We continue to deal with the Coronavirus, and all that it has brought. Since I last wrote, there have been an additional 11,000+ cases in Nebraska, and 132 deaths. I'm mostly focused on Nebraska numbers these days, especially because states are starting to ease restrictions and open things back up now in phases. This has caused a division (what doesn't these days?) between 1) those who want things to go back to normal because our economy has taken a huge hit, and they're afraid of the government taking away our rights, and 2) those who want to follow the advise of the experts because the curve HAS been flattened by social distancing, and they're afraid of a second, worse wave of the virus hitting us if people jump the gun. Of course, a lot of people can see both sides of it, including myself, but everybody leans one way or another, and that determines the choices they make.
Personally, I don't see anything wrong with establishing a new normal, but that would take a HUGE cultural shift that I don't think a lot of people are willing to make....ever. For example, face masks. In Asia, this is a non-issue. When we lived in Korea, it was common to see people wear face masks in public, not just during the yellow dust season, or if there was the threat of a virus (like the SARS outbreak the first time we lived in Korea), but all the time. Nobody thinks anything of it - it is their normal. Now certain businesses are requiring face masks here, and people are totally freaking out about it, saying that it's taking away their personal rights and freedoms (as if they don't have the right to just shop somewhere else). There was a security guard who was actually killed after he stopped someone from entering a store because they didn't have a mask on. It's madness. To quote the Wicked Witch of the West, "Ohhhhh what a world, what a world!"
To me this comes down to the difference between collectivist cultures versus individualistic cultures. The common good versus individual rights. Are these really opposites? I don't think they should be, but yes, I'm definitely leaning one way more than another.
I will tell you this, I am trying very, very hard not to be judgmental of those who are choosing differently than me. I've always been grateful for my diverse group of friends, and this situation is definitely revealing all the differences. Today our stake president shared a much appreciated message about not letting our differences lead to contention. If we don't have the spirit of Christ, we don't ahve anything. So for now, I'm just going to worry about me and my family, and continue to do what we think is best, and let others do the same.
Speaking of our family, we've all been experiencing this in our own ways. I asked everyone what they thought was the best thing about quarantine, and the worst thing.
Best:
Alex - nothing (although he never complains about anything)
Madelyn - having more time to do crafts
Joseph - not having to deal with the stupid kids at school
Cora - getting more time to do the things I want to do, and still getting paid for my job
Ruth - more time to focus on family and making our house our home
Joe - spending time with family
Bo and Kronk - the humans are always home
Worst:
Alex - everything (although he never complains about anything)
Madelyn - not being able to go shopping with friends
Joseph - not having any motivation to be productive
Cora - not being able to see my friends
Ruth - becoming less active physically and socially
Joe - worrying about not getting a job in this economy
Bo and Kronk - nothing, because the humans are always home
And now it's Memorial Day weekend, and I was feeling a little bummed that we couldn't go camping or something. Cora said, "get used to it, this is going to be our whole summer break," and a little piece of me died inside, because what if she's right?!!! I hope she's not. We tried going to a state park to do some hiking, but when we go there, there were SO many people, and not one single one of them was wearing a mask, or doing much in the way of social distancing. We ended up not staying. We did end the day with a fire and 'smores in our new fire pit though. We've been enjoying that a lot.
In other news, Joe is officially on terminal leave, which means he can start looking for another job. Can he actually get a job, now that the economy has turned South? The hope is that he will get hired on with the company that he just did an internship with, and we'll stay put for a hot minute. But time will tell. Seriously though, what a crazy time to get out of the military! But 20 years is 20 years, and we're ready to move on to the next thing....even if that necessitates actually moving.
And speaking of Joe getting out of the military, he's been growing a pretty decent beard while he's been interning, but he had to shave for his final out-processing, so we had a little fun with the facial hair before it all when bye-bye.
