Hello friends! Greetings from Querétaro, where, as everywhere else in the world, a sense of unreality has set in. We are now living in a dystopian novel where a strange and frightening new virus is spreading globally at an unprecedented pace. So, what to do about it?
DON’T PANIC!
Those famous words are the first line from one of my favorite books, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and, folks, they remain the best advice out there.
Please peeps, I’m begging you, use some common sense. Social distancing is not the same as isolating yourself in your house surrounded by massive amounts of toilet paper and Oreos. It means limiting the amount of time you spend in close proximity to other people.
The sun is still shining, the birds are still singing, and life is still going on. Get yourself outside into the sunlight! Take a walk (your dogs are counting on you). Stop, as they say, and smell the flowers!
Taking precautions.
I’m not saying not to be prepared. By all means, buy some supplies (without hoarding, that is). Make sure the people you love have what they need. But don’t go crazy. There are still many things to be done, so do them. Just do them sensibly.
It is easy to lapse into a depression with all the changes coming onto rapidly, especially for certain personality types. Making sure to keep an optimistic attitude is, perhaps, the best thing you can do for those who struggle, particularly now when things are changing so quickly.
For me, finding humor is essential. I happen to love cat videos and other animal related things. Cats and dogs are so innocent, spontaneous and downright hilarious! If you’re looking for a source for these, Daily Mail and Buzzfeed usually have some great stuff. For example, I just loved this meme:
Humans are incredibly resilient. We are also a social species that needs human contact, so don’t stop interacting! In today’s high tech world, we can get together online, in chatrooms, FaceTime, WhatsApp and more. Stay in touch with people, even if you can’t go visit them for a while.
On a positive note, families with children are learning once again how to stay busy and entertained at home, reconnecting with each other rather than with peers at schools or social gatherings. I’ve seen a ton of great ideas on Facebook for how to deal with the boredom that may set in.
We will be judged not by our survival but by our character during this time. Be sure to leave your paranoia at the door! Remember to check-in on your neighbors and others who need more help. Let’s show ourselves that humanity is worth saving.
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