Now, I'm sure many of you looked at the title of this blog and wondered "What the hell is Susan up to now?" I am just trying to get through this pandemic and come out the other side like everyone else! It took a couple of days after my mandatory quarantine before I had a party to celebrate and it was only myself and my partner who celebrated with all this going on.
On a bigger scale I got an audio message yesterday from a young friend in Spain who received many congratulatory messages from friends on this side of the world in the last couple of days. The media announced Spain was opening up again and people were returning to work. That's not the case. Construction and factory workers are going to be integrated back into the workforce very slowly in certain areas where the pandemic has slowed. Everyone else is still under strict lockdown in Spain. She, as a parent, can't even take their child for a walk because the government still feels it is too dangerous. I can only pray that we never reach a point in this pandemic in Canada that parents are told by our government that can't take their children for a walk.
I don't know how I would have reacted if I was told I couldn't go outside after my 2 week mandatory quarantine was over. I do pretty well on my own and can spend time by myself for periods of time but the 2 weeks of social isolation were frustrating for me. I couldn't even have personal contact with my partner (he is running a business and couldn't go into quarantine with me) or any of my friends........ I understood why but it still wasn't easy.
It felt strange when the mandatory quarantine was over and even though I knew it was okay, I actually experienced a fear of integrating back into society. "How would I handle going to the bank or grocery store? Would I follow the rules? Now, anyone who knows me knows I don't break rules easily unless I think they are unfair. I consider the options and make my decision based on facts.
I had my face mask and decided that I would use plastic rather than money to purchase anything. The reason for that was when I arrived back in Canada and picked up the car left for me at the airport, I couldn't use cash to pay for the vehicle parking. I entered the grocery store and was surprised that I was only one of a handful of people wearing a mask. The store had supplied hand sanitizer and gloves at the door, which I put on. Again, there were only a few people who had done the same thing. Most people were good about 'social distancing' and the store had circles for people to stand on as they prepared to pay. I noticed that the few people using masks were around the same age as me.
I am a 'baby boomer.' I've grown up in a generation and a country where women fought for many freedoms and won. We have the right to dress the way we want, to be paid the same as our male counterparts for doing equal work, to make decisions about our bodies, to travel by ourselves anywhere in our country, and to go into a beer parlor without an escort (I'm really aging myself)!
In Canada men and women have the right to congregate, the right to integrate, and the right to freedom of speech and movement. Suddenly, I am being told not to congregate, and my movement has become limited. I am a strong woman but this has thrown me for a loop. "Is everything going to be okay?" I didn't know. I survived reentry into into a world of strangers at the grocery store. How would my friends feel about reconnecting in person?" My question was soon answered and I found out friends were afraid, afraid of what was happening, afraid of the changes in our world. We haven't the freedom right now to even get together with our friends to enjoy a meal or watch the sunset!
I know I will follow most of the rules set out in this pandemic but there are some I disagree with. I agree that physical distancing is very necessary to control this virus. I understand that gathering closely together in groups can be detrimental if there isn't enough space to physically distance! But now, more than any other time in my history, connection with others beyond social media, is so necessary.
At my age, I disagree with the idea of complete social isolation. I think visiting with one or two others at a time is healthy and necessary. Younger people may say to the older generation "well, get on social media!" but some baby boomers haven't even switched from a landline to a cell-phone yet!
I think we need to keep connections with older friends and families. If you aren't doing so already, give them a shout every few days just to be sure they are not isolating too much and encourage them to keep in touch with their friends. I know some people may disagree with me but maybe consider getting together for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, for your or their mental health! Bring your own cup or glass and your own snack and make sure you have some hand sanitizer and a mask if necessary..... but have a visit and catch up!
Physical distancing of 6 feet or more is fine and can be done in the back yard or even the living room. Social isolation, especially amongst many of the older generation, is not fine! Baby boomers are members of a helping society, and many of us were taught by our parents who survived WW11, and a polio epidemic as well as a tuberculosis outbreak. We were raised to help our neighbours, feed the hungry, be there to listen, and look after the elderly. We know our children are worried that we may contract COVID 19 but to be 'locked down in social isolation' is against many of our beliefs and values as a baby boomer society.
Thank you For Being a Friend
The other thing I don't agree with is that families shouldn't go to their cabin if they have one. Even the Canadian Prime Minister went to spend time with his family at their other residence on Easter weekend. I am not saying it is right that people can hang out at the beach because it's sunny, especially if they do not have any regard for physical distancing. But if families want to get together at a family cabin, I think they should go for it! Just set the rules up before you go so everyone is safe. It's healthy and a decision people can make knowing they will also keep their family members healthy if they do so. Also, the family cabin may be the only way that younger family members can afford to live after losing their job.
