The world is opening up again, and I think I should like it, but I don’t. Coronavirus is maybe kinda sorta on the decrease in a number of places—we’re not sure how many, but we think it’s a pretty good number—so throw the gates open and let’s go! That’s what it feels like.

I know a lot of people are hurting from everything being shut down, and I don’t blame them for wanting to open up again, but we could be doing this smarter. Other countries have much more organized, effective procedures in place for dealing with this pandemic, but we in the US are here, there, and everywhere. It’s frustrating and scary. It feels too soon to be opening up again because I get the sense that it’s happening way too haphazardly to be safe.

I think too that it was just easier emotionally when everyone was quarantined. I knew we were all doing the same thing; I felt a sense of solidarity in staying home. But now I just feel a sense of disjointedness. Everything seems a bit off, and I, for one, am disoriented. How do I move forward in this new pandemic world? Apparently I’m supposed to put on my mask and social distance myself right on into Consumerville and Scheduleville again. But I feel safer and saner in Homeville. I’ll move slowly in this new world, for myself and for others. I’ll be a turtle, all tucked up in my shell if you need me.