Friday, November 20, 2020

Writing, Pandemic, Loss of Logic and Normalcy

by Linda Thorne

Author of forty-five or more books, Marilyn Meredith recently posted on the Make Mine Mystery Blogspot the topic, How has Covid 19 Affected Your Writing? She responded to a comment I made that she doesn’t let it bother her much since she can’t do anything about it. A wise way to handle the situation, but not something that works for me. I am drained by all of it.

Are we ever going to see normalcy again? Are you feeling stressed, desperate, frustrated,
mad, or plain worn out? I suddenly recalled a forty-year-old movie, Private Benjamin, and Goldy Hawn popped clearly into my mind in army clothes and helmet, marching in the rain, airing her frustrations loudly. “I want to go out to lunch! I want to be normal again!” I thought to myself, I get it Goldy, I really get it.

The last time I went out to dinner was on my husband’s birthday, Friday the 13th of March. We stopped by Great Clips afterward to get haircuts. So many months have passed since then.

Things closed soon after that, but the partial reopening has not gone well. I started cutting my husband’s hair even though the hair salons and barbershops had reopened here in Nashville, Tennessee. I hazarded hair appointments with my regular beautician. Twice. But as I was leaving the last time, I saw that the hairdresser next to her didn’t wear a mask, so I never went back. What I learned is the other beautician had a doctor’s excuse for not wearing a mask, so I have been cutting my own hair since with the help of my husband.

Where’s the logic in an employer allowing someone to work directly with the public without a mask when there’s a mask mandate? A mask is to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The doctor’s excuse is meaningless in a sane world. Yeah, maybe she couldn’t find a mask that allows her to breath or doesn’t irritate her skin (even though they are out there), but she still needs to stay home, doctor’s excuse or not.

The Pandemic has been bad enough, but during the skyrocketing increase in the number of cases, we had a Presidential election. Historic during a Pandemic, but the election is being drawn out, adding more stress.

Look at the rallies for Biden and protests against Trump not winning. The CDC is against any large gatherings, but it seems too many people feel like it has to be okay when there’s a cause they believe in. Whatever their cause, these things have no logic concerning wearing a mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Where’s our logic and common sense? And by the way, what about social distancing?

Then there are those who must show they have their rights not to wear a mask. Why? Why not help our economy and others’ safety?

At least we have one huge positive on the horizon. We are obviously going to get a vaccine.

Happy writing even during the Pandemic. If you can make it work for you, congratulations and keep going.

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13 comments:

Brent Kellmer said...

Why do you make a big deal about rallies for Biden when there have been very few of those, and the majority of those have had most of the attendees wearing masks and practicing social distancing? Whereas you don't mention the large number of pro-Trump rallies that have occurred where the majority of folks have specifically not worn masks? I'm not trying to turn things into a political discussion, but you definitely seem to slant your post to make it sound as if the ones who are pro-Biden are predominantly the ones who don't wear masks.

Saralyn said...

I feel your pain, Linda, but I’ve been writing like mad since February. I call it my NaNoWriYear. Just hoping it doesn’t turn into two. Take care, everybody.

authorlindathorne said...

Yes Brent, I did notice a huge difference in lack of masks at pro-Trump rallies. It was like night and day with the majority in the Biden gatherings wearing theirs while few did in Trump's. I thought these rallies, both sides, were held in about every state. We sure had some big ones here in Nashville and the people were shoulder to shoulder. I didn't want to get in to the politics either, so left out details and didn't mention all the demonstrations, huge gatherings of motorcyclists, etcetera. Big crowded events of any kind just seem crazy with the COVID numbers so high and growing.

Saralyn, keep plugging along with the writing. I envy your enthusiasm.

Jackie Houchin said...

I often feel the way your do, and look like Goldie! But It's horrible to get so DOWN. I agree with Marilyn Meredith.

Here's some statistic that I hope will help your feel better:
Global RECOVERIES are at 36,978,824 this morning, so 368,677 people have recovered since yesterday.
Here in USA 6,163,383 people have recovered. This means 39,442 NEW RECOVERIES since yesterday.
Praise God!

authorlindathorne said...

Thanks Jackie, for you positive feedback.

Morgan Mandel said...

