People are losing their jobs.
People are getting sick.
People are dying.
As I write this early on Thursday morning, COVID-19 cases stand at over 60,000 in America and almost 1000 Americans have died, with both numbers sure to go up.
Right now, most of the country is doing their best to completely change their behavior and stop movement. It is nearly impossible for a country whose essence is built around freedom of movement, trade and capitalism, to stop those things for a promised common good.
But I implore all of my fellow citizens to do just that.
Just because we will be confined to our homes, I don't think we all have to be resigned to feelings of being trapped, such as anger, sadness, or fear. I think it's natural for those feelings to come forward, but we need to be mentally strong and be able to take on those feelings with positive thoughts.
We can all take this time to make an opportunity for the future. Think about how we can operate in this new reality and make it better. Take the opportunity to use our minds to help better the world while it operates both now, while the virus is here, and later, when the virus has been dealt with.
Right now, as a lot of you know, I work at Penn State in a food lab, creating recipes and making measurements so that we can determine things like the effects of pistachios or spices make to your health.
When I'm working in the lab, I have access to scales, tools and space that allow for an incredible environment to create our experiments. Everything is easy to reach, wash and clean, and have access to copious space and ingredients
Now we have to try and recreate as best we can from home.
So instead of saying, "I can't do this from home, I don't have X or Y." We end up saying "How can we get this done"
For one, we brought some of the tools home, including our scales and a portable induction cooktop.
This cooktop allows me to make detailed instructions on the methodology for creating a dish. Rather than saying low heat for 10 minutes, I can say on 300 watts for 4 minutes, increase to 600 watts for six minutes or whatever heat works best for the dish.
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| Trying to nail down some pasta sauce. |
These are just some small things that I'm doing to adjust, but I think it's an example that all of us can think about how to operate in this new climate. How can we be innovative, how can we be resilient, how can we help others?
It may take time figuring everything out, and moving slow seems so foreign to the American way of life but right now, unless you are on the front lines as essential personnel, this is our new reality.
When you aren't trying to think of new ways to operate in this new world and helping others, I recommend simply doing what you enjoy and getting a little bit of exercise or stretching.
The world is going to be hard, and the reality may be worse tomorrow than it is today. If you enjoy television, reading, video games, scrolling through some social media, do those things and do not feel guilty about it.
Try to maintain some kind of physical activity. Doing planks or stretches on a routine basis will help with mood and general health, even if it's just for 15 minutes a day to get started. Going for a secluded walk or run is another great way to also get out of your confinement for a period of time to get some needed fresh air and movement.
We are an extremely adaptable species. Right now, we need to adapt to the reality around us as fast as possible, using our minds and ingenuity keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and prosperous.
