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Has the pandemic affected your political views in any way? If so, how?
I’m not sure the pandemic has changed my political views as much as the president’s handling of it, and the way with which information and misinformation and disinformation is perpetuated. It’s like people are walking on the beach and picking up shells like this and reading some oracle of truth to get their information. I understand people are afraid, and in many cases they should be. I understand the country was founded on certain principles like “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. However, that does not mean you get to do whatever you want. There is an implied caveat here...”life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness BUT NOT at the expense of others,” I understand it’s nearly impossible to change someone’s beliefs, so I’ve tried to look for the shred of truth. For example, if you trace back the conspiracy theory that certain leaders are cannibals you can trace back and find that It stems from their partaking of a communion service (which is purported to be the blood and body of Christ) In Africa at the request of a community leader, See cannibals! How silly and desperate to perpetuate this to create this huge divide that’s pitting us against each other. In the middle of a pandemic! I don’t understand wanting to hate that much? It scares me to think what the next few months might become. I want to believe my fellow Americans are smart enough to know we need to heal and find ways to work together if we have any hope for future generations. Or what happens when the next virus comes? Or the one after that? Or the one after that?
October 21, 2020
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Many of us have experienced restrictions on movement and social contact during the pandemic. Talk about any restrictions that have especially affected you.
During the first few months, the social restrictions and health concerns kept us close to home. I worked remotely as a secretary, emailing, zooming and taking/making calls from home. My husband is a pharmacist and he was needed, working 60+ hours a week. Our daughter was an essential worker in a grocery store. Our lives were spent at work or at home, without any socialization with friends. The positive outcomes included reconnection of family time. Dinners took longer, as we discussed the days events. We completed family puzzles and there were giggles in the kitchen while haircuts were given. Mental health challenges were present, but fortunately, we already had counseling in place prior to the pandemic. Our sessions changed from in-person to zoom, which was a little impersonal at first. Going back to school in the fall was a challenge for myself and our college aged daughter. However, I believe adaptation was much easier and quicker than we expected. Masking up seems like a natural habit now.
June 8, 2021