I took fewer pictures on my early morning walk after getting up at 6:30. I woke up at 5:30 but forced myself to stay in bed. I ran into Tammy, who expressed concern about the hurricane the other day. I said, “See!” We haven’t been hit by a hurricane yet on this side of the Big Island. We haven’t even had a big storm. Tammy smiled. I told her, next time, keep your eye on your neighbors. If they panic, then it’s time for you to go into action.
I checked my email. I finally got an answer to my ad for tutoring from a woman with three kids in 3rd, 4th and 7th grade. She said she would call back in the evening after work. Then I meditated.
Since the gardening experience on my knees yesterday, I decided to use my meditation bench, patiently waiting for me all these years. I put a towel under my shins to take the weight off my knees. I didn’t feel the stretch in my glutes. I felt it in the muscles at the top of my thighs. Boy, are my muscles tight. I was concerned when I wanted to come out of the position. Yvette was still home. I could scream for her. I managed to come out of my lying down on my side, and then I unfolded my legs while still having the bench attached to my tush. Fortunately, it’s a bench with collapsible legs.
I did a lot of work on the article today. I adopted the strategy that came to my mind yesterday while meditating – just write and then write about the same thing again. It helps me clarify my thoughts. Maybe there’s even something I can use about it. What it did help me do was reorganize some of the article.
I finally called a friend from the church I’ve been meaning to call. She invited me for lunch, but I’m reluctant to go because of the virus. I suggested that we could walk on the beach together. Then I read that one of her children was just operated on for cancer. Two of her children have already died. This woman and her husband have been through more than anyone should ever have to go through. She proposed to Judy that we all get together. Judy told her that I probably wouldn’t be up for that. However, she has a fantastic open-air lanai. We could all gather there. I have to remember to tell her that I’m prepared to bring some take-out. It sounded like I invited myself to her house and expected her to provide the food. I don’t usually eat lunch. A large lunch serves as my dinner.
Before I went for my before-dinner walk, I called Darby to ask her if she wanted to join me. I ran into her in front of her house yesterday on my evening walk. She said the most amazing thing to me. She said when she is with me, she feels like a child again. She meant it in the sense of being playful. I can’t think of a higher compliment. Darby had a stroke last year. She has had an almost complete recovery. Tonight she told me that she regained her hearing in her left ear. She had lost in utero because her mom her the German measles when she was pregnant with her. How’s that for weird.
Marissa from Progressive called when I got home. She was planning to go through the spreadsheet with me and answer my questions. Then she asked if it would be better if she answered the questions by email. Definitely.
I tried another of the frozen salmon patties. I pan-fried it and put a small slice of onion on top. It was somewhat better. I have to check, but I suspect there is just too much salt mixed in. It was better but still not great.
All the shows I have been watching are done or continued on a different service than I currently have. If I joined all the services available, I’d have to get a job. I started watching “Keeping Faith.” I think I’ve seen it before and abandoned it. We’ll see.
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Musings:
Health concerns about masks versus free choice.
A colleague of mine from Ohio posted an objection to the mandated use of masks. I responded with outrage. I feel that those who argue against it based on free choice are off the wall. I draw an analogy to a drunk feeling it should be his/he right to get behind the wheel when dead drunk. Both may cause the death of another person.
However, when my colleague got back to me, her problem wasn’t a free choice; it was health concerns for the mask wearers. This is a concern. Some cannot wear masks without risking their health, those who suffer from breathing problems. I have also heard that masks make some people sick. Inhaling that fetid air continuously cannot be good for anyone.
I am fortunate. I do not have to leave my home often. When I do, I grab my mask that has been hanging on my rearview mirror since the last time I was out. The Hawaiian sun sterilizes it between uses. I hold it while I approach the store, put it on when I get close to others, and take it off when I get out of the store. I believe my colleague is talking about having to wear hers all day long.
While we know that wearing a mask helps prevent the spread, we have to consider those negatively affected by wearing the mask. The recommendation, requirement that masks be worn is based on current information. I am reminded that many Covid patients were intubated when they had trouble breathing. It became clear that the intubation caused its own problems. Medical professionals sought different solutions. They came up with one or two. Likewise, we need to find alternative solutions to mask-wearing for those made ill by wearing them extensively.
I haven’t heard a discussion on this topic. It’s important. One suggestion I heard was on mask hygiene. The post said, “Treat your mask the way you do your underwear.” Change it often; clean it before wearing it again. I would think that people who have to wear masks all day long should change them every hour or so. So in eight hours, they would need to come to work with eight masks. Or alternatively, there should be some way of sterilizing the mask at work, maybe putting it in a microwave.
The other option is to not cover the nose for some vulnerable people. Speaking, coughing and sneezing are mostly expelled through the mouth, not through the nose. That means mask wearers would be protecting others. If anyone else is wearing a mask, hopefully, those with naked noses would be protected.
On the other hand, I have spoken to folks right here on the island that poo-poo masks wearing, saying we only have three cases here on the Big Island. They weren’t clear if we only had three because most of us are careful or not. They also put forth the health argument. That one, I agree, is a problem. We need a solution to that problem.
I speak to people from all sides of the argument who collapse health concerns, individual rights, and politics. These issues shouldn’t be conflated.
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