Home is Where Your Ass Should Be

Back in January when #Uncle Timmy asked if anyone in our family had any hesitation, in light of the developing #coronavirus concerns, about going to a Chinese restaurant to celebrate Chinese New Year, I laughed out loud. In February I scoffed when we brought a HazMat team to the rink to sanitize the area a visiting Beijing hockey team had used because some people complained about possible contamination. In early March, while working the LA Marathon, I harshly criticized a woman I saw running with a mask on. (Ok, I still stand by that one - if you're so concerned, why risk exposure when you're skin to skin with hundreds of sweaty people, especially when you're waiting in the corral at the starting line? Are you really running 26.2 miles with a mask on that's only preventative if you're contagious?!?) On March 11, I was sitting inside Honda Center watching #Matt officiate the Ducks game with about twelve thousand other people, not a care in the world, only hours before having shared my shock about how seemingly out of hand coronavirus precautions were becoming and how pointless and silly masks looked on people. That night, the NBA suspended its season because one of their players had tested positive for COVID-19.

HOLD THE FREAKING PHONE.

For me, that was the turning point. I knew that night that I wanted the NHL to suspend our season in response; I have too many friends and colleagues who work and travel in the same buildings as the NBA teams, and we regularly have visiting NHL teams practicing at the rink. Suddenly the coronavirus had a direct impact on my life and for me to want the NHL season paused (it still sounds crazy to say it and it looks crazy to write it), which would come with a slew of consequences I hadn't even completely thought of, was a significant cause for confusion and mixed emotions.

Now, a little more than a month into #quarantine/self-isolation/social distancing, I have found a new way of life. It hasn't been easy to live by myself without being able to see my friends, family or colleagues, but for this extrovert, I can honestly say I have found peace in solitude, as well as joy in cultivating new and innovative ways to stay connected to my favorite people...but maybe that will be the next blog post.

I mean, basically

I felt compelled to write this after seeing videos and photos of people protesting the "stay at home" orders. In one disturbing video, a woman in Denver was protesting, screaming insults at a medical worker who was peacefully counter-protesting. Beaches are now opening up and some states are opening up their economies. I don't understand this; coronavirus cases are still increasing and people are suffering and dying from this illness that there is no vaccine or medication for. Do these people who are flocking out and about not understand that they are contributing to the spread? How do they not know anyone affected by COVID-19? Do they have no compassion for those who are risking their lives and dying on the front lines?!? Are they so desperate for their tans and cocktail hours that they would not only risk their lives but other people's? Where is the humanity?!?

I totally understand the want and need for normalcy and getting back to work, but there are two memes I've seen recently that really stuck out and hit interesting points, the first one being about Anne Frank. She hid with her family in an attic for more than two years in fear of her life, yet we are forced to stay home with internet, FaceTime, Netflix and food delivery. Think about that for a second. The second one said: "Your grandparents were called to war. You're being called to sit on a couch. You can do this." Come on, who can argue these?

Lenni Marigold Tike, born April 3 with Daddy present!

To be clear, I know nothing about politics. I don't know who's who, what's what, who belongs to what color, and I've never posted a photo of an "I Voted" sticker. Politics just isn't my cup of tea, so that's not what this is about. However, I do know that I have a lot of family members and friends who are on the front lines of this pandemic - medical professionals, first responders, essential workers - all people that quite frankly, I'm in awe of right now. I also know that my 94-year-old #grandmother is on lockdown in her senior living facility. I know that so many of my friends, including everyone from the rink who is paid hourly, are out of jobs right now. I know #Ashley, who had her first baby on April 3rd, spent the last month of her pregnancy stressed and anxious about whether or not her husband would be allowed in the delivery room. I know #Laura, who was so excited to get to see the first 3D sonogram of her baby a couple weeks ago, was super bummed that her husband wasn't allowed to accompany her to the appointment. I know #Chloe, one of the hardest-working scholars I've ever known, is utterly heart-broken that she won't be able to attend her UCLA graduation ceremony this spring. I know that #Brooklyn's grandfather passed away from COVID-19 and she had to attend the memorial service via Zoom. This is rock bottom, folks. For all of these people, and so many more, my heart is heavy.

February 29, the last time I saw my grandma; the first formal dinner in my condo, on my 2-month move anniversary.

My work and income has decreased, I hope I can continue paying my new mortgage, I miss hockey, I miss being on the ice. In a time where someone like me, who lost her dog and her #dad in the last 16 months, should really be around her friends and family, I am not screaming in protest because I can't congregate in public with anyone who doesn't live with me (that's everyone). I am wearing my masks (thanks #Michelle & #Christina!) and I know that what we are doing is saving lives, we're "flattening the curve" and doing our part to support the heroes who are risking their lives every day on the front lines. These restrictions are in place because too many people are like toddlers around a hot stove - they can't be trusted to do what's best for themselves and others. (Read: toddlers have an excuse.) These #COVIDIOTS think their rights are being infringed upon? What about my right to visit my grandmother, free from the threat of a possibly fatal infection from an unknowing or (even worse) selfish person? Of course everyone has the right to their own opinion, but if someone is going to endanger others, maybe they need to have restrictions imposed on them...OH, WAIT A SECOND.

"Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge is Empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world." - Bill Bullard