Last Sunday I hopped online to document the latest information/thoughts on COVID-19, or the “Coronavirus.” Cases in America are rising, though things seem to be deescalating in other countries. That said, things are deescalating because countries are shutting down everything non-essential. Trade from other countries has essentially ceased. Movie theatres are closed until further notice. Everyone is focused on containment. America is doing their best, but there are still plenty of people partying it up down here for Spring Break. Meanwhile, my company is going full-remote, with only the absolute essentials working in office, until April 17.
I’m one of the lucky ones, as some people are out of work and headed to the unemployment line so they can keep their lives afloat while their non-essential jobs are placed on hold. It’s overwhelming to think about at times. I don’t know what’s happening with teachers, as public schools are shut down until things clear up more (though some schools are staying open as a shelter and providing food to students in need). It is a truly scary time.
The nation is working hard to keep things moving: the CDC is working ’round the clock to get enough tests and vaccine trials. Money is being injected into the economy to help things from collapsing too much. Local governments are implementing total lockdowns to keep people safe. My own county has a sunrise/sunset curfew, with all restaurants being take out and delivery only.
The masses are reacting in their own way: yelling at people for going outdoors and living life normally (the main exception seems to be that it’s okay to go get takeout from your local small business). Celebrities are having hit-or-miss moments of “doing their part” online.
The hits: John Legend, Shawn Mendes, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, among others, are doing livestream concerts. Jimmy Fallon has been doing his late-night show, to the best of his ability, from his house. Josh Gad (Olaf from “Frozen”) has been reading children’s books on his Instagram. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, among others, have donated millions to food banks in both the United States and Canada. Though not technically “celebrity,” companies like Disney and NBCUniversal are releasing their movies on Digital Demand and streaming so people can actually enjoy them. Is it probably just a way to not miss out on their box office boons? Sure. And yet, I will benefit. They put “Frozen 2” and “The Invisible Man” on streaming. I’m set.
The misses: Evangeline Lily posted that she dropped her kids off at their extracurriculars and carrying on with her life, because she “values her freedom.” Many people thought that was selfish (to the point that Sansa Stark herself, Sophie Turner, hopped on Instagram live to encourage people to not be selfish and to follow the rules to stay indoors, with a sly dig at Evangeline’s “freedom” values). As well, both Sam Smith and Ellen DeGeneres received criticism this week for sharing their frustrations on social media, essentially saying “We’re all in this together, I’m miserable and feeling trapped too.” I’m pretty sure it’s a lot easier to be trapped in your house when your house is a 7 million dollar mansion with a pool, fitness center, and movie theatre. Simultaneously, much to my dismay, Gal Gadot released an Instagram video of an a capella rendition of “Imagine” (by John Lennon), sung by her and a few other celebrities. Kind of hard to hear “Imagine no possessions” from a multi-millionaire. That’s the kind of thing that led Lennon to be assassinated. My gentle sweet Wonder Woman, no. I know of all things you believe in love, but God bless, this was not it. Still looking forward to “Wonder Woman: 1984.” Love you.
Image from Giphy. “Cooperative Calligraphy.” Community. NBC. 11 November 2010. TV.
A notable phenomenon has been the hypothetical situations that people have posed during this required quarantime. There are two options: you will either emerge having been productive, written that novel, dieted while saving money on your food rations, or eat all your quarantine snacks three days in and spend your time watching Netflix and Hulu, emerging looking like you’re straight out of Wall-E.
I personally want to find my happy medium. I have finished the first season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and I’m slated to watch “Stranger Things” tomorrow with a friend. A happy plus: Google Chrome has an extension called “Netflix Party,” where you can share screens and watch movies together. I watched “Confirmed Kills” with two friends yesterday, and have scheduled another “movie night” for next Friday. Fun fun!
That said, I am, again, one of the lucky ones who still has work. I will be spending eight hours a day at work, like normal. That said, things have slowed down somewhat. I can use lulls to read, write, and walk laps around my kitchen. I wish I had a treadmill.
I want to emerge with a tight hair and makeup routine, and know how to add individual lashes. I also kind of want to learn French finally. Polish my Spanish, learn French, basic Italian. I know it sounds ambitious, but they’re saying this quarantine could last until July. That’s over three months! I’m also hoping to get better at home workouts, which have never been my strong suit. I don’t want to live off processed food and lose any healthy habits I actually have.
Image from Tenor. “Frank’s Pretty Woman.” It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia . FX. 15 September 2011. TV.
During this time of isolation, I have no excuse to not indulge in some personal growth and mental development. I should not emerge in a thick wave of cheeto-dust. No matter how tempting that sounds. To quote Thomas Paine, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” To quote Shakespeare’s Richard III, “Now is the winter of our discontent”. To quote Salvador Dali, “Whoa, things are getting so weird that it looks like those clocks are melting.”