In the beginning… March 14th, it felt like any contact at all was the end. I stayed home, only went for walks when nobody was around. We cooked all our own food and only went into the world when we had to. I washed everything frequently. It was like that for 4 weeks or so.
Then slowly, we started ordering from Postmates, going for walks whenever I felt I wanted to, and our grocery shopping schedule became less restrictive and insane. We wore masks, did contactless delivery, and were still diligent about never seeing anyone.
Eventually I started nannying part-time, increasing the size of our bubble by 5 people. Then slowly Nick went back to work and so did a few other people and the bubble grew again. Don’t get me wrong, Nick wears a mask at work, we still only do contactless delivery, we wear masks with everyone we see but a specified 6 people now.
But as the summer has gone on and nights have started to get chilly… I’ve felt myself get complacent and anxious at the same time. Not unlike the alarm fatigue I experienced working at the hospital or the way that I have stopped noticing the sound of the fans and A.C. after several months of constant hot weather. I find myself remembering the vigilance needed in fits and starts. It’s a strange feeling.
I don’t know how worried I should be about picnics in the park or trips to the grocery store. It’s such a strange feeling. I look around me and I think I’m doing more than most, but I’m not sure if it’s enough, or if it even matters when nobody else is. Feeling a bit gaslit and frustrated.
What are doing? Are you still social distancing? Do you think it matters?
Coffee & Conundrums 