For the Duration

Woke up this morning to probably the biggest celebrity news of all: Prince Charles is infected! He's quarantining in Scotland, and they say the Queen is fine.

A couple local distilleries (as well as a local putty company!) have been in the news as they've switched their operations to produce just hand sanitizer. Producers of masks and other protective equipment have increased their production, and I also heard that Ford Motor Company is planning to build respirators, ventilators, and face shields.

Today I made my farthest trip from my house in two weeks, and went to visit my grandmother (about 10 minutes away). It was very strange driving over there - even at the peak of "rush hour," there were almost no cars on the road, and lots of people out for walks instead, even though it had been cold and rainy. I live near a national park, which had remained open to the public for walks, but too many people were congregating there, parking their cars all over, and leaving a mess, so the park is now closed and there were barricades at the entrance. The electronic signs near the highway on-ramp displayed messages like, "Stay Home" and "Practice Social Distancing."

We had discussed different options for how I could see her from a safe distance, and I ended up standing on her front porch and talking to her on the phone through the window while she sat inside. Usually I would stop by and bring her things she needs or help her with little chores around the house, so it was weird not to be able to offer any help with anything, but nice to see her and catch up.

She kept making the comparison between the virus and "her war" (World War II), and talked a lot about things she'd like to do "after the duration," when this is all over. Apparently during the war, people referred to their wartime activities as things they were doing "for the duration," and plans for afterward as "after the duration." (She also told me that when she and my grandfather moved several states away for his job in 1953, he was earning $6,000 per year, which I calculated is worth $58,000 in today's dollars 😂)

At my mother's building, they have put more restrictions in place to try to keep residents safe: no congregating in common areas, limits to the number of people in an elevator, residents must go outside to pick up deliveries at the curb, etc. I'm glad they're taking these steps.