Stand in the Desert, Near Them on the Sand

Things seem to be progressing rapidly. I think it's only now really starting to hit me what exactly is happening. My parents are self-isolating as best they can. The governor is limiting the number of people gathering to 10 (I think there goes liturgy and work). The experts are talking about how our best bet is to try and keep things stable for a year until a vaccine is made and tested.

I guess I had previously had the feeling that this would be a more immediate thing, that would flash through over a month and then disappear. It sort of seemed to work like that in China, but to be honest I think they're still limiting travel and not allowing outsiders into the country for fear of re-importing the virus. That has to have economic repercussions, the same as our continued shutdown. So even if Covid-19 flashes across the US over the next month (which would wreck havoc on our health system), we'll all still be in a holding pattern until we have a vaccine that we know works. Which, as said before, will probably take about a year.

So I don't know what this means. Will the limits to gatherings only last as long as there are new cases being found? How long do we go without school and work and church? What does this mean for Easter services? As an Orthodox Christian, confession and communion is a vital part of our faith, what do we do if we can't hold services for a year?

What will this mean for the economy, for airlines, for tourism, for the unemployment rate? One of my fellow librarians is retiring soon and I am going to apply for his position (which would be an increase in responsibilities and remuneration). What will happen if we are still doing online classes in the fall? With the lack of income from student housing and food service, will we be freezing positions? I honestly don't know if I can afford to continue living here, with rental prices as they are, if I don't get this promotion. And I know there are people in much more precarious positions than I am.

The uncertainty is stressful. I can tell I'm not sleeping as well, though part of that is my ever-changing schedule plus daylight savings time. I think I'm going to need a list of things to do with myself while stuck at home so I don't go stir crazy.