Quarantine Blues

What a difference a week makes.

Last week the virus had not affected me too much.

I became a little more diligent with my hand washing and practicing standard precautions.

Now the pandemic has affected my family here and throughout the nation.

We’ve adopted new words and terms into our vocabulary like, social distancing, novel coronavirus, surge capacity, flattening the curve, and of course self-quarantine.

There have been many closures, cancellations, and postponements, and it seems like more to come.

We’ll continue to bring you the latest updates as soon as we learn of them and I encourage you to check our website at dddnews.com as well as our Facebook page frequently for this information.

As severe as some of these restrictions are, I urge you to comply with them.

I agree it is an inconvenience to say the least, but if we adhere to the restrictions, perhaps we can get through this in a few weeks instead of months.

We read and hear a lot of doom and gloom and negativity but there are a few positive aspects to keep in mind.

Most people with COVID-19 recover. Estimates suggest that 99 percent of people infected with the virus will recover.

The number of new cases is falling where the outbreak began. The Director of the WHO has stated that China and the Republic of Korea have significantly declining epidemics. In fact, Wuhan province (site of the very first cases) has just reported no new local cases for the first time since the outbreak began.

The country seems to be coming together to fight this virus. That is a plus and was much needed.

Family time is becoming much more important.

The cause for concern is warranted, but not panic.

Stay strong and help one another during this trying time.

As the Lockdown poem by Richard Hendrick states:

Yes there is fear.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.

But there does not have to be meanness.

Amen.

See you out there.