Beech Tree News Network

As pandemic guidelines are evolving, I’ve been thinking about changes we’ve experienced so far this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website alone has posted over 200 guidance documents related to the coronavirus since February (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/guidance-list.ht...). I’ve heard many say that they are tired of doing or not doing certain things. Nonetheless, our world is different.

Thinking about the changes related to COVID-19, I asked friends and family, “What’s one thing you are tired of doing or not being able to do in recent weeks/months?” Their responses are below:

-I’m tired of having to wear a mask and not go out to eat with a large group of people.

-I’m tired of not being able to be part of a crowd larger than three!

-Because my partner has significant health issues and I work with COVID-positive patients, I have been sleeping in a different bedroom.

-I wish I could go to the movies the old-fashioned way…sitting next to each other, eating buttered popcorn, watching a newly released blockbuster.  #firstworldproblems

-As I think about it, we are not really doing much differently except I’m not going to games. I kind of enjoy the free time myself – getting things done around here. I guess masking up when we go somewhere is the biggest change. We don’t go that much though. We’re eating at home and only eat out every now and then.

-I miss visiting my grandmother and family gatherings/parties.

-I’m tired of not being able to go to work. We still have no date for my group to go back yet. They are very slowly bringing people back in.

-I’m tired of the endless media coverage that’s often false and stories of people thinking they can do what they want and ignore the science.

-I’m tired of wearing a dang mask at work.

-One word: freedom…to do whatever.

-I’m tired of not attending congregational worship and not getting to be with friends and family. Also, I’m tired of TV.

-I miss not being free to hug and kiss my family and not knowing when it will be safe to do so again. Also, I’m tired of constantly wearing masks at work.

-I’m so glad we’re back in church, but we can’t really fellowship together. I miss seeing people smile, sharing conversations at the grocery, etc., and having ‘get-togethers’ with my family. I miss loving on my grandkids and feeling relaxed about it. I’m also tired of remembering to wear a mask when I go out around other people.

-I’m tired of not being able to go to school.

-I’m tired of not being able to call up my friends and go to dinner. I’m hoping now that things are opening back up, I’ll be able to spend more time with friends and extended family.

-I’m tired of social distancing, in church more than anywhere.

-I miss seeing family directly.

-I miss my grandmother’s hugs and going to see her.

Even though we may be tired of taking precautions, I believe most people are handling the changes well. A recent social media post said, “This weekend, I am going to sling some candy out the door, toss a turkey in the oven, open a few presents, and call it a year.” Humor is good. In our new situation, I have appreciated both the guidelines and the humor.