COVID-19 Diary: Day 48

Dear Old Blog,

The arts have been so important to helping us stay sane during these quarantine days.

Here is a beautiful example of that from Toronto:

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 47

Dear Old Blog,

Here is the top tune on my quarantine playlist this week:



Love,

Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 46

Dear Old Blog,

Some more balm for these quarantine days from the great Stephanie Blythe ... "Can't Help Falling in Love" is a favorite of mine:

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 45

Dear Old Blog,

In this New York Times op-ed, we learned about Cesar Quirumbay's life and untimely death from COVID-19.

My favorite part:

" ... Then there was the time that Mr. Quirumbay and his fellow tailor Ki Soo Jeong, a Korean immigrant, spent a weekend trying to make a suit and a bomber jacket out of a single sheet of purple plastic for Ben Stiller to wear in 'Zoolander 2.' Mr. Quirumbay didn’t speak Korean, Mr. Ki doesn’t speak Spanish, and neither of them really mastered English. But despite all that — and though the iron kept melting the plastic — they pulled it off. The duo made an impressive team and were constantly cracking each other up with jokes that were unintelligible to any outsider. Mr. Logsdail said it was as if they invented their own language. ... "

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 44

Dear Old Blog,

Lord knows I have cabin fever.

Lord knows I need a hair cut.

Lord knows I want to get back to normal life.

I miss going to Church. I miss going to restaurants.

I miss work trips in NYC.

I miss people.

BUT I know that decisions on reopening need to be led by scientists and doctors.

NOT by business.

NOT by stock market insiders.

COVID-19 is too deadly and damaging to make these decisions with rose-colored glasses on.

Yes, reopening the economy is important.

But, it's not as important as lives and health.

Getting "back to business" is less important than ensuring we do not have a second wave of virus transmission across the country.

It's not worth the risk.

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 43

Dear Old Blog,

This afternoon, Eric and I went for a mental health drive.

We did not go far. We did not get out of the car.

But, we did go to the Panera Bread drive-thru for lunch. It was the first time we have gone to a drive-thru in weeks.

Love,

Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 42

Dear Old Blog,

As of tonight, approximately 52,000 Americans have died from COVID-19.

Worldwide, that number of reported dead is approximately 196,000:

Getting your brain and heart around these horrible numbers is incredibly hard. This death toll is equal to the size of a small city.

I pray that all of the dead around the world are now in God's warm embrace.

Love,

Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 41

Dear Old Blog,

Tonight, after dinner and our evening walk, Eric and I watched the fine documentary "Ask Dr. Ruth" on Hulu.

It's the story of famed sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer.

Dr. Ruth lives in NYC's Washington Heights, in a building just a few blocks north of our apartment there.

We were privileged to meet Dr. Ruth a few times over our years in the neighborhood, including at a wonderful Fourth of July dinner at the home of our dear friend Hortense.

What an extraordinary woman! Her drive at age 90 is amazing. I imagine the quarantine must be challenging for someone who so clearly loves being always on the go.

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 40

Dear Old Blog,

Here in quarantine land, sometimes it's the little victories.

Eric and I went for a fairly long walk around the neighborhood this evening. We've now gone on walks two evenings in a row.

We need to make it a habit.

Love,

Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 39

Dear Old Blog,

Word came today that one of our neighbors in NYC has died from COVID-19.

Ralph Steinberg lived on the floor below us in our building.

He is survived by his longtime partner, John.

Ralph is the first person I knew personally to die from the virus. May he rest in peace.

Love,
Paul

COVID 19 Diary: Day 38

Dear Old Blog,

On April 8 (Day 26), I wrote about wanting to be more disciplined here in quarantine land.

Today, I came closer to that goal:

Early morning shower? Check.

Bed made in the morning? Check.

Solid breakfast? Check.

Consistent work flow through the day? Check.

Evening Zoom meeting with NYC Book Club? Check.

Totally clean kitchen after dinner? Check.

