Pandemic Arises | THE VIRAL Journal, Part 1
By Linda Coonan
Greetings neighbor. Welcome to the start of our journal documenting our experiences through an unprecedented time. Today, we learned that our nation is going to be exposed to a life-altering pandemic. Just what is a pandemic? It is a pathogen or disease that spreads across the world - ours is called the Coronavirus flu. It’s difficult to learn all the new vocabulary that is circulating around the virus. It started in China, then South Korea and then Italy. The United States now has confirmed cases.
Everyone is buying food. Our leaders are joining the best of scientists, private businesses, governors to try to figure this out. All you see on television is news, news, news. No one knows what to believe. Schools are closing down, and our President asks the nation to stay inside and away from people for 15 days to not spread this virus. As an American, I agree. Even as I’m canceling an important trip. I worry how I will get to see my brother who is dying in hospice in another state.
My son, Steve, seems very concerned. I talk to him about turning this around by doing something positive within the two weeks we must stay home. I worry about him as many people seem to be in disbelief and not willing to accept the challenge. Indeed, they’re is clear fear, anger and uncertainty among them. Staying inside is something for which Americans are not familiar.
To pick him up, I told Steve about a game that I emailed to my neighborhood children that participate in my community service fairy garden project, mentioned here, Lake Minnetonka Magazine. Each of the 15 children have their own fairy garden plot. We have Fairy Garden Nights in the spring, summer and winter. The game requires each child to do something positive for their family and community. Their parent will give them points for behaving at home during self-quarantine and doing something good. A point could be earned for helping in the family or making cards for Nurses, Vets, First Responders or making someone’s day more positive during our hardship! When the pandemic passes, we will tally the scores and the winner will win $25.00. After my update, my son’s head hung higher. Oh, the power of positive words and good acts! I hope we can continue to build each other up.
(Journal spoiler: The next day I spoke with my son whose spirits had completely turned around. My game sparked something in Steve to stay up all night organizing this company and website. So from the Coronavirus, we will learn to face our challenges and turn them into good deeds!)
In wellness,
Linda aka “Fairy Queen Mum”
>Share Linda’s state of mind? Wait for a return normalcy in a DON'T WORRY ShirtBOARD.
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.
