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One of the great things about being a professional writer is it calms me down. I find a sense of focus and purpose putting words in sentences that I lack most of the time. That’s reassuring because I’m writing this with COVID-19. Having been super paranoid for two years and avoided the virus it’s typical. I get it the same month New York reopened for everybody!
New York seems to be a hot-spot for the new B2A variant and Mayor Eric Adams tested positive this weekend. Before he got it, the mayor set up free delivery of antiviral medication for people who need it. I’m very grateful to have qualified for the trial, thanks to my medical history.
Likewise. Despite three vaccines and the medication, getting COVID is still scary. Everybody tells me I’ll be fine but the fatigue, brain fog and accompanying anxiety do feel a bit like I got hit by a truck. It’s worse than I expected. Meanwhile, the drugs make my mouth taste like metal. It also comes on in waves, so I’ll be fine one minute, and very much not fine the next. I keep remembering the image of Donald Trump gasping for air on the White House Balcony as he recovered. I keep thinking, “if he can get over it, I can get over it.” And it helps to know that The Queen of England has done so! Still, I’m guilty of exposing my wife and one-year old to the virus. Dealing with that on top of maintaining a roster of client work has been…a challenge. If I’d known I could get it this bad despite the vaccinations I’d have worn my mask more often. Assuming I get back to the squash club in the future I’ll continue to wear a mask there for several weeks. I’ve been comforting myself by watching this funny SNL sketch of a COVID dinner chat. We’re also binge-watching episodes of the British comedy show, Taskmaster. It’s the perfect escapism. But I’d prefer, you know. NOT TO HAVE COVID-19.
I’d like to thank you and my clients for bearing with me, and for their amazing support. I had a CEO text me over the weekend to check in on me. I was so grateful. And the first thing one of her colleagues asked when she heard she’d sat next to me at a recent event was if I was OK. That’s gracious behavior indeed and it fills me with optimism. If we’re going to adapt together to the new normal it’s going to need that level of grace and I’m humbled by it.
There. I hope that all made some degree of sense and I’ll see you next week. One word in front of the other, eh? Sorry it wasn’t longer but I’m doing my best to follow everybody’s advice and rest. Send medicinal babka and bagels to my home office! Thanks.
