“Crisis either causes regress or progress depending on the will of the people.” Abhijit Naskar
The shelter in place directive in California is entering into its 8th week and SOME people have become restless. In large groups without protective gear, people are gathering closely at local beaches and city halls in protests of the closures of beaches, and businesses. They are NOT protesting for supports during the quarantine like-rent forgiveness, mortgage freezes, and decent support for everyone to be able to safely stay at home with paid leave- during this time. Nah. They are protesting because they want to relax at the beach and have their restaurant or gym re-opened with no regard for the health, safety, and lives of others. Do they think this virus is a hoax? But, how could they with a rising death toll? With the Coronavirus being so deadly, why are people willing to risk their lives just to be outside? What is so bad about having to stay at home? Why are people so opposed to sheltering in place?
The shelter in place directive is NOT meant to be punitive, it’s a tool to reduce and delay the spread and transmission of the virus. Unfortunately, these protests are major regressions for any preventative progress made, which means we’ll probably be quarantined even longer. By not wearing protective gear, those out protesting, aren’t fighting for their rights to re-open the beaches or their businesses, they are fighting to infect and further spread the virus to ALL of us that are sheltering in place.
I don’t get it, if you have the urge to go outside to relax- sit on your balcony, in your backyard, on your rooftop, or on your porch. If you are blessed to have shelter, why not be grateful and spend time in it? Is it because people are uncertain about what to do while homebound? Are they lacking activities? Ironically, I came across a blog post that beautifully and eloquently offered a few suggestions on activities while sheltering in place and decided to incorporate those suggestions into this week’s blog.
The untitled post was written in March 2020 by Kitty O’Meara. It reads: “And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently. And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal. And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.”
This was beautifully written, Kudo’s Kitty O’Meara.
We are in this crisis together!!! As inconvenient as sheltering in place may be, it’s for our protection and the protection of our families. So stay inside, cover-up when you are out, and remember the only way to heal yourself and let the earth heal too is to Shelter in place !!!
SHIP TALK: Kitty’s post instilled in me a sense of peace and hope. What resonated with you when you read it?
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Thanks Hilary. Now I just need 100,000 more people to think the same….LOL. Shelter in place and stay safe.
I understand the financial aspect. I do. However, life is more important than money in this instance. Like I said, I prefer that they would risk it for some other supports rather than re-open beaches. And if you are going to protest wear a mask.
I enjoyed reading this post. Both your and Katie’s words are dead on! Another reason why people are not sheltering is because they are unemployed and have no funds coming in, but if the death toll rises, we are no closer to returning to work than we would be if we all stay at home. This time of refreshing is marvelous for me and Poncho. We built a raised garden bed and planted vegetables that we hope to receive a harvest from in the next few months. We’ll be able to eat organic veggies that we grew ourselves! We’ve been cleaning and may even paint. It’s time to strengthen areas where we’ve been lacking. Thanks, Val!
Your posts are always so meaningful and I look forward to reading them.
Thank you for sharing your intelligent and loving thoughts.