The Dilemma

This whole pandemic situation is getting to me.

Yes, I know that there could be worse things going on.

I know that precautions need to be taken.

I know that there are many unknowns about it and how it spreads and what the precautions need to be.

And just when I am NOT worried about it, something happens to cue that anxiety to rear its ugly head and make my mind run off in all directions.

One thing that I read echoed my thoughts well -  we can't live our lives in fear.  And we were.  Fear of being around people.  Fear of going anywhere off of our property.  Fear of having a temperature or the loss of smell or the loss of taste.  Fear of someone in our extended family contracting it and passing it to one of us.

I also lean toward the fear of how quickly all of us caved into the directives - closing churches, moving all classes to online versions, restricting travel, essentially eliminating small business transactions, encouraging online shopping and to-the-door delivery.  Isolating us from personal contact with others---other than through texting, emails, and some type of zoom calls.

I also agree that we need to live our lives as best we can.   Shopping for groceries.  Meeting a friend for lunch.  Visiting the apple orchard.

But taking extra precautions is necessary also.  We have been planning grocery shopping for early morning weekday hours, rather than on weekends or in the evenings.  I have ordered many items online rather than shop at a store.  We tend to eat a restaurant during off hours as well, either mid-morning or an hour or so after the regular lunch hour.

Hand sanitizer?  Got it and use it!   Masks?  We wear them.  Keeping socially distant?  We try.  I find myself changing directions in aisles and my eye contact with others has diminished to nearly nothing now.  Clorox wipes - use them, but not as much as I did in March, April, and May.

So what is "The Dilemma"?  Thanksgiving.

We have hosted several family gatherings since March.  Father's Day with the girls and families.  Fourth of July with Karen and Clay, Amanda and Chris, Shelby and Caleb (and Elijah) plus the girls and their families.  Gary's 70th birthday party.  Owen's birthday party on Labor Day weekend.  The Shrimp Boil.  And soon...Tessa's 8th birthday party.  Those have gone well, but we have used the Party Barn for all of those, with the doors open, chairs under the trees or around the fire ring, and the gazebo offering even more open air seating.

Thanksgiving is a whole different ball game.  Most likely the house will be closed up--I mean it will be in November.  The same people will be in attendance with the addition of Sandy and Kent, and then Mike, Angie, and Nick.   The hope is that if anyone is not feeling well or thinks there has been exposed to someone who has COVID or is going to be tested, then that person will stay at home.

Already there have been notices published about the dangers of small gatherings, especially Thanksgiving.  There have been suggestions of alternative plans, such as only the immediate family for dinner, then a Zoom call for everyone who would usually be in attendance.

It wouldn't be such a concern for me, but since we are hosting the family dinner on Thursday, the decision or guideline needs to come from us.

What to do?  What to do?

Gary says we go on as usual.  If people want to come, they do. If they are fearful, they will stay at home.

We shall see.  But for me, it is a dilemma.  I just wish all of the uncertainty would be over.