The impact of Covid-19 in my city seems endless. Like most of the US, in March 2020 we had lockdowns that effectively shut down everything. These were quickly followed by shortages of toilet paper, meat, disinfectant, wipes, Tylenol and many basic grocery staples as people panic bought everything in sight.
Hospitals cancelled all elective procures. Doctor’s office closed. Emergency tents were erected in parking lots to handle the expected surge of Covid patients.
Aside from the obvious social disruption, fear and uncertainty, I was affected in other tangible ways:
- I couldn’t see a doctor about my suspected hernia for 3 months, until the hospital reopened for elective surgery.
- I couldn’t do my daily swim workout. All pools in the city were closed for a minimum of 5 months. Once reopened, there were strict limitations, schedules and protocols to be followed.
- My limited social contact became nonexistent.
There were many other inconveniences, both small and large. Grocery shopping was limited, by my choice to avoid other people and by the stores’ limited hours. My vet moved to drop off service only. Restaurants were closed.
The worst part for me was the uncertainty. We were told the lockdown was for “Two Weeks to Flatten the Curve”. Then right before the lockdown was to end, it would be extended for another 2-4 weeks.
I can deal with just about anything. After all, if it gets bad enough, I always have an out.
But the glimmer of hope followed by letdown and letdown, got quite discouraging.
It reminded me of the beginning of the DotCom crash in 2000.
I was working for a regional ISP in Pittsburgh that had grown from 35 employees to over 500 employees during my 4 year career. By 2000, I had risen in the ranks to Sales Director. I ran sales for 3 states and had 35 employees working for me. For the first time, we had to do a companywide layoff on 10%. We were told this would be a one-time event.
It sucked. I had to let go of some good people. So did the managers who worked for me. So did other managers across the company.
A month later, we had to do it again.
And then a month later, again.
It reminded me of my wife’s Leg Cancer treatment in 2018.
First we were told it might not be cancer. But then it was.
Then we were told surgery would “cure” her by removing the lobe where the cancer was found. But samples taken during the surgery showed the cancer had already spread.
Then we were told chemotherapy would pit her cancer into remission. Except it didn’t work.
Finally we were told radiation would slow the spread. But it was too late.
I suspect that in all of these examples, that some people didn’t know with certainty what to expect. I know that I certainly didn’t. But now in hindsight, I think that some people had a better idea of what was coming.
People who had studied history. Business leaders who had been through boom and bust cycles. Physicians who had seen lung cancer progress. Politicians and public health officials who tried to “soften the blow” by parceling out the bad news rather than being upfront and honest.
I’m not angry about this. But my experience has made me more skeptical than I’ve ever been before.
And so I dread the thought of another Covid lockdown. My region semi-opened in July 2021 when the Covid-19 wave seemed to be subsiding and vaccinations were being rolled out to the general population.
But now the Delta variant is surging and some restrictions have been reimplemented.
When I was thinking about this recently, I wondered why it bothered me so much. After all, I live a very socially isolated life in general. And once I had my surgery and the pools opened up, my daily activities one back to nearly normal – expect for masking, temperature checks and social distancing rules.
I think it is because I thought the pandemic would be over by now. And I feel like the rebuilding of my life since my wife had died has been in a holding pattern now for 18 months. With Covid re-surging, there’s no end in site for this rebuilding.
I imagine that without Covid, I would have increased my social activity and started to rebuild a social life by now. Maybe not.
But due to the pandemic, my social life is not where I want it to be.
Someday that will change.