The other day, one of the physicians I work with said that the peak for the COVID-19 outbreak would be about 18 weeks from now, considering everything we’re doing to try to slow the spread and keep the hospitals functional. My first thought was “working from home for 18 weeks” and “how far out is 18 weeks?” End of July btw.

I had to step back and look at it another way. Gratitude. I have a home I’m comfortable in. I have a job that allows me to work from home. I have a job where I can be productive at home. I have a refrigerator full of food. I have a husband I kind of like who gives me both distance and company. I have four adorable fur-kids who make me only a little crazy with clicking nails and rough-housing. I have a library in my home and still have a pile of books I haven’t read yet. I have a good internet connection. I have Netflix AND the Criterion Channel so I can go low-brow or high-brow depending on my mood. I have writing projects to do.

My bills are paid. My and my family’s bellies are full. I am grateful.

Note the me, me, me, I, I, I? Yeah, need to step back again.

I work with 25 residents/fellow who are trying to learn medicine and how to help people make it through health crises that aren’t even pandemics. They are in the hospital, in the thick of it. A few have had to be tested for the virus after developing a sore throat. If anything happens to any of them or to any of the physicians I work with every day, it will be devastating, not just for me, but for the future of humanity. They are our future, and they are out there with minimal protective gear. We’re doing our best to get them the gear they need. But they’re out there anyway. I’m grateful for every one of them. They are my priority right now. I’m not going to fuss about bills and food and the lack of social interaction. I’ll fuss about them. Not just for 18 weeks, but for as long as it takes.