Fiddler on the Balcony

Coronavirus Burnout

Quarantine day #237

Despite the lock down, the coronavirus cloud may have a silver lining. Communities are banding together; neighbors are looking out for neighbors and the enforced ‘social distancing’ hasn’t eliminated the social part. Neighborliness is also contagious.

I am encouraged by reports from Italy and Spain, where residents face some of the worst infection rates and are under strict isolation with risk of fines or jail if someone violates quarantine. People have come out of their homes to stand on balconies and sing. In Spain, neighbors sang happy birthday to an 80-year-old neighbor lady. In Italy people are playing instruments and singing to anyone within listening distance.

Businesses are changing their hours and methods of operation allowing for curbside pick-up and some are tossing in a free package of toilet paper with a purchase. They have made adjustments to allow elderly or those at higher risk of infection to have dedicated hours for lower risk of contact with carriers. Despite restrictions on restaurants, many are desperate for business and have adjusted to take-out options.

One of our neighbors stopped by and asked if we needed anything. Several have called or sent emails. We traded chicken stir-fry for banana bread. People are genuinely concerned and interested in one another’s well being.

Since gatherings should be limited to 50 or less according to the CDC or 10 based on federal recommendations, this eliminates school and church activities. One of our local churches is trying to arrange live online viewing of the service, of course you may have to sing by yourself. Small in-home groups are being arranged so people can still come together for spiritual nourishment.

On the news front, there is some very promising news regarding treatment options. There is a malaria drug, hydroxycholorquine, which is cheap and easily available, which shows some treatment benefits in early, anecdotal studies. Assuming it is beneficial, very likely we will see some serious price gouging from the manufacturers. If the black-market hand sanitizer dealers are any indication, neighborliness hasn’t caught on everywhere.

Speaking of price gouging, we have been trying to keep in contact with our friends around the world. Good friends from Canada (Hi Jaye and Bonnie) are trapped in New Zealand or Australia, I’m not sure which. They were told that the only plane ticket home was in business class and it was going to cost them $11,000 each! But checked luggage was only $30 a bag and they got a “free” glass of champagne. At a time when airlines are struggling and planes are flying empty, I would think they would welcome some travelers.

Anna from Italy say’s hi. She and her family are well and she expressed thanks that others are concerned about them. Noot from Bangkok Thailand was quarantined for several days but is now back at work and life is gradually returning to normal. But Randy, (in Chang Mai, Thailand) reported that a covid-19 test was very expensive and few people could afford it. One way to keep the case numbers down is not test. Don’t ask, don’t tell.

Television has been helpful during this time of social distancing. I keep watching Survivor hoping I’ll be the next one voted out. Reruns of I Love Lucy aren’t going so well. After 89 episodes, I don’t love Lucy any more, in fact our relationship is headed for divorce court. If you want a movie eerily like the daily news, check out Contagion (Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon). Prophetic?

One high note from the current state of contagion, I have been getting some writing done. In addition to blogging, I completed my fourth novel, The Fate of Eddie Thayer, which is currently under review by my in-house critic. I am reading my 5^th novel in five weeks, As the Crow Flies, by Jeffrey Archer. If I can’t escape physically, I can escape mentally. Pick up a book or download something to your kindle. It will give you a short vacation.

There are positive things in the world. Despite social distancing, financial collapse and impending doom, the sun came up this morning. We will get through it.

Be a good neighbor. Write a letter to someone you haven’t seen in a while. The sun will come up again. Remember the words of Scarlett O’Hara, “After all, tomorrow is another day!”