Blog No. 252. The Coronavirus Pandemic: Some Personal Notes

I suspect that I speak for many readers in saying that I have never experienced anything as deeply troubling or, frankly, as weird as living in the crisis of the Coronavirus. In a lifetime spanning eight and a half decades, I have gone through some trying events and times, but none prepared me for life in a pandemic.

–Perhaps the closest analogy might be the ‘29 crash and great depression, but I was too young to be aware of the depression, let alone worry about what it meant.

–I was quite aware of World War II and followed it pretty closely on the radio and in newspapers, movies and books. (Ernie Pyle’s, Here Is Your War, is one I remember.) Still, I was seldom worried. (In the early days of the war, I asked my mother what would happen if the Japanese won, and she assured me that we had just bombed Tokyo and that everything would be all right.) Ah, for a Jimmy Doolittle today.

–The Cuban Missile Crisis and the assassination of President Kennedy were shocking events, but neither had a prolonged effect on our daily lives.

–Serving in the White House during the Watergate investigations was exhausting and stressful, but despite concerns about my own future (as well as Nixon’s), I had no doubts that the country would come through in good shape.

–Along with the rest of the country, I was not only stunned but frightened by the attack on 9/11. It was widely assumed that there would be additional attacks; but as time passed without our suffering them, life returned to more or less normal.

–The financial crash of 2008 and the ensuing recession had a serious impact not only on the country but on my own finances. But I always assumed that the stock market would recover, and before too long, it began to.

Today, however, is far different from those experiences. In the present situation, I simply cannot get my head around the number of lives that seem destined to be lost. Tens of thousands? Hundreds of thousands? More? Nor can I fathom the extent of the economic damage that has been done and that seems likely to continue as far ahead as the eye can see. I claim no expertise whatever, but it seems to me that our current circumstances are vastly more difficult and dangerous than the perils of 2008-2009. I support the determination of the President and Congress to pour in billions, probably trillions, into economic relief for individuals and businesses. But will it be effective? And as someone who was already concerned by a burgeoning federal deficit, I can only shudder to think where that spending, however essential, will leave us.

On a direct personal level, the impact of the crisis has been modest so far. My family and I remain healthy and solvent, although, to be sure, the decline in the stock market has had a severe impact on our net worth. I am hopeful, but far from confident, that possibly the worst may be over, or nearly so, and that eventually we will again see a recovery. Of course, eventually can be a rather long time. We had two trips planned for this year, Alaska in July and Tanzania in the fall. I doubt that either will occur and the only question may be how much of our investment in that travel can be recouped.

In terms of my every day life, not that much has changed. I used to spend too much time at the computer and I still do. For me, the principal loss has been the cancellation of meetings with friends and acquaintances that I enjoy and value, and the inability to visit the local gym.

Our church offered a streaming video of a service last Sunday and although a problem with the audio made it difficult to follow the sermon, I assume that problem will be solved this week.

A further impact was threatened this week when Ventura County, California issued a draconian order which, in addition to shutting down various businesses, purported to require that those of us 75 years of age or older, remain inside our homes at all times, except for visits to the grocery store or the doctor or a pharmacy. Applied literally, it would have precluded any kind of outdoor activity, including walking or bike riding. I spent several hours on Friday drafting a letter to the local paper explaining in detail the error of the order. I acknowledged the need for social distancing, but argued, among other things, that many of us elders found exercise and fresh air indispensable to maintaining our physical and mental health. The concluding paragraph stated:

I have reached an advanced age without ever engaging in an act of civil disobedience. Some might argue that, given the times through which I have lived, that is not necessarily to my credit. Be that as it may, my time may have come at last.

In fact, I made two or three illegal forays, walking a neighbor’s dog and strolling in the Ojai Meadow, before the State of California stepped in with its own edict on Thursday night. The state’s order was broader but more flexible than Ventura’s. In addition to closing or limiting the operations of many categories of businesses, its “stay at home” provisions applied to all ages and not just those of 75 years or older. On the other hand, while the order on its face did not make clear exactly what “necessary activities” would be permitted, Governor Gavin Newsom was reassuring in statements to the press, indicating that, among other things, dog-walking would be allowed. And on Friday, Ventura County confirmed that interpretation by modifying its previous order to specify that, among the “Essential Activities” permitted are “walking, hiking, running, bicycling or yard work.” And so, my opportunities for civil disobedience evaporated, at least for the time being.

During these dire and depressing times, I cling to the belief that that occasional injections of humor are a good thing. As Ogden Nash once observed, “humor is hope’s companion in arms,” and “humor is a shield, a weapon, a survival kit.” My talents are far from those of Ogden Nash, but with his advice in mind, I provided friends with a couple of my own feeble offerings.

And, to be sung to the tune of “My Darling, Clementine,”

Returning to the master, Nash wrote in the depth of the depression:

Nash’s cautious optimism of 1933 was vindicated. Let’s hope it is again.

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RINOcracy.com is always open to comments from readers, in concurrence or dissent, but at this time I would be particularly interested in hearing from you with your own reactions to our crisis and your experience so far. After all, as the pundits and politicians frequently remind us, we’re all in this together.