Our national character is being tested with a killer virus, and I’m beginning to realize all I’ve taken for granted. Being restricted is forcing Ruth and me to think about all those things we might not get to do for a while, maybe a long time. Below are only 10 of them.
It will be a time before we find ourselves stepping into an almost full elevator.
There will be no such thing as being a member of an audience.
Even going to the grocery store is changing. Last Sunday morning at 9 am Ruth and I were standing in a line waiting to get into a Trader Joe’s. Standing in line with a bunch of strangers was suddenly a bigger risk than driving in rush hour traffic.
No more greeting family members with hugs. Yesterday our son-in-law and grandson stopped by. We had a conversation on either side of a patio gate since they would not open it and come into our house to honor the need for social distancing.
We have fear of flying while trying to remember the last time we were not on a full flight. How ironic!
There will be no more crossing international borders for a while. We can put away our passports and almost forget where they are.
Italy! Yesterday a desired destination: for now a pleasant memory. The good news is that for 2 consecutive days the number of new cases in that country has gone down. The bad news is that some officials have predicted an eventual 640,000 cases of COVID-19 there.
No more parade watching or holiday gatherings.
The days of getting in a car and going to an attraction may become only memories.
Hank
Security Conscious 