Reflective Writing

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A whole new world. One feels like they’ve stepped off the set of the handmaids tale, or we’re in some kind of movie like “Contagion”, but maybe artists such as film makers have a vision that at the time sounds absurd but in actual fact quickly becomes a reality, hence COVID19. Today, I took the first step in wearing my face mask on a walk. As I passed by signs in my neighborhood (and also in grocery stores), I see my new world. I hear people say, we’ll never be the same but really we never are. When did it change? Perhaps it’s always been changing, anything that’s a threat to our security constitutes change and this can be considered a threat. It wasn’t long ago, that removing our shoes to go through metal detectors at airports was a new thing, but now it’s just one of those things to be expected or the audio announcements of unattended bags at airports will be removed and no water bottles to pass through security. At first, it seemed extremed measures that were needed but now these same measures are the norm. Wearing my mask today was interesting, I certainly got looks, and passer by people didn’t make eye contact like they usually do, maybe some thinking, “hmmm you’re outside” , or maybe think that I look worried in catching the virus, but in all honesty, whilst non of us want to catch it, we also don’t know if we are carrying it either, therefore protecting both you and me. I watch people running outdoors without mask and wonder if they’re aware of any of their output of droplets in the air, whilst they are huffing and puffing during their jog. Could they have it? Maybe it’s a bit extreme but why take the chance given the current climate. In Stanislaus County, on March 26, we had 13 positive cases of COVID19, today April 7, there are 90 cases in just less than 2 weeks. As Dr Fauci said, it’s better to be over reactive. I heard him say, the difference between Ebola and COVID19, is that in order to catch Ebola, the person who has Ebola would be very sick and you would know that this person is sick and have a clue not to be around them. However, with COVID19, as we’ve heard, people may have no symptoms at all or slight symptoms. I guess you could liken that to AIDS. During the aids outbreak, no one has a sticker on their forehead stating they had aids, therefore people learnt to use protection.So this is our whole new world now and we are adapting and growing once again but as always take what you like and leave the rest but most of all be safe.