Monday, May 4
By Katherine Schneider, for the CVPost
Now that our “Safer at Home” order has been extended for another month, I think many of us have realized this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Having toddled through a 5K walk/run/roll once, I’m no expert on long distance running but I’ve done a few other marathons, like getting a Ph.D. and writing and getting three books published.
I think the stone lions outside the New York Public Library, dubbed Patience and Fortitude, name the characteristics it takes to run this Coronavirus marathon. Here’s a brief quiz to help you figure out how well you’re doing with each of them, so far.
Patience:
1. What did you do when some annoying person wanted to bend your ear with a story you’ve heard, a political opinion you disagree with or their worries about their next cruise – all while you’re worrying about next month’s rent?
A. Bit their head off, as they deserved – 0 points.
B. Thought “I’d like to bite their head off,” but clamped your jaws shut, saying nothing – 5 points.
C. Said “tell me more” with a saintly smile while thinking your own thoughts – 10 points
2. When your grocery order was delivered 10 days after you first submitted it and with three out of 20 items missing because they were out of stock, what did you do?
A. Gave the deliverer, the store and the stores manager’s mother scathing reviews on the Internet – 0 points.
B. Put away the groceries you did get and figured out who you could borrow the other three items from – 5 points.
C. Started your next order and called a friend who can’t order online to ask what they need – 10 points.
Fortitude:
1. When you wake up in the middle of the night worrying, what do you do?
A. Turn on the news to see what else has gone wrong – 0 points.
B. Get up and have a stiff drink or two or finish that gallon of ice cream that is just taking up room in the freezer – 0 points.
C. Get up and clean your junk drawer – 5 points.
D. Pray, count sheep, listen to soothing music – 10 points.
2. When you wake up night after night with the same worries, what do you add to the response above?
A. Another gallon of ice cream and another stiff drink – 0 points.
B. Some exercise in the morning or early afternoon to help you be physically tired – 10 points.
C. Talk with a wise friend who will listen, not give false reassurances but will remind you of other things you have been through and how you persevered – 10 points.
D. Write in your gratitude journal about people and things that help you stand strong – 10 points
When you pass me on the Corona marathon course, say “hi!”
Note: the home page image is a representation of a coronavirus cell.
To read previous instalments of “The Corona Chronicles,” click here.