Seeing Silver Linings During Social Isolation

Coronavirus news hasn’t gotten any less scary since I wrote about it two weeks ago. At the time of writing this column, the virus is in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. More than 100 U.S. citizens have died from the illness. I wasn’t planning to write about it again, but it seems to be all I can think about. Living in Washington state — or “ground zero” — has given me an interesting vantage point from which to watch the country respond to the pandemic.

Two weeks ago, I wrote about the masses who were flooding to Costco and causing gridlock and chaos in the store. Aside from Americans who live in hurricane-prone areas, most people in the country probably could not relate to that experience. Now I imagine that most of you have a grocery gauntlet tale to tell.

When Governor Jay Inslee last week decided to start shutting down everything from schools to salons, I heard complaints about what an overreaction it was. Now, cities from Seattle to San Francisco are on lockdown. Businesses are closing their doors and parents are getting a crash course in homeschooling their kids.

There are still people who think that panic-buying 800 rolls of toilet paper is the best way to prepare for a period of isolation. Others have hosted pandemic parties — N95 masks optional.

While I can find both of these things objectively humorous, neither is an appropriate response to the spread of Covid-19. Both acts could have ripple effects that hurt people. The reality is that this virus is going to continue to disproportionately harm people with underlying conditions and immune deficiencies. And that is not a joke.

I know that I am preaching to the choir here at Pulmonary Fibrosis News, but I’ll say it again — it is everyone’s responsibility to protect the vulnerable. Now is not the time to sip “quarantinis” with all your asymptomatic pals — unless, of course, you are doing it via FaceTime in the comfort of your individual homes.

Despite hearing about irresponsible behaviors and painfully privileged statements over the past few weeks, I feel surprisingly good about our nation’s response to the pandemic. At least on a community level.

So many people are choosing to do the responsible thing and self-isolate at home. Extra sanitization measures are being taken at businesses that must remain open. People are checking in on one another.

Being told not to leave home to socialize, to work from home, or even to be laid off is frustrating and stressful. In this situation, our immunocompromised and chronically ill friends have a leg up on us immuno-typical folks. Many rare disease patients are used to taking precautions like self-isolation to protect their health and conserve their energy. To experience self-isolation is a lesson for the rest of us in adaptability and empathy. And I believe this is a gift.

We can find other gifts here, too. For each thing I read online or hear about that makes me cringe, there are five more posts about how people are responding to the crisis in positive ways.

I have seen many friends and small businesses pledge to stay home until we are on the other side of the infection bell curve. I have seen pictures from friends who are making awesome home classrooms and teaching science in the yard.

I have seen small business owners like myself suddenly without work and  — after freaking out — realize that they needed the break to focus on strengthening the foundation of their business. Artists have banded together to do what we do best — cope through creative expression.

We are adapting. We are slowing down and reprioritizing. We are connecting more face to face with our families. We are sharing and connecting with technology in ways that seem to mean more than the usual clicking of the “like” button.

Our ability to make positive adaptations is what I love most about the human race. But I know that despite all the good stuff going on, we might still find ourselves reading too much news, seeing too many bad memes, and feeling overwhelmed.

If you are feeling anxious, put down your phone. Turn off the TV. Call your friends and wave to your neighbors. Stand on your driveway and breathe some fresh air. Play games and read books. Learn a new hobby or perfect an old one. Be mindful of your headspace and take steps to combat stress. And as always, check in with us in the Pulmonary Fibrosis News Forums because being isolated doesn’t mean you have to be alone.