It was a barren wasteland; dark, cold and uninhabited, expect for the few who dawdled around as astonished as I was. No, it was not a graveyard or a remote island, it was our local mall. Just 90 days ago it was bustling with sounds of holiday music and busy shoppers. I was there to buy my granddaughter a birthday gift which was my pressing priority – I am a grandma, after all.
Like a character in a sci-fi movie, I walked around looking for signs of life and oddly, the only shops with an “open” sign displayed were three jewelry stores – hardly an “essential” business. A pizza joint and sandwich stand were open in the food court without a single human in line. This is the repercussion of the coronavirus outbreak and what public spaces look like with a mandated “Stay at Home” order. An eerie sight, but a necessary effort to keep people away from each other to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is wise.
Grocery stores are a different story. They are now swarmed with shoppers who buy as much as they are able to get into their vehicles as though an international food shortage is coming. Verbal and physical brawls have broken out as frantic consumers exchanged blows over the last package of toilet paper in the store. Aisles are bare and lines to get into some stores wrap around the block. This is panic.
To be sure, these are unprecedented times and most of us could not have imagined a global health crisis of this magnitude. It’s a time where we see the best of humanity as well as the most unpleasant. Sacrifices and generosities are extended by many, while thefts and offensive behaviors have been perpetrated towards others.
No one can predict how much longer our worldwide community will have to hide in our homes and Clorox every surface we touch. But since we’re all in this together, we may as well each do our part to remain calm and follow the instructions we’re given by medical professionals. Behaving otherwise can extend this scenario even longer. Let’s use wisdom and avoid panic.
One way to stay panic-free is to avoid sensational media that promote drama and chaos. Tune in to what the experts on the front lines are advocating and you’ll get to hear reports on the strides and achievements slowly being made to conquer coronavirus. Two of the most reliable sources are the World Health Organization (who.int) and the Center for Disease Control (cdc.gov).
Another significant detail to consider is that you may never have an opportunity to stay home for such an extended period. Think of the projects you’ve put off for years, well you now have all the time to get those going. Learn a new language, perfect your gastronomic skills, read those books you have stacked on the shelf, take up a new hobby. Clean out your closet as you listen to an audio book, watch a new movie or try HIIT Workouts at home. And now is a great time to start that small business, set up an Amazon business account and start making some extra cash. We all complain we never have enough time. Well, now we do.
Author: Monique Reidy