If only I had gone on a walk, the day would have been perfect. Tomorrow!

Love,

Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 37

Dear Old Blog,

This afternoon, Eric and I went for a ride in the car. It was our first drive since March 25.

It was glorious. It was warm and the sun was shining. We did not go far.

I did not get out of the car.

Eric only left the car briefly to use an ATM and make a quick stop in his office to water the orchids.

Oh, how we take the little things for granted!

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 36

Dear Old Blog,

I'm embarrassed to say my knowledge of new pop music is not good.

When I'm at home and need audio to keep me company, I listen to podcasts instead of music. And, when we're in the car, Eric and I listen almost exclusively to On Broadway on SiriusXM.

But, here in quarantine land, I've been exposed to Andrew Lloyd Webber's Isolation Playlist. And that led me a few days ago to "Cellophane" by FKA Twigs.

How have I never heard this before?

In case you've missed "Cellophane" too, check this out:



Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 35

Dear Old Blog,

Here's a problem with the "only 2 to 3 percent might die" argument about re-opening:

That's 2 to 3 percent of the people who HAVE to leave their homes AND their families.

That's 2 to 3 percent of the people whose jobs will DIRECT them to return to work AND their families.

It's pushing the burden of the re-opening onto people who have fewer choices AND their families.

Those of us who don't have to leave our homes? Those of us with the financial power to choose?

We can keep choosing to stay safe inside until any second wave or third wave is over. We can choose to keep getting all of our groceries and supplies delivered.

Hell, we could choose to stay inside until there is a vaccine.

Sure, our hair is going to look long and silly. The cabin fever is going to get really bad.

But, we can choose to not be part of that 2 to 3 percent with a risk of death.

Is this right and just?

Nope.

By the way, I say this as someone who would love for life to get back to normal. How I would love to go to dinner and a movie! But, we need to listen to the scientists and do the right thing.

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 34

Dear Old Blog,

I think this tweet is spot-on:

"You are not working from home; you are at your home during a crisis trying to work."

I've heard this twice today. I think it's an important distinction worth emphasising.

— Neil Webb (@neilmwebb) March 31, 2020

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 33

Dear Old Blog,

Eric and I made homemade pizza this evening for dinner, including making our own dough.

This was a first for us. And the pizza was pretty good (said pizza pictured above).

We probably would have not have done this were it not for the quarantine, as well as the example of Jo Andrews of the Hudson Valley:



Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 32

Dear Old Blog,

These are bad times. The death toll is growing. It's important not to minimize that.

There might not be "a tomorrow" for some people. We might not "make it through this."

But, sometimes it's still helpful to listen to songs that tell us otherwise. Maintaining a level of hope gets us up in the morning.

So, cue the great Stephanie Blythe:

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 31

Dear Old Blog,

Quarantine TV report:

Eric and I started watching "The Madalorian" tonight. We made it through the fourth episode.

Enjoying it. Always good to be in the "Star Wars" universe.

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 30

Dear Old Blog,

Today was Easter Sunday.

Song of the day (from my gig):

Janet Vogt's "Rise Up With Him" as presented by members of the young adult choir and ensemble from the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in NYC:



Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 29

Dear Old Blog,

Today was Holy Saturday.

The day was mostly consumed by work, including some sharing of the image above: James Tissot's illustration "Two Marys Watch the Tomb."

I'm happy that Eric and I did get out of the house for a mid-afternoon walk. Next week's goal is a daily walk. The foot traffic is low enough here in the neighborhood that this is safe. (We just move into the grass or the street if someone is coming in the other direction.)

Happy Easter!

Love,

Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 28

Dear Old Blog,

Today was Good Friday.

In the prayers for the day, the Church added this intercession for the COVID-19 pandemic:

Let us pray, dearly beloved, for a swift end
to the coronavirus pandemic that afflicts our world,
that our God and Father will heal the sick,
strengthen those who care for them,
and help us all to persevere in faith. 

