March 18, 2020-
We are, so to speak, in the process of in-gathering, even as it seems we are in a distancing process. The political arguments of the two major American political parties are increasingly hollow. The leading candidate of one party offered his solutions to the COVID-19 induced crisis to his opposite number, carte-blanche. Who sits in the White House, come next January, is less important than pulling together and stopping the virus, to the extent possible.
Events,in situ, are being canceled, with digital means being found to replace many of them. This will very likely work for the duration of the crisis (2 months-18 months, depending on who is making the assessment). It is likely to become an alternative, but not a permanent replacement, to on-site meetings, in the way that e-books are an alternative to books in print.
The same will be true, in my humble opinion, to Take-Out and Delivery of items in restaurants and coffee shops, as opposed to dine-in experiences. We are, in essence, social beings and those of us who live alone, in particular, will resume dining out, in addition to whatever private dinners to which we may be invited, or hold ourselves.
Phone calls are still important. I called my mother this morning, and as I expected, she is well, lucid and concerned for my well-being. The same is true of my son, who called me last night. This sort of convergence will never go out of fashion. Texting matters, as well, and social media, despite the flat-footed attempts at censorship, by some of its founders, will only become more crucial to keeping us connected.
As I mentioned earlier, despite being a peripatetic soul, the well-being of my fellows is vastly more important than what I might be inclined to do, if untethered by conscience. I will be extremely cautious in venturing forth, for the duration of this crisis. Besides, as I found out, these past two days, my presence is most definitely needed here at Home Base. It will become even more so, of all of us, in different ways, in the next several months.
In many ways, humankind is converging.
