BESTBets
Stay Home, Be Safe
By Margaret Word Burnside and Aaron R. Fodiman
We are happily enjoying our sequestered time at home, watching sunsets and relaxing without a
need to check our calendar to determine where we are supposed to be next.
Usually, this page is full of ideas of
things to do and see. However, due to
the coronavirus, events have been canceled
to avoid any chance of contracting the
deadly disease. This has resulted in drastic
changes in our lives that we probably
would not have considered before now.
Fortunately, many of us are finding
this new lifestyle to be a refreshing break
from our previously hectic lives. With
restaurants and bars closed except for takeout,
many of us are eating healthier meals
and even finding time to exercise. While
we miss getting together with friends and
family, we still stay in touch, but from a
distance. Some people are even writing
letters and cards again.
There have been a lot of positive changes
to our lives since being quarantined to our
homes. Kitchen cabinets and closets are
being cleaned. Things not needed are being
discarded or repurposed. Books are being
read. Other household chores are being
accomplished that we were too busy to do
before this self-imposed isolation. Perhaps
the best part is that in addition to more
sleep, we are also beginning to appreciate
things around us that have always been
there, but that we overlooked due to our
need to overcome our FOMO (fear of
missing out) that kept us running at full
speed. Hasn’t your life in some ways gotten
better under this emergency program
that is keeping us at home and socially
separate? And isn’t it a good feeling to
know that we are working together to
benefit the community in general? When
we act with caution to protect ourselves,
we are also protecting others.
When this is over and we return to life
as it was before, I won’t be surprised if
many continue to spend more time at
home and to reduce the pace they had
previously led in their lives. It may not
be noticeable from outside appearances,
but internally, many will think twice about
packing as many activities into their lives
as possible. Hopefully, they will remember
the calm and peace they enjoyed during
this stressful time and want to maintain
the portion of it that brought them serenity
and joy.
42 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2020
This has been a period of change. No one
likes change, except a baby, but in retrospect,
this may ultimately be a favorable change.
In many ways, this reminds us of the days
of World War II, when everyone worked
together and sacrificed comforts to fight
the enemy. Our country changed as a result
of that period, so it will change as a result
of this COVID-19 threat to our health and
survival. We will beat it, and when we
do, we will be stronger and wiser and
ready to live our lives in the best manner
possible. It is a comfort knowing that when
we needed to, we were able and willing to
conduct ourselves in a manner that would
benefit the masses, even though everyone
had to change their way of living to help
each other. As the Broadway character
Annie sings, “The sun will come out
tomorrow.” When it does, we will be ready
to rebuild whatever has been lost during
these precarious times. In the meantime,
be proud of what you are doing to help
yourself and others overcome the current
situation. 9