Telling my parents to quarantine
I never thought I’d see the day where I was the one telling my parents what to do. Surely, I tried during my adolescent years but in hindsight that was a joke. I had zero chance of authoritative influence. Now that I live in a time of social distancing and public health pandemics, I’m finally stepping in the role of tell my parents what to do. The worst part about it, is that I’m very serious.
You see, I live in Mountain Standard Time Zone. Two time-zones and ultimately two days ahead of what was unfolding on the East Coast. I could see the writing on the wall and although my parents said they understood what was happening, they were still making plans to drive to visit my sister. Rationally I unraveled. All emotion poured out of me like a fiery furnace. I yelled like I was scolding a dog for excreting in the house after they were trained. For one, I don’t treat my dog that way. For two, I did become a puddle of limbic liquid with my parents. There was no room for letting them figure it organically, with the possibility of natural consequences. During COVID-19, natural consequences mean death. I’m not interested in my parents dying because I didn’t react in the moment and express my greatest fears.
They hung their head and tucked their tails and told me they understood where I was coming from. Although they empathized, it didn’t stop them from believing I was overreacting. Right now, I’d rather overreact and scare my folks than start planning their funerals. [If you’re reading this mom & dad: I’m sorry but this is super morbid, but it’s very true!]. Ironically, less than 24 hours the reality (and severity) of the situation grounded all further plans for my parents. When I spoke with them the next day, they admitted to not taking the advisory seriously but that they were hunkered down from here on out.
Good!
This is a very stressful time. Now just from contagion of the virus itself, but the panic that ensues. I told my parents to quarantine and they didn’t take me seriously. Less than 24 hours later they were social distancing. Never in my life did I think I’d be telling my parents what to do. In hindsight, I’m glad I overreacted the way I did. It could be the difference between life and death.
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