As many will have discovered over this past eight or nine months, it's not enough that there is strain during the passing of a near and dear one, but there is COVID to deal with too. Restricted attendance at the funeral service (15 in our case), social distancing there and at interment ... and then again at the afternoon tea, where careful seating has to be made to ensure no more than two households per table. All very tiresome.
I have been so cloistered over this whole thing - mainly due to being focused on dad's cares anyway, but also due to shielding for myself, being an 'at risk' person due to asthma. Having to get out of the house to attend the hospital daily was something of an adventure.
Then, for the very first time this year, I 'socialised'. I had a gift to pass on to dad's best mate and his wife. We arranged to meet at a church cafe near them, involving me getting a bus and having to enter premises in a way I hadn't done all year. As we are currently not permitted to enter each other's homes, this is the only way to connect. It's counter-intuitive. How is meeting up with one other household, in a place with many other households meeting up with one other household, any safer than anyway going to one or other household and just being two?...😵 Anyhoo. It was good to be with this couple and share memories of the last few weeks and fill in gaps for them.
Then I had to get to the post office. Eeek... thankfully there were only two folk in front of me and the floor was clearly marked for distancing. But behind me it got busy. Still, I managed it without a panic attack or grumpy old woman moment, so on the whole, my not too much mingling was okay and it will have prepared me to an extent for the bigger event next week.
Golly, the psychology of COVID effects is going to provide fodder for sociologists and psychiatrists and counsellors for quite some time yet!!!
Oh yes indeed C19 has changed the life as we knew if for a very long time...just going to the grocery store is a production. We don't do much socializing either. We have become hermits with a few benefits.
ReplyDeleteStarting tomorrow at 5 pm NC is on lockdown from 10pm-5am. We can go to groceries, pharmacy til Jan 8 I'm glad you were able to make set up things for Dad's service and tea and visit with his friends.
Hugs Cecilia
Well done with the venturing out, carefully. It must feel strange.
ReplyDeleteI think you worked out all your meetings and encounters beautifully. Everything is by the seat of our pants and the official rules these days.
ReplyDeleteI would love to know what is on the right, melded with the moon. It's like a tripod with part of a leg missing.
Hari OM
DeleteThat, Joanne, is a set of chimneys at the hospital... after our last visit before dad's demise. Mac1 and I both knew in our hearts that it had been. Yxx
Oh, Yam. It's so tough. You still have your sense of humour!
ReplyDeleteWe read somewhere the other day that evidence is suggesting asthmatics are less susceptible to this new bug than general population. Science not entirely sure why but suspect something to do with the over-developed inflammatory response.... I wouldn't stake my life on if I was asthmatic but it might make comforting reading. Good on you for getting out. We aren't yet allowed to socialize fullstop. Not that arbitrary rules appears to be stopping anyone; the determined just become covert about it. Glad you got to do a little of what should be normal after death in the family - sharing some memories with others who knew and loved your Dad. Hugs xxx F
ReplyDeleteHari OM
DeleteWell, the thing is, despite being an asthmatic, I already had COVID...before it even officially had that tag. Back in February, I went down with a lurgy that I can only in retrospect say was C19. What I didn't mention in the article was the kidneys; despite all the fluid I took in I was dehydrated to desiccation and yet I didn't urinate for five days... and it took two or three days once the tap opened for proper flow to reestablish. My lungs had nearly failed me throughout, but I used my Ventolin as never before - and that alone is probably what saved the ambulance being called - as Mac1 said at the time she thought maybe I had pneumonia... but - and here's the kicker - I HAD NO FEVER~~~ then for months after I never got back to full power. Was putting that down to the 24/7 cares but had also wondered if it was a resurgence of my CFS (ME); then we learned about 'long COVID'. So what I do not need is to be re-infected.
It is more likely that those with asthma will have been a great deal more careful in their attention to restrictions and hygiene, as well as having bronchial medications regularly, which is sure to have reduced the incidence of C19 in our population. The popular news sources have tended to get a bit over-excited about numbers, as usual... but I appreciate your good wishes as intended! Yxx
wow, on the last photo. love it.... i am having grumpy old woman moments myself. I am glad you got to socialize and agree, it is much more dangerous in a cafe than in a home... USA is going merrily on its way and now we are up to 3200 a day dying, but people still gather in their homes. the old AMERICAN way of do what you want and to hell with the rest of the people is rampant...
ReplyDeleteWe're glad to hear you were able to venture out successfully. It's never easy to plan a funeral service and much worse in today's time of restrictions. We have our paws crossed that all goes well.
ReplyDeleteWell done Yam - and I'm sure your Dad's friends will be grateful for the contact and realise you're struggling with things in pandemic mode. All the very best ... as this week comes around ... big hugs - Hilary
ReplyDeleteSo much to deal with at a time of year that is still quite full of others out and about. Yes, I agree with the why go out instead of just being in a home. Wonder if the powers that be think a restaurant is more sanitary than a personal home? Geeze, the rule makers must be hoarders. LOL. still in our prayers. namaste, janice xx
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