Tossing his jacket onto the table, he sat down and sighed. He couldn’t believe it. Another pandemic. I’m 109, how many more events do I need to go through?
He was seven when the 1918 pandemic hit. Mask on. His mother’s constant reminder still played on repeat in his head, now more than usual.
A few days ago, the state issued a statewide lockdown. Essential travel only.
This morning, he snuck out of his apartment building, walking the same route as he had every day for 50 years to this normally-bustling-but-now-deserted boardwalk, looking over at the eerily quiet amusement park. He sighed again.
(100 Words)
Strange how little memory there is of, and lessons from, the 1918/19 pandemic
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Absolutely, it is strange and I can imagine the 2020 pandemic might be the same when it ends. I didn’t even know everyone had to wear masks back then until I saw it in an old newspaper a few weeks ago.
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At least his middle years were free of strife. Apart from a world war…
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I would think he would had joined one of those wars.
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Seems we have to go through cycles again and again without anyone really taking on the lessons, doesn’t it?
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But then each cycle is different which is difficult. From all that I’ve learned in the last few months, the 1918 pandemic kinda just ended, disappeared all by itself. I think a few of us was hoping the same thing would happen with this pandemic but it just goes on and on.
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If he can live through all that then at least we can only try to make things better.
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Haaha and this person had to live through 2 world wars as well. Thanks for sharing!
Feel free to read some of my blogs 🙂
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And let’s not forget the Great Depression. So much hard times. But on the other hand, he did go through the roarin’ 20’s which, from what I’ve heard, was a great period to be alive.
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The old man’s routine is worth risking his life for, at least in his mind. He’s survived one pandemic and probably figures he can survive this one too… Good luck to him!
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His routine might also be the reason for his longevity but yes, he probably think he’ll survive this pandemic too.
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One would think that more people would learn from history. Then you get holocaust deniers (many of whom are, not so coincidentally, denying that there’s a pandemic or that they ought to have any responsibility in fighting it to save others) ….
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Sadly and shamefully, I was one of those people at the beginning. I was and still am someone who needs prove in order to believe something is truly happening. I think it was when two of co-workers caught the virus, that’s when I finally said, “there’s a pandemic going on.”
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