On The Road to Shelter in Place - Day 1
/Wednesday March 18 was the last day I spent at the station before moving my ABC 7 Traffic reporting setup to my home, working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the last things I said to a co-worker before heading out the door - our lives are now forever changed.
Today is the first full day we are to “shelter at home” throughout the state of Illinois, mandated by Governor Pritzker, to slow the spread of deadly disease. I awoke to bright sunshine, hot coffee and my Sunday paper, delivered on time, enjoying this bit of normalcy shadowed by a live picture of Grant Park streaming from my traffic monitor - part of my “kitchen studio.”
There are so many emotions swirling around this pandemic - fear, anxiety, the need to keep safe, the desire to help others. We are in the midst of living history. Being a story teller by profession, I am compelled to document this journey, as a living diary for me but also as an experience to look back on when the pandemic is over.
My first stop this morning - Costco. New today, a police squad car at the entrance. The shopping carts are still lined up outside, with cues for the shoppers inside taking their place. There is signage letting shoppers know what items are out of stock, along with special early hours for seniors.
Inside the store things are quiet. They are following a 25-in, 25-out rule for shoppers to keep in line with social distancing.. Items that were previously unavailable have been restocked, with limits as to how many you can buy.
Every other checkout aisle is closed to help keep shoppers at a 6-foot distance. I was saddened to hear one employee’s story of frustrated shoppers, trying to hoard items and lashing out at Costco employees when they implemented the one item limit. There really is enough for everyone - if not today, then tomorrow or the next day. Please be patient and kind.
Before heading home, I stopped at an overpass at the Eisenhower expressway. As expected, traffic was light to non-existent. Again, there was a local squad car, this time parked at the CTA Blue Line station.
Driving home, it was eerily quiet. Little to no traffic on main streets, and signs in local restaurants stating they were open for curbside pick up and delivery only. Our new normal.
The other thing I noticed on this frigid morning - a number of people out walking - with their dogs, their kids, each other - people on bikes, people walking home with groceries.
To me, this shows resiliency in the face of adversity. We are adapting to this new, but temporary normal, looking to come out better on the other side. Back home, I bundled the dogs for a walk, and smiled as I noticed the chalk-written messages of inspiration our neighbor’s daughter had displayed on the sidewalk.
I don’t know how, I don’t know when, but I know in my heart we’ll get through this. Be kind to one another. In-between the anxiety and stress, take a deep breath and find the positive. We’re in this together, we’ll survive together. Now I have to get ready for my in-home traffic broadcast for tomorrow morning. Stay safe, be well.