So, how are you doing out there? How are you finding ways to cope with distancing or self-isolating?
These are strange times, to be sure.
Whether you’re working from home, or not able to work at this time, or whether you’re feeling well or sniffling and ready to panic, you are not alone. Wherever we are, we’re all finding new ways of living and looking at the world.
Yes, there are inconveniences. But just think of all the folks who are there for the community: medical teams, law enforcement, firefighters, food delivery folks, public service agencies, clergy, retailers who provide essential items, drivers of the trucks who bring in supplies — and so many others (including your news organization). I think once this pandemic goes to rest, our collective gratitude will be renewed for everyone who helped get us through this.
I read a social media post the other day that said, in effect, how you look at things is key. Instead of thinking “Oh, crap, I’m forced to stay home,” you can choose to think, “Hey, I have the chance for more relaxed at-home time.”
Point of view can save the day. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some things that have changed.
Eating out
Banish ideas of coffee with the gang, having lunch with a group of co-workers or visiting a restaurant for a relaxing dinner.
Now you can zip through a drive-thru and enjoy chicken nuggets in your car, while you wave at all the other folks eating in their cars.
Or you can order supper and have someone deliver it outside the house or at the curb near the car. “Pssst, hey, bud — want a pizza?” After they leave, peer furtively around, open the door just enough and grab the goods.
You feel like you’re getting away with something, don’t you? Soon we will all become highly trained sneaky eaters.
Shopping
No more casual strolls through sections of delights. Now it’s a carefully planned, hand- and cart-sanitizing dash to grab stuff you need, trying not to breathe too much of the communal air.
There are some folks who just don’t seem to understand the whole six-feet idea and the no-coughing-in-open-air thing, though. I think I’m turning into a shopping Tasmanian devil because I’d really like to go “BWALLALALLAWA! Why you put your droplets in my space?”
I was standing by an aisle waiting for someone to move along when a group of people just barged in front of me and stood not two feet away, one of them hacking without covering their mouth. Retreating to a safe distance, I fought the urge to bean them with my toilet paper.
Going to work
The office environment for many of us has shrunk to a space in the den or kitchen.
Break time? Run and put in laundry. Need to stretch? Put the laundry in the dryer. Go sanitize all the doorknobs and light switches. And sometime during the day, head outside for a quick jaunt around the yard or neighborhood.
And luckily, there’s enough local wildlife — birds, squirrels, deer and moose, even neighborhood pets — to provide a dose of peace and entertainment.
It’s now officially spring. See what’s new in your neighborhood. You’ve got time to check it out.
Paula Brewer is assistant editor for The Star-Herald, Aroostook Republican, Houlton Pioneer Times and St. John Valley Times, plus websites TheCounty.ME and FiddleheadFocus.com. She can be reached at 207-764-4471 or via email at pbrewer@bangordailynews.com.
