As for my health I guess I feel about the same… I can tell I’m aging… maybe not as gracefully as I’d hoped but not sure I can blame the pandemic for that…so far I’ve been spared CoVid, but the specter is always there. I work at a theater and our doors are open, but will the audience come? Do I want them to? Each person is another potential source of infection. Where is the line between living your life with cautious optimism, and maximizing protective strategies by isolating? What’s the trade off between physically healthy and emotional deprivation? And if we answer that for ourselves throwing caution to the wind, is it fair for its potential impact on society? Yes, you can chose not to get vaxed, not to wear a mask, not to socially distance…but not sure you can then blame the government, the politicians, the news media, the overworked nurse or burned out doctor if you fall ill and are not getting the care or service you think you are entitled to. Too many people are focused on their individual rights, and not on what might be for the good of the whole.
December 24, 2021
This is a picture of the whiteboard on our fridge this week. We started the whiteboard when trying to problem solve a conflict after couples therapy a few years ago. I need things to be out where I can see them so I don't forget, and my wife wants everything put away. So we compromised with putting things to remember on the whiteboard instead of having piles or pieces of paper lying around. Over the years it's morphed into a place we put notes for each other and appointments so we know what's going on in each others lives. This week seemed so quintessentially of this time with COVID tests, vaccines, and Zoom meetings. We're both vaccinated now and for once in a long time, we both had more than 5 days off in a row, so we decided to get tested and do a small trip to Hawaii. It's really starting to feel like the end now. I know we still have a long way to go but now almost everyone I know has been able to get the first dose and we're all counting down to "hug day" - the two week day after the second vaccine where we can actually hug each other again. It's a hopeful time. I still see the numbers each day in the NYTimes and can't believe how many people are still dying. It's such a surreal feeling when the end seems so close. Hoping this summer the numbers will be double digits and the white board will look a little different. Looking forward to seeing everyone again, but hoping we can preserve some of the good things from this year - slowing down, appreciating things, and checking in and caring about other people.
March 27, 2021