Phot By Missy Kaiser
Angela Jones 38, Office Manager at Stillwater Tag Agency
Kaitlynn Walters 19, OSU Student & Retail Associate at Goodwill
We are coping as well as the next household in quarantine, i guess. We have good days and bad days. Especially me, i worry more than most; worried but hopeful. I worry mostly about the people living alone and my older, compromised family members. I too lived alone before the pandemic, but moved my niece into my house so we could keep each other company while the safe at home guidelines are in affect. We will continue to room together through the different opening phases of the town. Which i'm weary about so we'll both be staying home as much as possible. So I'd say her and I are coping fairly well. One day at a time.
I have had a plethora of new rituals emerge. Paranoia and ocd...lol I have my "Covid Corner" to the right of my sink. It never gets put under the sink with the rest of the cleaning supplies because they're my new, daily besties. They make me feel a little safer. I wash my hands as soon as I wake-up. Before i even use the restroom and again afterwards. I have my morning coffee and if my nose itches after a sip or two i use a tissue to itch it. at least this was my new norm up until about a week ago. I've gotten a little more lax but still ocd about cleaning counter tops, my hands, light switches, ect. My skin is legit are peeling between my fingers.I have a routine at work also. I'm very cautious as to not bring it home to my niece, Kaitie. I use a clorox wipe on all my personal items i take home including my purse and phone. I then take that wipe to my car (you can't waste the juice) and clean my door knob, steering wheel, radio knobs, and gear shifter. So ya, i'm officially a nut now! The next Howie Mandel germaphobe. lol
The worst thing about quarantine for both Kaitie and I is the missing of human connection. We talk about that fairly often, missing our friends and family. We even miss sharing a smile between strangers. We've noticed that smiling at a random passer-by is sorta rare. Everyone is scared and reserved about giving away their smiles for some reason. The once extremely smile sharing town has become an ever so often shared smile. Of course we both understand; everyone is just scared. Even though the only thing covid-19 and smiles have in common are that they're both highly contagious. :) So smile more and be grateful, give hope and strength to others. Or a roll of toilet paper, that helps too.
The best thing about quarantine has been the realization of how much the world values human connection. Myself included. The first thing I'm going to do once i feel safe is hug EVERYONE! I can't wait for someones arms to be wrapped around me. I think that is what i miss most. Just a good ole bear hug. Also, spending time and getting to know my niece on a completely different level has been pretty cool too. I've really enjoyed her company and when this all passes and she packs her bags to get on with her life, i'm sure going to miss her and her quarks. Some of them.. :) lol
I'd say I'm most thankful for my niece, friends, family, and booze. I wouldn't have made it through this quarantine without them. Equal shares in helping me keep my sanity. That and gardening.
