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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
This colorful photo bursts with anticipation. It was taken just moments before our first group Thanksgiving dinner in two years. We were having a small gathering of our son and daughter in law, who got married during Covid, and her parents, who we were meeting for the first time. It was pre-Omicron, and — we’d hoped — post major Covid. Everyone was vaxx’d and boosted. We felt comfortable partaking in a careful, small-group setting. We cooked together, and ate, and shared stories, and laughed. It was simple, and seemed like old times. Here we are, one month later, facing the bleak winter months in another potential lockdown. We’re not sharing anymore, and can’t invite anyone in, it seems. Dr. Fauci says to stay away. Plans are falling apart. Though we have learned a few things, we’re back to Covid protocols. No hugging. No gathering. No nothing. Ugly masks. We try to find time every day to walk outdoors in the winter cold. Other than that, we’re inside, on our own, on our devices, conducting lives through phones and mail. Here we go again. How do we attach meaning to sitting indoors? Where do we find beauty? I’ll have to get back to you on that.
January 6, 2022
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
It has been many weeks since I posted to the journal. My work life got super busy! Still is, but I am taking a day off today. Although I have had both coronavirus vaccine shots and my booster shot, plus a flu shot, I still worry about being exposed to someone who has not bothered to get vaccinated or from a breakthrough infection. Consequently I am happy that the city government where I live (Columbus, Ohio) has initiated another mask mandate, after having pulled back on the mandate when it looked like things were getting better. That was before the Delta variant. So, once again we must wear a mask indoors. This makes me feel a little bit better, but I am still very cautious. I am 68 years old and have asthma. My wife has an illness that puts her at risk, although she is fairly young (40s). Once again, Just like a few months ago, I am kind of on the angry side (I put it this way because I'm not obsessed by anger) because some people don't care enough to protect others by protecting themselves. My wife and I lost a family member a few weeks ago. She was in her early 60s, was the recipient of an organ transplant, and had been vaccinated. The conclusion was, surprise, surprise, a breakthrough infection. I surmise she was infected by a family member because the family out west is pretty close, but there are components of our family who are dyed-in-the-wool libertarians who simply don't get that exercising what they feel is a right to refuse to be vaccinated puts other people at risk.
October 26, 2021