Virus life not much different

The coronavirus has not really made my life much different. We always keep the fridge and the freezer filled with enough groceries for a couple of weeks. Only fresh produce and milk are needed more often and it’s not too difficult to stretch that out.

With a new puppy, lots of books and satellite TV, I am pretty well set.

I watch less news than pre-virus since I’m tired of the confusion which has become as bizarre as the politicians were before the virus. Instead I watch re-runs of Star Trek, Magnum PI and Diagnosis Murder with some history and nature programs thrown in.,

Burn less gas, but still go for a drive once in awhile just to get out of the house, but it’s a little depressing to see the Nite Owl parking lot empty in the middle of the day.

Search and Rescue meetings have been canceled as well as training, but S&R folks are still prepared to respond if needed by the Sheriff.

School board meetings are not as interesting as usual. We meet electronically with something called Zoom and I am constantly amazed by how the staff — including the janitors and bus drivers have rallied to deliver services to the students. Both parents and students are working hard with staff to cover this tough time.

My new puppy provide the biggest diversion and takes a lot of time. Housebreaking is progressing and she now retrieves, comes when called and will sit on command. Her energy level and habit of chewing almost anything remains a challenge.

So far she has damaged a water hose, two pair of socks and a variety of paper products. Not to mention that I now have scabs on both my arms and my legs. I have learned to dress for the day with long-sleeved shirts and long pants. No more lounging around all day in my shorts.

Oh yeah, I have my telephone and email and I have now played nearly 5,000 games of solitaire on my computer. Obviously I am not really suffering.

I have given some thought to the days when bomb shelters were being built in private homes and stocked with food, water and guns to keep other folks from robbing you. Compared to today that would have been super difficult.

I addition to thousands of deaths, the economic stress has made life super difficult for millions.

Folks who live from paycheck-to-paycheck plain cannot pay their bills. Not only for food, but for rent, car payments or anything else. We all need to follow the CDC guidelines on social distancing, washing frequently, etc., but also reach out where we can to help others. I know this will pass, but I worry it will take months instead of weeks.

What do you think?

Larry Wilson’s North Fork Views appears weekly in the Hungry Horse News.