Trinity has a brand new battery. We returned to the last place we drove from before the shelter in place order. People were out walking their dogs and riding their bikes. And most everyone was wearing their masks. The new normal made me feel sad.
I felt guilty taking the convertible top down. I waited til I arrived at the park. It is across the street from the last student I taught in person. Bette Davis Park - a place where you can watch people walk their dog while riding a horse.
Someone warned me that the virus can linger in the air and that I would put myself at risk driving with the top down. Will the virus blow my way while sitting at a traffic light?
S: “I don’t know about driving with the top down.”
JNET: “If Covid is in the air, it’ll die on the windshield along with the bugs.”
It felt good to feel the air and hear the sound of my vw purring. I didn’t wear a mask while driving. People were riding bikes and rollerblading with masks on. If anyone was smiling, I could not tell. The rare brave person that chose to not wear a mask met with uneasy eyes from those they passed. I thought it was nice to see a real smile. Everyone looked tired and weary.
After visiting a few students to wave hello and enjoy a socially distanced chat with masks on, I headed to J’s parents’ house. They ordered a pizza and her mom made a strawberry shortcake. We ate the pizza outside and the mosquitoes had a nibble at me.
And then I set for home. It was only ten miles and a route I’ve driven countless times through the years. There were hardly any cars on the road. Los Angeles? Deserted by sundown? Driving surface streets, Glendale, Burbank, Toluca Lake, North Hollywood, toward home was unsettling. I felt exposed and afraid now with the convertible top down. I wasn’t afraid of the air. I was afraid of who might spring out seeing a car. The homeless encampments have grown and these were the ones lining the walkways. I didn’t dare slow down.
I was glad to return home and will not rush to go out. The California lockdown supposedly ends in August as well as everyone’s unemployment cushion. Those that can afford to leave, are moving out of state. There’s a new vacancy in my building every month. To fill the latest vacancy, it’s costs nearly $2600 for the two bedroom apartment.
Will more people find themselves needing to leave California to survive? Couch surf? Join the growing group of homeless?
There’s definitely something in the air in California. It’s taking people down, impoverishing and oppressing them. I don’t know if wearing a mask numbs people from feeling the weight of sadness. I don’t know if compliance snuffs out peoples’ fire for life. I don’t know if people are too distracted from the news to notice that the structure of society and civilization as we know it is changing.
People aren’t just fighting over masks. Why?
Do people enjoy fighting and burning bridges? Do people really wish they can mace their neighbor who is choosing to go for a walk mask free? Is this antagonistic sentiment normal? I don’t think your neighbor is suicidal wanting to be mask free. Nor do I think they are homicidal hoping you die from their cooties or anyone’s.
If you are safe and healthy, be grateful and pray that your mind doesn’t get infected. If you value kindness and compassion, protect your spirit and have strength. If you are fortunate to still have a roof over your head and food on your table, be grateful and know a great many are not as lucky as you.
Are we going to die of covid? I don’t know but the world will surely be lost if the survivors lack kindness, compassion, and wisdom.
Be safe, everyone. Stay strong.
JNETET
