I see photos of big urban cities with empty streets.
I understand the significance.
I understand the power of these images.
I understand how impactful it is to the city, to the world, but mostly to the people who live there.
I live at the end of a cul de sac at the back of a suburban neighborhood. Unless kids are out on their bikes, it’s mostly quiet. And this is when the world was normal.
What’s so strange to me is that even in this time in which we’re all staying put, it’s not that much different here.
We live in a place that doesn’t wear the impact of covid-induced self quarantine on it’s sleeve.
It’s a real disconnect.
Life looks pretty much the same.
It’s only in the going about suburban living that I see how different everything actually is.
But there’s the rub. I’m not supposed to be going out.
I find it so strange.
I watch the news.
I see social media.
I talk with friends and family.
What’s going on in the world is something I’m acutely aware of.
But I don’t see the evidence, you know?
My street doesn’t look any different.
Maybe that’s just suburban life.
The quiet cul de sac exists for just this reason.
To lull you into a sense of safety and comfort.
I am so fucking tired of hearing lawn mowers.
These thoughts aren’t fully hatched, so I may not be making sense trying to express them.
But I understand what I feel.
And it looks like this.
There’s a whole lotta WTF? going on.
I have access to information, but don’t actually bear witness.
I’m being impacted by the same things as the rest of the world, only it doesn’t actually look that way…?
Am I grateful to be affected, but not have to see?
Does it make it more or less real to me?
I’m truthfully not sure where I’m going with this, I just know it means something.
Perhaps I should wait for my thoughts to fully hatch before writing them down?
therobynbirdsnest 
I think you’re aware. But I think part of the problem we have now is that people who don’t see it don’t realize how devastating it actually is. You know I went on my mask diatribe the other day..my friend who doesn’t live in ny went out the other day with her son (immuno compromised) and her thought was I’m going on the street to jump rope, so I don’t need a mask. Of course someone coughed near them, and she said if that person gets me sick….and I wanted to say…You are to blame, because right now there are enough warnings, and if you get sick now, myself included, it’s no ones fault but our own….I know….I diatribes again…but yeah….some (not you) are not taking this seriously enough…
Absolute truth!
This situation is serious! However much we’re ansty being at home. However much of a disconnect we feel. We must stay put!
People don’t get it though….
Nope.
And honestly, that’s more frightening than the idea of getting sick.
Hell yeah
We’ve been told over and over again to stay put. So we do. The weather is just now starting to resemble spring and since it’s been a really hard winter with lots of indoor activity, I can only imagine how it’ll look when spring actually shows up in full swing. So we’ve had a couple of extra nice sunny days and omg people are idiots! They took advantage by ripping down caution tape, moving barriers, etc etc and congregating in beaches and parks…so the cops are serving everyone with huge fines and sending them back indoors
And all of a sudden it’s back to living like in winter. We’re locked in and can’t go out (especially people in apartments without a yard) and it’s the same as you describe. Everything is quiet, just like it was during the cold, icky days. It looks quiet, and ‘normal’ on a rainy cold day…but we’re bracing ourselves for the sunny hot days.
sigh…
I dont understand the complete disregard of social distancing with the nice weather! You can enjoy springtime while staying and keeping others safe!
Thinking out loud- I like those posts 👍🤗. Many people live in quieter areas and the streets are always quiet and empty. My uncle lives out on a farm, it’s a long way to his neighbours.
Still the difference is not shopping for me, not attending meetings except by video. Cancelled events in my community, closed pools, schools, restaurants. It’s just too quiet.
Yes! Not going and doing ‘the things’ is so strange!
You’re right, it’s too quiet.
I think Dr. Emily London at U Chicago said it best. If we are doing stay at home correctly it feels like an over-reaction. That means we are doing it right. However we have some folks who are adults by age not brains who simply don’t get it. Sigh. You are doing the right thing!
❤