Please Join Me In Writing History: Share Your Stories, Not The Virus!

In response to the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, I have launched a Facebook Group called The Covid-19 Diaries.  It is a public group, and anyone can read and post there.

My goal in launching this group is to create a space where personal histories are recorded. The purpose is to collect stories about what real people are experiencing day to day as the scope of the pandemic widens.  Perhaps on the other side of this, when life becomes more predictable, your tales can be complied into an anthology.

Here’s the FB Group’s rules (there has to be rules):

Keep your comments clean.  Don’t swear outright.

Keep your posts to less than 250 words. This is not a page to rant uncontrollably.

Share whatever you like.  Be a tattletale.  Be a cheerleader.  Be morose. Be sympathetic.  Be funny. Be inspirational. Be yourself.

 Write your hearts out. Stay safe and be well. 

“Share your stories, not the virus!”  – Julie Ryan McGue

In setting up this FB Group, I came across this Instagram post.  Post#1 sets the tone to open The Covid-19 Diaries.

This pandemic experience is a massive

experiment in collective vulnerability.

We can be our worst selves when we’re

afraid, or our very best, bravest selves.

In the context of fear and vulnerability,

there is often very little in between

because when we are uncertain and afraid

our default is self-protection.  We don’t

have to be scary when we’re scared.

Let’s choose awkward, brave, and kind.

And let’s choose each other.

-Brene Brown

Below is the opening post on The Covid-19 Diaries Facebook Group.  It details an experience that occurred this week as I hunkered down in Florida. I will be writing and posting from Sarasota where I’m a ‘snowbird’ eight months of the year with my husband.  I’m fortunate to have a daughter, son-in-law, and grandson close by.

Post #2 The Covid-19 Diaries

Here’s an anecdote about a man who continues to be not just socially awkward, but inappropriate, and irresponsible.  His scary behavior is showing off his worst self:

A man I will call, Mr. Silver, was potentially exposed to the virus during a lesson with a golf pro in Sarasota.  The golf pro tested positive, hospitalized and released recently in better health.  After learning about his potential exposure, Mr. Silver, was instructed to enter into self-quarantine. That was ten days ago.

Mr. Silver lives in my building complex. Gratefully his unit is not in my elevator stack.  Last week, when Mr. Silver was in the middle of his quarantine, has was seen swimming in our community pool.  With still a few more days yet to quarantine, Mr. Silver, now swims daily in the pool. He’s not deterred by the presence of others in the pool or mingling in the pool area. Seemingly, he’s not deterred or bothered by my neighbors’ responses. Folks scatter and exit as quickly as possible. Mr. Silver doesn’t seem to care that he’s blown curfew in such a public manner.  His brazen behavior is not just awkward, it’s inconsiderate. Regardless whether he’s exhibiting symptoms or not, he’s become public enemy#1 here. Apparently, he’s deemed himself healthy and doesn’t want to be inconvenienced by the virus anymore.

Share your stories, not the virus! on the The Covid-19 Diaries, Facebook Group.

Available on Amazon!