What’s going on?
There is no traffic on the 5 freeway
instead, there is traffic in front of Costco.
There is no more traffic on the streets
instead, traffic is in aisles 1 and 2, and 3…

Long lines of people pushing empty carts
waiting to stock and unnecessarily hoard,
waiting to get necessities only to end up with none.

There are hoards of people rushing for rolls,
any rolls
toilet rolls
paper towel rolls
bread rolls
even cinnamon rolls.

There are spring breakers
breaking the rules.
Joining large crowds and
having fun on the beaches.
Giving no thought about the elderly.
The elderly who have to communicate
through a window when being visited.

I get it, I’m losing my mind too.
I get it, you need fresh air,
you need to get out,
but please just do it properly.

A newborn baby is being introduced to the world
but being introduced to their grandparents through a window.
An elderly woman with Alzheimer’s, wanting to be with her husband
breaking down and not knowing what’s going on.
Just wanting to be with her husband,
only to be met by him sitting outside of her window.

So close yet so far away.

To my Aunt,
away from her kids
her dogs
wanting to be with family
but needing to tend to patients,
Thank you.

To my Best Friend,
still doing her clinical rotations
and exposing herself to ill patients
Thank you.

To all Students, Mothers or Fathers,
Aunts, Uncles, Cousins or Friends,
To all who risk their lives every day
to help the people who can’t help themselves
Thank you.

What’s going on?
At this point, I’m not sure anymore.