I'm really not sure if we've been programmed to believe that masks work. I've heard pros that they seem to help, yet others claim you can get infections from them. For some reason I feel more protected if someone is wearing a mask, but not sure if it's a false feeling of security.
I wear one in stores for just in case, since we're near more people.

Anyway, outdoors I don't wear one. The neighbors in my area cross the street or turn the corner so we don't get near each other. When I talk to people I know outside, we don't stand as close as we used to do.

I do not understand why so many in nursing home residents apparently die from Covid. Seems those places should be the most protected. Something's not right there. Seems proper precautions are not being taken.

We're walking a tightrope and hope it doesn't break.

On a lighter note, I'm almost through editing my sweet romance which does not take place during Covid times. I don't need to read books about Covid or watch programs about it. It's irritating enough to deal with it.

authorlindathorne said...

I don't wear a mask outside either because it's out in open air and I think I'm distanced enough. I would if I were shoulder-to-shoulder with a large gathering, but that's not going to happen. I work in HR and even our employees who wear masks, work from home, and only go to the grocery store and doctor offices are getting it. Some of them try to guess what might've happened. It may be stepping into a townhouse elevator (normally empty) with mask in hand and the door opens on a floor and others, also without masks, get on.
I'm not interested in books set during the Pandemic either.

Let us know when your romance book comes out.

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

Well, I'm not going to let all that's going on get me down. I wear a mask when I'm in public. I still go to restaurants and eat outside and freeze sometimes. Twice we were allowed inside (the only ones) because it was raining one time, and really windy the next) and had a lovely private meal. The servers all wore masks. And I have a great clear plastic mask that goes on like glasses over the ears I wear some times, more usually the other kind. I'm not going to let what's going on get me down.

authorlindathorne said...

Good for you Marilyn. Others I know go out to dinner and seem to have been very safe. I've gone in to pick up orders-to-go at places where diners are having dinner out. It looked safe, and social distancing was in place. It's such good news that vaccines are in the pipeline.

SJ Francis said...

Well, I'm all for wearing a mask for a number of reasons. Common sense and logic show it helps. Further, The CDC and health depts of other countries have done numbers of experiments, which show they help. As with anything and everything else, nothing is 100% absolute except for death and taxes, but really, why take a chance? I'm a Disabled Veteran. I have mask anxiety. I earned my right not to wear a mask if I so choose not to, but I choose to wear one. For my personal safety. For my neighbor. For the stranger. Because it is just the sensible thing to do. The Pandemic has overall caused a loss in logic and consideration. One can see that everyway everywhere. For those of you wearing masks, practicing social distancing and showing concern for others, thank you. You all should be lauded. For those COVIDIOTS out there. Stay away from me. The worst offenders seems to be those working in supermarkets, of which I've seen twice in just three weeks. Either their mask is in their pocket or down around their necks while they are putting out produce. Does that make you feel safe? Not me. Unfortunately, these COVIDIOTS will most likely contaminate those who are trying hard to stay healthy, while nothing at all happens to them.
In the end, is it really going to kill you to wear a mask? No, but it just may kill you or someone you care about if you don't.
Take care. Stay safe. Wear a mask, as if your life depends on it because it just might. But don't be stupid. Nothing works 100%. Don't be reckless.
On a personal note, I had a former college student of mine and a close friend of hers, both 22, die from COVID-19 because they chose not to heed their parent's advice to wear masks. The two girls almost immediately went onto ventilators and died after two weeks of being ill. All fifteen students that dined out became ill after the dinner party out and all not wearing masks. Four other students are still ill and hospitalized with COVID-19.

J. L. Greger said...

As a biologist, I have to say masks aren't perfect but masks and distancing (and common sense) are our best protection until vaccines are common and herd immunity occurs. Many don't realize if the numbers get much higher, there will be no hospital and little medical care for many COVID patients - a situation horrific to imagine.

However, like Marilyn I don't believe in worrying about what I can't change. I wear my mask. go to the store once a week for groceries, and keep busy. It helps that I like to write and cook.

authorlindathorne said...


Thank you S.J. and J.L. for your comments. We'll probably have some of the new words I'm hearing about COVID added to our dictionary after this Pandemic is over. It's been quite the experience.

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