Monica Holland: The point of all this is to save lives - The Fayetteville Observer

Monica Holland: The point of all this is to save lives - The Fayetteville Observer

If we can look back in two months and say we overreacted, then good. I honestly hope that happens.

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How are y’all holding up?

Are you eating too much? Are you resting well? Are the kids driving you crazy? Is your spouse driving you crazy?

Isn’t this weird?

I feel like the big, bad wolf’s at the door and the door’s wide open. I’m fearful and nervous but I don’t know, exactly, of what. I have a home work station set up in front of a window where I see cars pass all day, but I am not leaving.

Usually this kind of self-imposed lockdown comes with power outages and impassable roads. Now, I have full access to all of my electronic devices and I can go anywhere I want, but almost everywhere is closed.

It’s so weird.

I’ve heard a lot of people say we’re overreacting to the coronavirus pandemic.

I hope so. Because if we’re not, we’re in trouble.

Some of us are in trouble anyway. And some of us love those vulnerable people.

When we read others’ social media takes or hear their ranting about a hoax, it feels like they don’t care.

I have an elderly grandmother, and maybe you do too. I have a young child with asthma. I have a friend who’s going through chemotherapy. I’m worried about them. I’m being cautious for them.

I’m worried about the economy, the small businesses, the already low-paid people who will be going without a check. I’m worried about how we will ever get back on track, the high school seniors who have been cheated out of their prime time, the kids whose homes are unstable and their lost haven of the schoolhouse.

It’s hard to not look past this laptop and just get through the next assignment. It’s like we’re living in an episode of “Black Mirror,” and our social loops are collapsing. What do we do now?

I imagine we’ll do what we always do: Keep going.

It’s like when you go through a difficult time and people tell you you’re strong and you think, well what am I supposed to do, lay down and die? We just keep going.

We’re adaptable. We’re smart. And we’d better be kind and conscientious.

The point of all this is to save lives.

If we can look back in two months and say we overreacted, then good. I honestly hope that happens.

Until then, my household will keep itself busy with yard work and board games and crafts and streaming television.

We’re all in this together so share your fun stuff online, call your people, read that book, tackle that project. Make the most of your me time and, please, for the sake of the vulnerable, take this outbreak seriously and follow precautions.

And if you have any good television show or book recommendations, please let me know. I suddenly have free time.

Sunday Life editor Monica Holland can be reached at mholland@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3518.

2020-03-22 16:09:06Z
https://www.fayobserver.com/lifestyle/20200322/monica-holland-point-of-all-this-is-to-save-lives

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