Social Distancing, a tango of interaction

Well as we enter the time of social (or physical) distancing, today you are provided a picture prior to the new rules with no distance between me and my grandsons snoozing in my chair.  Both are splendid, talkative and busy.  It was wonderful seeing them after our return from FL.

We are now in a basically lockdown condition at Oxford Towers.  There are signs proclaiming that "all events and activities are canceled until further notice" everywhere.  The office that is frequented by the residents is now closed to visitors and only available via phone.  The normally very active common area in the lobby is deserted.  The only people I see are those bringing their dogs in and out after potty breaks.  My friend John broke into song on his second floor balcony last evening.  We came our as did the lady above him.  It was nice to see smiling faces even from afar.

Went to Kroger yesterday and it was still barren.  Very little on the shelves with workers valiantly trying to restock.  No paper anything was available.  Poultry was in short supply.  Frozen meals were sold out.  Maybe things will improve in the near future.  Since we cannot eat out, everyone is re learning to cook their meals at home, hence the shortages.  I bought the stuff for chicken soup for preparation later today. I was in CVS after my trip to Kroger for some face wiping towelettes standing in line to pay. Someone coughed in another part of the store.  Everyone stopped, looked and cowered. Toilet paper was sailing off the shelf as fast as the clerks could place it.

It comes to mind that a new standard of interaction is in place and will be for some time.  No more kissing your friend on the cheek or shaking hands or hugging.  Grandmas will still squeeze their little ones but that's about it.  Part of our culture has always been physical contact between friends.  That has changed for the foreseeable future.  For me the elbow bump just doesn't do it.

In the face of this, we should call more, email more, use social media more.  We need to battle isolation and remain connected.

all for now