So, we’re quarantined. Maybe home isolation is a better term. Maybe “engaging in self preservation with the onset of anxiety coupled with the stress of 24/7 childcare” is an even better description of what this might be. Either way, whatever this is starts today.
Coronavirus is beginning to spread in the United States after originating in China and then beginning it’s terrifyingly fast March across the world. The people of Wuhan, China are devastated, locked down, in various states of illness, and we’re all worried that the same thing will happen here. Most frightening is that seemingly otherwise healthy 30-somethings are being affected by this disease (officially COVID-19) than they should be. People are saying that this is just “a bad flu” but it seems to be much worse than that. Young people do not die from the flu. Young people are dying from COVID-19.
All things considered we’re starting off this quarantine pretty easily with Sarah still off work on maternity leave until Wednesday and then my mom stopping by daily to take care of the kids while we work after that. Lots of others are still working in offices, possibly getting sick without even knowing it yet. Lots of people are saying this is all an overreaction so far and that workplaces shouldn’t be changing or closing or doing anything different. I’m not so sure. I’m happy to be home with the kids where it feels relatively safe. Schools are canceled for the near future, childcare is closed, and it seems like this trend will just continue until who knows when. Coworkers are thinking this will just last a couple of weeks. I think we’re in this for at least a couple of months. Working from home is the new normal for now. Georgetown University is closed. There’s almost nobody left on campus and other business are starting to close quickly.
I’ve already bought gloves, masks, hand sanitizer, and lots of food in preparation. Oh, and toilet paper too. People are buying that stuff like it’s cheap gold. Thankfully we’re ahead of the game. My guess is this stuff becomes a lot harder to find, and quick.
Michael Singletary 