Social Distancing and Widowhood (Do The Right Thing)

A Keeping It Real Post

Y’all know I’m a bit of a travel addict. Social distancing has given me cabin fever, but I’ve chosen to help flatten the curve, and all my travel plans are on hold for now. Over the last three months, I’ve engaged in conversations about travel and social distancing in the different travel groups I belong to, but I’m tired of repeating myself. So here it is for everyone.

Don’t Be Selfish

Choosing unnecessary travel in the face of a pandemic is just plain selfish. That’s right, your cheap airfares and bargain deals are selfish. If Disneyland, the NBA, and the NHL can all put people before profits, so can you.

I don’t care that you aren’t in the high-risk group. But the next person that tells me the death rate is lower than the flu and uses that as their justification to go on a vacation is going to see my rage monster come unleashed.

You want to tell me that statistically, the death rate from COVID-19 is lower than influenza? I’m sure that will be a great consolation for the widows and widowers, children, and friends that will grieve the loss of their loved ones. I sincerely hope you aren’t one of them.

A little compassion is in order here. Think about your community. I’m not here to bum your trip. Initially, I struggled to maintain non-judgment of people who chose to continue to pleasure travel. Well, I’m past that now. I’m judging you. Your choice could cost someone their life.

As a human who is really freaking tired of burying people I love, I won’t do it. I won’t take the chance that I’m going to make someone else go through the agony of bereavement because I didn’t care enough about anyone but myself. And for my fellow widows and widowers who are still choosing to travel? I expect better from you.

What It Looks Like to Watch Someone Die

But I know few of you have experienced the burden of watching someone you love die. Lemme tell you what it looks like to witness your loved one aspirate. That’s often what happens with pneumonia, a complication of both influenza and COVID-19.

Aspiration is the fancy way to say you fucking drown because your lungs stop working. Without a respirator, the people who love you get to helplessly watch you turn grey, wheeze, and gasp for air, then gurgle as your lungs furiously try to clear. It can take days. It’s hell to witness, and I can only imagine how traumatic it is to die that way. It’s not peaceful. It looks nothing like the calm departures you see on TV and in the movies.

Do The Right Thing

Do I sound triggered to you? Wouldn’t you be? Yeah. I’m triggered, alright. I had a front-row seat to the strongest man I’ve ever met, my soul mate, die that way. I’m triggered enough to cancel all travel and stay home because the thought of putting someone else through that makes me want to vomit.

So don’t spout your stats at me. Do the right thing. Stay home. Protect the most vulnerable in our community. We have an opportunity to show others they matter by the choices we make.

XOXO,
Lisa
Live Now. Dream Big. Love Fierce. Do the Right Fucking Thing.