New Norms | THE VIRAL Journal, Part 4

By Linda Coonan

Today I learned we are supposed to be at least 6 ft. to 9 ft. distanced from one another.  It’s called social distancing.  I said farewell to the people I work with so they may do what our President has asked—to stay away from each other for 15 days. I told them to go to the grocery store and get supplies so they can be home for 15 days.

Our governor ordered all of our restaurants closed today.  This pandemic will hurt so many small businesses and workers.  They will close tonight.  Hopefully our government will help these businesses and employees.  We now don’t know if many of our neighborhood businesses will survive.

The news says we must adapt to a “new normal”---I hope not.  They have a way to calculate how to control this.  Italy didn’t quarantine right away.  So it spread.  If we do as we are asked, it will reduce the number of infections and reduce “the curve” by staying home.

We are allowed to go outside to walk or run.  Many, many people are walking their dogs.  We stand nine feet apart and visit with neighbors.  It’s difficult because many people are loosing their jobs. As I walked my dog, I heard “Miss Linda”…..my Fairy Garden name and saw my children at the park.  It was weird not hugging them as we always do.  This will never be my new normal once this is over. 

Stay strong,

Fairy Queen Mum

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Our e-journal documents the COVID-19 pandemic from our viewpoint within our community. In the short-term, we hope it promotes connectivity and contrast within our shirtBOARD network. In the long-term, we hope it gives timely interpretations of the event to provide insight and understanding for future generations.