WOSU's Letters from Homecollects stories about our day-to-day lives during the era of COVID-19. This week, a few Ohioans shared what they wish they had known before the pandemic.
Jim Forry Jr.
I would not change much, just prepare better – like we have in the past. We never ran out of supplies, but came close to it with toilet paper. We would have worried less about our slow return home from Florida and taken longer than eight days traveling back. Thinking back, we would not have stayed away from our daughter and her family for three weeks when we got home.
While many think we do not care and are not taking things seriously, we do care and are taking things seriously. But we choose hope and life, not to live in fear.
I would have fought my brother to make sure our mother in a nursing home had internet and a telephone. As it is now, I have not been allowed to see and talk to her since I have been home. The last time I saw her was in December before I left for Florida. Most of my family, friends, and customers are trying to return to as close to normal living as we can.
With as many people as we are around and all that has been said – most of us should have been sick and those of us who are at higher risk health-wise should already be dead. We know the virus is real, but the threat of dying is lower, so we’ve taken some risks and all these months later are still fine. Even our friends and a few customers who have had the virus and actually gotten sick are still doing great. No lasting effects and all but one are in the 65+ age group.
Theodore Relic
I’d tell my past self to stock up on essentials, get another freezer before January 2020, and buy a Nintendo Switch.
Aaron Sturgill
I’d tell myself to just embrace the reality that a huge chunk of your countrymen don't care if you suffer and die. As a result, you will be dealing with this situation for years to come while the rest of the world steadily recovers. Cheers!
Tricia Blaskie Callihan
I would have moved my parents into my home from the long-term care facility. We haven't been able to touch them since the beginning of March.
This week, Letters From Home is continuing to ask the question: If you could travel back a year, what would you tell yourself about the pandemic?
Answer this question using the form below, and try to keep below 1,000 words. Your response may be edited for length and clarity.
