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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
This was a booklet in the Hospice room of my best friend for 50 years. I watched her as she died for 4 days. It was traumatic for me and I was told I had to leave the building on one occasion because, due to COVID, only 4 visitors per patient were allowed. The other 4 all knew each other from Florida so I volunteered to leave the room, but the Hospice people made me go out into the cold. I went out to my car because it was cold and I was not prepared to go outside when told I had to leave immediately. I cried in the car, then drove away for a while. I was already hurting because my friend was dying, but this unecessarily harsh rote adherence to a rule hurt my feelings. I watched the stages of dying alone except for the nurses.
December 6, 2021
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Talk about what you think the world will be like after the pandemic is over.
After the pandemic.... I wonder if we'll gradually go back to what was, and 'forget' what happened. There's been some writing on the 1918 pandemic, and how it seemed to disappear form the collective memory, with very little written after it. No, of course, with social media and the internet, it seems likely much will linger. However -two things occur to me... if you've ever gotten a speeding ticket, you'll be aware that for a few days or a few weeks afterwards, you drive carefully, within the limits. Then after awhile, you return to whatever your habits were before. Similarly, if you've ever had a life threatening event or a close friend or family member with one - and accident, medical illness, etc. For a time, you think, "I'll be so grateful and mindful and fully appreciative of this life, so I don't waste a moment!" And sure, for a while, you are.... but it's hard to live in that continuously, perpetually - eventually, you gain enough distance and become mired in the day to day of life:what's for dinner, did I pay the electric bill, etc. It's hard to maintain/continue the immediate sensibilities of these events. So, I think some will remain, but probably much will not.
June 6, 2021