Sounds of a Pandemic

Conversations

“Could you repeat that?”

Muffled walkway discussions.

Unintelligible coffee orders shouted behind plexiglass barriers.

Forgetting how to succinctly make an order and polite small talk after half a year of minimal social contact.

Regular rants about people not wearing masks, beach parties, large gatherings.

People asking the store staff where the sanitisers and disinfecting wipes are.

“Yes we’re sold out of Lysol wipes.” (repeated ad nauseam)

Sidewalk conspiracists ranting about this all being a hoax.

Complaints about the government not doing enough.

Complaints about the government doing too much.

“Yes, it’s definitely been an eventful year.”

Apologies at every juncture.

Things

The automated whirr of sanitiser stands.

Wet mops smacking the floor as you choke on the smell of chlorine.

The clack of tongs at store entry ways, store attendant pinching masks to hand to shoppers.

The squelch of gel sanitiser being rubbed liberally across palms and the drip of the excess on the floor.

Staff spraying bleach and wiping down recently vacated tables and seats.

The squeak of plastic cup lids being opened.

The beep of contactless payments.

In Between

Feet shuffling, baskets nudged along in socially distanced line ups.

The thud of elbows being used to shove open mall doors, press elevator buttons.

Transit announcements to wash your hands, wear masks, and keep a safe distance between each other.

Clapping, cheering, whistling, honking, police sirens, the odd firework at 7 PM.

The increasing lack of the above as the months drag on by.

Instructions

Cashiers reminding you to stand at the designated line.

The priest announcing that communion will be held after mass.

Unmasked individuals arguing with security about why they can’t enter the premises.

Every virtual meeting beginning and being interrupted with reminders to mute your microphone.

People trying to sneak into stores through designated exits, getting caught, and getting yelled at by worn out store staff. “IT’S A PANDEMIC, THAT’S WHY.”

The Heaviness Of Silence

Few people having loud conversations on trains.

The heavy 3 second silence that follows a sudden cough or sneeze.

The quieter roads and reduced foot traffic on sidewalks during peak hour.

The absence of arguments and disagreements about train seats and personal space.

The resigned exhale after seeing yet another local business closed down due to the pandemic.

Exhaustion and Monotony

The snap of face mask ear bands.

The sigh of people removing masks after a long day.

The daily news update on the latest number of COVID-19 cases.

The clicking of the security guard’s people counter at entrances and exits.

Store announcements to keep your distance, to follow directional arrows, to wash your hands, to not enter if you’re sick.

The Welcome

Phone calls with loved ones.

Deep uncontrollable laughter at an inside joke.

The affection in her “hello” when I pick her up after work.

Seeking Normalcy In A Pandemic

I never thought I would ever experience a pandemic in my lifetime. It always struck me as something depicted in novels, movies, TV shows. Something spoken about in the past tense or in theoretical dire situations at medical conferences.

And yet here we all are.

I first read about the emergence of a new flu in China on the news back in December. This stuck in my mind because I remember passing by thermal scanners in the airports we transited through travelling to Singapore and Taiwan. I thought it prudent despite minimal public information on this flu. After all I remember how it felt during SARS and everyone was terrified. When school was suspended for over 2 weeks and the Singapore government distributed thermometers, with temperature taking during class hours becoming the norm for months.

After earlier news reports called this new flu the Wuhan Coronavirus, we now know it as COVID-19.

When I read about the panic buying in Singapore last month, I was taken aback. Despite being dismayed by the hoarding behaviour, I understood people were acting that way because they were scared. Panic buying in cities has now been reported on widely both here and across the globe. No one knows when the pandemic will end, or when cases will decline and put a stop to the spread of COVID-19. With so many unknowns, being frightened is instinctive.

In a demonstration of how quickly things have been changing here: I borrowed a book from the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) downtown on Sunday. Less than 24 hours later, the city announced the indefinite closure of all libraries, recreation centres, and other facilities across the city. That same day I went out for a hot chocolate. 4 days later, all restaurants and other dining establishments were ordered shut with the exception of those able to offer delivery or take out services only.

The thing that makes it all feel surreal is the fact that life is still moving along despite the sombre tone of every conversation. Answering emails and meeting deadlines seem so inconsequential during a pandemic. I’m fortunate to still have a job to report to daily, and to be able to work remotely. But the stark contrast between people dying and writing emails is humbling.

I’ve been so caught up in the daily avalanche of pandemic related updates that I didn’t even realise it was officially spring until a coworker mentioned it. It’s been a gorgeously sunny past few days here, but transit is nearly empty with Skytrain cabins and buses alike eerily deserted despite the clear skies and sunshine. I’ve gotten used to people donning surgical masks everywhere in public. There’s a despondent air that lingers everywhere.

It’s alarming to know we’re living in the midst of a pandemic that can spread undetected. It’s been so disheartening to read about racist attacks and hoarding behaviour. But for every one of these stories, there are so many more about people helping those in need, communities coming together, businesses supporting their newly unemployed staff.

Take reasonable actions to mitigate your fear and control what you can. Stock up on a reasonable amount of food for your week, wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face. Feeling isolated? Try asking friends for a video call coffee hang out or dance to your favourite song. Seek out and share stories of people stepping up in this trying time.

Lots of people are feeling anxious at this time and everyone has different ways of coping. Reach out to a friend who’s not doing so great. Instead of refreshing non-stop on the news, maybe watch a lighthearted movie, read a book, or even stick your head out the window and feel the warmth of the sun. Share your worries with a trusted friend, maybe stress bake or repost a funny meme.

It feels isolating to be stuck at home with our lives and routines disrupted, but we can and will adapt. Everyone is in this together.

This too shall pass.