14 March 2020

It would be ridiculous for me to avoid the topic of COVID-19, so I figure this will be my monthly entry, on a topic that is affecting everyone I know. 

One of my housemates will be returning to the states earlier than scheduled, and his plans to travel throughout Europe for the next month have been squashed. On a gap year, his university has recalled all of its students and has suspended all sponsored travel. 

Friends have had business trips cancelled, and my sister has written to let me know that her trip to see me in April is probably off. My hair cutting appointment will be rescheduled, as I work on clearing up a head cold, I’ve been laboring with for 2 weeks, “just to be safe”. If this is the personal worst of it, I know I am very very lucky. I have my dog, good food, secure shelter, and enough over the counter drugs to keep me comfortable. The internet is slow, but adequate enough to help me stay in touch with the people I care most about.

Up here on the mountain we are not isolated, as we engage the community in Northwest Belfast, and as the city on the whole is small and interconnected. And for reasons only politicians pretend to have a handle on, schools “down south” in the Republic of Ireland are now closed for the next two weeks, while up here in Northern Ireland, schools remain open. We are reassured that the soft and unpatrolled border between the conjoined countries is enough to keep us all healthy and unaffected. 

The lack of true leadership here closely resembles what seems to be happening in the United States, with Northern Ireland’s DUP mirroring legislation put forward (or not put forward) by the GOP. Local political matters have focused on non-collaboration between Sinn Fein and the DUP, rather than the coming together over mutual concerns and the well-being of all Irish people. There is an understanding and scornful acceptance of the ineptitude of governance, and the selfish politicians that support useless regulations and irrelevant legislation. The Northern Irish communities have long been a non-priority in the United Kingdom, and the corona virus only sharpens this reality. Leaving Northern Ireland at the bottom of the proverbial barrel is a truly non-sectarian act.

I am trying to lean into the ambivalence, and the deep disappointment I feel at not being able to see my sister. It makes me sad, as I had wanted to share the beauty and craic of my new, albeit temporary home with her. I am trying to reconstruct a daily life independent of plans that I’ve made, and I am trying to reimagine what to do. 

I am privileged.

I am not an hourly wage earner dependent on tips, my health is not overly compromised, and I do have access to health care that is not tied up in my ability to work. But I’m indulging in a wee bit of self-pity today; this and some really good chocolate. I’ll sleep on it, and I know my perspective will be broader. 

I am hoping that each of you reading this is minimally affected by the pandemic. I am hoping that some time away from others actually allows you time to reconnect – with individuals near and not so near. Maybe you’ll get to read a bit more, or work on something you’ve been meaning to get to at home. It is “Pie Day” – 3/14, although it makes no sense here, as the date is written 14/3. I’m still making an apple pie, though. I managed the grocery store (enough toilet roll, but very little hand soap and other cleaners). I even bought some cut tulips for our table. I’ll color and knit. Maybe later the dog and I will walk down to visit the lambs and feed them some carrots.