Building Roots in the Time of Quarantine

I would be amiss to not share some thoughts around the COVID-19 global pandemic. I, like many, many others are watching this pandemic grow quickly, causing waves of reactions around the globe and locally. Seattle is considered “ground zero” for the virus in the United States, with reported cases reaching over 700 this week. This is a particularly strange time for everyone globally, adding a particular nuance to my life in and my relocation to the Emerald City.

First off, I want to be clear about how much I love the city of Seattle, the support that everyone has had for the community and safety of the city, region and the attempt to curb the spread and the panic around coronavirus. When the first reports of deaths and increased fear of outbreak began just as we moved into our new apartment. Without being alarmed, Nate and I continued with our lives, but avoided tourist attractions. We were in our nesting phase so we had plenty of distraction. Within a week, thing began to get more serious and I started paying closer attention to the recommended guidelines for social activity. I work from home, and soon Nate was also required to work from home until further notice. We had a friend fly in from Chicago, we enjoyed some local breweries and we ventured out on a local hike. We carried on, but we washed our hands.

Before the announcement to close all bars and restaurants this past weekend, we made the conscious decision to a stricter level of self-quarantine, avoiding group activities and spending our social time with each other and the dogs, rather than trying to make new friends.

With the warming of the weather and increased sunny hours, we have tried to take advantage of being outdoors as much as possible. This weekend we are traveling out to “the Peninsula” (I thought it was an island but its not") to the Port Townsend area to hike, be out in nature, and disconnect from our digital devices. While they have been valuable in bridging social connection through the quarantine, I am looking forward to more fully tune out this weekend.

I have a lot of thoughts, feelings and fears around the unknown future of our lives during this outbreak. I am allowing myself time to process before I unpack my machinations in a social forum.

I am sharing my COVID-19 reading list. I’ll try to make updates as we continue through this uncertain time.

The Plague - Albert Camus

The Birth of Biopolitics:: Lectures at the College de France, 1978-1979 - Michel Foucault

State of Exception - Giorgio Agamben

Oryx & Crake - Margaret Atwood