You go to the store because you need milk. You can't have cereal without milk. It’s essential.
You are going crazy, haven’t seen friends in weeks. You need to socialize. It’s essential.
Your Grandma invites you over for supper. She made a big meal. You can’t say no. It’s essential.
I get it. I’m a social butterfly. I like to meet new people and visit friends on the weekends. Heck, I just go to Hy-Vee because there is ‘a helpful smile in every aisle.’ I like going to an office where I can conduct business face-to-face. I like to do all those things. It’s what brings joy to my life and makes my routine easier. Rude awakening. Your routine is not your routine anymore, no matter how familiar it looks, and it won’t return until you sit your butt on that couch.
Social distancing should be called physically distancing. Healthcare professionals are not asking you to sever all ties with family and friends. They are asking you to physically distance yourself from vulnerable populations. “You can be physically apart but socially together,” said CMO at Sanford Health, Dr. Allison Suttle. People of all ages are still traveling because they aren’t showing symptoms or feel bulletproof when it comes to COVID-19. News flash. The coronavirus is asymptomatic meaning you could be drinking beers with your buddies, dropping off Grandma’s mail or washing your hands appropriately but still contaminating each surface or room you touch. I have a friend who’s sister gave birth to two happy and healthy little babies. She can’t visit them for at least another 3 months, possibly more with recent peak projections. The longer people continue to roam the roadways, the longer we will have to wait to see our little and older loved ones. Just stay home. If not for you, then for your family, friends, or community businesses. I strongly feel that if we ever want to return to a bar stool on a Friday night, then we need to be cautious of our actions for the next few months.
Nobody would purposefully put their loved ones in danger. That’s our current issue. People could be strutting the streets, feeling perfectly fine and spreading the virus like a wildfire. In turn, these actions are putting our grandmas, our grandpas, our pregnant siblings, our neighbor with diabetes all at risk. Contrary to South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, I believe one death is too many. People won’t start taking things seriously, if at all, until their loved ones are on death’s door. (P.S. South Dakotan's sign the pledge!)
There are ways to get through this time of darkness with a little more light. Your normal may be interrupted but I promise, there is a way to reinvent that wheel. The other night, I spent 6 hours on a Zoom call with college friends, high school friends, family, anyone who would join. Sure, I joined for the Happy Hour and a couple games of Thunderstruck but I stayed for the connection, the socializing that I was missing, the alternative to my ‘routine’. You might think you’re being selfless by contributing to local businesses in your typical manner as a healthy resident, but really your being selfish by possibly spreading the virus to your community. Order online. Buy gift cards. Stay 6 feet apart. Rules are in place for a reason.
I’m not here to tell you to follow my perfect actions. Because I’m not perfect. I still see my Grandma occasionally (from a distance) and I visit my sister (immunocompromised filled with a bundle of joy). Nobody’s perfect. I just ask that you take these words into consideration. Think before you do. What IS essential?
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