COVID Reflections
I was talking with my mom, Bianca Lin, about some of the struggles she’s been having with the pandemic. She recently wrote a journal reflection for the hospital community board she’s on, and decided to share it with me. I found it amusing and got her permission to share it with you. (This post has been edited for clarity).
California shut down again as COVID cases surge! Life is filled with uncertainty, especially at times like this. I retired in June, 2019. My life definitely is not what I had planned, in matter of fact, I wanted to explore the world, not shelter in place.
I have worn masks all my nursing career, now I’ve ended up wearing masks more. The current pandemic has heightened uncertainty over the economy, employment, finances, relationships, and of course, physical and mental health. Yes, our lives are no longer the same. However, sometimes I have found my life more interesting and amusing.
First of all, my life has been infected (pun intended?) with new vocabulary. To name the few: Herd immunity, Community spreader, Super spreader, Elbow bump, Contact tracing, Quarantine fatigue, and Flattening the Curve.
And there are many humor phrases in our changed lives as well, such as:
Covidiot: Someone ignoring public health advice
Covid-15: Gaining 15 pounds during isolation
Zoom-bombing: Hijacking a Zoom videocall (so not cool by the way)
WFH: Working from home
Virtual happy hour: Drinks with friends over Zoom
Corona-cuts: A hairstyle during the pandemic
Corona-dodge and Corona-waltz: Maneuvering around other people in public
Coronial: Babies born nine months from now
In 2019, we stayed away from negative people, but in 2020 we stay away from positive people. Do you speak Corona? This new vocabulary helps us articulate our worries about the biggest health crisis we have seen in generations. The new words symbolize a shared human experience as people, across the globe, grapple with a new way of life. It also helps us stay safe and informed during these scary times.
But in times of challenge, we need relief too. And what better way than to poke fun and laugh at the world around us. It brings some welcome humor and humility to cope with COVID-19. We humans are fragile by ourselves. Our strength lies in being part of a community. We have been given a gift called life and that we should appreciate it.
What have I learned during the pandemic besides the new words and jokes? Maybe there is a silver lining to the pandemic. Have we been taking things for granted? Are we not appreciating the preciousness of our daily existence and the vulnerability associated with our own finitude?
In conclusion: Being with others is the key to happiness; staying close while distant. Be relevant, as Community Board Members, it is crucial to respect our communities. Keep people informed on the things that matter to them during the crisis. Ask ourselves, “How can we help?” Last but not least, showing gratitude matters, a genuine smile behind the mask goes a long way.
