The wave hasn’t hit here yet. If we’re lucky, if most people keep to themselves, maybe we won’t have a disaster locally. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t a threat, just that we were lucky. You know that I feel we’re in the best place, and Covid 19 is further proof of that. Few tourists, lots of older or retired people who can afford to take an extended staycation. Plus, being in a rural area, we know and respect our neighbours more than people tend to do in big cities.

You may remember the Y2K episode; millions of low-level computer chips from the first generation of computerized machines and appliances were predicted to fail, because of the short-sightedness of the original designers. They didn’t expect their creations to have been adopted and retained for so long. People worried, and ‘fixes’ were sent out, and we all held our breath, and…nothing much happened. Was it a hoax? Or was it, that computer programmers worked around the clock to avert the disaster? I think it was a little of each.

Now, we have medical staff standing ready, we have extra new precautions at grocery stores and other businesses, and we’re all asked to play it safe and not congregate. Keep it up, folks, we’re not out of the woods yet. Soon, but not soon enough, we may be able to resume getting close to other people, gathering to play music and games. In other words, some semblance of normal. But it will be a new normal.

Don’t think that because we haven’t got it bad yet, that it won’t happen. And imagine, if you’re brave enough, what can happen if Covid 19 coincides with, say a flood, a tornado, a big fire, or an earthquake. Still feeling cocky? How about Covid 20? Yes, I do mean to scare you, not into panic, but into caution; not only for yourself, but for others who may not be as self-assuredly immortal as you are.

People are calling around, making sure their neighbours are alright; keep that up, even after Covid fades into memory.

Robert Wills

Shawville and Thorne