As most everyone I know is working (or not working) from home, I am, of course, still working from home. My daily routine has not really changed. I still get up early and start reading newspapers, watching news on TV and checking some favorite websites for the latest news online. I still have my group of cartoonists I write for and I adhere to a regular schedule of reading and writing gags for specific people on specific days.
The difference is there is almost no human interaction. Almost all upcoming cartoonist (and non-cartoonist) events have been cancelled or postponed. Presentations I was scheduled to give to groups have also been postponed until who knows when. I speak to friends and relatives on the phone and I email my regular cartoonists and always end with "Stay healthy!" The libraries and bookstores are closed. So are the restaurants except for takeout and delivery. It's very quiet. Once a week or so we treat ourselves and order takeout. This is definitely the highlight of our week.
I keep saying that I'm going to write down my thoughts and observations during this pandemic, but I haven't done so yet. I also think that I should take my camera outside and record the following scenes: in the village where I live, which is almost deserted; the park where my husband and I visited on a few warm, sunny days recently where some people were wearing masks and many weren't. Some were adhering to six feet apart rules, and some weren't; Oh, and the supermarket. I could write volumes about how the experience of going to a supermarket has changed during the pandemic. I really should be writing all this down!
I admit that there's a lot of material out there right now about sheltering in place, working from home, wearing masks and too much togetherness. These are the topics I'm writing gags about right now.
On a positive note, everyone in my family is healthy. I'm so grateful that we're all safe and in our own homes.
Any comments or questions? Email me at: gagsbyhelene@gmail.com.
Stay healthy!
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