Wonderland Burlesque's Life During Covid Quiz

Wonderland Burlesque's

Life During Covid Quiz

Oh, no! Is this a pop-quiz? I didn't do my homework last night! 

Oh, wait. 

We're all adults. And this isn't science class.

Yeah, don't worry, I'm not here to test your knowledge of how the virus works or where it came from or which conspiracy theory really speaks to you personally.

Naw.

I want to learn what you've been doing during the pandemic, how hopeful you're feeling now that the vaccines are more easily available, and how you view life after we reach herd immunity via vaccinations. What (and who) will you do? What won't you be doing?

Spill it, Helen!

Things are looking a bit more hopeful (don't you think?).   

Let's dive in...

1/ Have you been isolating? Starting date? How large has your circle of contact been? What activities have you continued to do?

Isolating since March 15th; the day they told me at work to pack my things. Sigh. A year, folks. SMH. 

My circle has three people in it: my mother, my ex-husband, my boyfriend. Twice, I have visited my youngest sister and her husband in Madison. I see my other younger sister when she drops in to check on my mom. That's it. A tiny life. 

I go grocery shopping. Used to be on Sundays, but too crowded, so now go Friday afternoon. 

I go running. I walk a lot. I have one place I order take-out food from, because I trust them. There were two, but I stopped using the other one because the delivery dudes didn't wear masks. 

Yep. A tiny life. 

It's been good... in ways. I can't believe it's been a year.  

Gloria Gaynor keeps singing in my damn head. 

2/ Are you going to get vaccinated? Or have you already been vaccinated? Which one did you get or do you hope to get?

I am in the process; one shot in. I just happened to pursue this rumor and lucked out. Got hooked up with a sympathetic lady at a clinic on the north side and she let me in. Second shot is on April 7th. So... my coming out celebration will commence on April 21st. Yes. Fireworks.

Yep. Something tells me this blog is going to suffer (more than it already is). 

I got the Moderna. and had no preference. I just wanted it done. 

3/ For those of you who are younger, on what date do you hope to be or will be full-vaccinated? (Keep in mind, the CDC recommends you wait 10 to 14 days after being completely vaccinated for the vaccine to become fully effective.)

Hmm. A bit redundant, but I'll answer. April 21st. (P.S. No. I am soooo not younger.) I will be free as a bird then... within reason.

I really lucked out. 

For a change.

4/ How effective do you think the vaccines are? Do you trust the science?

I believe they are 96% effective and trust science 100%. Science is my friend. 

Because... what else have we? 

Look, I spent half a century believing in SKY GOD. 

I think I can extend a bit of that magical thinking in the direction of science.

I trust Dr. Fauci. He's a good egg. If he'd been put in charge from day one I believe we'd all be further down the road with less dead. 

5/ How concerned are you about the virus variants (UK, Brazilian, South African)?

Not much. They are more contagious, but so far, they are the same thing... the same flu. 

I know they are still unsure whether a person who is vaccinated can carry the virus and transmit it to others... but, if my circle is all vaccinated, then that is much less of a worry. 

6/ After you are fully-vaccinated will you continue to: Socially distance? Wear a mask in public?

I plan to work from home until they drag my sorry ass into the office. Even then, I am negotiating that I get to WFH at least two days a week. And I am moving to a four-day week. 

My circle will not get much larger. I don't plan on travelling for another six months, perhaps longer. 

I might have the occasional 'special guest star', but will work to keep it brief and in as neutral an environment as possible. 

I will wear a mask in public (and may try it with my 'special guest stars', too... ooh, pandemic role play!). I have a pair of jeans that are so worn they are naturally doing that ripped look that everybody pays big bucks to attain. I took a seam ripper to the ass seam and made myself a discreet hole. YES! Pull up to the bumper, baby (but keep your mask on). 

I will keep my distance from others. Have always had issues with people in my personal space. Now, I have science to back me up. 

That's right... vampire rules, baby. You don't get to come in unless I say so!

I don't think much will change with my situation for at least six months and perhaps a year. I will be going to the prairie this summer, though. I need me some air and sun and... sigh... mens. 

