Wait, what.....?

Soooooo.....is it safe to be doing the things we have been dying to do for the past 75 days or so...or ISN'T it?! How are we even supposed to KNOW???

My kids and I have been discussing it a lot this evening because one just finished his very last class of high school EVER and thought about joining some friends to hang out...at least 6 feet apart, outside, both parents home, not allowed in their house, all the precautions. But really, is it OK? IS it safe? Is it socially responsible?? What statistics are we supposed to worry about, whose rules should we follow, which doctors and scientists should we trust?? Have I asked enough questions yet? What should my desperate young man DO?????

Gustave Courbet, “Self-Portrait as the Desperate Man,” 1845

Though I am positive he will not be hanging out with any 'loose company', it still concerns me that there is still so much we don't know about this damn virus!!

Dirck van Baburen, "Loose Company", 1623

Personally, as I think I may have mentioned in an earlier post, I have (not so) secretly loved having my youngest three home, safe in the nest, all my ducks in a row. (Except for my older two whom we miss madly and I worry about them out there in the big world on their own!!!)

Is it too simplistic to think that until we have a cure... and/or a vaccine, we should all really do only those necessary errands and outings? What about the necessity of being with other human beings? Being with those that we love and miss dearly and cannot go to visit, to hug, to have a cup of tea, to chat, reminisce, enjoy??

Toulouse-Lautrec, "Ladies in the Brothel Dining Room", 1893

Therein lies the conundrum. There is this lovely little post floating around the Facebook world and I do really like it:

🛑 Some people don’t agree with the state opening.... that’s okay. Be kind anyway.

🏡 Some people are still planning to stay home.... that’s okay. Be kind anyway.

🦠 Some are still scared of getting the virus and a second wave happening....that’s okay. Be kind anyway. 💰 Some are sighing with relief to go back to work knowing they may not lose their business or their homes....that’s okay. Be kind anyway. 👩🏾‍⚕️Some are thankful they can finally have a surgery they have put off....that’s okay. Be kind anyway. 📝 Some will be able to attend interviews after weeks without a job....that’s okay. Be kind anyway. 😷 Some will wear masks for weeks....that’s okay. Be kind anyway. 💅🏻 Some people will rush out to get the hair or nails done.... that’s okay. Be kind anyway. ❤️ The point is, everyone has different viewpoints/feelings and that’s okay. Be kind anyway. We each have a different story. If you need to stay home, stay home. But be kind anyway. If you need to go out, go. Just respect others when in public and be kind! Don’t judge fellow humans because you’re not in their story. We all are in different mental states than we were months ago. Be kind anyway. 😘 ❤️💜💙💚💗

Like it or not, we are all in this mess together. Let's remember to be kind. To ourselves and to one another. If your neighbors want to indulge all of their senses and have a gathering of sorts, it is not for me to tell them otherwise!

"The Allegory of the Five Senses" by Theodore Rombouts (1632) from left to right: sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell ....

At least I don't THINK it is, is it...?!

Frederick Sandys, "Medea" 1866 – 1868

Well, until there is more information that I trust, and further progress in stopping and curing this insidious disease, I would just like to do this:

Jean Honoré Fragonard, "Young Girl Reading", c. 1769

And when it's over, THIS:

Louise Dahl-Wolfe, "Models at a Beach" Vogue 1959

Lastly, I would like to thank the many, many selfless people who continue to go to work every day putting their life on the line to help others. May they be rewarded somehow, in some way at some point. May they and there loved ones be safe. May we all appreciate how hard this is for each and every person in their own ways, many of which are not obvious to us.

“Super Nurse” Outdoor Mural by Amsterdam-based street artist, FAKE, March 2020

Until next time, stay safe and healthy!

Arrivederci!!

xo

~Amy