It has been six years, but it sometimes feels like only a few weeks ago.
The world stopped due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and everything came to a complete halt during the shutdown.
It began in March 2020, when the COVID-19 virus began spreading throughout the United States and the world.
You may not remember exactly where you were when you heard the news that COVID-19 would shut down much of normal life, but few of us can forget the weeks and months that followed that year.
March Madness came to a screeching halt before a bracket could even be filled out. That was a tough time for college basketball fans like my family.
The NCAA canceled its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments because of the spread of coronavirus, putting an abrupt end to the season less than a month before champions were to be crowned.
The high school state basketball tournaments were shut down too, crushing the dreams of many teenage hoopsters who wanted to try to win a state championship.
Kids were not allowed to go to school and eventually tried to get their education through remote learning on the internet and a computer at home.
I found a press release in my archives with instructions on what people were and were not allowed to do.
Things like going to the grocery stores, doctor or pharmacy were OK, but you had to wear a mask.
You could take a walk outside with your dog, especially in a rural setting, but you were told to avoid contact with other citizens.
The term “social distancing” became part of our vocabulary. We had to maintain a 6-foot distance from others during any interaction.
Gathering in groups was not allowed by the government announcement.
Only “essential” workers were allowed to go out to work – like medical professionals, law enforcement officers and firefighters.
We were not allowed to attend church and worship with our family, friends and fellow church members.
People were not allowed to visit loved ones in hospitals or nursing homes.
We were not supposed to visit friends and basically had to stay home.
Drive-thru COVID testing, where you stayed in your car and got a swab up your nose, became commonplace.
Many people started working from home. That practice has carried over, and many have found they can do much of their work from home. So I believe many businesses downsized, thinking, “Why rent out office space when these employees can do their work at a home office environment?”
Zoom meetings and computer visits became the thing. That is how many families tried to stay connected. They have found they can still do this if distance is an issue between loved ones.
Others learned to order groceries online and had many items delivered to their doors. This is something that many may continue to do today.
Pandemic life was not the same for all families; obviously, it was a difficult time. The quarantine was likely not a fun experience for any family, but we were ordered to do so for the protection of others’ health.
It was a stressful time for everyone.
Thousands of people did get sick and some passed away because of the horrible virus.
No, it is not a fond memory. However, we can hope and pray that this type of situation never happens again.
The steps we took six years ago can help prepare us well for whatever lies ahead.
Until next time.
(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)