OK, what now?

The big event today was a trip to get my teeth cleaned. Figure that it was most likely a violation of the house rules, but I went anyhow. My appointment was for 3 PM but I called at 8:45 to see if they had had any cancellations. And sure enough – they could see me at 9:30. Buses are on Saturday schedule, so, I had to Uber it. Took the bus back to the Asylum. So little traffic that the bus waited at 3 stops to be sure that it didn’t get ahead of schedule.

The restaurants were not just empty. They showed every sign of being closed. But, this being St Paddy’s Day, that might change come sundown.

.Everything from my smallkidtime prepared me for 9/11. It was a surprise. But not unexpected to someone who grew up in the Duck-and-Cover era. (This is the entire creepy 10 minute Duck and Cover film ca 1951.  Watch it, you have plenty of time. And, it is kind of funny. Especially the creepy grownup and the girl.)

I always expected to be a widow. Carlton was nine years older. So, it was a surprise to come home from work and find that he had ever so peacefully died. But, not unexpected. And a great blessing because we were both spared the long-drawn-out death that we were mentally preparing for.

Nothing at all in my entire life has prepared me for this slow-moving disaster that actually begun on November 8, 201 6. Apocalyptic outbreaks of diseases are a standard feature in literature: The Plague, The Stand, World War Z, The Andromeda Strain, the list is endless. Think I have read everyone ever written. Plus some non-fiction ones too. But, I am totally unprepared mentally for THIS. I also fail to make the connection when the authorities recount how dangerous this is for “the elderly”. And they mean anyone over 60 as “the elderly”. And, that includes me. So, this Covid-19 thing has me completely flummoxed. I should be handling it better. I am not afraid of dying. I am afraid of watching everything fall apart in slo-mo.

Guess that I am stuck with Carlton’s “Shut up, suit up, show up” mantra.

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