The Lost Episode

Captain’s Log

Star Date 97839.59

It’s been five days since I went back to work, and what seems like years since the sickness came to Earth. Each day is a challenge—motivation cannot be found and the replicator is acting up again. Oh wait, I am the replicator. No wonder the meals have been so scarce—no motivation.

In all seriousness, it really is a weird time. It feels like we are living in an episode of a medical drama or one of the sci-fi movies my mom loves. Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up and realize it was all a dream brought on by binge-watching a tv special featuring the “lost episodes” of your favorite scary show from the 80s

. It all is a bit surreal and makes people do weird things. My weird thing is finding the most creative and strange way to write letters. I wrote a letter to my mom the other day and instead of a futuristic vibe like a Star Trek captain’s log, it read more like an inexperienced sailor got stranded on an island after their boat got caught in a storm.

I am not motivated to do useful things but found plenty of time to look up a site that would convert the date and time to a Star Trek star date. It’s here by the way, in case there are any other people out there whose spouse uses old episodes of the show as background noise for days on end and you can’t get these types of things out of your head. Seriously—days.

I am no longer working from home. My work is deemed an essential service, so I am back in my office. We are cleaning meticulously and practicing social distancing. While we may be vigilant, the general public isn’t always as mindful. Many people are still behaving as if this pandemic has not, and will not effect them in any way. These individuals seem to have no regard for their own health, let alone those of others, and continue to go about their lives as usual.

I get that this is hard. (No one wants to spend their days cooped up in a house with three adult children and their spouse.) We all have to make sacrifices. Some of our sacrifices seem small and petty compared to what others have to deal with and are going through right now. To those of us fortunate enough to still have an income, and have the ability to help, it is important that we show our support any way we can. Donate, order to-go meals from your local restaurants, drop off food for someone, call someone who is lonely, be a friend.

To everyone- be kind to each other and to yourself.