Time, here it is, there it goes, now it's here. Pandemic time. Two years of hard shut down, cautious reawakening, tentative emergence. Mask always in my back pocket even now. Shots up to date, one new one pending to boost for variants. And yet, I'm finding my way back. I weigh the odds that the CDC espouses. Outdoors, not crowded, indoors, no longer than 15 minutes, mask stays in pocket. Variations to the rules depend on who I'm with, where I'm at. If we all need to be vaccinated to be in there, I'll stay longer without a mask. Senior Center.
I've flown to Boston and back from Los Angeles, mask never removed except for sips of water. I've flown from Burbank to Phoenix and back, same scenario. Was I lucky or not exposed, or were my antibodies working? I was safe in any event.
Point is, last year at this time, I wouldn't have even ventured anywhere without a mask. Still wear one now in the grocery store. So, I'm a cautious emerger, but it's about time. I use my hand sanitizer whenever I go somewhere and get back into my car. When I get home, I wash my hands.
My way of thinking has changed. I'm going to be wary, but not fearful. So far, it's worked. As flu and Covid seasons intertwine this Fall/Winter, I'll be in a mask more than out, I suspect. Still don't want to tempt fate with either illness. I don't want to play on the freeway. I don't mind staying home.
It's been two years to get to this point. I'll make it a soft landing. One day soon I'll write about how the pandemic changed my life, and society in general. Stay tuned, I'm back!
