Texas is Open, and Nothing Has Changed (for some of us)

Copyright: ferli

Last Friday, the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, declared that somethings could go back to normal -- restaurants dining rooms are at half capacity, state parks are open with certain social distancing measures in place and curbside pickup for retail can continue. What this means for my family is...

NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

The kids are still not in school and won't be until fall, and we are still not supposed to be hanging out with friends and neighbors in any real capacity. Our neighborhood parks are still closed and the kids' soccer programs are still on hold.

What it made me realize is this: While I kinda miss going to Target just to wander around and try on sunglasses and hats, mostly what I miss is my kids going places. I miss it because they miss it; I want them to be happy. And I miss it because I am constantly going back and forth between my stuff and their stuff and I long for a predictable schedule where I can concentrate on writing and work for a big chunk of time.

Halfway through a lengthy job application this morning -- complete with writing samples -- I paused to help the younger one get on his class Zoom call and then help the older one with some schoolwork. By the time I got back to my computer, the sign-in for the application had timed out, and I had to start over again. This kind of thing happens on a regular basis these days.

I am not a natural at multitasking and the constant switching back and forth between my work and my kids'. It makes me irritable to have to change gears repeatedly. I like being able to focus on one thing, at length, until it's finished or passed onto someone else for the next step.

I know we're doing this for the greater good, though I am a little pissy about Bolivar Point in Galveston, which according to recent photo evidence, is packed to the gills when I can't even send my kids to their friends' houses. It doesn't make sense.

I don't know the answer.

Social distancing to flatten the curve seems right, and our economy does need to be taken into consideration. I'm not sure if opening Texas right now is the responsible move or not, but we'll see what happens. I am glad the decision doesn't rest on my shoulders; there's no clear, correct answer. I can only hope our leaders make decisions based on what is best for everyone and not for their personal pocketbooks or their own political gain. My own frustrations with staying home all the damned time are personal and independent of what is for the greater good.

All greater good aside, what's frustrating you (personally, not politically) the most about the pandemic and social distancing? What's been good about it? Let me know in the comments.