I Googled “ideas for blog posts during a pandemic” tonight, trying to come up with a story. There are few topics to write about when people are either arguing or making fun of hoarding toilet paper,
Some believe COVID-19 is a death sentence, and others are saying the symptoms are mild. While some people are panicking, and others are relatively calm. I’m in that camp.
I’m confident with self-isolation, quarantines, social distancing, and proper steps to keep each other safe, we can control COVID-19.
I understand some people are more vulnerable than others. People are worried about their families, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and with underlying conditions.
Yes, be ready. Have a plan. Buy one can of Lysol. I was out, so I bought another – out of need. The toilet paper was low. Again, out of need. I wonder if the people hoarding toilet paper understand their actions. Then when it dawned on people that, hey, we can’t eat toilet paper, they moved onto food, leaving the shelves bare.
This isn’t an Apocalypse.
When the World Health Organization (WHO) announced COVID-19 as a pandemic, they said “the word ‘pandemic’ shouldn’t instill fear and panic.”
But it has and here we are. Each COVID-19 case is scary. But we don’t know the story behind the case. Travel? Close contact?
A fun fact about toilet paper. Pre-1960s, when some households didn’t have running water, toilet paper was a luxury. When duty called, people would use Eaton’s catalogues, newspaper, the funny pages. Whatever was available.
Today, we’re about immediate gratification. A “me-me-me” mentality.
When I was young, my paternal Gigi mentioned a man who took the last piece of butterscotch marshmallow square, my favourite at the time. He told me, it was selfish to take the last of anything.
That’s stuck with me. However, if it’s something I can’t do without, such as feminine hygiene products or almond milk, I have zero choice.
For now, keep your distance, wait this out, and keep in touch with your loved ones.
Tammy W. Karatchuk 