Now is the Time to Refocus
There seems to be a level of denial or disbelief that what is happening is actually happening. Believe me, I don’t want to have to process this reality either. We have a pandemic in our everyday lives and I know we have never seen this before. I can only guess people are in denial because they have not seen someone they know with the virus or sick from it yet.
Other countries are living a nightmare and the nightmare is coming to us. We have to do everything we can to stop this nightmare and we can, but the only way we can do this is if people take it seriously.
Everyone, please take a breath and then REFOCUS. I mean everyone.
One lesson I have already been reminded of is this: We are all one- my actions affect you and yours, mine. We are all taking on an attack threatening our health and the welfare of people we know and love. People are losing lives and this is going to escalate very quickly to even more lives if we don’t make huge shifts to how we are behaving. Please, FOCUS on the fact that we are all neighbors and we live in this world together.
Then, ask yourself, do I really need to be going out right now, or can I stay inside and do what the experts say can curb this crisis and save lives? I am in NYC and it’s worrisome. I have to be smart in every choice I make because every choice is affecting another. People can be carriers of this disease and not even know it.
I am doing my best to stay indoors in our apartment and only go out to quickly walk the dog. It’s stressful. I literally hold a Clorox wipe in my hand and carry my dog in my arms to lessen any germs that for any reason I could give to others. I use a Clorox wipe to press the elevator buttons, I carry my dog in and out of the building so he isn’t tracking germs into the building.
Is this crazy? No. It is perhaps overly cautious, but overly cautious is what we need to be right now. Stay away from your loved ones over 70. Just stay away. Check on them and if they need you to do something for them, or use your creativity to figure out how you can assist them. We are so lucky. We have the internet, we have TV, we have online delivery to limit as much interaction as possible.
As of today, March 15, many parks in NYC were full of children. It’s wrong. We are soooo lucky this virus does not seem to be attacking children, but no one can guarantee that it won’t. I know adults over 70 that are going to stores. This is so dangerous for them. People on social media groups are panicking by writing rants because families are leaving NYC to stay confined in their homes out of the city. Some locals who live there year round are panicking because they feel city people are bringing their towns the virus.
You know what? If these families stay in the city, the virus will multiply even more because of the increased proximity to people. So, as long as these families are responsibly staying in their homes outside the city, they are actually ultimately saving lives. And as my mother who raised the 10 of us always said, “If you have nothing good to say, shut your mouth.” This is a time to use nervous energy by asking how you can help, not judging others. Perhaps we can use our own nervous energy to support the healthcare workers out there taking on this pandemic. So many hospitals and healthcare workers don’t have masks or the right supplies. Why don’t we use any anxiety to reach out and find out who those are and help to find them the supplies they need? Don’t be going out to get a latte or meet friends. People are unfortunately going to die. We are going to lose more people because denial and immediate wants are being prioritized over a pandemic that can create a hell that none of us wants to see.
My point is this: Please, please REFOCUS. Your decisions can cause someone to lose their life. Your decisions at this time in history can also SAVE lives.
Please, powers above, watch over us all at this time. I pray and hope I can look back at this post and feel that I panicked and that this pandemic was ultimately lessened because people chose to listen to the experts and denied their immediate needs for the overall good of others. Be kind to one another in this stressful time and take a breath if you find yourself overwhelmed. We are being tested. We are being reminded, that we are all connected and your actions and decision impact your fellow neighbors, and vice versa.
Be safe.
–Mo