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Please Really Think About It Before Getting Together This Mothers' Day

Okay, friends. No poetry or pretty words today.

Most likely, if you're reading this, you're someone I love. And if you're someone I don't yet know, I bet I'd love you if I met you. Most people are, I find, extremely lovable.

And I'm worried about you.

Sunday is Mothers' Day. And many of us love getting together on Mothers' Day. I know I sure do. My mom is 89 years old, have I told you that? Sharp, independent, and very funny. She moved about 10 minutes away from me four years ago, and we've gotten together every Mothers' Day either for a crawfish boil or brisket from Franklin's.

But this year: nope. I've got something special planned for her, but it doesn't involve either of us being in each other's house, and we certainly aren't going out to a restaurant. And she doesn't just support this, she's the one driving this bus, so to speak. She grew up hearing her grandmother talk about the Spanish flu epidemic when she (mom's grandmother) was so sick, she didn't know that her own mother had died of it.

I'm not saying our choices should be yours. Truth is, this is probably going to be our reality for a while, and every family is going to have to really think hard, and make some difficult choices. Time with each other is important, especially with loved ones for whom the days are dwindling down to a precious few.

And there are so many factors that are a part of this, like if both parties are already at virtually 0% contact with the outside world. There's no one simple answer that will work for everyone.

But that doesn't mean we should just throw up our hands and say, "in for a penny, in for a pound." A pound of SARS-CoV2 viral particles, yikes! If I have to be exposed, just a penny, please.

So, I encourage you to take the time and read this:

The Risks - Know Them - Avoid Them


It's written in a way that non-scientists like me can understand, but with the vital contentions sourced.

In thinking about Mothers' Day, here's what jumped out at me: she outlined the "super-spreading" events, and one of the three is "weddings, funerals, birthdays." And after that, she explains with a diagram how spreading happens in restaurants.

Make your choices informed by facts, considered soberly, and limiting the risk factors. Smaller groups are better than larger. Outside is better than inside. Shorter visits are better than long. 6 ft apart. Masks. Wash hands.

Love well.





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