In this pandemic, our best medicine is to face reality. Reality is being true to the situation at hand, you know, that we are in the middle of a pandemic and being with people is highly risky, especially indoors, mask-less. “Facing reality” means more than intellectual ascent, but actually practicing what you know to be…More
Category Archives: covid-19
Is remote learning hurting my kid?
The school year kicked off and it’s nerve wracking. Many classrooms are empty and our living rooms have replaced them. Our kids are sitting in front of a device all day, and they aren’t physically interacting with anyone. They’re remote learning. And we, parents, are wondering, Will our kids remotely learning anything? And let’s face…More
Should I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Headlines about vaccines are splattered all over the media these days. We, all of us, are on our toes with expectation, waiting for one to work. But we may be reaching. And even if one works, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. When I was younger, before this pandemic, I never thought about vaccines. When my…More
The greatest reward for pandemic risk
Assessing risk is hard anytime, but, in a pandemic, it’s even harder. But it’s paramount. People should think “The coronavirus kills and is unpredictable, so I should wear a mask, especially indoors, and socially distance so I don’t transmit or get infected and become a transmitter.” But many don’t. Especially in the US. People aren’t…More
You can survive this time
Sometimes authority is wrong. In America, it’s woefully wrong about the pandemic. Everything is not ok. It’s not safe. I’m not trying to be a fear-monger. I’m just telling you the truth. I don’t want you to get sick. I don’t want you to spread this disease to your loved ones. Look, our leaders are…More
The pandemic isn’t over
It’s a matter of life or death. What is? This: Who you’re listening to. Don’t listen to the stories, the ideological frameworks, the politics, businesses, even your own urges. Everyone has their agenda; campaigners want to win campaigns; businesses want your money; government officials want to be voted back in office; you just want everything…More
Is normal worth the risk?
Quarantining, not hugging, being isolated, fighting the virus is exhausting. All of it. We want to get back to living, normal. But friends, we mustn’t rush. Plunging into seeing people, going to the office, traveling, all of that, isn’t safe no matter what the politicians say, governments do, how those around you behave. I’m seeing…More
One Great Thing From Social Distancing
Strangers are waving at me, and I find myself waving back. They smile, and so do I. And you know what? It feels really good. In all of this we’re learning to appreciate strangers. There’s a longing for connection that we all have, especially when we’re as starved of it as we are these days.…More
Grow today
Just because a pandemic is driving us all crazy doesn’t mean you can’t grow today. Try something new: Learn a new language, an unfamiliar musical instrument, paint a painting, write poetry, code, cook a strange dish, blog. Anything. Yes, it will make you feel like you have a dunce hat on, unsure of yourself, a…More
The frontlines of COVID-19—A love letter
To the nurses, EMTs, physicians, staff who are on the front line of this war, thank you for risking and sacrificing health, safety, comfort to ensure our health, safety, and comfort. You even sacrifice time with your family so we can be with ours. You are exposed so that we can be protected. You are…More
John Pa 