Me and My Candid COVID Thoughts
Chevonne Harris, ThriveIN Founder (While Chevonne loves Howard Univ., she' is actually a graduate of Northwestern Univ. She was there, the shirt was there, and it was on sale so she purchased it…for the culture).
By Chevonne Harris
It was the best of times, then one too many people coughed, and it was the germiest of times. If someone told me 2020 would commence with a global pandemic, and sanitizing every doorknob in my kitchen would be the highlight of my day, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here we are, T-shirts turned face masks and all.
In the beginning, I was mildly tuned in to the early reports of COVID-19, compartmentalizing it as another “across the shore” matter occasionally popping into my Apple News notifications. However, as the responsible and socially aware person I am, I did attempt to do my part. Wiping down the seat, armrest and tray on airplanes with disinfectant wipes, passing around my travel size hand sanitizer (essential inventory I now ration out) when dining out with friends, opting to fist bump rather than hand shake, and relocating immediately when within an earshot of anyone who’s sneezed or coughed. But then ish got real, real real.
For me things hit uncomfortably close to home when, in early March I attended a conference in Vegas only to receive an email a few days later that an attendee had a confirmed case of COVID-19. Around this time the one nerve I tend to keep on reserve in case all the good ones leave, began to pack its bags. Then the schools closed. Then the salons, restaurants, malls and daycares closed (this was also around the time I realized our Surgeon General was a black man named Jerome). Then the acronym WFH (work from home) became a thing. Mass unemployment also became a thing. And then the death toll rose, the economy plummeted, and Dr. Anthony Fauci became my most trusted source of news. And this was all in a span of 2.5 weeks. Jesus take the wheel. In fact, here are the keys. I actually never need to drive again if it pleases you Lord; just please get Donald Trump off my TV screen, me safely back in a Saturday brunch vibe, and COVID-19 back in its test tube and out of these streets.
But I digress. Here I am, home safe in a T-shirt and mess bun, quarantining with my dog Semmi Langston Hughes Jones, my sister, and all of my thoughts. Like me, I’m sure your mind has been knuckin’ and buckin’ throughout this ordeal. Some days I’m holding my zen, and other days I’m holding gin (well, Riesling or Moscato actually, but it sounds so much better in rhyme). Like every day these days, I have time. So much so that I jotted down a few of my sporadic pandemic thoughts.
1. Jesus is the answer for the world today.
No really, he is and special shout-out to Andraé Crouch for the prophetic word. With an orange Cheeto playing dress-up in the White House, black lives being lost at disproportionate rates, stimulus checks slated to arrive after the actual pandemic, deaths surpassing the 100,000 mark, and many small businesses forced to close their doors, I dare you to find a more stable source than our Almighty Lord and Savior. In the face of a pandemic my faith has never been stronger. Some call it crazy, some call it denial or false-hope, but I call it turning to a power greater than our own for peace, sanity and guidance as we navigate this crazy thing called ‘Rona.
2. Beginning an email with “Hope all is well” has never carried more sincerity than now.
I know, I’m a terrible person (and so are you) for typing “hope all is well” and really never caring about the state of the receiver, but that’s all changed in these times. In the age of COVID, I really hope all is well for each and every person I communicate with. How are you, your momma, daddy and everyone else?
3. Everyone can’t handle Instagram Live
…particularly those of you still using dial-up internet. And since we’re talking IG Live, with everyone now feeling the need to facilitate their own virtual programming, please don’t. It was cute the first week or so, but I can only take so many blurred, chopped and screwed conversations, and DJs playing from their basement with the leftover party lights in the background.
4. Nurse, doctors, cashiers, first responders, janitors, public transportation operators and anyone else working on the frontlines are the real superheroes of the world.
We thank you for your service. No really, we do. Weekly bonuses, pay increases, debt forgiveness, first in line at the buffet and bar, and priority boarding henceforth and forever are all deserved, and then some. For many it’s a thankless job that involves individuals (many parents and caretakers themselves) standing square, smack in front of our sick, sneezing and asymptomatic selves. Thank you.
5. Leggings or sweatpants?
This is the most pressing attire question I’ve had to address since working from home. I’m also forever grateful for full-time employment and every random T-shirt I’ve ever received in an event swag bag.
