March 7, Home

I flew home on March 5, my part of the Congressional Briefing complete, my purse full of cards from attendees at the reception that completed the Brain Injury Day on the Hill. I landed at 10:30 and went home, ready for spring and many things I had waiting for the return from this trip, the completion of this effort.

On March 7, 36 hours at home, I rose, made coffee and turned on the morning news. The topic was that there were identified cases of Covid-19 in Washington, DC. Where I had been with many people. I listened to the rules, immediately self-quarantined, and settled in, confused, unprepared, listening to the briefings which were of concern but not at a major level.

My self-quarantine ended two weeks later. I had a few days of errands and catching up, then our shelter in place order was put into place. And I was at home again. I began figuring out the isolation, ordering items no one had, masks, food, toilet paper. Because I’m a brain trauma survivor I’m in the higher risk category. My connection to the world became news briefings and looking out my windows. It was surreal, it is spring, beautiful, sunny and cool. And I stayed inside.

And so I stayed until our shelter in place ran out on April 30. Today is May 1, the next phase is beginning. It is still spring, but the early burst of bluebonnets is gone, and I’m still inside. I do have masks now and will begin a limited life, like everyone else, figuring it out as I go along.