I feel overwhelmed with the hyper barrage of tragic news and foreboding possibilities. After so many days of lockdown, the limited panorama becomes a bit tedious. Listening to music and reading offer a respite from the current reality. There’s always the exchange with family and friends:

While it is comforting that healthcare providers who combine knowledge and compassionate care for humanity are part of the team combating this hideous disease, knowing that Dr. F is on the front fills me with trepidation. Will he succumb to the virus, will he succeed in battling it? The next days, weeks, months will tell. I can only hope, hope for the best, hope for my friend to be safe.

In contrast, the usually quiet canal waters are now frequently traversed by boats and yachts with restless Miamians looking for some entertainment away from their homes. No social distancing kept between those boat riders. On the contrary: they are happily exchanging undetected particles that might be carrying respiratory pathogens. No coughing or sneezing is required to disperse these micron-scale particles; breathing is enough. Folks generally don’t think of this when getting up close and personal with friends, relatives, and strangers: it’s part of the innate conviviality of westerners, amply exhibited by Italians and Spaniards, who are suffering the most significant fallout from Covid-19. A sharp behavioral contrast to that of some Asian nations, such as Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, known for a natural practice of social distancing.

Could inherent social distancing have contributed to the low vs. high curb in Covid-19 transmission? We will certainly know soon, but for now, maybe we should emulate the elegant coexistence of social distancing. Not just for oneself but others’ sake. While I sit here in the safety of my home, I can’t help but ponder that others are risking their lives to do what’s right.

Because they are at the core of the message, we are #inthistogether.