Almighty and merciful God,
source of all life, health and healing,
look with compassion on our world, brought low by disease;
protect us in the midst of the grave challenges that assail us
and in your fatherly providence
grant recovery to the stricken,
strength to those who care for them,
and success to those working to eradicate this scourge.
Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

Amen.

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 27

Dear Old Blog,

Today was consumed by work related to Holy Thursday. In a good way.

With our churches closed because of the virus, I'm grateful to be able to help bring online Masses into the homes of many.

The theme song of my day was Paulist Fr. Ricky Manalo's setting of "Pange Lingua":



Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 26

Dear Old Blog,

I'm glad I'm keeping this (modest) daily diary of these quarantine days. It's one point of discipline for me during a murky time.

I wish I could bring more discipline to this life, including a daily walk and improved sleep. I'm often up for an hour or so in the middle of night. This leads to daytime crankiness.

It's also a battle to keep the kitchen neat and tidy. When you eat every meal at home, dishes pile up. But, during the day, I'm supposed to working at my actual job, right?

I never thought I'd express the thought "I miss going to an office." But, I do miss it. There's something to be said for letting home be home and work be work.

But, Eric and I are alive and healthy and fully employed. No one among our immediate family or friends is battling COVID-19. We are blessed.

It seems wrong to complain about what is actually a quite comfortable existence.

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 25

Dear Old Blog,

As of this writing, approximately 82,000 people around the world have died because of COVID-19.

Of that total, approximately 13,000 Americans have died.

Dear God, help us.

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 24

Dear Old Blog,

The father of an acquaintance of mine from New York City (a friend of a friend) died today due to COVID-19.

She wrote in a Facebook post:

I thought he would live to see 100. It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share my dad passed away today. Everyone said the same thing: 'he’s strong, he’s like a bull, if anyone can pull through, it’s him.' And for a moment there I really thought he would. Sadly, that was not the case. I’m heartbroken that we couldn’t be with him or talk to him but I will try to take comfort knowing that he is with my mom. I know he missed her terribly. Thank you everyone for the calls, messages and texts. But most of all, your prayers. Take care of yourselves. Be extra cautious. COVID19 is real.

COVID-19 is real.

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 23

Dear Old Blog,

Today was Palm Sunday.

I spent the day promoting the many online Masses celebrated by the Paulist Fathers via Facebook Live and YouTube.

Some of the Masses integrated videos of parishioners reading or chanting scripture passages at their homes. Others included recordings of cantors or choir members singing from their homes.

Here's a great example of this from the 5:15 p.m. Palm Sunday Mass at our NYC parish, the Church of St. Paul the Apostle:

Love,

Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 22

Dear Old Blog,

Artistic creativity is helping the world get through this hard time. Here's a great example:

Pittsburgh's own Phat Man Dee shares the great old tune "It's Only a Paper Moon":

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 21

Dear Old Blog,

I have finished watching the "Tiger King" series on Netflix.

Wow. Just wow.

It's a real-life "Game of Thrones" for Trump voters.

The beginning of the fourth episode includes a bit about search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM). Talk about an unexpected intersection of my work and quarantine TV!

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 20

Dear Old Blog,

As of this writing, nearly 53,000 people around the world have died because of COVID-19.

More than 5,900 of those deaths have taken place in the United States.

Loving God, I pray that these men, women and children are now in your warm embrace.

Love,
Paul

COVID-19 Diary: Day 19

The retention pond near our home in Florida in an August, 2019, photo.

Dear Old Blog,

There is a large retention pond near our house here in Laureate Park in Lake Nona, FL. In our household short-hand, Eric and I call it "the lake."

We went for a walk this evening around "the lake." It was really good to get out. It's sunny and warm here now.

Eric and I worked hard to move from the sidewalk into the grass when someone walked toward us from the other direction. Lots of smiling and waving from a distance.

I'm blessed to be alive and healthy. But, I do miss regular human interaction. The old politician in me wants to be able to chat and shake hands with the neighbors.

Love,
Paul