Tuesday was day #9 of social distancing and day #4 of Shelter in Place, but I am not really sure which one I am supposed to be keeping track of or counting. Although, if we try to look at it in a positive light, our pastor has told us we are one day closer to all of this being over with…. I am trying to keep that positive mind-set, but it isn’t always easy.
Tuesday began with me waking up around 5:00 am so that I could schedule a curbside pick-up for our groceries at Wal-Mart. When we tried to schedule a time late Monday afternoon, none were available. It said to try again in the morning. So we did. I feel like we are living in survival mode to just get food. We get to pick up our order on Wednesday evening.
We’ve made the decision to stop going inside Walmart. There is just too much risk of being around too many people. We’ve also stopped going inside the pharmacy- they’ve closed the lobby area anyhow. I had my prescriptions delivered today.
As much as we don’t want to hurt businesses, we’ve also decided that we will not eat out anywhere. While we are sure everyone is cleaning and sanitizing, it just imposes too much of a risk. We will eat only at home.
I read an article about the #COVID19 hurting the postal mail business. There have been some postal mail workers who have gotten sick from the virus. The business itself is also hurting because hardly anyone is going inside. They said it is possible that this virus could hurt the postal service within the next three months. They are pleading to the government for help and possibly protection wear. The postal service is very vital to communities and I hope they get that help.
Our president wants to lift restrictions by Easter – April 12… I don’t think that would be very safe and can’t see that happening. I am not even sure we’ve reached our peak of this virus. Illinois itself has had over 1,500 infected and 14 deaths. The United States alone has a little over 52,000 infections now (I think?). The numbers continue to rise every day as testing becomes available.
States are squandering for personal protective equipment, emergency beds and ventilators. Some states are lucky to have about a week to nine days of supplies. They are pleading to the federal government for help…. Individuals and organizations are trying to come forward to help with the shortage…
My boyfriend and I run a small publishing company from home. We’ve published a handful of authors. Right now though, everything seems overwhelming and I am trying to focus on self care and the things I need to do for work. We made a mutual decision to put projects on hold until June and to not take new submissions right now. We think it is best for our mental health.
Again, so many changes in such a short period of time. At the beginning of March, we had no idea that our world would look like this. We lived in such a different world then, and now- here we are in this one. Some days, I keep hoping I am going to wake up and this was all a bad dream. I am trying to not be fearful, but it can be very hard. I am young, but have a few health issues, but there are so many things yet I want to accomplish and I want to see my daughter grow up and have a family… I want to be there for my parents when they need me. I have too much to live for. If it gets to the point where I have to remain indoors – I will… As my world has grown very small already… Right now, perhaps we just need to stay in our contained bubble. It is safer that way…
Every night I pray … and every day when I wake up, I do my best to make the most of it….
I continue to look for that bright light of hope…
Ariana R. Cherry: Poet & Artist 