6. America, the once heavyweight titan of the world is now the land of the DIY face masks.
Remember the scene in The Five Heartbeats where a presumably drunk and high Eddie Kane stumbles upon his former bandmates, whips open his trench coat to proudly reveal last season’s stage outfit, shouts “ZIIINNGG” and then sings the saddest but funniest rendition of “Nights Like This” while his bandmates watch in pity? Well, America is Eddie Kane, DIY face masks are the outfit, and everyone else in the world is The Heartbeats.
Is it just me or is it a little embarrassing that the supposed richest nation in the world now has CDC commercials where our Surgeon General is doing face mask tutorials with T-shirts? You mean to tell me our national inventory of face masks is so sparse, and our ability to manufacture additional masks is so limited that everyday citizens are now being told to cut up a T-shirt or hand towel as a protective measure against a deadly virus? M’kay.
7. Is Beyoncé okay?
Random, I know, but it’s been a while since Queen Bey has made an Instagram appearance or dropped a visual something.
8. There’s no greater WFH joy than watching business professionals fumble with Zoom.
Nothing brings a smile to my face at 10:30AM quite like watching someone find their optimal Zoom angle, mouth “can you hear me,” or unknowing speak freely while not on mute (this happened to me once on a Zoom with 20 people…not nearly as funny when it’s you), or seeing my entire professional team in mess buns (love ya’ll PMM) and hoodies.
9. Speaking of Zoom and live streams; pastors, bible study leaders, etc., would it kill you to check the wi-fi before holding virtual service?
With flocks of people now relying on their faith as the only thing keeping them from crawling inside the covers and telling the universe they’ll just try again in the next life; many churches and spiritual leaders have been forced to find innovative and social media friendly ways to deliver the Word of God to the masses. This means there’s not much room to get it wrong guys. You know your niece or nephew always doing those cute little dances on their phones? Call them and have them set you up for the win. Lighting, sound and high speed internet all matter.
10. Can someone check on the elders of the culture?
Dear Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Cicely Tyson, Queen Maxine Waters, John Lewis, Morgan Freeman, Patti LaBelle, and all our other favorites — for the good of the culture and our overall well-being and sanity, please just stay inside until further notice.
11. Use your time wisely.
No one is saying you need to come out of this 20lbs lighter, hair done, nails did and with a new business plan (if so, great for you) however, how are you using this time? Moments like this are feeding grounds for anxiety, depression and plateaus so take intentional moments to maintain your spirit and focus on your wellness in whatever form is right for you. Read, exercise, connect with friends and family, do something. If you’re like me and set some pretty nifty goals for 2020, don’t let COVID-19 stop the show. Pivot, prioritize and pace yourself as needed, but keep it moving.
12. COVID-19, Coronavirus, Corona, ‘Rona, there is a difference.
COVID-19 = Hi everyone, this is Chevonne.
Coronavirus = Hey guys, it’s Chevonne.
Corona = Hey girl, it’s me. Whatchu doing?
‘Rona = Ni**a!
13. So when this quarantine ends I’ll likely wait another week or so before diving back into the real world. Ya’ll let me know how it is.
Remember all those shark movies where the first person to jump into the water gets eaten by the Great White. Yeah…
14. This won’t last. And if we’re lucky, we’ll come out better than how we went in.
Coronavirus sucks. This super-flu came in like a lion and turned our normal into an unknown land of death, sickness and sadness. But in darkness lies the greatest opportunities for light. Entrepreneurs flipping their businesses into COVID relief operations, restaurants providing free food to those in need, #QuarantineLife forcing us to check-in on loved ones, join virtual happy hours with our girlfriends, and bond with our spouses and families. DJ D-Nice uniting the world through his virtual dance party, #Club Quarantine, millions across the world finding and exercising their faith, and new stories of recovery every day — these are the flowers amidst the concrete that guide our path toward better days. If you learn nothing else from COVID let it reaffirm the strength you always knew was there; or help you to unlock strength you never knew you had. In the immortal words of Kendrick Lamar “we ‘gon be alright.”
Side Note: I miss Obama.