Random Thoughts - Corona Version

I love watching people, especially now. Here's a bit of what I've seen.

Why do adults lie about how much they sleep at night? Most adults I know sleep between 7-8 hours. Many, especially those who deem themselves as "busy," sleep 9-10 hours. I sleep about 5 hours a night. Do you know how much I'd brag if I slept 6 hours a night? Let alone 7-10? Why do so many adults lower their sleep totals? They don't even count naps as sleep. They should wear their slumber numbers like a badge of honor.

We are told to wipe down our groceries, just to be safe. So why do people pull their masks down to speak, on speakerphone, on their phones while shopping? Why are their phones even in the open air in enclosed spaces? Have they not read the studies about our phones being filthy, before this? 

Similar to the unscientific stages of grief, we're seeing so much anger and denial, and so very little understanding and acceptance. It makes one wonder how our friends, coworkers, and even loved ones, really do handle day-to-day life. 

There's something cute about these masks. People, knowing their covered mouths, which tell us so much more than just the words they utter, can't relay their emotions, so their personalities are magnified. They are forced into a performance art type situation, in which every facial muscle contorts to express their moods and personalities. Think Tom Hardy in Dunkirk.

There are two types of people when it comes to dressing. Those who believe the mask gives them anonymity and go shopping like they're walking to the bathroom for more cheesy puffs, and then there are those, who feel compelled to take the attention away from the cloth covering their faces.

People are nicer; in general.

The people whose jobs have become increasingly more demanding seem to be handling this time much better than the person who has left their house six times in ten weeks.

Fear, of the irrational variety, seems to have taken hold of the more intelligent of our species. I cannot for the life of me understand this. 

Much like when Facebook first grabbed hold of my generation, some seem absolutely consumed with projecting the perfect home life. Those who show a slightly shattered and chaotic picture have allowed us to see their perfection in disarray. 

The majority of people are waiting to hear when it will be OK. Very few realize we're many months, potentially years before this is a certainty. 

Practice what you preach has never been more ironic. The incessant complaints about the number of people out, without masks, not practicing safe social distancing, buying unnecessary items, and not being courteous is the most fascinating display of cognitive dissonance I've seen in a while. Some have gone into full-blown delusion.

People who are working for jobs they know are not essential, seem to be compensating in other areas of their lives. They feel this odd superiority while stifling their own knowledge of the truth. Again, cognitive dissonance is sprouting up in all its glory. 

I can only speak for myself and those I know, but, we all seemed a lot more concerned about others four or five weeks ago than we do now. As we've begun to accept this new way of living, selfish behavior has come back. Those of us who keep reaching out feel ignored, secondary, even betrayed. For those I've failed, I am sorry. Much like when I moved, I assumed I'd be consistent and do what I feel is right, but time allows us to make excuses for our behavior and the longer it spans, the less accountable we hold ourselves. This is not to say any of this is an expectation. This is why we're grateful, not thankful, for those who persist. 

I am seven weeks away from my 50th birthday and while I'm not sure I can put it into words, I've never wanted to be younger more than I do now. Maybe not a child, but simply young enough to feel invincible. True or not, it must be nice.