ENTRE NOUS
DOOM, GLOOM, and ZOOM Lessons from the Shadows of COVID-19 BY CLAUDE DUCLOUX
M
ythology explains that the common English directive, “May you live in interesting times,” is actually a translation of a Chinese curse. We should, instead, be most happy with uninteresting times. Clearly true. And now you know why wine snobs relay this cryptic insult: “Hmm. This wine is…. ‘interesting.’” So, how was your last ten weeks? The question, of course, is rhetorical. It’s challenging at best for most of us to express the panoply of emotions that life under the pandemic has aroused. And I fully understand that everyone’s experience is unique, so generalities are useless. We know that those who had a family member suffer through this disease, or who themselves suffered massive financial loss, may continue to suffer grief and despair long after those of us more fortunate reach for the optimism of recovery. As I write this in late April, we are six weeks into our shelter-in-place/social distancing orders, and it looks like most of us understand that safety and liberty are not incompatible. Truly, safety is a “condition precedent” to future liberty, rather than an impediment. Unless of course, you are watching those numbskulls who want you to be the first on your block to “save the economy.” And I agree that having the wherewithal to actually stay at home is a wonderful privilege. Many cannot and they are, all too often, the heroes of this journey. As with most challenging situations, we learn unforgettable lessons, we make mistakes, we appreciate, we despair, we worry, and we find ways to stay mentally healthy. And if we’re 22
AUSTINLAWYER | JUNE 2020
lucky—we’re resilient. We handle it, and, if given the opportunity, we lead, we assist, and we grow. Our final opportunity to improve the world comes if we can pass the best lessons on to those who come after us in a way which makes sense, resonates, and if possible, entertains. So, here is my attempt to do just that. I love what I’ve done with the place! Most of us re-discovered we have wonderfully equipped, cozy, and secure places to live. Being home more often allows us to look around and say, “I’m a pretty lucky person.” Look out the window. Look at your neat stuff. Enjoy! I love my stuff (especially my piano). I have wonderful friends and neighbors. People will surprise
you in wonderful ways. One of our neighbors brought us a huge box of fresh vegetables. We are offering each other help and guidance to fix, resolve, or complete unfamiliar tasks. We go on walks—at safe distances, of course. We know we’ll tell these stories later, and it will make us smile. Fear also brings out the “mean and bossy” in others. Sadly, we meet the enemy everywhere. Often in line at HEB, when they confront you because you had two packages of cheese rather than one (true story). And they are strident in their jerkiness. While lambasting you in line for not having a COVID-19-compliant mask, they then spend ten minutes
writing a check. No, make that two checks (messed up the first), while we all suffer in line behind them. I call them the modern Pharisees: They’re better than you, and they want to make sure you know it. Take my wife—please! That, of course, is the most famous one-liner of the late Borscht-belt comedian Henny Youngman. But sheltering-in-place knows no gender. Wives and domestic partners have likewise discovered, to their chagrin, how unfortunate it is to spend too much time around their mates. My mother used to tease my father, “I married you for better or worse… but not for lunch.” Too much together-time may result in a boom for family lawyers.
