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.
Things I’m Grateful For
I’m going to end this, and every future Pandemic Diary entry with a list of things I’m grateful for.
- Family/Friends;
- Food;
- Technology (this would be infinitely more painful without it);
- Sunshine; and
- Walks.
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.
Alarm Clock Dawn, one of the first full length novels published on the blockchain, and the book that started it all for me can be found HERE. Or Click Here to read it for free on the blockchain
My book on meditation, The Perfect Pause, is priced at $12.99 (paperback) and $4.99 (eBook). Buy the paperback and receive the eBook for free!
I like the idea of joining in with an online meditation class.
That would be awesome! When I get things up and running I'll let you know. I'd like to find a platform other than Zoom.
I got told at work the other day that I really needed to be wearing a mask. Yeah yeah. I wore one the whole time I was at the hospital the other day though.
Good morning! Masks are becoming the new norm. I think we'll see people wearing them when they're sick (like they do in Asia) even after this ordeal is done. We just heard last night that Minnesota will likely be opening up in late May. Time will tell!
That seems pretty optimistic to me. I think things are going to be shut down a lot longer. I was saying the other day that in the past you thought someone was weird if they were wearing a mask. Now it seems you are the weird one if you are not wearing a mask!
good job man ⚡
Thank you! I'm glad you made the migration to Hive!
This virus definitely has us navigating in a sea of opinions, fears and uncertainties. The healthiest thing is to live the quarantine as best as possible, one day at a time, trying to do what we like and the most important thing is to be grateful, to be grateful for everything. I hope you continue to be well, @ericvancewalton. Stay safe.
You've got that right @aurodivys! One day at a time is the only way to get through it with sanity intact. Thank you, I hope you and your family stay well!
Sometimes I usually imagine how this year will be and look like without the pandemic
Me too, @rockor. Here in the U.S. we would have been more consumed with the upcoming Presidential election right now. Right now we're just stuck in a strange sort of limbo.
May God bail us out in this situation
Who in the hell can you really believe any more? Every news organization has an "agenda" so they can't be trusted. We pretty much know politicians only have one agenda, too get re-elected, so they can't be trusted. So that knocks out 99% of where "normal" people get their information.
I have been lucky, so to speak, that I learned to trust my instincts years ago. My instincts tell me this is nothing but another strain of flu that is being manipulated to strengthen government strong hold over the people and reward their "partners" in certain business sectors with all the government hand outs.
This will end up in far fewer deaths than a normal flu season in here in the USA and all the credit will go to "the government" for saving us, while they have killed us in economic ways that will have far longer after affects than CV19 could ever had done on it's own.
"Never let a crisis go to waste" is a famous quote here in the USA, but equally important one is "if you can't wait on a crisis; create one." that last quote is from some old man in Texas, I just can't remember his name right now.
I'll think of it though,
Sult
I agree! It's mind-boggling. I'm hearing the Wuhan lab theory being pushed more and more now, this is what my instincts always were telling me. They are saying the "stay at home" provisions are to allow hospitals to prepare and get enough ventilators for the coming onslaught of cases BUT now the medical community is claiming ventilators aren't working and could be making things worse. I read yesterday that 80% of those patients put on ventilators in NY have died, 97% of ventilated patients in Wuhan died. Now doctors are saying placing the patients on their stomachs and tapping/massaging their backs is a more effective treatment. What a fiasco!
Even cows have enough sense when they have trouble breathing to get a spot to lay down where the body is "uphill" from their head and nostrils so gravity can help drain their congestion from their lungs. We can learn a lot from "dumb animals" if we just pay attention.
Yes, it seems the testing in that Wuhan lab was deemed to be to dangerous here in the USA to do so we funded that lab in China to do the testing. Oh, and that funding came thru the NIH (National Institute of Health) $3.7 million from them.
Dr. Fauci is the man in charge at the NIH, imagine that. It's no wonder that Fauci was able to predict back in 2017 that the tRump administration would face a pandemic during his term in office, since he was funding it's creation.
US State Department officials even warned back in 2018 that the lab in Wuhan had "serious safety risks" with the testing they were conducting on bats using Corona virus. Oh yes, and the funding took place after the State Department warnings.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Fauci is up to his eye balls deep into having this come about, almost like an arsonist that comes back to watch a building burn that he set on fire. Its like he is up there on the stage telling tRump, "this is a special type a fire, you need to pour pure oxygen on it if you want to put it out". tRump listens to him and orders a gazzilion ventilators.
I said a long time ago that a simple vaporizer would be effective with kerosene and it would most likely have been, at least more than the ventilators. The kerosene vapors would act as a decongestant and facilitate coughing to expel the mucus.
Fauci is at best a "dumb ass sicco" and more than likely a treasonous felon. Some serious investigation needs to be done into him and anyone who is associated with him.
Just my thoughts,
Sult
It's amazing how instinctual animals are. Humans have lost so much of that natural instinct and common sense! I started Googling Fauci and the results are a virtual rabbit hole of info. Holy crap. I had no idea he headed up that organization and it is all beyond suspicious. It sounds like a dystopian novel, too bad it's our current reality. Thanks for your comments and I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!
We're on Day 22...I think...every day felt like a Saturday till I decided this week to get back to doing some work, like marketing and offering specials once the lockdown is over but it's just sooo difficult!
I don't know anything about publishing bit am absolutely sure the negative response to your book is just a sign of the strange and difficult period we're going through. I would submit it at a much later stage again!
You should do more virtual/ online classes if you enjoy that, could reach many more people and this is something everyone needs to do right now.
I realised during this lockdown just how blessed we are here with all of nature around us and that we can at least walk freely in our garden, many don't have that.
We'll all have to become virtual travelers, there's some wonderful stuff online! Airbnb are now offering online experiences during lockdown, you could perhaps offer your meditation on there? Just an idea.
You're right, there's so many theories around this virus, one doesn't know what the truth is any more!
Take care my friend!
Hi @lizelle! Settling into a regular routine has helped me tremendously. This magazine has a notoriously low acceptance rate (.02%) but I really felt like this short story was a good fit for them. This next story will be about an older man who is living in a nursing home. He connects with a younger grandchild in a pretty unique way. They go on a car ride once a week to get him out of the home and they end up conversing about lots of things that make them realize they're much more similar than they are different.
I'm thinking that the virtual meditation classes will be one aspect of how I move forward from here. My second meditation book, Mindful Moments, should be out before the end of this year (hopefully). Great idea to pursue the Airbnb Experiences! I didn't know they opened it up to virtual experiences. We've tried a lot of those during our travels and have never been let down. Most of them have ended up being some of our favorite memories of the trips.
I'm glad you can surround yourself with nature. That helps so much. We are equally blessed with that here but you need to jump into the car to get to it. They've also banned access to most of our parks so we'll have to wait until the lockdown is over.
Thanks for your comment, stay well Lizelle!
I only started yesterday with trying to restore back to a regular routine and already feel more purposeful, so you're very right about that! We can't even walk or jog in the street, can only leave our homes to go to the pharmacy or grocery store!
Airbnb started their online experiences during covid, worthwhile looking into that!