Is COVID over?

 Not so much... But today the US government declared the COVID-19 public health emergency to be over.

It has been 3 years and 2 months. 

This was my first blog post to do with COVID in mid March 2020:  https://dallice.blogspot.com/2020/03/just-to-clarify-before-anyone-becomes.html

I blogged the pandemic from my viewpoint. Trying to keep positive, safe and be responsible - trying to record something to look back on that showed me I didn't lose 3 years or become so changed by the circumstances of the pandemic that I can't find my old self.

The truth is I was changed by the pandemic. I didn't get COVID, I didn't lose my business or my mind (much) and I have a lot to be grateful for, including the time I had during the pandemic to actually stop and recognize it. 

However, I'm also aware that "COVID episodes" of my favorite shows make me bawl like a baby, that I became semi-permanently saddened at the realization of black and brown people being disproportionately affected, that friends lost parents and partners and we lost friends. I turned into a lady who was hesitant to spend time with others, preferred being home with my person and our fur-babies... and even though I know it's way past time to reverse course on this, I'm really struggling to do so.

So yeah, I'm happy COVID-19 is not a public emergency any more - but there are still plenty of little and big fires to be put out. The mental health crisis that has followed this pandemic is insidious and serious. We pulled back the curtain and saw fellow humans living with too few resources. And when the shit hit the fan, we collectively politicized a virus and pitted people against people in arguments over what should have been just science lessons and the chance to support each other.

2023 is the year I focus on healing and well-being for myself. It took a while to get here and it will take a while to undo, too. For now I just give thanks to the people who are supporting this search for renewed purpose and healing - they are many.

True charity beginneth first at home,

Heere in your bosomes dwell your deere-lov'd hearts,

Feed them with joy; first crowne their appetites,

And then cast water on the care-scroch'd face,

Let your own longings first be satisfied,

All other pitty is but foolish pryde.

~ John Marston