Commentary: I write about the world around me.
But when that world is so schizophrenic . . .? It’s a beautiful day, the dog is happy to see us, I feel great; and our county had no known cases of Covid-19 as I started this column – then suddenly did.
Elsewhere people are dying. Doctors are without masks. Patients lack ventilators. Urban medical personnel risk their health daily. Our bars and restaurants and stadiums are as silent as graveyards.
There are things that feel urgent to say, though others are saying them.
First, soap. Use it. It’s a miracle: soap is pin-shaped molecules, each with a hydrophilic (loves water) head and a hydrophobic (hates water) tail. Washing, you surround microorganisms (including coronavirus) with soap molecules. The hydrophobic tails, to hide from the water, wedge themselves into the microbes, like crowbars, prying them apart. Essential proteins spill out, rendering the virus impotent. Meanwhile other soap molecules disrupt chemical bonds the viruses use to cling to your skin. Soap lifts virus molecules, suspending them in floating cages – until you rinse them away. Neat!
Second, don’t be shy about social distancing. People are still asking whether they’ll offend by wearing gloves and a mask? A couple of U.S. Congressmen kept shaking hands (from courtesy or habit, or a habit, or because of certainty that their nice, well-dressed supporters and colleagues couldn’t possibly have cooties) and have tested positive. No one will be offended by your keeping your distance, refraining from hugs and handshakes, or wearing a mask. (Except some idiot not worth risking your health over.) Protecting yourself helps protect everyone.
Watching footage of spring break students in crowds at beaches, I want to shout a warning. Yo! I know what you heard (and how we all feel when young) that it’s only about old folks; but the experts are learning Covid-19 can seriously harm the health of younger folks, too.
We were the last two customers in the Shed Wednesday, as the restaurant learned of the new closure order. We have a great line-up of local restaurants and coffee houses we love – as, I’m sure, do you – such as Milagro, Nessa’s, Vintage Mercado, and many more – and the Co+Op, still offering made-to-order sandwiches and sides to go. If your favorites offer takeout during the crisis, take some. (Authorities say there’s no evidence this gets transmitted through food preparation/service.) And support local small businesses as much as you can when we return to “normal.”
Meanwhile, when we get to laugh with friends, we’re grateful. And our fresh-food farmers’ market vendors seem like heroes.
For some this crisis will be a blessing in disguise. As we rush madly about, many of us have lost the ability to be alone with ourselves. To stop for a moment and contemplate. Many will now have that opportunity, particularly since there are no sports to watch on TV. Families (for better or for worse) will be spending more time together.
I wonder if we might even benefit from the spirit of unity that should mark what’s in effect a war. Perhaps battling Covid-19 together will dwarf our political differences, and perhaps that spirit will linger a while after we pull through. (Perhaps, too, both Republicans and Democrats will refocus on nominating and electing high officials who are thoughtful, capable, and qualified – and sometimes put our nation ahead of their personal interests now and then.)
Keep healthy and safe!
[P.S.: A slightly smaller Farmers' Market (no crafts and souvenirs, but some healthy, tasty, fresh local vegetables and such!) is ongoing Saturday mornings (8-1) in the Plaza. We bicycle over there each Saturday morning. Great food, supporting those vendors is important, the food's fresher and healthier than most food, and carrying your own bag outdoors beats pushing a shopping cart indoors.]