Reflections – the biting of Covid-19
Weekends like this are a wonderful time to contemplate the world, your place in it and everything in between and about. They are a time to reflect, or start some reflection as we have a number of weeks ahead where we will be socially isolated, to reflect on what we need, what we want, what we expect and what we have.
Had all gone to plan, this weekend would have been one of packing for our belated honeymoon (well that’s what we decided to call it, even though this was planned well before we decided to become hitched) departing Australia for Europe on 2 April for 4 weeks. What happened became a series of revised plans: A = Europe, B = Tasmania (ride down around and back), C = Kangaroo Island (see B), D = ride around Queensland, E = ride for a bit and camp for a bit, then F = f*cked. I laugh about it because that is all I really do. It is pointless getting upset (don’t get me wrong, there was a lot of disappointment for a while there). It too, is an opportunity to review what we had intended to do and consider whether we still want to do those things or change them.
We are well aware of the protocols surrounding us at the moment. It is a real challenge to have your social freedoms taken away. We are endeavouring to retain “normality” – whatever that is because our “normal” has forever been changed. We will do things within the rules, but it does not stop me asking two questions now: 1. How did all this come about; 2. Where did it emanate from? If you follow along like sheep, you won’t ask questions. I think asking questions is important. Whether you get an answer is a whole other aspect.
What I see are edgy people, who don’t want to engage, won’t smile. I see angst. We went shopping at a different Woolworths. There was a change in the socio-economic area which meant a change in the items available for sale. It also demonstrated that people do not look down at floor markings to see what they indicate as to where you stand, including at Dan Murphy’s where they had traffic control in the car park and more stock than I have ever seen. The mood was sombre, it was not one of reach out and assist but don’t touch. It was much more “don’t touch” in any way shape or form.
I question how we actually contract this condition – whether covid-19 or social panic/paranoia. What information is being decimated and by whom? What is the actual infection rate and how is this condition so very different from any other flu? Is it a form of biological warfare? Is it a test run? Why is it that we have little supply of medical support and very limited funding of such a vital health system? There will be a reckoning. I question why stimulus is not going to all, when it is the taxpayers who will pay dearly for this. I question why those who contribute are allowed little or nothing.
So, to aid my ability to rationalise, I have a suitable amount of libation at hand. I re-set my ability to be calm and reasonable and to consider what I need, rather than panic buy (because that is one thing I had steadfastly refused to do). Whilst I am kind of grown up and do a few chores, I decide that my time is better spent kicking back reading or using the wonderfully named nail polish – it is named after cities – via which I get to travel. This week I am in Jodhpur. For our wedding I was in Budapest. Versailles looks pretty good too. I take time to sit, to just be, to consider the tasks (which I ultimately end up doing of cleaning the loo, sorting some of my sewing mess) I really need to do and what will still be there even if I don’t get them done this weekend and in this moment. These last 2 weekends have been a considerable change of pace as we are usually doing something. I have been forced to slow down, to reflect. No, I don’t need to be doing something all the time, yes, it is okay to be bored, or stay at home.
I figure we need to finish what we have started as I look at the liquor/medicine shelf, so a little cocktail is in order – cheers to good things. The medicine cabinet will potentially have to stand up to some challenge, which it does day in day out, as we move through the next few weeks so best make sure that the medicine is in date.
I remember reading: nothing is changed only re-arranged. I like this. I think it speaks volumes about where we are at and what is going on. It is a weekend of voting – yes this is a task and a chore, but the upside was the lack of hassling at the polling booth, the ability to walk straight in and “do your civic duty”. The downside is the social interaction that is lost, the fundraising opportunities that are lost, because of social isolation. So, I take my travel indoors and partake of a tasty homemade lasagne with some Tiramisu for dessert, accompanied by some Italian beverages. Yes, travel by food, clothing, wine, whatever means that are possible in the current restrictive times and ponder opportunities ahead.
Over the weekend, I appreciate the sounds of the birds, not so much the mower at 8.00am Saturday because I was being lazy lying in bed reading, that I have plenty of books to read and sewing to do, movies I can watch, a comfy sofa, and contact with good friends. I don’t appreciate, quite so much, some of the other aspects of suburban living but I guess children have to be exercised and it is not for the entirety of their waking hours (thankfully). I appreciate that I have the ability to use my time as I please, I can adult or not. I put away the things we had assembled for travel. I look at my passport and wish my friend safe storage until I can bring it out again. I continue to not so much dream but conceptualise on overseas travel and how great it will be again, when we are free to explore the world, hopefully we still have holiday leave to do so and more of it than we would have had if all had gone to plan. I am thankful for the couple of days off I have booked at the end of this week in any event.
I think a lot of this has to do with mindset and resilience and all those touchy-feely concepts. Generally, I am a pretty upbeat kind of person. I say things as I see them but I also try to be kind, whilst still reserving the right to be judgemental and deciding whether the inside or outside voice should be used for a thought. I am able to still buy a coffee at the coffee shop and assist their economy with my small contribution. Remember a smile and a small gesture of kindness can make someone’s day. It is challenging yet also a time of re-set and re-design, of not change but re-arrangement. Keep safe.
