Dear President-Elect Biden

 

Dr. President-Elect Biden,

 Congratulations on winning the election. I look forward to having someone sane running the country.

 I have never written to a President before. I waited until I had something I felt was important enough to say.

 When the pandemic hit, I had no idea what was coming. I was woefully naïve about how long it would continue to effect our daily lives. But I was encouraged by one single thought: That the President could absolutely no longer continue to say things like, “America First” and focus only on what’s “best” for the USA, because we were now in a GLOBAL situation. We would all be in this TOGETHER. It was a spiritual opportunity. And if we wanted to find solutions, we were going to have to work together as members of a global alliance. I stupidly pictured leaders across the world discussing what worked for their country, and others following suit. Sharing research, ideas, supplies and hope. That’s something I constantly wonder why we don’t do more of in general. What country has the best education system, the best health care, the least cancer, the happiest people, etc? But of course, I was terribly, depressingly, completely wrong. Once Corona hit the US, it was no longer an international story in the news. It became our story alone. I was again completely disheartened by our “leadership” and their total lack of foresight, compassion, understanding, and in fact, their humanity. I sincerely hope we will not continue to make the same mistake and miss the chance to unite with countries around the world and work together to bring this pandemic to an end. And I hope the media follows suit. I want to be as aware of what’s happening around the world as they are aware of our embarrassing daily news cycle.

 Those are the burning hopes I have for our country.

Since you’ve read this far, I would also like to say that I would have no problem understanding if you moved the inauguration to somewhere small and safe. Just televise it. We really don’t need to put everyone at risk.

Lastly, although I understand the importance of having senator’s and representative’s votes be known by their constituents, I also find there would be great benefit to have certain votes be completely anonymous. I believe in my heart of hearts that if there were anonymous votes on issues such as impeaching the President, you’d have a lot more votes agreeing with the democrats. Because Trump couldn’t threaten people if he didn’t know how they voted. I understand the legislative process in this country is based on transparency, but sometimes you need to make decisions behind closed doors to get things done.

 Please be safe. Please be healthy. And very best of luck in your new endeavor.

Sincerely, Tamar

April 3, 2020

April 3, 2020

Things change daily. And thinking about what I’ve written recently, I know things and feeling may change along with the world faster than I can process. But here’s today’s thoughts.

To set the scene: I’m in NYC. I’m in a 600 square foot, 1 bedroom apt with my boyfriend. He usually lives in Jackson Heights, Queens. But his apt is in the epicenter of the epicenter. So thank god we chose to stay at my place so he could work from home (totally new to him), and not be alone. If you’ve not seen my place. I don’t have a balcony, or backyard, or great view (I mostly see the building 40 ft away, but I look down onto my downstairs neighbor’s back garden/patio). What I do have, is 2 tvs, cable, good wifi, a home phone, great grocery stores nearby, and quiet.

I know everyone is worried about us being in NYC. We see it on the news just like everyone else. It looks like the pandemic is causing pandemonium. And it is, but only if you’re at a hospital. For the rest of us, it’s eerily quiet. You walk out on the street and there’s no cars, no horns, no people, no stores open. New York City is now the City That Only Sleeps. Except for 7pm each night, when we show our appreciation for everyone still working the front lines. People clap, cheer, bang pots and pans, and tonight there will be singing too at 7:30 of, “Lean on Me” out of people’s windows and balconies. From inside my apt, it feels like a prison break. I can hear others, but not see them. From outside on the street, it’s extraordinary seeing people that usually avoid looking at each other, being happy to see each other and waving, wishing each other well. We know what’s happening out there. But inside my tiny apt, I feel safe and totally calm.

Yesterday was my birthday. I had a very small zoom conference “party”. It was great! I didn’t have to just have my friends that are in the town I’m in. I had friends from all over the world and the country get to “meet” each other for the first time, after hearing about each other for years. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

Everyone is dealing with this in their own way. I know for the very active (socially and physically) this is extremely challenging. But my life hasn’t changed too much. My routine is the same: exercise, cook for fun, watch too much TV, sit at my computer the rest of the time and hope to get a little work done. I love catching up with friends in whatever way, and now I have the time to do it.

So. As of today, April 3, 2020. I’m healthy and doing fine. I have a good support system in place. My folks are still safe in their assisted living in NH. And we don’t FEEL the insanity that we know is just a few blocks away. Stay home. Stay safe. Wash your hands right now. Tell everyone you love to do the same, and tell them you love them. Because that can spread fast too.