Very different math.

Well. The world has become a very different place in the last two weeks. COVID-19 has become a pandemic and now instead of tallying my vertical feet, I’m tallying mortality rates around the world.

To be honest, a lot has stayed the same in my house. I already worked from home. Paul was working from home 1-2 days a week, so switching to full time wasn’t a big deal (and we’ve both worked from home together before). The trails are still open for hiking, and the roads are still there for biking. Our coffee shop visits stopped with the closure of restaurants/bars last weekend, but we got take out sushi tonight. We’re supporting small business as best we can, as well as friends who have lost work. We’re taking walks, and getting fresh air.

I’m spending a lot more time on Twitter. It makes me equal parts furious at our government, deeply depressed, and immensely hopeful. My friend made a challenge – 10 push ups every time you find yourself mindlessly on social media. You know, when you’re not every sure how you’re suddenly scrolling again? My shoulders are very sore.

My actual work has, in some ways, remained exactly the same. In other ways, it’s done a complete 180. I work with higher education and journalism agencies, and they have had their whole worlds toppled. I’m planning a 1,000 person event in June that’s now very much up in the air.

I am so. very. tired. of talking about this, but at the same time it’s the only thing I can talk about. Weeks of it. Soon to be months.

I’m still not over my cold (almost three weeks) or I’d give blood.

I feel incredibly lucky to have a job and a house and a person to “social-distance” with. The privilege to work from home right now is huge. I’m beyond grateful for the doctors and nurses and the entire healthcare industry. But also for the pilots and flight attendants, the folks working at Walgreens, Whole Foods, Amazon, and Starbucks. The people at the gas station and the convenience store. Those who worked on the ski slopes, and the shops that supported them. Those who are working jobs that COULD work from home but whose employer hasn’t let them. Everyone in the event and hospitality industry… my event friends are deeply hurting, and my heart hurts for them. And for everyone who has been laid off including my college bestie. It’s really hard out there, and that’s not even acknowledging the misery of those who are sick. Whose families are sick.

I don’t have a great conclusion. I just thought it would be good to capture some thoughts at this strange moment in time. Borders closing. Shelter-in-place orders. A president that’s failed the people. Military trucks being brought into Italy to bus out the dead. It’s the thing we all knew was coming, but didn’t think was going happen.