Have you ever been on a cruise? If not, why? For most people, the reasons are financial. Even though cruises are a “good deal,” they’re still beyond reach for the average middle class person struggling to support a family. Other reasons are because of motion sickness, poor health, whatever. But you still have to hear someone you know raving about the cruise they just took or are going to take. That’s all changed now. No one envies the “lucky people” who got stuck on cruise ships this year. Covid-19 has changed some luck.
If you’re retired, you probably know of people who can afford to live in luxury, senior living facilities. Those posh places with gourmet food, swimming pools, fitness centers and the like. Sometimes you’ve envied their life style– the congregate meals and activities they enjoy, while you’re stuck in your own home. Still worrying about trash removal, lawn care, shopping, cooking, and cleaning. That’s all changed now. Those folks are stuck in their apartments with meals being delivered to them on trays. In your own place, taking care of the yard and cleaning your house provides much needed exercise. You’re able to go outside and take a walk.–to come and go as you please.
If you’ve ever worked in a middle income job you may have wished you were a doctor or nurse. Those people not only enjoy high salaries, they seldom lose their jobs. That’s still the case, but the trouble is, many of them are getting sick and dying during the coronavirus outbreak. Health care workers are risking their lives every single day that they go to work. They really aren’t very lucky, right now.
Do you live in flyover country? Big city dwellers on both coasts have looked down on you forever. Who would want to live in a dull place like Nebraska or South Dakota? You may have envied people who have glamorous jobs and enjoy the excitement of big cities. Trouble is, they’re all crammed together in a very small space. It’s called population density, and if you live in a western state or a dull little town, you’re chances of getting sick with Covid-19 are much, much less. Because you aren’t living on top of each other and breathing in infected air every time you step out your door.