There are still a fair amount of people who are not following social distancing, nor the new law about mask requirements. Gas stations are where I see the most variation in rule followers. Tonight I saw someone walk up to the door at Stewart’s, see the sign that said a mask was required to enter and proceeded to turn around and return to their car. I still don’t think people believe that all of this is helping anything, and with that mentality, they’re part of why there is not better progress being made.
This past week I was out in my car and outside for a walk. Cars still passed by somewhat frequently, but there were certainly not as many people out in the towns I drove through. It snowed overnight one night and that felt very fitting for the mood, even though it’s April. The day before the snow, it felt bitter and dreary and gloomy out, like you knew the snow was coming. Unlike the snow, we didn’t know that all of this was about to happen to us. All we can do is take it day by day and hope for the best outcome.
Night time seems to be when I’m most productive since we began to quarantine. I find myself sleeping a lot during the day but am more awake at night. Time doesn’t seem to go as slow when the sun isn’t out. Mental health is something of concern in my household, and the hours I’ve been holding don’t really help those concerns. I guess driving around at night is what makes me feel reminded that people are still alive; seeing lights on in all the houses is a comforting feeling even though you don’t see the faces to accompany them.
The experience of social distancing and self quarantines have taken a toll on everyone I know in one way or another. Graduations are cancelled or postponed. New mothers can’t show off their newborn babies to friends and family. Kids and their parents are stuck at home; seeing them playing outside while I walk by knowing it is their only reprieve is sad. There’s a small park one house away from mine that is usually crawling with the neighborhood kids with the start of the warmer weather, and now it’s rare that anyone is there at all. There’s only so much we can do, and that is to actively do nothing. I’ve personally found this to be a really stressful time, knowing I really don’t have the option to go see friends, even though everyone was forced home from college.
The religious community is very prevalent in my town, this is one of three within a two mile radius that has cancelled services.
There are now 37 cases in my county and I think it is just started to be taken seriously. Being as far upstate as we are, there was a lot of ignorance thinking that the virus would not reach us, but alas, those escaping the diseased city sought safety in their summer homes and without knowing it brought the virus with them. There was the initial panic buying, and the grocery store remains busier than it probably should be. As of now, there are about a dozen people I know of who have either been tested, gone to the emergency room, had to self-quarantine due to exposure, and one has even died.
The local hotdog stand; people travel from across the state to get a Matt dog in the summer.
Local businesses have been suffering, most food places have temporarily closed. Those that remain open still seem to have customers as I’ve driven by but everyone is so wary of each other. The virus has made us fearful of living.
