Do Your Eye's Feel Naked

 Note: I always wear the mask in public because it protects YOU from me. I hope you will do the same to keep me safe.

This bit about wearing a mask is just plain weird. I have traveled to the Middle East where women wear "veils" when they are in public. In many of those cultures woman have always covered their face. 

I have noticed that a woman's beauty cannot be hidden even in those circumstances. Their beauty remains in their eyes and their elegant hands. I think that in many ways those veils not only protected them from the sun but also from blowing wind as well as too much attention. While the veil in itself is lovely, the eyes that appear above the cover are simply gorgeous.

So, when I began wearing a mask in public all of the time, I began to see why those women valued the appearance of their eyes. 

It is a loss of identity that bothers me. Learning to smile with our eyes and a head position takes training and attention. In fact, even my voice is muffled. It is as though humans as we know them are invisible.

How does wearing a mask make you feel? Do you feel safer or do you feel smothered?

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What to Do, What to Do...back to China, Small Businesses and More!

Has it really only been 3 months since the Chinese notifies WHO of the Coronavirus outbreak? It seems like a lifetime to my family. Here is where we are now.

I try not to think about the past too much...yes I know, if we don't remember the past we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes. The mistakes, of course, are the problem. They cannot be undone. Words cannot be pulled back into our mouths unsaid and we cannot un-know what we know.

I think that is the problem right now...the un-knowing. Wouldn't you agree? For example, can we un-know that press conference where a NBC reporter asked our president to comfort those that afraid and was told what an awful person he was. I cannot un-know the last presidential debates nor can I even wrap my mind around how to make the foreboding go away.

These incidences are a snap shot of what our leadership is like. Scary, huh?

So, just finding a way to move forward is the best answer I guess. But what to do...what to do.

My oldest son has just returned to China and in living in a Hong Kong 4 star hotel in a room that he describes as a cell. He will stay there for 2 week in quarantine until the China official decide that he is not sick. Then, hopefully he will be allowed to re-enter Shenzhen where he works. He has two dog, an apartment and an organization with employees waiting. I keep my fingers crossed for him. His wife and our two granddaughters remain in Portland.

My youngest son is a small businessman. He and his wife are experts in photography...in the Portland Oregon metro area. The governor in that state has ordered the population to shelter in place. The mortgage must be paid as do the utilities. They have three children at home and three grown children that are struggling themselves. My husband and I watch and wait to see what we can do for them. The mortgage must be paid. Banks will do the worst in this type of situation. But if there is no declaration of emergency, no financial aid is available from our state or the feds.

In the case of our government not taking action, what I see is that corporations need help or our economy might collapse. But most importantly, if my past experience serves me right, bank will foreclose, people will loss their homes so we will see an already burgeoning homeless population grow even more. The little guys need the most help short term.

So even as we look to the future, it is not good.

BUT, what if a miracle happened, a vaccine could be found sooner rather than later and within a short period of time we can go on with our lives. China is reopening schools now. The epidemic is receding and those that have recovered must be going back to work.

In an article published in the Guardian the evidence pointed to December 31, 2019 as the date that the Chinese notified WHO of the outbreak of a pneumonia in Wuhan. The disease was identified as Disease X at that time. It has since been identified and Coronavirus Disease. That was less than 3 month ago.

So I am hopeful that we can do what the Chinese did....shelter in place. SHELTER IN PLACE! If your city does not feel like a dead space, you are not doing it. Stay at home.

Ok, I have a confession. We are having a hard time doing that here in Arizona. Other than restaurants closing it is pretty much business as usual. People are afraid (sorry President T.). Hoarding is terrible here and nationwide. We need some leadership and reassurance.

But SHELTER IN PLACE IS WHAT IS NEEDED. If we don't do what the Chinese did and close the world down around us nationally, what is the point. There is no "wall" between states and viruses do no respect borders.

Just saying. Any thoughts?

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Life Goes On...thoughts on living in isolation! What are you doing?

If you have ever gone camping and been left in the forest camp by yourself for a time, you will understand what isolation can feel like. Silence is wonderful but like anything, too much is too much. I actually do know women that like being left with their thoughts. I am not one of them.

I cannot even imagine NYC with no traffic and throngs of people. As my daughter-in-law related the story of living in Shenzhen, China for a couple of week with no one but two teens to keep her sane, the silence would be deafening!

But the reality is we must learn to socially distance ourselves. Italy is an example of what can happen when a culture of lovely people can't seem to do that. It makes one sick at heart.

And still, it seems so remote doesn't it? What happens next door or a few miles away does not happen to us...or so we think. In fact, in my minds eye, the restaurants are busy and I wonder why I am not there. A glass of wine with people chatting around me would be so wonderful. I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around it.

I could talk bravely about how many books I will read or something of that sort. But the truth of the matter is, I don't like this at all. Going out only when necessary is no fun.

Tamara, in a comment on an earlier post, ask about the importance of self-isolation. I know that she wanted me to get on board with the idea. Well, Tamara, if. you are reading, I am with you.

As I said in my previous post, "As for that Coronavirus disease, do what health workers tell you to do. Self quarantine if you think you have been exposed...do not wait for someone to order you to do that very thing. You may be inconvenienced or feel silly but better that than exposing someone to the disease that is not as healthy as you." 

Today I would add that just staying away from people for a couple of weeks would not be a bad idea. The six foot rule is the rule of thumb I hear. We need to be careful. In the state of Oregon EVERYONE is being ask to stay in place. Governor Brown was very emphatic in her press conference last night that people are being asked now but may be ordered to do that with consequences if they don't. That is where the National Guard might come into play if I am correct.

This thing could be the end of us yet!

Take care and let me know what you are doing. I am interested.

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The Voice of Reason

Here is the deal...I am old enough that I remember periods of time with shortages and high interest rates and inflation though the roof. I remember that the inflation made it very hard to put food on our families table. It was hard but it was not the end of the world. We got through it and we will again.

The voice of reason will prevail. What that voice says to you might be different than what it says to me. We each will find what works for us.

I for one cannot imagine staying in my house for-ever. The voice of reason tells me that going out doors, socializing and having fun will be fine. It tells me that having some basic supplies in my home may be a good idea...not enough for six years but enough for a few weeks. Flour, rice, beans can suffice in a pinch. It tells me that hoarding does not keep the wolf from my door because if my neighbor runs out I will be sharing. It would be wrong to get fat while others are suffering. It tells me that now is the time to tap into that inner resource of humor and patience.

If you are very young and have never experience a bad time, this will be good for you. You will be a stronger more confident person. You will know that you can do what is needed while keeping those around you safe...not just family but neighbors and friends. Life will go on as it always does.

As for that Coronavirus disease. Do what health workers tell you to do. Self quarantine if you are exposed...do not wait for someone to order you to do that very thing. You may be inconvenienced or feel silly but better that than exposing someone to the disease that is not as healthy as you.

So there you have it. We will play golf tomorrow...outside but dinner will be served indoors if we want to stay. Life will go on with a few tweaks. We got this! :)

How are things in your neighborhood?

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