7/ What activities will you resume once you are fully vaccinated? Which activities will you refrain from?

Sex is on the list. Not sure what that entails. Hope my anxiety doesn't ruin it. 

I have always been about wet wipes, cleanliness and hand sanitizer. So, I think I'll still be airing on the side of caution.  

I want to go to art museums. 

I won't be travelling. I won't be shopping for the sake of entertainment. I won't be going to concerts or events. 

No happy hours. No restaurants. Too soon. Though, I might sit on a patio for happy hour, maybe. But I would have to have a mask. 

No... my anxiety monster says that will not be happening.

I could see myself going to Chicago for a trial travel thing... late fall? We'll see how the virus plays out. 

And that's just it. If something alters the perceived course of this pandemic, all plans fly out the window. So, I think it's best not to get my hopes up too much. Not to plan on anything for awhile. 

Life will unfold and let us all know what is possible and what is not. 

8/ Did you or someone you know have Covid-19? How severe were the symptoms?

I did not. No one in my circle had it, either. I had a scare, but it was just a severe migraine. 

My youngest sister's husband got it. He was being forced to go into the office every day. He isolated, said it was like a bad flu and got over it in two weeks. He isolated upstairs and my sister isolated on the main floor. They have a big ass house. She brought him food, but they never saw each other. She was fine. Never got it. He fully recovered.

And the ex-husband has a tool of of cousin who got it twice. YES. Twice. The second time, he thought he needed to share it with his 85 year-old mother, whom, under normal circumstances, he never, ever visits. He's a terrible human being (MAGAT). His daughters both have babies... one year-old twins and a newborn. Dude never isolated and everybody got it. Even the babies. He's like, "I survived it, so get over it." He's lucky. And privileged. And an azzhat. 

We used to be close. Now? I hope I never see him again.

9/ What do you think of the Biden administration's handling of the pandemic? His recent Covid-19 Relief Bill?

Biden gets an 'A'. I was going to say 'A-', but why quibble? I need Kamala to step up and drive, though. Underserved communities and minority communities need to hear from her. It would be a win-win. I am a bit disappointed her profile isn't higher already.

I am surprised, actually - that our government was able to get its poop in a group. Based on what we witnessed while the orange ogre was in charge, I thought apathy and incompetence was the norm. 

Nice to see something work, for a change. Still holding my breath. But so much more hopeful. And the stimulus package? It's a step in the right direction. 

10/ How has this effected/changed you? How has it effected/changed the US? Our world?

I am scared. All the time. All the stuff I took for granted? Gone. 

My force field no longer works and, it turns out, I am not Sue Richards, The Invisible Girl. 

I've always been a loner. So, this is all in my wheelhouse. That said... I still need me some strange once in awhile. 

It's a nice coincidence that this is occurring at the same time spring has sprung. That's where my hope comes from... that time will take care of all of this.

But my world? It's small. It's going to remain so for some time. When life boils down to the basics you are given an opportunity to really appreciate and be grateful for what you have. And I am... grateful. For the small things that populate my life.

Like words, for instance. This blogging thing has been my saving grace. Yes, I use words as a shield, sometimes, but also as a means of expression. For me, that's flying... that's transcendence. To simply put words together and communicate  something. Create a picture. Share a story. 

So, thanks. Thanks to you, all. 

In a way... It's been a wonderful year.

--- ---

Well, that was a bit of a chore and a snore. 

Sorry. But some things must be written out in order to be sorted out. I think it's a wonderful opportunity to define ourselves and mitigate our hopes and fears. 

Wishing you all the very best. 

I hope that you don't mind me commenting on everything on your blogs. I don't mean to be a nuisance, just supportive. This is such an interesting community and I appreciate all that you share. Holding a mirror up to yourselves, the world gains a glimpse of you. I, for one, appreciate those glimpses. They help define what is human. And also, in the case of the members of this community... what is good. 

Be good to yourselves.

And, as always... thanks for reading.

And now? Doctor porn (There's soooo much of it out there!). Enjoy.

Life During Wartime - Talking Heads

Batten Down The Hatch - Snow Patrol