which signs were made for you and me

[adrian_turtle]

After convalescing approximately forever, my doctor assures me that I'm well enough to go outside even though I'm still somewhat short of breath. So I've been walking a few blocks up and down Mass Ave, carefully avoiding people and trying to regain a little aerobic capacity. I've been looking at the signs in store windows, as one does.

Obviously, a lot of places are open for only limited services, and a lot more are closed entirely. The signs don't just say "closed" or "takeout only" or "repairs only." They tried to say why they were closed or limiting their activities, which makes a lot of sense. Some said they'd be back as soon as they could, and they all tried to imply it. They only closed because they had to.

(Ah, but why do they have to?)

"...because of the corona virus outbreak..."
"...due to COVID-19..."
"Due to regulations..."
"Due to Governor Baker's mandate..."

I know there are insurance policies that will compensate you for what you HAD to lose (like if you got fired, or if you cancelled the con because the state forbid large gatherings), but not pay out for what you lost by terrified choice. So maybe some stores want to emphasize that the state is making them shut down, to remind their insurance companies.

But maybe, just maybe, some of them see all the suffering related to the coronavirus lockdown and think it's caused by the lockdown more than by the virus. That's why people are demonstrating in front of the Michigan state house. That's why my mother is becoming so hard to talk to, even about what I thought were safe topics like her health, or the fact that I have very kind friends.

Comments

[elusiveat]

This morning I was on a videochat with an acquaintance who said that the "edict" (I think that was the word they used) to wear masks even in your own yard came from "Big Brother."

I just kept my mouth shut : \

Not sure if I should have handled it differently or if I did the right thing.

[adrian_turtle]

You can never be sure if you did "the" right thing, but you probably did a right thing. I don't know how much energy you had this morning, but I know it wasn't unlimited, and everybody needs to choose their battles.

It's really hard for me to push back against slippery little things like that. I can't argue tone, and I often hear it in passing when I don't even have a solid chance to show a counter-example that will be listened to.

[elusiveat]

Yeah...

In this case there was also the other person very clearly communicating that they were incredibly stressed out and that the masks felt like yet another thing. So, there's care of other to think about in addition to self-care and care for the world.

[redbird]

It occurs to me that the governor may or may not listen, but they're a human being and governors do sometimes listen to constituents. Viruses don't take phone calls, or receive (let alone read) email.

So if it's the government's fault, there's someone who you might be able to persuade, which feels a little less hopeless than "we're cancelling the event because of the alien invasion." Moreso, perhaps, if you agree with what the governor is doing.

[adrian_turtle]

I think of a human enemy as scarier as an inhuman one, because of the malice. But now that you mention it, I can see how it might seem preferable.

[silveradept]

There's a certain amount of both, I think, and it's exacerbated by the clear demonstration that some people who need to be the most competent are instead being exactly as competent as we knew they would be when they were elected.

[adrian_turtle]

There are some state and local leaders who have stepped up and done remarkably well in an impossible situation. (I had no idea Gavin Newsom could do this. I suspect HE had no idea he could do this.)

[silveradept]

Yes. Those leaders have done very well in a situation where they were abandoned by a crucial part of the infrastructure they should have been able to depend on. And in sticking to saying that things progress at the rate of the science and not any faster, and then following the science.

[the_rck]

I'm glad to hear you're doing better!

[adrian_turtle]

Thanks! I wasn't all that sick, but it really is good to be feeling better. It's lonely here, but the lingering breathing problem really validated my decision to hunker down in the apartment without the cats...I'm not VERY allergic to them, but breathing difficulties aggravate each other horribly.

[corylea]

*scrolls back through previous posts* *sees no mention of illness*

Wait, what are you convalescing from? Whatever it is, I'm glad you're feeling some better, and I hope you continue to improve day by day.

*non-germy virtual hugs*

[adrian_turtle]

Oh! I'd forgotten I hadn't mentioned it. I was posting so much more often this spring it felt like I was telling DW...not everything, but a lot. That's silly, because "so much more" is still closer to weekly than daily.

I came down with a lower-respiratory unpleasantness that was probably COVID, but my fever was never high enough to test for the virus. And the kid I think I caught it from was never tested and never had symptoms. I was uncomfortably-but-not-dangerously sick in late March, and miserably-but-not-dangerously sick in early April. Then I spent most of April feeling ok if I didn't do anything, but straining to breathe if I tried to sing, or walk any significant distance.

I'm glad you're feeling some better
Me too. Oh, me too!

I hope you continue to improve day by day.
So far so good! Being able to walk outside is helping, I think.

[corylea]

Oh, my! I'm sorry to hear that you went through such a lengthy illness. Were you alone in your apartment all that time, with no one there to take care of you? That sounds really awful!

If I remember correctly, your sweeties all live an airplane ride away. If you ever need local help, feel free to call on me. I'm not always up to doing anything, but I'm not always NOT up to it, either.

Keep getting better, hon! *hug*

[adrian_turtle]

Vicki lives in Belmont now, and in ordinary times she can take the bus and be here very easily. With this? She stayed home for 2 weeks, because she had slept over shortly before I got sick, and that meant she had probably been exposed. That's one of the awful things about this disease.

I was alone the whole time, but people at my synagogue used their cars to bring things to leave outside my door. Then they'd back off to a distance that seemed safe so I could come to the door and chat for a few minutes. I'm still in here alone. If Vicki (or Andy) or I could drive, we would have gone to talk from 6 feet away. But when we consider the risk to the (4) bus drivers...*sigh*

[corylea]

Oh, I'm so glad Vicki is in Belmont now; that's so much better for you!

Or at least, it will be once we're all allowed out of our houses again. :-)