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Great article, thanks for posting.

“There is a palpable sense of despair and loneliness, and as people sit waiting for a vaccine,”

When I got to the above clause early in the piece, I recalled something that happened about a week ago. I’ll get to that in a minute, but will give some background.

Before CoVid, I used to play cards monthly with a group of women in my town, several in my neighborhood. The group of 8 ranges in age from 50 to 82. Once the lockdowns started, about half of the group no longer wanted to get together for cards until all danger of getting CoVid is removed. That decision has led to much despair and loneliness, as the article mentioned, for the 4 who have chosen to remain isolated. So I haven’t seen some of them in months, even though several live just blocks from me. They do not want to get together.

Fast forward to just before Valentine’s Day. My local store had an offering of a flat of fresh strawberries for $5. They were big and beautiful, but I knew my husband and I could never finish 4 dozen huge berries before they would spoil. I decided to reach out to my card friends that were close by and ask if they would be interested in any chocolate-dipped berries, which I enjoy making when the berries look especially good as these ones did. They all accepted.

When I went to deliver the berries to one gal, she was overcome with emotion. She met me outside her garage with her mask on, so I put one on too, to help her feel comfortable. I had intended to leave the package on her doorstep, but I actually got to hand her the berries directly, something I never thought she would agree to, but she initiated the contact. We talked very briefly, but then she began to tear up, then gently weep, as the two of us reconnected. Then through tears she announced how she couldn’t wait for this “stay home, stay safe” period to be lifted. She and her husband both were about to get their second doses of vaccine in a few days. Before I left, she even committed to her a big no-no. She approached me and then hugged me, and thanked me for reaching out to her!

I returned home from my deliveries feeling both happy and sad at the same time. I was happy that I could do something nice and meaningful for a friend who has rejected my overtures in the months before this, and sad that she has suffered in isolation because of those who really don’t have her *health* in mind. She has bought all the fear porn hook, line, and sinker.

I will be so happy when my old friends are no longer scared to be around others again. This article was spot on.