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Quick reminder to everyone who is looking ahead to reopening and getting back to ~normal life~ that 117,313 people have died in the US since the beginning of the pandemic. That means that the loved ones of those 117,313 people are grappling with and grieving those deaths.
That's a lot of people, and many of us were not able to say goodbye the way we imagined. That's a lot of people lacking the expected kinds of closure that might normally exist.
You might be tired of social distancing and staying inside (especially now that the weather is really dang nice) and living this life of caution and fear, but there's a reason we've been here. Preventing death. Like, actual death.
So when you see someone like me on the verge of a panic attack in the grocery store, or shouting about the selfishness of people at the bagel place, or crying in the car, don't be surprised.
Wear a mask. Give people space. I don't care if it feels unnecessary, if you tested negative, if you're tired of this, if you don't think you're at risk, if you want to go back to the office because you're tired of being at home.
I am sad, and I am exhausted, and I am also lucky and safe and healthy and loved and lots of other things. A few weeks of declining cases in certain parts of the country is not going to put me at ease, and that's probably true for many people.
We're not done with this. We haven't grieved. Not enough, anyway. Enjoy your drinks on the patio, the sidewalk, in the parking lot, whatever, but don't forget that not everyone is ready to be there with you.
