Reckless abandon with a touch of caution
I’m done. I refuse to let COVID-19 smother my reckless abandon.
I say that, but in reality, any reckless abandon I had dissipated many years ago. As a senior, I’m in a so-called mature stage of life. I think before I leap, I ponder before I act and, well, you get the drift.
As the pandemic stretches from one stage to another, with little reprieve in sight, I have decided to err on the side of caution, balanced by a degree of devil may care.
Let’s face it. I’m not getting any younger. I could wait until the all-clear from medical professionals, but in reality, this socalled all-clear may never come. In a recent article in the New York Times, Dr. Robert Wachter, chair of the department of medicine of the University of California, said he may wear a mask in supermarkets and on airplanes for the rest of his life. Have you ever heard of anything so depressing?
However, as he pondered on when most of life’s rhythms should start returning to normal, he said the answer is: NOW.
His perspective is based on the fact that COVID-19 is unlikely to go away, ever. But with vaccines, along with newly developed treatments, it will turn into a manageable virus like the seasonal flu.
Dr. Wachter, who is 64, has decided to resume more of his old activities and accept the additional risk that comes with them, just as we accept the risk of crashes when we ride in vehicles. He has begun eating in indoor restaurants and socializing unmasked indoors with vaccinated friends.
Dr. Wachter wrote: “I’m still going to be thoughtful and careful, but if I’m not going to do it now, I’m probably saying that I’m not doing to do it for the next couple years, and I might be saying I’m not doing it forever.”
On that note, my friend and I are planning a trip to an allinclusive resort in Mexico. “What?” you ask. I know, we’ve only recently begun dining indoors at restaurants. How can we take a leap from eating at local restaurants to holidaying in another country?
For me, the answer is simple: The clock is ticking. I have a big birthday next March. I’m getting old. I’m lucky to be healthy now, able to venture out into the big wide world, or at least to part of it.
I consider an all-inclusive resort a compromise when it comes to travel. I’d love to return to Europe and explore the towns and cities I have yet to visit.
I wish I could travel to Japan and India and so many other countries on my bucket list. But with the resurgence of COVID-19 in so many places, and the uncertainly of what lies ahead, sadly, I will wait.
A trip to an all-inclusive resort is an escape, but a reasonably safe escape, because most activities are outdoors. I’m thrilled at the prospect of what promises to be a week of self-indulgence.
The most difficult decision during the seven days of heaven will be whether to sunbathe on a long stretch of white sand beach or lounge around a magnificent never-ending pool. I will read book after book as I soak in the sun, thankful to leave the Canadian winter behind. I will eat too much, drink a bit more than usual, and generally escape from reality.
Of course, reality is hard to avoid. It hovers over us like a wet blanket. I will buy cancellation insurance in case the pandemic worsens and it’s not advisable to travel.
But I won’t think about that now. Just the idea of planning this trip is giving me hope for better days. How wonderful to be excited for the future! It’s been so long since I’ve felt this way.