Overcoming COVID blues.

By Darien Davies

We thought we were in the clear, but 2020 is staying true to its colors and pulling another fast one. Yes, we may have gone a little HAM after South Florida’s Phase One restrictions were loosened, and yes, we may have been a little too happy to temporarily throw our mask to the wind, but it’s now time to get back to getting serious.

We don’t have to fully immerse ourselves in our quarantine rituals (but raise your hand if you miss your daytime jammies so much you could cry). However, it is important to make the effort to collectively kick corona to the curb. So, all together now…

I shall fully embrace Zoom socials again.

Pouring your own drink and managing the best angle to hide your second chin is highly overrated, that we can all agree. But for right now, it’s the best way to not only minimize your risk of catching COVID-19, but also minimize the chance that you’ll asymptomatically spread the virus. To be perfectly honest, it’s too damn hot out to bump uglies in a crowded bar. Use this as an opportunity to practice being solo so you can party like it’s 1999 when we’re fully in the clear.

I shall make my mask my best friend.

It might be easy to forget, or easy to “forget,” but just don’t. Make it part of your routine, part of your leaving-the-house routine, part of your outfit (you know by now you have color coordinating masks anyway, don’t lie). It’s pretty clear now because we are all instructed to wear a mask in public. If you’re still confused by that regulation, just know that you absolutely must wear a mask anytime you’re out of the house. Simple as that!

I shall practice social distancing.

Freedom feels good, doesn’t it? Let’s keep it that way. Aside from masks, there are no current restrictions for exercising, going to work, essential jobs or dining out. In an effort to help things only get better from here, let’s make sure we’re keeping a six-foot distance between anyone not living with you at home. It doesn’t mean you’re anti-social, it means that you’re responsibly social, which is the new sexy.

I shall think positively.

It’s easy to get stuck in a ‘rona rut, considering it’s now month 478 of living through it, but there is definitely a light at the end of this winding tunnel. You need to say calm and positive now more than ever. There are plenty of reasons to freak out Jerry Maguire-style, but it’s not going to do you any good. Start beating the blues by handling what you can manage. Which brings us to…

I shall create a healthy routine.

Just like it was important to put on a work top (screw you, pants) for your work Zoom meetings, it’s important to make sure you’re not fully delving into the life of a college kid on summer break. That’s not to say that you have to throw out your ice cream breakfast ritual or avoid drinking at noon, but all in good measure. Stay responsibly connected with your friends and family, manage a healthy work-life balance, and make sure to get outside and enjoy that big Vitamin D.

So yeah, it seems like we’re stuck in a limbo phase. But with a little more determination and gumption for pro-safety measures, this will hopefully be the last phase before we can all breathe a safe sigh of relief. There are still six months left of 2020, so we can finish strong and show this year that it doesn’t own us with its wacky wizardry. So be safe, be careful, and be COVID’s worst nightmare.