I wrote this post on April 7, 2020. We were living in Palm Springs and on shutdown. It was such an odd time. I’m not sure I really managed to get over it. I have more anxiety now than I did prior to COVID. I need more time to myself and less engagement with people outside our family. Those are just few things that linger.
21 Days. Isn’t that something? My daughter came home a few days before we got the order. I’m so glad she made it here. She’s been a joy to have around along with her fur baby Waffles. We have plenty of room to have my husband, me and my daughter all working from home — together — yet apart.
Here’s a few thoughts I have about these strange days:
ONE
I go from super calm and productive to anxiety ridden from day to day.
TWO
I’m losing track of the days and the time. Twice I have woken up thinking it’s 6 a.m. and started the coffee only to look at the clock in the kitchen that reads 11:40 p.m.
THREE
My routine of daily three pages of writing, my three mile walk and Bible readings to start my day are more important than ever. All three help me stay grounded.
FOUR
I’m reading lots of good books. Sitting in my back yard in the sun reading is one of my favorite things to do.
FIVE
10,000 people have died in our country. My heart goes out to all the people suffering and losing loved ones.
SIX
We are now told to wear masks when we leave the house. I’m using a make-shift one from my quilting supplies. It’s hard to breathe during my morning walks, though, and my glasses fog up.
SEVEN
My writing jobs are completed and turned in and now I’m in uncharted territory without every minute of my day focused on meeting deadlines.
EIGHT
My daughter and I cleaned and organized the food cupboards and the laundry room. It feels good to have clean spaces.
NINE
I’m reaching out to family via phone and email. It’s important to stay in touch with your loved ones.
What are your thoughts about sheltering in place during the pandemic?
What things have lingered into your life now from four years ago?
We did a lot of sitting in the yard. Since the wind blows most of the time we felt it was safe. We also took a lot of Sunday Afternoon drives – just to get out. Unfortunately, we are introverts so we didn’t miss people so much. The biggest change was social distancing. I still stay away from crowds, when in line I keep a safe distance. I’ve gotten out of line when the person behind me “crowds” my space.
We spent a lot of time in our yard, too. I too don’t like being in crowds. It didn’t bother me before.
Like you, it was ok before, not anymore. Fortunately, I was 100% remote for several years before it hit so the the isolation wasn’t an issue until football season.
Working remotely was why we were able to move out of California to Arizona where we were planning on retiring someday. My husband still works remotely and loves not having to drive to an office.
That commute is a killer (LOL)
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I hope as time continues to move on you feel less anxious EA. I understand though and I think many of us made some dramatic changes to our lives that linger still. I was working still at that time, in the hospital, verging often on 6 days per week. We had no idea.
Thank you. When you were working in the hospital did you have COVID patients?
I worked on Labor and Delivery and yes we had Covid patients delivering. I worked with the babies, not the parents but they were in the rooms altogether. It was complicated and the policies changed so often we never really knew what to expect. Our sickest moms were in isolation and by the time 2020 became 2021 I was going into isolation rooms in full PPE just like the other staff. The memories of that entire time are still with me.
That sounds beyond difficult. The rule changes and PPE must have been a burden. But we were all learning at the time. I had three friends who were diagnosed with breast cancer during COVID. The two that went to our local hospital were worried about being exposed to COVID. They had to go through surgeries and treatments alone. The third friend chose to drive an hour to City of Hope because they tested everyone for COVID before allowing them in, and they were treating cancer exclusively.
How does that time…just four years ago…feel like forty instead?
That is so true! It does seem like a distant time.
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“I go from super calm and productive to anxiety ridden from day to day.” I can definitely relate.
I was busy at the time writing stories for trade magazines. I’d need to interview five mom and pop businesses per story. As COVID continued, businesses closed and I had a tough time getting interviews. That was part of what made me anxious, seeing all the businesses fail.
Yes, definitely an unsettling time. I think in some ways it still is. But then I look back and realize that it’s been four years ago. Wow.
In 2020, we were so busy looking at homes, getting our house of 28 years ready to sell. Then moving. A lot of those time was lost in a whirlwind.
