Sloth in the Time of Covid-19

Race and Virus. Virus and Race. White Privilege. White Fragility.

I listen to all the personalized conversations around the Covid-19 Pandemic. First and foremost, people have died, are dying, will die. Families mourn. Medical personnel are overwhelmed. Pollution is down, domestic violence is up. Schools must reopen, children will die. Schools must remain closed, disadvantaged kids fall further behind.

In the midst of all of this, I am uncommonly privileged. So are many of my family and friends. We are older, which means we are more susceptible to the virus but also more easily able to isolate. We don't have to go out to work. Food and meals can be delivered or curb-sided.

I (we) have financial resources. I gave my $1200 Covid check to a local food bank. So did many of my friends. But the privilege remains. What to do?

First, do not go out and volunteer. We are prime candidates to bump up the already frightening statistics. Donate, yes. But we are already masking and distancing and quarantining. We can and I have made strong arguments to family, friends and friends of friends that those "smaller get-togethers" are just as likely to pass on the pandemic as those fools in bars and pool parties.

The one solid thing I am doing to shed the virus is not getting it, not carrying it, not passing it on. Other than that, the guilt is palpable at times. I am privileged but I also want to stay alive and I want you to do the same.

Be Safe. Be Sane.

Testing in La-La Land

Yes that is a photograph of someone being tested for the corona virus in a golf cart. Here in The Villages, Florida we have drive-thru testing in all forms of recreational vehicles. Being that this is the largest retirement community in the country with more golf holes (648) than any property on the planet, it makes sense that nearly everything is accessible by golf cart.

Now to the dreaded virus. University of Florida Health has taken the opportunity of this unusual population density to offer not only clinical testing but also a general testing protocol to collect ongoing data on the virus within this high risk population. The average age here is over 70.

The testing slots are limited and they usually run out of tests before the week is over but UF Health practitioners are out there every day while supplies last. The website for appointments often fills up early each day of testing but there are random slots open at times.

There were appointments open three days ago, so my sister-in-law and I decided to do our part. We set up appointments for the following morning and headed for the very efficient set-up at The Villages Polo Fields. Check-in, ID verification, recheck and a quick medical history were all done while we sat, masks in place, in our golf cart. Test was quick and only mildly irritating.

Yes, I know I buried the lede - We got our results today and we both tested negative.

These Times

These Daze