For those of you who are not fluent in French (and neither am I), that phrase translates to “The wind is rising, we must try to live!”

Having just finished my work day at home, that line has been resonating with me all day.

From the weekend, I read an email from my second level leader.  His direct order to the team was for all of us to work from home, since none of our jobs are critical to operations.  For those who have site jobs that require being on the floor, I am sure that careful guidelines are put in place to keep every employee safe during COVID-19.

With the order to work from home, my period of “house arrest” has officially begun.  To keep the outbreak from happening, social distancing needs to be be implemented.  Now this doesn’t mean that you don’t leave your house, but only if you need something.  And I mean, REALLY need something.  Food or something else of great importance.  Take your hand sanitzer with you and make sure that you are completely clean.

Le vent se leve, il faut tenter de vivre!  The wind has indeed risen, and it brought with it COVID-19, one of the biggest pandemics to hit this planet.  Also the most over-hyped story ever.  Now don’t get me wrong.  This is a very dire matter.  But the media does have a habit of making a mountain out of a molehill.  The world doesn’t need more fear but more relief.  Relief from the quarantines that we hear about in the news.  Relief from all the mandates and safety precautions that are set in place to prevent any outbreaks.

I am trying to figure out what would be the virtual equivalent of shaking a hand.  This would be the safest way to still establish rapport with those around you.  Wave your hand or bow.  Use facetime (or some android equivalent) instead of meeting face to face.  The world is changing around us and we must all try to live through the season that will test what is in every one of us.

As you’re eating your canned ration of soup today, know that this is a test.  There will be a vaccine eventually.  And if you’re still well after two weeks, consider yourself lucky.  You just dodged the coronavirus.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone going through this.  There is a lot of disruption in the events that we hoped to attend.  Over time, I am hoping that things will return to a state of normalcy.  If this virus behaves like the flu, it will hopefully greatly diminish as the weather gets warmer.

The wind has risen.  So I say to everyone.  Try to live.

And for some reading material, I do recommend reading Paul Valéry’s “Le Cimetière marin” (“The Graveyard by the Sea”), which can be found here.  It’s a very beautiful poem, and you will find that notable line at the end.

Today’s high is going to be 47 degrees and the silver lining is having a safe work day at home.

To those of you who are remaining safe at home, I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

 

Muse:  Yes.  We must try to live!  I think that I’ll reread that poem again…