Not Quite Quarantining

Hey, how are ya’ll doing? Going cuckoo yet? Me, I was okay for the first few weeks, getting a little jittery now. Initially, quarantining was kind of fun, plus it gave me time to heal and rest after receiving pinpoint radiation to the tumor in my lung. Yeah, I was limping around for two weeks, but was staying active, walking about twenty-five miles a week while in treatment. All better from that now, but getting some cabin fever, and truth be told, I’m not even in one hundred percent female balls to the wall quarantine.

I live in Massachusetts, one of the states hardest hit by the pandemic, and I have a serious illness that makes me more likely to get COVID19, but I’m still not staying in all the time. Here’s why.

First of all, chances are nil that you’re going to get or pass the virus to anyone else if you obey social distancing outside. Folks, I’m no medical professional, but this is the truth. You aren’t going to get corona virus from a tree or a rock. And being inside everyday, all day, is an absolutely mind boggling thought, especially if you have to think about losing your job, how you’re going to be paying your bills, how to keep kids happy, etc. I’m lucky that I have not lost employment (I’m a teacher) and will continue to get paid as school systems around the country switch over to the uncharted territory of “remote learning” (cue eye roll emoji.) In between uploading lessons and talking to parents I’m walking almost daily, close to thirty-five miles a week most weeks. But I know a lot of people who aren’t even leaving the house, when a nice stroll or bike ride would relieve some worries, even if it’s only temporary. Please just remember that if you decide to turn to nature, be kind to those trees and rocks and animals and don’t take advantage of the beauty you see, even if you’re only seeing it because you can’t do what you usually do. Nature is what some people turn to all the time. I’m one of them. Save it for me, if not for your children. Throw your used masks and gloves in the trash, not on the ground! Thank you ahead of time.

The other reason that I’m not totally in quarantine is that, quite honestly, I can’t be because of the actions of others. Yes, I’m recovering from cancer and treatment and really should not be in public places because of my weakened immune system. However, people who could safely do their shopping in person are doing it online and blocking up all the time that elderly folks and compromised individuals like me need so we don’t have to go into enclosed places and rub elbows with a lot of others who could put us at extreme risk. Add to that the fact that so many Americans are not taking the threat seriously and flat out refuse to wear a mask and gloves and the risk goes up even more for us who need to be careful. For what its worth, I’m asking you that if you are in good health, please put on simple protective items and do your shopping in the store, thus leaving store pickup and delivery time slots for those who really need them. A couple of weeks ago I had to give up my bid to have my food delivered or readied for pick up because Walmart was booked solid for over a week. We all have to eat, and I couldn’t wait a week, so I made a special bag with masks and gloves that my sisters and I collected when we thought I would need to have chemo, and went to the store myself. So, the next time you see me, don’t tell me to stay home, okay? The truth is, I can’t. And maybe someone you love can’t either, for the same reason!

Don’t even get me going on toilet paper.

Jeez, I was supposed to be finishing up my radiation and getting back to traveling. We’re living in some pretty weird times. BUT–

Let’s all pull together and get through this and learn something from it and think of our fellow Americans and not just ourselves. We ALL have to do this, not just some of us. As of today, I know someone who died of this virus. It’s no joke, just ask the smarty that licked a toilet seat to be funny and ended up with the very illness he was mocking.

Fingers crossed that we can all soon get back to normal.

Sending best wishes.