C19

Where do I start ? This devastating disease is taking over our lives. It is not a lifestyle we are used to, nor that we like. It is financially draining, emotionally debilitating. The stress put on mankind everywhere around the world. Not just in our city, state, or country. No! All Around the world. People are out of work, children out of school. People are wearing masks, and gloves out in public, everywhere they go. For safety precautions, for the health and safety of their lives, their families live. Especially the elderly, or people that have health issues.

I listen to people talking about their concerns. They all have questions, with few answers, or so many answers, no one knows what to believe. People are scared. People are dying. Family, friends, one right after another, in one family! One company loses several employees, then management. Then their families lose family members. A vicious, vicious circle. When does it stop? A horrible, pandemic. People needing help, money, food, medical advice, assistance, but from who? Where do they go? To the hospital? To the Dr? The appointments are canceled. Virtual appointments only, unless it is an emergency, but, what is considered an emergency now? Does anyone know?

The bills are piling up, they can not pay their bills, out of work, no job, no money, utility disconnects, no money to pay rent, mortgage. Should they go to the Dr.? Will they get sick and die if they go to the Dr.? People have to cancel non-emergency surgeries. Do not go to the hospital unless you have to!

Around the world, you hear the same story. The fear, the uncertainty in people's voices. Stay home, do not go outside your home. Distance yourself from other people. So many people, sick, dying. and the sickness is still here, it is not going away. No cure, no answers, no shots, no medications, no antibiotics, vitamins, nothing, seems to help, stop it. The unseen killer!!!

The Unseen Killer

The Drs. and nurses are worn out, they have to keep going. Only so many in each hospital, on the hospital staff. What used to be enough for the size of the community, the city, but with this disease, this pandemic. The demand for more Drs. and nurses is stretched way too thin. The equipment, supplies, running low. When hospitals are running on a regular basis they know what is normally required, but, this is way out in the left field. Where did this come from? Why? What will happen? What is going to be the answer to the limited supply? Who will be able to meet the demand? Can they get help from the community? Is the President going to step in?

This a National disaster. The President will step up, get all of his people lined up, get all the officials gathered up. To get information to find answers to protect our country to close our borders, our airways. To get the chemists and pharmaceutical companies to come up with an antidote. As all the other countries must do for their countrymen, to protect their people. To locate equipment and masks, to find more trained medical technicians, trained nurses, and Drs. to come out of retirement to help deal with this crisis that has come upon the world that no one knows how to deal with.

Some corporations are used to building car parts. Are now re-vamping machinery to make medical equipment they never knew anything about. Companies that make petroleum, that farmers produce tons of corn for are building facilities at their costs to help make medical equipment and masks to help the American people. Women, Grandmothers, with sewing skills, making masks all day and night, using their skills from making clothing for their families to make masks and aprons for Drs, nurses, children, firefighters, officers, their families, any way to help keep people safe and alive. The American way of coming together, neighbors helping neighbors, One nation under God. Joining together, united to fight this invisible evil that is killing our family, friends, our nation, our world, as we have known it. As we may never know it again.

People want to go back to the old way of life, to a point. But in some ways, this life change has been a turning point in some people's lives. The feeling of hopelessness, fear, of what will happen next. Is this the beginning of the end? For some are poorer than they were before, some the same, some may even be wealthier. A lot of people have suffered. From the loss of a loved one, a job, friend, neighbor, money, their home, security, financial-economic downfalls.

The List Goes On

But some people have also been able to find themselves again. They got caught up in the everyday hustle and bustle of life. Running here and there, to get to work on time, or get to ball practice, or pick that child up for piano lessons or pick up supper, or that PTO meeting. That meeting in Florida for that big promotion. Or... Run to the store for grandma, so grandpa can have coffee for breakfast in the morning. Alarm going off at 6 am. feet on the floor, breakfast, kids up, fed, out the door, this kid that school, that kid that school, that kid, sitter. Stop by BK. get Mocha Frappe. Get to work, park, a phone ringing, meeting in 5, schedule more meetings, chit chat for 5. down the elevator, pick up papers, up the elevator, more 15-minute meetings. 1st break 9 am.

Depression, Layed Back or Coping

When everyone was told to social distance. What did that mean, stay away from my family, my friends? Fear set in, wear a mask? Can you breathe with one over your face for hours at a time, while you are working, talking, playing? But if I am claustrophobic, how can not do that. People had to stay home from work, from school. What do you do all day? How do you help your kids with school work? You have been out of school for years. can you home school? How do we function, adapt, cope?

You drive down the road, no traffic. No cars in the parking lots. The place that used to be full of cars, trucks, people. Nothing, nobody. Quiet. So Quiet. Spooky quiet. What is going on? Is this some scary movie? Cause I do not like scary movies. Like is someone going to fall out of the sky or something, ugh. No horns, no radios, no kids yelling, crying, laughing. Oh, my. But, a month later at home, you go out to get your mail. You stop in your tracks, your neighbors are riding bicycles with 2 or 3 children on their little trikes and bikes, and being pulled behind Mommy, with Daddy in the lead.

Oh wow, people are bored, or did they find out they have a family? A family that they can laugh and play with. Spend time with. Quality time, play games, eat popcorn, watch a movie, laugh. That was so funny what he /she just said. "My kids are really fun to be with." "Mom and dad can be cool to hang with." People learn new things all the time. Coping with a new lifestyle can be hard. Depression can set in for all ages, but sharing, spending time together, talking. Did you find someone new you did not know existed right there beside you all this time? Being laid back, listening, paying attention to others around you can go along way in healing, helping, and learning about what others are doing or are really like once you take the time to get to know them, or get to understand what makes them who they are. Be careful, yes, Be alert, yes, sanitize, yes, But...

Breathe

Take a deep breath. Breathe. Look up. The sky, the birds, relax, breathe, focus, relax, breathe. See the squirrels, the butterflies. They can feel it too. Feel your heart, it is beating, with love, nurturing your body. So you can do what you have to do to nurture those that love and need you. The love from their smile can nurture your heart to make your heart keep beating. Keep flowing all that love that sends more and more love to each and every heart that needs that smile, that touch, that special sparkle. That sweet sparkle in those beautiful eyes of all those precious people makes your heart flutter like a butterfly in the first place. So. Lookup. Smile. Breathe. Relax. Focus, Feel your heartbeat. That heartbeat that says, "you are alive, your heart and family, has that breathe"... NOT C19 !!! Breathe.