14 Days: Coronavirus
“The greatest wealth is health.” – Unknown
Today, I am thankful my last flight was 14 days ago. I am thankful my company chose safety and banned all flights as of last week. Otherwise, I would have flown to Baltimore, last Monday. I was not concerned.
This week, I was supposed to be in Vegas for a conference. I was disappointed when the plans changed. I love Vegas, and I was looking forward to a day in the sun and a show at night. I am thankful my company had the foresight to cancel the conference.
I was planning on flying to Baltimore, until I saw the company-wide email. I knew it warranted a discussion with my manager. I drove to Maine instead. Maine is big, peaceful, and filled with wilderness. What could possibly go wrong?
The following day, I got a call. The guy we met with had come into contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. I called my manager. I called my doctor. What were my next steps? My doctor’s office advised I only needed a test if the person I met with tested positive.
Lucky for me, the person tested negative. Until I got his results, I was on edge. While I waited, I had time to think.
These were some of my thoughts…
- When I went grocery shopping, I had to shop the middle isles. I did not know what to buy. I realized how fortunate I am to be able to shop for fresh food. Not everyone has this luxury, which I take for granted. I realized how spoiled I am.
- The week of my last flight, I entertained friends and family all weekend. I realized I may have put them all at risk. With the confined space, flying is one of the easiest ways to come into contact with the coronavirus. I thought about the person who sat a few seats away and sneezed. I hoped that person was well.
- If I contracted the coronavirus, I would have to completely isolate. Although I was planning on extracting myself from civilization, there would be absolutely no contact with the outside world. If I practiced social distancing, I could still hang out with my neighbors, who were also practicing social distance. I could still read, write, walk the lake, and meditate, as my mind and body would be strong. If I got the coronavirus, I would need to rest and let my body heal.
- Although I love traveling, I was thankful I stopped flying. I started calculating 14 days from my last flight.
I am a risk-taker, and I do not buy into the media. I flew to Ecuador two weeks after the riots and a day after they opened their airport. I took a flight from Boston to California, a day before the 9/11 attacks. I am afraid of sharks, but I swam into unchartered waters looking for sea turtles in Hawaii. Heights make me queasy, but I jumped out of a plane. I wandered down a deserted alley in Italy, and my fanny pack was snatched. I made a $30 profit off of the ordeal. I go where my mood takes me, and I am a survivor. If I were to contract the coronavirus, I would figure it out.
But, what about the people who were unfortunate to come into contact with me? My immune system is strong. If I were to contract the virus, I could walk around for 14 days, symptom-free.
I do not buy into the media, but I am paying attention to what the government is shutting down. I am paying attention to the social media posts of people who live abroad, in France, Italy, and China. I am paying attention to the young adults who are posting pictures of crowded beaches in Florida, in celebration of spring break. I am paying attention to the colleges closing their dorms. I am paying attention to the doctors asking people to stay home and isolate. I am paying attention to countries going on lock-down.
Yes, the flu has killed more people. But, the coronavirus is new, and it’s mutating. It is spreading fast. It can travel through the air, and it can live on medal surfaces for a few days. It can be dormant in its host body for 14 days. This is something we have never experienced before. People are dying. Our economy is crashing. All we need to do is shut down for a few weeks. Is that too much to ask? Reconnect with that which is real and with that which matters. Do we want to follow in the steps of China or Italy? Where will we be in 14 days? We are all in this together. Do your part.
Articles and Videos
- Young and Unafraid of the Coronavirus Pandemic? Good for You. Now Stop Killing People.
- American Woman Living in Italy Writes Down a Coronavirus Warning to Americans and it Goes Viral
- How Cuba is Leading the World in the Fight Against the Coronavirus
- Italians Send Advice to Their Past Selves for COVID-19 Lockdown
- Boston Helps
- Why Outbreaks Like Coronavirus Spread Exponentially, and how to Flatten the Curve”
