When Lysol Becomes the Prize

I looked at my watch counting down the final minutes, grabbed my purse, lunch bag, and black coat. Today was the day I needed to ensure I left on time. No delays, I had some place to be. Minutes later I was in my SUV, heading towards Petrovisky. My head was planted sternly forward, eyes unblinking, hands gripping the steering wheel, music belting out from the radio filling my car with an upbeat tempo. A momentary stop at the stop light, caused me to tap my index finger on the steering-wheel. Come on, I thought. A light change, acceleration, and I am zooming once again, going slightly over the speed limit. The sun shone, and a small bead of sweat could be felt upon my brow. I felt tense. Reaching my destination, parking, jumping out of my car, and racing in to the store my eyes darted around. I found the correct section easily. A sign was posted which I quickly read before reaching upward to grab a can. I had done it. Finally allowing myself to inhale, I allowed the sense of relief I felt to flow. Looking around at two others that were approaching I knew they were doing the same thing, their faces told the same story as mine. Letting out a slight chuckle I found it hard to believe that this was all for a can of Lysol.

COVID 19 erupted on the scene and changed everything. Items that were once basic cleaning items (Lysol, disinfectant wipes) suddenly became unavailable. Large corporations (Amazon) which you previously counted on as a sure fire way to obtain these items failed to meet the needs as well. On the rare occasion items could be found at local stores, it turned in to a big time wrestling match to get them. You had to set a strategic plan, and once inside you had to run as quickly as your legs would carry you, leaving all manners aside. If you hesitated too long you were sure to leave empty handed. Sad to say, but it had turned in to a time when you were not as concerned about other’s feelings. The fastest and strongest would prevail.

Six feet apart became the new song, and number for all to remember. Outstretched arms reminded us to step back, visible flags guided you on where to stand, pieces of tape on floors served as a reminder as well. Stares from others providing non-verbal warnings if you dared to step in to someone’s personal space. Paper masks, cloth masks, face shields, latex gloves, vinyl gloves…protective equipment any way you can get it. Michael Jackson no longer seemed off, as some jokingly recounted the years of viewing his image covered in protective gear. Many of us now look like his clone. Meeting up with family, friends, dinner out, catching the latest movies, spur of the moment happy hour meet-ups, a walk through the park, gym workout… “work from home if you can” was repeated often…all activities once deemed as normal were suddenly brought to a halt. It became a sad time for most.

We now find our environments uncomfortable, unorganized, and uncertain. Bombarded with words many were unfamiliar with: standby, shared work, furloughed, often igniting fear, and the questions that seem to have no answer. When will this end? What do I do next? Will I become a victim? While continuing to move forward, many play the game of pretending all is well, frightened of exposing their true feelings. Expressing many of these feelings may give the appearance that you are not okay, perhaps less than. Some are unwilling to do that. Going full circle, we eventually make one realization. All we can grasp is one day at a time, and then the next, and then another.

We strive to remain positive hoping to soon bask in the days of normality, but while in the days when Lysol is still considered a prize- things are complex. As we establish routines of generating new functionalities, we hope our final result will actually prove to be something better than what we initially had.