COVID-19 | LIFE

A Little More Sadness in the World

The pandemic has caused millions of deaths, for me though the subtle losses carry a heavy weight too.

It’s easy to think of this pandemic in numbers, how many infected, dead, unemployed, and homeless. I'm not saying you shouldn't, but that's not all there is to it. There's more to this story. The thing that strikes me, in my community is the nuance of it all. The unquantifiable. It’s harder to see than everything else, but once you notice it, you will see it everywhere and it will haunt you subtly.

I was waiting in line at my doctor’s reception. An older lady, I would say she was in her 70s, perhaps 80s dropped her walking stick.

I hesitated to help her, why? Because of Covid. I took a moment and pondered what the hell have I become? The guilt flooded my mind. Come on Delilah, help the woman.

So I asked her if she wanted me to help.

She said “No”

I was thinking about leaving this piece there. Do I need to conclude this? Or is it already too brutally obvious? I will anyway.

I watched that woman struggle. Others offered help too. She declined us all. Over 5 minutes went by. We all believed that she would never get it again. Painfully watching her struggle. All unable to insist our help on her because of the bloody virus. Our help became a threat.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying she should be careless. What I am doing though is pointing out how this pandemic has stripped us all of our humanity. Simple things that made us human are now impossible for many.

I wonder how irreversible the damage of this will be? Will we ever be whole again?

When will we recover in both body and mind?

April 2021

Delilah Brass