Josh Wood
Current city, state, country: Santa Barbara, CA, USA
My profession: Beer Salesman
Describe your daily routine before the pandemic and during: Before the great interruption of 2020 my days were quite varied. Sometimes I would be traveling - waking up in a hotel, then off to meet owners and managers of bars, restaurants, beer shops. Seminars and events. Spurts of being very busy punctuated by days in my home office (aka my couch/table/bed).
Now, it is all home office time. I tend to wake up, start checking emails in bed, and then about an hour later realize I need to stretch, use the bathroom, etc. Move to a different room. Pet and talk to the cat, who has become a very crucial roommate in these times. Get engrossed back in work, then realize I haven't eaten all day and have a late lunch. A little reading, 'gramming, then a neighborhood walk on some work calls. Every day after work I get out for a run, hike or walk. Take in some nature, its been my therapy. A home cooked meal, tv/board games, and bed.
This pandemic makes me feel like: Grateful for the smaller things. Anxious for the state of others. Upset that we can't do more to curb the desires of power and greed that hurt our health, our citizens, our communities, our planet.
This pandemic makes me think: We are much more fragile than we assume we our. Our minds, our bodies, our economy, our planet.
This pandemic makes me hope/pray for: A massive progressive political swing that works to provide education, housing, healthcare, employment and meaning for the good folks of the ole' US of A.
If I had Three Wishes: The ability to give all those I care about a hug. For the world to take global warming as and more seriously as it is taking COVID-19. And to be able to buy fish and plants for my fish tank I was setting up - it would be a beautiful distraction right now!
What I think of the government’s response: Varied. Federal response has been (literally) lethal, and criminal. Those at the top have blood on their hands for prioritizing the stock market over peoples lives, and have managed to guarantee the death and maiming of many, along with extended economic impacts. There have been state and local leaders that have stepped into the void and made hard decisions. Governors Cuomo and Newsom will go down in the history books for doing the right thing. Sadly, many will not.
Recommendations for TV shows, movies, books or podcasts: FINALLY started watching The Sopranos. Way ahead of its time. I'm tackling my years-long stack of books - 3 in 3 weeks! No excuses not to read. My favorite podcast is WTF with Marc Maron. Fantastic long form interviews that show vulnerabilities and the humanity in all of us.
Before this pandemic, my plans for the next 6 months were: Travel, see music, drink beer, catch up with old friends, make new ones, drink beer.
Predictions for when this will get better/end: 2022 lets goooo! This is going to have waves of shutdowns that will affect most of 2020 and I think a decent amount of 2021.
What I have in my fridge/freezer and pantry: Beer! Its a salve in these trying times. Frozen dumplings. Fresh vegetables. Citrus. Teriyaki seaweed snacks. Semi-sweet chocolate chips. Chips and Salsa. Hummus. CHEESE!
Ways I’m coping: Runs. All the videochats. Naming my emotions. Feeling grateful for all I have vs the small things we have lost.
General advice/thoughts/anxieties to share with others: I think the feeling we are all experiencing is grief. The stages are Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance - and they come in waves. Grief of a loss of freedom, of a previous way of life. Don't deny 'em.
Also - 6 feet is bigger than you think it is! Come on y'all!