b'| EDITORIALhard to find groups congregating, at play- root for the little guy. a day, leaving only to fulfill the most basic grounds, in parks just about everywhereobligations (food shopping) and with the most youd normally expect to see people.REACTIONS BY AGEreadily available form of entertainment (TV/This week, its different. I dont even ven- Last week, a great deal of media coveragemedia) submerged in updates about the dan-ture out to drive around daily, but on yester- surrounded the callous attitudes of collegegerous virus necessitating all these measures. days shopping trip, stopping at the few redstudents and other young adultsno doubtNothing about this sounds particularly lights I saw seemed almost needless. No carsfueled by the spring break crowds previouslyenjoyable, yet social media, emails, and other were coming or going. No other cars were inmentioned. But in my own family, in socialinteractions are overrun with complaints of sight at one location.media circles, age doesnt seem to be a deter- boredom, children who are adjusting poorly Nothing is going to be perfect. Weve allmining factor in peoples attitudes towards(do you blame them?) or struggles adjusting seen the footage of spring break in Florida,obeying social distancing protocol or justto the work-from-home approach.hundreds of young adults on the beach, inplain staying home.Ive said on a few occasions that if this had nightclubs, packed shoulder to shoulder My two children are both teenagers. Oneto happen, Im glad it was now rather than in basically a how-to video on spreading ais constantly chomping at the bit to find asay, 1998, when Ilike my stepdaughterdangerous virus. But for every such exam- reason to leave the house and had to bewas a college freshman, seeing that first year ple, there are ten businesses closed down,given explicit directions on social distancingof school cut short and returning home with churches suspending in-person services, orbefore venturing out a few nights ago to picklittle to do socially. Online classes started for sports arena shuttered for the foreseeableup food. Meanwhile, the other has largelyher this week and seem to occupy her morn-future. It would be great to see a near-100accepted the current state of affairs and hasings and early afternoons. But she spends the percent reduction in people leaving theirstayed in the car on the rare occasions sherest of her day watching movies, playing video homes, but people still need essentials.does venture out.games and even coloring and painting with At any one time in our populous suburbanMy parents are both approaching ageher little sisterwho, despite the circum-community, Id say street traffic has reduced70, yet Dad has happily stayed in the housestances, is THRILLED to have her home. The by at least two-thirds. If thats indicativeworking on various projects while Mom hadsituation and underlying reasons are terribly of society at large, maybe we can slow theto literally watch our states governor issueunfortunate, but its my hope that someday spread and flatten the curve. an order before shed stop heading into workthey can look back on this entire experience at the preschool where she teaches last week. and remember the bonding and togetherness BUSINESS IMPACT My siblings, separated by only five years, haverather than the COVID-19 virus.Its going to take time to see the true fallout invastly different attitudes to taking their childrenFor adultshow many times have you this area. Reports from many small businessout into the yard to play during the day. wished you had just a little free time to owners are less than encouraging. HeadingIt stands to reason that younger peoplearrange a bookshelf, clean the basement, out to pick up takeout dinner for the familymight be more eager to head out on socialeven paint that guest room? Odds are (and the other night, I went to a popular Italianoutings; that they might feel more invinci- lets certainly hope) that youre never going spot in our neighborhood and was surprisedble or impervious to the virus. But again, twoto have more downtime than you do right to see another half-dozen cars or so cars inweeks worth of observations tell me theresnow. The fact is, right now weve got two the parking lot (when you call in your order,more than age at play in determining a per- choicessit around worrying or complete you describe your car to the person, who insons attitude. those projects and build those memories turn brings the food directly to your car tothat youve always pleaded for just a little bit minimize face-to-face interaction.) QUARANTINE/STAYING AT HOME of time to focus upon.While I was impressed with the numberUnfortunately, I had to save the bad news forOf course, this is all meaningless without of people present, I couldnt ignore the factlast. In our area, at least, the stay-at-homeacknowledging the people whose experience that on a typical night, thered be 2-3 timesorder is, at best, approaching halftime in itsduring this time is completely differentas many cars in that parking lot.lifespan. Weve been at home with no schoolthose whove never worked longer or more Its a tough time for small, local businessesand most workplaces closed for two weeksstrenuous hours than they are right now. to be sure, so one more thing I found encour- now, and another 2-3 weeks at least are sureForemost amongst that group are doctors, agingon the drive home, I passed severalto follow.nurses, and other healthcare personnel. We other smaller takeout places with cars parkedIts not much fun. Each day tends to bleedare more than appreciative of your sacrifice outside awaiting their orders. But upon pass- into the next, and Ive had to consult myat this time, and should you have a chance, ing the local large chain restaurant, I observedphone at least once just to know which daywe invite you to tell us your COVID-19 sto-a parking lot that was just about empty. I dontof the week it is. But were people expectingries to share with colleagues on our resource want to root for anyones failure, but this isthis to be fun? Think about ityoure all butcenter page.one situation where its particularly easy toforced to stay in your home for about 23 hoursBe well, stay safe, and keep the faith!nwww.elitecme.com |2020| INFECTIOUS DISEASE GUIDE 5'