COVID Update

Day 46 of the Lock-Down-Blues. Time for a little stock taking…
 
- I think most of us are wondering how the hell this thing came from out of nowhere, so quickly. I have friends who, back in early March, had just returned from being in Mexico for several weeks, and I invited them over for drinks so they could tell me about their adventures. That was on a Wednesday. Thursday morning, the reality hit. And I've been at home since! How'd that happen?
 
- Out walking my dogs this morning, a bicyclist was headed our way so we pulled to the side of the Trans Canada Trail where we trek to let him go by with lots of social distancing between us. "Happy COVID!", he called out with a genuine smile as he passed. What!? Happy COVID!? Is he nuts? But then I thought about it. You know what, that's not so bad, is it. As serious as this pandemic is, you have to keep your "happies" alive. And if that means wishing folks "Happy COVID", well, then, why the hell not!?
 
- Got to say I'm proud of the fact my adopted town of Midland is doing really well. Since the beginning of the outbreak, we've had just five cases of COVID-19. All travel related. Each of the victims self-isolated. The first four have overcome the virus while the fifth is well on the way to "recovered" status. You know, we’re a community with lots of seniors residences and hospices which are the locales where this virus seems to run rampant. And yet, we’re stemming the tide, dodging the bullet.
 
- Have to ask why Midland might be a beacon to other not-so-well-off communities? What are we doing right? Well, to begin with, people are being really serious about the 2 metre rule. When I'm walking Molly and Macy, everyone respects the others along the trail, standing aside, giving way, etc. All the people I talk to are washing their hands religiously. They're staying inside and avoiding contact with others where possible. They're avoiding touching their faces. They're ordering online and having groceries delivered. I guess we're a community that's taking this thing seriously. As a result, we're being spared.
 
- Mind you, some of my friends and I have been getting together in the driveway - 2 metres apart and never more than 5 of us - for a "Covid Cocktail" or a "Quarantini", just to ensure we're all still "with it".

- Man, but hasn’t this been an opportunity for jokesters, punsters, composers and singers to shine. From clever one-liners to jokes about various politicians and how they’re handling the pandemic, to knock-off songs, there's more "entertainment" skipping about the Internet than ever before. Some of it's even good! For all that, though, I can’t understand people who love to laugh at videos of people being maimed. Guess these clips making the rounds are from America's Finniest Home Videos or something like that, but I fail to see the humour of people falling down stairs, being hit by cars, slipping on the ice, walking into glass doors, etc. I do have a sense of humour, dammit! But when people are being hurt, I just can't see what's funny about that.
 
- My granddaughters (age 7 and 9) put on a show recently of singing and dancing and my son Zoomed me and others in so we could see it all (they’re about 2 hours away from me, and I miss being with them). It was great fun, inventive, creative and lively! Next up: a virtual piano concerto they’re planning!
 
- I had a birthday the other day and prepared to commemorate the event without fanfare. But my kids would have none of that. First thing in the AM, they FaceTimed me with singing Happy Birthday to kick start my day. Then presents started being delivered to the front door, including a gift basket of lovely delights and 6 iced cupcakes "in lieu of a cake". At dinner time, my son Charlie FaceTimed me again, this time with the four of them at the table and Happy Birthday signs and balloons all about, as if I was there celebrating with them. Megan even brought in a cake with candles that the girls blew out for me ("Sorry Peter, we'll have to eat it for you, but we'll be thinking about you.") Wonderful!!
 
- Still wondering about closing the off-leash dog park here in Midland. Was it a  mistake? My two pups, Molly and Macy, so miss running around free. There's just nowhere else where they can do that so I end up taking them for several walks each day on leash, and they don't like it much. Neither do I! They want to run!
 
- Guess I ought to count myself lucky. I've worked from home for some time so this staying put is nothing new. I'm also retired from the marketing agency I used to run so I'm not stressed about keeping staff members working and paid or ensuring clients are happy. Count your blessings, PJ!
 
OK, that's all for now. Keep staying safe and remember: it’s better to be 6 feet apart than 6 feet under.

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