Everything is Different: Thoughts on a Global Pandemic

COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. So many people are sick or have lost their lives. Never in my life did I think we’d actually see something like this.

We’re fortunate in so many ways. Safe in our home, a fridge full of food, money in the bank, still employed, a big yard, access to local trails, and of course, staying safe at a home with the best dogs ever.

Guard dogs, protecting the valuables

We’ve talked about selling the house, convincing my boss to let me work remotely full-time, moving into the RV and living on the road full time. It’s my dream. But right now, I’m very, very thankful we still own this house. I’ve watched the full-timers I follow on Instagram and YouTube have to make the hard choices to put their rigs in storage, to move in, temporarily with family, move into a long-term AirBNB, or buy a house and land. Watching them get kicked out of RV parks, state parks, and even BLM land was heartbreaking. I’m very thankful for all we have.

I think it’s OK to also admit while we’re so fortunate, we’re all lost something, and I’m grieving all the normal things I used to take for granted. The world looks very different from just a couple of months ago.

Work Looks a lot Different

I’m working from home for the foreseeable future. As a delivery driver, Jamey is “essential” so he still goes out to work each day, thankfully with mostly no-contact pickups and drop offs.

Yes, I did buy that art just for “camera on” meetings!

Working from home was always a nice perk for me, I liked the option to stay in my jammies and not talk to people. Now that it’s just my normal, I think I could get used to this, but I sure do miss talking to people and seeing other human beings.

At least phase 1 of the full-time RV adventure is done – work full time remotely, CHECK!

Fun Looks a lot Different

Introverted Sam is taking the quarantine better than extroverted Jamey. I already liked being at home. But I sure miss the option to go somewhere else. Jamey, on the other hand, finds being at home bearable when he can watch his sports teams on TV. Since all sports have been canceled, bars, restaurants, attractions are closed, he’s gotten very antsy.

Going out to eat and visiting breweries has been our primary source of entertainment forever. Now that those options are just takeout, fun is different. We’re getting food to go and eating at home. I’ve been spending some time trying out making different meals, making Jamey’s favorites, trying to recreate the restaurant experience at home. I miss having someone else cook for me and clean up after me.

Going “out to eat” is very different

Staying in touch with friends and family via Zoom helps, and is also exhausting. We’re still going for bike rides to breweries, we just get the beer to go now. And we wear mask for the quick run into our favorite breweries to pick up those to-go beers. Jamey definitely misses sitting at the bar and chatting with the beertender.

Family Looks a lot Different

I’m fortunate to have my family nearby so we’ve been able to see each other, from afar. We all met in a church parking lot for a birthday car parade for a 12 year old. Even seeing my parents, grandparents and siblings from 6 feet apart was great for my mental health.

Jamey’s family is nearly four hours away from us, so he hasn’t been able to connect with them in the same way. We did a Zoom Easter, but that hasn’t quite filled the mom and dad hug size hole in his heart.

Summer Looks a Lot Different

Camping season should have started in mid April, but that was put on hold. As of now, in Minnesota at least, short-term, recreational camping is not allowed. Camping is only currently allowed for full-time RVers, essential workers who need a place to shelter, or if you a seasonal site where you maintain property.

Personally, I think this closure is too far, and yes I realize it’s because I have a dog in this fight. Hear me out: it’s easy to maintain social distance in a campground. If we’re just sitting at our site around the campfire, anyone walking past is at least 6′ away. Self-contained rigs have their own bathrooms, so no worries about what has been touched or coughed on, only my germs in my RV. 

We went “yard camping” on the weekend campgrounds should have opened. It was fun, but it wasn’t the same. I hope this changes soon, I have so many places to see.

I miss camping. I miss having something to look forward to. We were supposed to spend Memorial Day week, and my 40th birthday, in Denver, Colorado. That trip is canceled – who wants to spend so long driving that far to avoid people and places? Maybe next year. I hope yard camping isn’t all the summer holds for us. Fingers crossed.

Social Media Doesn’t Look Different

Facebook and Twitter are a hot mess of self appointed epidemiologists and a new found appreciation for protests by people who have long condemned protests. Some people are very performative on social media about never leaving their house, not even to walk around the block for fresh air. Others are happy to share some fringe article showing COVID-19 is no worse than the flu and bragging about their refusal to wear a mask and insisting getting a hair cut is an essential service. In short, people on social media suck.

We’re all doing our best to manage our risk, do what we can to maintain our sanity and avoid contracting or spreading the virus. The last thing we need right now is for a global pandemic to divide us further, and yet here we are.

As For Me and My House, We Follow Science. But We Don’t Know Shit.

There are still so many unknowns around this virus. As the medical community studies it more, we learn new things. Things we thought we knew change. There are a lot of moving parts and it can be hard to keep up. But if you’re not an actual doctor, medical worker, epidemiologist or virologist, STFU.

Show some kindness and grace to your fellow human beings. If your neighbors are gathered outside with other people, it’s unlikely they’ll spread the virus to each other. And they defintely aren’t going to spread it you as you watch and judge them from the window in your bunker … I mean, basement. Your social media shaming isn’t going to change anyone’s behavior and you’re just virtue signaling and preaching to the choir.

If a store requires, or requests, that you wear a mask inside, just do it. Stop making a big deal about wearing a piece of cloth over your face to protect others. Who cares if your face it sweaty? Your constitutional rights are not being squashed. Are you so certain that one article you read on Facebook is right? Is doing this one small thing such a burden for you, snowflakes? Can we all just get along and do what we need to do to flatten this curve and get back to regular life??

Quarantine Fatigue

The news has been running stories about quarantine fatigue. I get it, I’m sick of being stuck in my house. That doesn’t change the fact that the virus is still out there, making people sick and killing some of them. It doesn’t change the CDC guidelines. A virus doesn’t care about your feelings or your plans. We’re all social creates, this is hard for everyone. but that doesn’t mean this is a hoax.

A lot of people are hurting. Not just sick people. People who have lost their jobs, people who are isolated from their friends and family. There is real pain and suffering right now. Let’s all be kind to each other.

Everything is Different, but it Doesn’t Have to Suck (right?)

We’ll get through this pandemic. Some day. There are many reasons to be thankful right now, even when things are hard. It could be worse – what if we didn’t have food deliveries, internet or Netflix?

Here’s hoping we’re able to make the best of a bad situation and still have an enjoyable summer.

How are you staying sane and entertained during these uncertain times? (I’m so sick of that phrase, I swear I’m never using that phrase again!)