Really, I had a nice, pretty, generally happy diary in mind for tonight. I was going to go take a few pictures of pretty places in my town that I’ve seen while on socially distanced walks, and be all springy and genial.
Then I drove by our high school football field and saw this:
Yeah, the nice genial mood was replaced by a string of words best not used in a family setting, and here we are tonight. Step below the Story Break and share in the airing of Social Distancing Grievances!
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Our family has been practicing social distancing for a month now. Mr. Brillig is working from home, K1 is riding out the end of her Senior year doing ‘remote learning’ in her college town, and K2 is missing his soccer team while completing 9th grade online. For the first few weeks K2 was going to that very field shown above (or nearly others if there were people nearby) and practicing drills and goal shots alone. When the city issued a shelter-in-place advisory, closed the fields to all activities but walking, jogging, etc, we told him he could no longer do so and while sad, he’s doing exactly what he needs to do to flatten the curve. We’re wearing our masks when out, staying away from friends and shopping as seldom as possible.
To see dozens of people on the field doing quite literally EVERYTHING we’re not supposed to be doing. I did exactly what our Mayor suggested we do, and called the hotline so someone could shoo folks off the field — as this is an advisory only, there are no consequences (fines, etc) for disobeying. I waited in my car for 40 minutes, and NO one from the city came by, although a firetruck heading back to the nearby firehouse drove past and the guys looked shocked and sad as they gazed at the field.
We all by now likely know someone either close or more distant who’s had COVID-19. I learned just two hours ago that a friend’s mother, who has multiple health issues, was just diagnosed with it and her father is unsurprisingly exhibiting early symptoms. As a social, huggy person I am really missing seeing people. I miss being able to linger while shopping, instead of this military-precise operation I managed just yesterday (three stores, four hours including a 45’ wait in the rain, no more shopping until next week at the earliest!). I see the death notices of people famous worldwide and famous only to their families, and I fear what’s yet to come.
I want this to be over, for us to move towards what our new New Normal will be. And what I witnessed today is delaying that, and will absolutely be the cause of more people being infected, becoming sick, spreading it to others.
My friends, I am sad, frustrated, and discouraged. How about you? Do you need words of encouragement, or perhaps do you have some to share? Come join me in the comments, where we do NOT need to exist six feet or more apart. Before you do, please enjoy our trio of Top Comments, Mojo and Pictures, brought tonight by our own dear BeninSC.
Top Comments
Brillig's ObDisclaimer: The decision to publish each nomination lies with the evening's Diarist and/or Comment Formatter. My evenings at the helm, I try reeeeallllyy hard to publish everything without regard to content. I really do, even when I disagree personally with any given nomination. "TopCommentness" lies in the eyes of the nominator and of you, the reader - I leave the decision to you. I do not publish self-nominations (ie your own comments) and if I ruled the world, we'd all build community, supporting and uplifting instead of tearing our fellow Kossacks down. Please remember that comment inclusion in Top Comments does not constitute support or endorsement by diarist, formatter, Top Comments writers, Barack Obama or DailyKos. Questions, complaints or comments? Contact brillig.
From elizawhig1:
We receive this wonderfully snarky comment from stevemb, about a close call for IMPotus.
From Northern Pol:
Comes this heart-warming comment by Tauriel about the campaign in Wisconsin that was so successful! Maybe we Democrats can work miracles by November!
TOP MOJO
Top Mojo for yesterday, April 13th, 2019, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on FAQing Top Mojo.
Top Pictures
Top Pictures for April 14, 2020! Thanks so much, jotter!