Every evening of this quarantine my wife and I have raised our glasses in a toast to surviving this ordeal another day. We lost track of what day we’re on so for the past few days our toast has been, “Here’s to surviving day whatever-the-hell”. Clink!
In the U.S. people were politically divided well before this pandemic arrived on our shores. Any remnant of a mainstream, moderate, political base evaporated years ago, except for a few pockets of people here and there. This can be a good thing because it means more people aren't just blindly believing the mainstream media narrative. This philosophical polarity has lent itself to how we’re all forming our opinions about the Coronavirus.
Some people think the virus is an existential threat to our species and the spread of it should be stopped at all cost. Others believe COVID-19 to be nothing more than a flu-like virus that The Powers That Be are using for a means to an end and the extreme response is more damaging than the virus itself. There are lots of different theories floating about regarding what their goal is and how the virus started.
I’ve seen equally believable articles and videos on some of these competing theories. One of the main challenges of living in the Post Truth era is the absence of a mutually agreed-upon shared truth. Even though we all tend to instantly gravitate towards one belief or another based on feeling, there’s an uncertainty about it, a voice in your head that whispers, What if I’m wrong?” until we do our due diligence and use the power of independent/critical thought.
Many are habitually posting their views on social media sparking endless arguments and driving a wedge between friends and family. Sometimes I wonder if these people are trying to convince themselves that they believe one thing our another. One thing I do know, a social media post rarely changes anyone’s mind if they hold a competing view. Yet people continue to post and readers continue to engage and argue.
Where is this all leading us as a society?
Maybe at some point in the future all of this division will eventually lead us to form Nation States. This way, each person would have the freedom to move to the state/group that most closely aligns with their beliefs and values. As a writer of Sci-Fi, I definitely see this happening, likely when I'm a very old man or after I'm already gone.
Events like this virus force people to show their true colors in more ways than one. Some are being extremely kind and helpful while others are hoarding, being controlling, and only looking out for themselves. Some comply to rules, no matter how absurd while others choose what rules they wish to comply to. There's no question that this is a strange new reality that we’ll be living in for quite some time. This new reality will get even more strange and desperate after the devastating economic aftershock hits.
The building we live in recently announced a “mandatory rule” to wear masks in the common areas of the building, even though they really have no grounds to do so. Most are residents seem to be complying.
Anyway, enough with this rant. As for my day-to-day routine, it hasn't changed much since my last diary entry.
I’ve learned how to perform every single weight training exercise I used to do at the gym with my 30lb Russian kettlebell (the kettlebell is a brilliant fitness tool). I co-facilitated my first virtual meditation class last Thursday and the students seemed to like it. I forgot how much I enjoyed teaching. I’m working towards launching my own classes very soon. Here's a link to my friend Carrie's webpage, the meditation who invited me to talk to her class. She's an excellent teacher.
Oh, and one more update...I got a response from The New Yorker magazine yesterday. The editors passed on my short story Missing Time. I really thought it was going to happen this time but, being in this business for as long as I have, you must learn to accept rejection. As they say,….pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start all over again.
I've discovered that keeping busy is the best antidote to all of the f*ckery. During this coming week I'll be assembling new wheels for my old Raleigh bike (I've never done this before, so say a prayer for me), consolidating material for the sequel to The Perfect Pause, and starting on another short story that I'm super excited about.
I’m going to end this, and every future Pandemic Diary entry with a list of things I’m grateful for.
Be Well Friends,
Eric Vance Walton
*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.
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