As others, I share the sentiment that the pandemic changed us in so many ways, and it’s hard to believe it’s already been 4 years.
For me, the sheltering in place order was a blessing because the shift to remote work allowed me to rest more and gradually begin improving my health. However, it’s a bittersweet feeling because I know so many were negatively impacted by the pandemic, in very dramatic ways. My heart aches especially for the children who lived through it. Being young for 9/11 was one thing, but I feel like this trauma has been so much bigger.
I’m glad the sheltering in place helped you out. I had friends with kids in high school who missed their sports, proms, graduation, etc. They were totally isolated. It was hard for them.
I can only imagine how devastating it must have been.
I’m sure it has changed their development and mental health.
You’re right that those were very different times. One or two things have carried over from those days;
The reluctance to go to big parties unless they are very important
The casual dropping in on friends/ relatives- just because has decreased a lot.
And of course handwashing all the time.
I’m with you on all three. My hands are so dry!
Haha! Perpetually dry.
I believe I am more suspicious of shots and of covid shots. I had many tell me not to get the shot but I did after urging by my brother, affiliated with a hospital in Manhattan. I did have a thyroid problem for awhile after the shot but then it went away.
I have sore joints since taking the shots. Also, still got Covid. I have friends who didn’t take the shot and their joints are okay. They still got Covid but it was no worse than mine.
I hated sheltering in place. Hated. I don’t even like to think about it
There were so many ridiculous things going on. Like the playground at the park wrapped in yellow crime tape.
What a fantastic look back at that strange time, Elizabeth. I love the lessons that you noted. I suspect that there are more residual effects from that time than I think. Now that you mention it, I remember watching that death toll climb every day. Prayers for all those families.
I’m glad you enjoyed my look back in time. I feel so badly for families who lost loved ones. Also, I feel sad about the fear so many experienced.
Right. So much fear.
Your photo is beautiful, Elizabeth, and I love your list. Wearing a mask was tough because I also wear glasses that fogged up. Those times were definitely strange, and tragic for those who lost their lives and for their families. For my husband and I, it was hard not to be able to see our kids who lived out of state, but we kept in touch through technology.
What has lingered for me is that I don’t like to talk stand real close to others who I don’t know. I like to keep my distance, and sometimes I notice myself taking a step back. I also wash my hands a lot and use hand sanitizer which I keep at work and in my car. I’m more relaxed with grocery carts, but I use that sanitizer when I leave. We were happy to get the vaccinations, so I think they ease our minds a bit. I never thought we’d experience a pandemic though, and I hope history doesn’t repeat itself. I also hope that your anxiety subsides over time. But like you, I’m not as excited to be in big crowds. Take care!
It was such a strange time, indeed. I feel much the same as you and wash my hands constantly. My kids live in Berkeley and were given a warning a day before shelter in place. We were not on shut down in Palm Springs. My daughter was working remotely, so she drove down immediately to our house. Then she said she thought we’d have shelter in place within a day or two. She was correct. It was nice to have her with us during that time.
Oh my, that brings back so many emotions and feelings. We had sort of a huge bubble, which included both family and close friends. I think the residual I am left with is the idea that we can never predict the future, it most likely will happen again, or something we’ve yet to imagine. I think a more moderate approach would be better. Our kids suffered from remote teaching, people were isolated and depressed and we really didn’t have all of the information we needed to make good decisions for ourselves. Life is so unpredictable and the only way to manage is the consistency of family and friends. Hugs, C
You were lucky to have your lake house to escape to with family and friends. We really didn’t have information needed to make good decisions. Everything kept changing from week to week. I hope the kids will be able to recover from their remote learning and isolation.
I look back on that time and am reminded of how unsure we were. No one knew what had hit us and where we going. We did okay, Z-D started working full-time from home, and we learned to order groceries online. But all socializing stopped, aside from waving from afar at neighbors as they walked by.
It was a time of not knowing what to expect. I learned how to order groceries online for myself and for my dad, who was nearby. I had friends whose daughter was one of the drivers for groceries. They’d make her strip in the backyard and throw her clothes in the washer before she came in the house. Then she’d jump in the shower.