Susan Gerle is a 70 year old 'Baby Boomer,' a writer and blogger, a mother and grandmother, and currently an armchair traveler waiting for the world to open up once again!
On a bigger scale I got an audio message yesterday from a young friend in Spain who received many congratulatory messages from friends on this side of the world in the last couple of days. The media announced Spain was opening up again and people were returning to work. That's not the case. Construction and factory workers are going to be integrated back into the workforce very slowly in certain areas where the pandemic has slowed. Everyone else is still under strict lockdown in Spain. She, as a parent, can't even take their child for a walk because the government still feels it is too dangerous. I can only pray that we never reach a point in this pandemic in Canada that parents are told by our government that can't take their children for a walk.
I don't know how I would have reacted if I was told I couldn't go outside after my 2 week mandatory quarantine was over. I do pretty well on my own and can spend time by myself for periods of time but the 2 weeks of social isolation were frustrating for me. I couldn't even have personal contact with my partner (he is running a business and couldn't go into quarantine with me) or any of my friends........ I understood why but it still wasn't easy.
It felt strange when the mandatory quarantine was over and even though I knew it was okay, I actually experienced a fear of integrating back into society. "How would I handle going to the bank or grocery store? Would I follow the rules? Now, anyone who knows me knows I don't break rules easily unless I think they are unfair. I consider the options and make my decision based on facts.
I had my face mask and decided that I would use plastic rather than money to purchase anything. The reason for that was when I arrived back in Canada and picked up the car left for me at the airport, I couldn't use cash to pay for the vehicle parking. I entered the grocery store and was surprised that I was only one of a handful of people wearing a mask. The store had supplied hand sanitizer and gloves at the door, which I put on. Again, there were only a few people who had done the same thing. Most people were good about 'social distancing' and the store had circles for people to stand on as they prepared to pay. I noticed that the few people using masks were around the same age as me.
I am a 'baby boomer.' I've grown up in a generation and a country where women fought for many freedoms and won. We have the right to dress the way we want, to be paid the same as our male counterparts for doing equal work, to make decisions about our bodies, to travel by ourselves anywhere in our country, and to go into a beer parlor without an escort (I'm really aging myself)!
In Canada men and women have the right to congregate, the right to integrate, and the right to freedom of speech and movement. Suddenly, I am being told not to congregate, and my movement has become limited. I am a strong woman but this has thrown me for a loop. "Is everything going to be okay?" I didn't know. I survived reentry into into a world of strangers at the grocery store. How would my friends feel about reconnecting in person?" My question was soon answered and I found out friends were afraid, afraid of what was happening, afraid of the changes in our world. We haven't the freedom right now to even get together with our friends to enjoy a meal or watch the sunset!
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| Friends getting together in Puerto Vallarta before Social Distancing |
I know I will follow most of the rules set out in this pandemic but there are some I disagree with. I agree that physical distancing is very necessary to control this virus. I understand that gathering closely together in groups can be detrimental if there isn't enough space to physically distance! But now, more than any other time in my history, connection with others beyond social media, is so necessary.
At my age, I disagree with the idea of complete social isolation. I think visiting with one or two others at a time is healthy and necessary. Younger people may say to the older generation "well, get on social media!" but some baby boomers haven't even switched from a landline to a cell-phone yet!
I think we need to keep connections with older friends and families. If you aren't doing so already, give them a shout every few days just to be sure they are not isolating too much and encourage them to keep in touch with their friends. I know some people may disagree with me but maybe consider getting together for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, for your or their mental health! Bring your own cup or glass and your own snack and make sure you have some hand sanitizer and a mask if necessary..... but have a visit and catch up!
Physical distancing of 6 feet or more is fine and can be done in the back yard or even the living room. Social isolation, especially amongst many of the older generation, is not fine! Baby boomers are members of a helping society, and many of us were taught by our parents who survived WW11, and a polio epidemic as well as a tuberculosis outbreak. We were raised to help our neighbours, feed the hungry, be there to listen, and look after the elderly. We know our children are worried that we may contract COVID 19 but to be 'locked down in social isolation' is against many of our beliefs and values as a baby boomer society.
Thank you For Being a Friend
The other thing I don't agree with is that families shouldn't go to their cabin if they have one. Even the Canadian Prime Minister went to spend time with his family at their other residence on Easter weekend. I am not saying it is right that people can hang out at the beach because it's sunny, especially if they do not have any regard for physical distancing. But if families want to get together at a family cabin, I think they should go for it! Just set the rules up before you go so everyone is safe. It's healthy and a decision people can make knowing they will also keep their family members healthy if they do so. Also, the family cabin may be the only way that younger family members can afford to live after losing their job.
Susan Gerle is a 70 year old 'Baby Boomer,' a writer and blogger, a mother and grandmother, and currently an armchair traveler waiting for the world to open up once again!
