Return home

The world is changing and people are freaking out.  We are being reminded or told in some instances, how to do basic things that we all should know.  The scariest part (or funny to me) is that people now will have to entertain themselves for a few weeks.

I just returned from my trip to the mountains and nightly in the hotel as well with my Google feed I received word about the coronavirus and the impacts it has on the world.  It began with the cancellation of NCAA men’s and women’s basketball (no impact on me), then the NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, and many other sports were postponed.

The Sirius radio I listened to on the way home mentioned the virus on every break.  We were told to wash our hands, social distance, and eventually, when I got home there was the closing of restaurants, stores like Walmart, Kroger, Meijers, and big events/concerts were postponed or canceled.  All in an effort to contain or lessen the spread of the disease.

What bothers me is the fact we are being told the basics.  How to wash our hands, not touch our faces, eyes or mouths.  Wash hands for at least 20 seconds, use hand gel, etc.  Really?  Isn’t this something we should all know and do anyway?  Trust me when I tell you I know people who do not wash their hands after using the restroom.

Then there is the panic.  My mom has called almost every day freaking out.  She even called while I was on my trip.  I told her if they close the mountain I would come home.  Grocery stores are out of toilet paper, hand gel, frozen food, and meat.  People are freaking out.  The end of the world is coming!

This virus has confirmed one thing for me that I already knew.  Avoid people, hike alone in the woods or with a small group and things will be okay.  I am glad to be home and plan to hibernate (away from people) until let’s say 2050.  This will pass and life will return to ‘normal’ in a few weeks.  But for now, wash your hands for 20 seconds, sneeze or cough in your elbow, blah, blah, blah.

Until next time,

Tim

P.S. The picture above was taken of me by my friend Mark.  I have no plans to write about this trip since I wrote about it last year.