I write this just as the Oregon Governor has issued a stay at home order for all Oregonians. I was in line at the bank drive thru when it was announced. Well…at least I made my car payment.
On the way home, I stopped at the store to pick up a few items that I had forgotten the day before. The parking lot was a little fuller than usual, but that was okay. I managed to pull into a spot close to the store immediately as another shopper left.
I only picked up the items I needed. Staples that I need to have at all times. I’m hoping that other shoppers are doing the same and not panicking, but I did see a couple of shoppers with two carts full of stuff. I’m not them. It’s just me and one other person I’m shopping for. I managed to get out of the store in about 10 minutes, keeping my social distance and heading home.
I know times are uncertain. I know it’s scary right now. I’m asking everyone to try to keep calm, stay home if you can and when you must shop, buy only what you need or will need in the coming weeks. Please don’t panic and hoard items. Leave them for those that need them. Shop responsibly and safely. Don’t just think of yourself and your family, think of the others that are daring to shop to try to get what they need. Also, honor the hours that the stores are setting aside for senior citizens and immune compromised individuals. This disease can kill and those persons that are older, pregnant women and immune compromised individuals need to have that time to shop safely and try to avoid getting sick. Stop the “me, me, me!” stuff and think of others.
Connect on social media, the NextDoor app or however you communicate to see if susceptible neighbors need help. Do you have shutins in your area? Do they need anything? Can you go shopping for them? Are they okay? This is a time for us all to come together.
There are still many people that do not believe that COVID-19 is a real thing, or is as deadly as it is. If you encounter or know anyone like that, direct them to cdc.gov for the most up to date information on the virus. There are new rumors circulating constantly. Do not listen to them. Get your information from a reputable news source like NPR or cdc.gov.
This past weekend, we went on our second hike of the year. It will be our last for awhile. With the movie theaters, malls, and other recreational businesses closed down, the outdoors becomes very appealing. This was evident on our hike. We arrived very early and there were a few cars in the parking lot of the trail-head, but on our way back to the car, the trail was getting crowded with people, making it difficult to keep our social distance. When we got back to the car, the once nearly empty parking lot was completely full with 7 or 8 cars looking for a place to park. The road leading to the trail-head parking lot was full of parked cars on both sides, making it very difficult to navigate out of the area. Had we known it was going to be like that, we wouldn’t have gone.
This doesn’t bode well for our hiking this year, but it’s not about me or my partner, it’s about all of us. Whether you live in a state that’s been locked down, or you’ve been asked to stay home, or even if you live in a state that doesn’t yet have any restrictions or requests in place, I’m asking you to please stay home if you can. Limit your contact with others wherever possible and let’s get through this as a country united. This is on all of us. Let’s “flatten the curve” and help people survive this pandemic.
It’s time to stop pointing fingers and start taking responsibility for ourselves, our loved ones, our neighbors and friends. Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. The sooner we strive to come together to help each other, the sooner this will be over.
Stay home, binge watch something on TV or read a book. You can also play video games with your kids or find another activity to do as a family. Play a board game, put a puzzle together. There’s so much you can do and this is a great time to do it. Alone? Facetime, Skype, or find another way to talk face to face via technology. Don’t know how? Ask a friend or family member to help you set it up.
Let’s get through this together (while keeping our social distance) and be a shining example of America and it’s resolve. Stay well and hang in there………Rae
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