It's been a tough couple of weeks.
At the beginning of the shelter-in-place in the Bay Area, there were a few of us that were deemed "essential" and are still coming into work every day. Typically you'd think those going into work would be healthcare workers, law enforcement, etc. which makes absolute sense, but there are a handful of media personnel that are still coming in every day to keep you updated on the latest on the coronavirus. I am one of those people.
While here at the Breeze, we do our best to share as many positive stories as we can, including stories of encouragement and hope, and also the plethora of stories where individuals in the Bay Area and the nation are going above and beyond to help one another out, that does not erase the fact that making that 35 mile drive every day to the office 5 days a week wears on me as a media professional and, more importantly, as a human being. It's a scary time for all of us, whether you are at home sheltering-in-place or you're one of the essential few still physically going into work. There's still the risk of exposure from co-workers who are being as careful as I am when they are outside of the office (and inside as well), but there's always the "do I have it?" question.
All that to say, this is tough on ALL OF US. We are all struggling in our own way. It's hard on the parents that are now at home trying to do their full-time jobs who are now full-time teachers as well. It's tough on those of us that go to work everyday and are, in some ways, risking our health to be here. Every single one of us is struggling.
On my way into work this morning, as I was taking that 5th St. off-ramp in San Francisco, I looked to my right and saw this picture (below) of an office building that had made a heart formation with the lights. It's not fancy. There aren't multiple colors and nothing is flashing or coordinated to music as we would typically expect from a light show on a building in San Francisco. It was just a simple, yet so powerful and comforting message. It said to me "you are not alone" and "keep going." Most importantly, it made me smile.
I wanted to share it with you to say, no matter what your personal situation is, I know it's hard. I know some days are easier than others. But I want you to know that we are all in this together. I am thinking of each and every one of our listeners and my friends and my family and what each of you are going through. I think about it multiple times every single day. You are never alone.
Thank you to the landlord and to the owners of that San Francisco building. You made me smile today on my way to work. That couldn't have come at a better time.
Hugs to you all.
--Carolyn McArdle