Guide to a Caring Return
It is that time of year again. Snowbirds and others who have homes elsewhere are returning to their south Florida abodes. Those of us who are here year-round notice the change in traffic and general business of everything. This ebb and flow of population is nothing new to us.
But this year of the pandemic is different, and calls for
new considerations.
For those who are returning, here are some suggestions.
Just the very fact that you have traveled from here to your
summer place and back means that you have been more at risk of COVID exposure
than those of us who did not go anywhere at all other than a couple doctor
appointments. Some of you have traveled
far more. I’m sure that wasn’t easy.
First of all, when you talk to us, please do not imply that
our measure of isolation is too extreme.
Our degree of isolation may be due to an underlying medical condition
that you don’t know about. Risk taking
for you might not be the same for us.
White Pelicans returning to Sanibel |
Please don’t pressure us to attend gatherings that you think
are safe, but that we do not.
Please don’t judge us.
And we won’t judge you for travelling and gathering with
others, even though now that you’re here, you may have brought the results of
your risk taking with you. We won’t talk
about that; we will remain silent. But
yes, we do think about it. We have to.
What we will do is expect you to wear the darn mask.
When we read the local papers and see photos of you
attending indoor functions with plenty of other people, and the photos reveal
that you as well as others are not wearing the darn masks, do not be surprised
when we avoid you in the neighborhood.
We still really like you very much, but you’ve been where we will not
go.
Please don’t worry about us.
We have everything that we need delivered, and we prepare all of our
meals. All that cooking has been fun for
me, at least. If you cook for us, you
might be putting us in the awkward position of needing to refuse your culinary
gifts. When and if we need help, we will
ask for it.
Please do help those who ask for help. There are plenty of folks who do need
help. Contact FISH of SANCAP for details about how
to do that.
And if you’d like to talk with us, pick up the phone (we’re
always home!) or shoot us an email. We
love hearing from you. Just not
face-to-face. Not now.
Thanks for understanding, and happy holidays!
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