine. No one is immune.
I’m all in if it’s the only way to beat this CoVid19 until an antidote is developed. Count me in.
How about you?
