Quaranta Giorni

I learned something very interesting a few weeks ago.  The word quarantine derives from the Italian expression quaranta giorni,  which means 40 days.  This referred to a practice that began in the 14^th century in which any ship sailing to Venice had to remain anchored for this length of time before entering the city’s port.  This was done as a precaution to help contain and prevent the spread of the Bubonic Plague.  It is also interesting to note that Quaranta giorni borrows its name and meaning the 40 days of Lent.

I did not expect the start of 2020 to feature a viral outbreak that would spread throughout the globe, but at the beginning of March, COVID 19 made its way here and hit my state of New York very hard.  Before I knew it, we were told to stay at home and only to go out when absolutely necessary.  A couple weeks ago, we were even advised that it’s even better if one could avoid going out altogether.

People all over the country began to panic and began to stock up on items.  In fact, toilet paper was the number one item that people seemed to be scrambling to get.  Churches closed, schools closed and nonessential businesses closed.  The world began to change in what seemed to be a blink of an eye.

Prior to all this happening I had watched The Andromeda Strain, Outbreak, and Contagion.  You could say that I felt pretty prepared for this.  However, as of now, I start to wonder, how long is this going to go on?  What will happen next?

The good news is that the spread of the virus appears to be slowing down.  The not so good news is that I, like everyone else, really don’t have a clue how all this will play out.  I have hope that we will see a difference at the end of May, but I am obviously not sure.

There are many people who are anxious and afraid while others are extremely bored. The quarantine has impacted mental health, the economy and personal relationships.  At the start of the quarantine, I made it a point to be productive as well as helpful to others during this time.  I didn’t want to feel useless as an appendix if you know what I mean.

My friend, Mary, started a Positivity Project with her local library in which participants submit a photo of themselves and something positive that they are doing or something they are grateful for this pandemic.  Well, the origins of the word quarantine and Mary’s positivity project have inspired me to do the following: I have decided to share 40 positive things that I have done or am continuing to do since the start of staying at home.  Now keep in mind, this was not an easy task, but perhaps it might give you some ideas on how to spend your time or maybe even give you a good laugh.  Some of the things on this list are not impressive and some are probably silly, but again, I needed 40 things.

Here they are in no particular order.

1. Pray for those affected by the virus and for those on the frontlines be protected
2. Studied and appreciated the Book of Psalms in the Bible
3. Learned How to use Zoom and taught others to use it as well
4. Started using Instacart 
5. Finished writing a musical composition for violin called The Phoenix.
6. Learned how to make a tripod for my iPhone from a Styrofoam cup (you can find this on YouTube)
7. Uploaded music video recordings of my music to YouTube (hence why I needed the tripod).
8. Connected more with people from my parish, Holy Rosary
9. Stayed connected with members of the Rose Hawthorne community of the Lay Fraternities of St Dominic in which I am a temporary professed member
10. Assisted in creating virtual activities for members of my local community.
11. Spent more time with my parents and parrots, Sunny and Nikki
12. Connected virtually with friends
13. Exercised more
14. Celebrated Sunny and Nikki’s 16^th Birthday
15. Learned that there is a St. Corona 
16. Watched the movie, Idiocracy, and hope that humanity will have a brighter future
17. Watched The Twilight Zone episode “The Shelter,” which I had not seen in all my years of watching it
18. Took more naps
19. Participated in virtual meditations
20. Hosted a virtual birthday party for one of my friends
21. Continue to work remotely
22. Practiced piano more since I do not have an organ to practice on at home
23. Had ridiculous fun recording myself sing and talk using the audio program, Audacity
24. Learned that even quarantine does not lessen moody behavior in parrots during breeding season
25. Get excited when going out to the mailbox to bring in the mail.
26. Wash my hands much more often
27. Cleaned out and reorganized the closets
28. Watched the documentary Outbreak: Anatomy of a Plague
29. Gave my father a haircut and was successful.
30. Played hangman and Scattergories virtually with friends
31. Keep a gratitude journal
32. Supported The Front Line in Westchester and Feeding Westchester
33. Watch funny videos on YouTube for much needed comic relief
34. Attend Holy Mass virtually via live stream on the internet
35. Virtually attended Holy Mass and the Stations of the Cross via live stream
36. Celebrated the Pascal Tritium
37. Managed to find paper towels and toilet paper despite shortages
38. Took lots of photos of birds (guess which two)
39. Listen to music,  podcasts and talk radio
40. Continue to thank God for technology, electricity and indoor plumbing