Pandemic Nightmare

In Downtown Flushing, Corona, Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights Queens, NYC, the epicenter of the Corona Virus Pandemic in the United States. Flushing is one of the most ethnically diverse and densely populated urban centers in the United States. Realized how vulnerable we are. To think living in one of the most civilized cities in the world could be devastating. Such an event has altered our way of life, health, and economy of the most prosperous nation on earth, but that was two months ago.

Last night April 8, 2020, looking out a window for the first time, saw everything was silent, dark, and desolate. The street lights and store lights were out. The storefronts boarded up with plywood and Main Street; Flushing is dead to traffic.

The supply chain has broken. No trucks are delivering food, or any other supplies we are cut off from the rest of the world. On the corner of Main Street and Booth Memorial Avenue in New York City is Queens Presbyterian Hospital. Every ten minutes, ambulances are wailing up Main Street. So unsettling, depressing, and sad. In a parking lot next to the Presbyterian Hospital, the former site of a gas station, are huge white refrigerated trucks storing dead bodies? Two months ago, we had the best economy in the world. Now all the stores, banks, churches, drugstores, department stores, dentist offices, and doctor’s offices on Main Street are closed.

 Better shop as the cupboards at home was empty. The stores in Downtown Flushing are boarded up and closed and wondered why? One supermarket was open although the shelves are almost bare, only some condiments. Startled that New York City is suffering from the effects of a broken supply chain, and demand shock is controlling the psychic of the people who are in quarantine.

While typing this, hear the ambulances wail up Main Street. God, hope they make it. Reflecting: December 2019 and January 2020, was in France celebrating Christmas and New Year. January 2, 2020, in Belleau Wood, American National Cemetery in France. Now, in an alternate reality between death and anxiety waiting for, do not know? As a former world traveler, fortunate enough to have traveled everywhere in the world. As a world traveler, always looking for a convenient way to carry, store, and eat food. Perhaps might be in the mountains, a jungle, a desert tomorrow never knew.

Who knew that in 2015, making a purchase would save a life! Purchased a trunkful of meals ready to eat; 144 mixed ready meals that were good for 25 years. Forgot about it placed this survival kits under the kitchen table. In time, the trunk was covered and obscured by pots, bottles, and other things. It was out of sight and forgotten—stash.  This treasure Hidden until April 9, 2020. Went to the supermarket, the only one in the neighborhood, opened there was a run on food, no soap, no toilet paper, no meat, eggs, butter, milk, bread, nothing. The shelves were empty.

Here one of the greatest cities in the world, and what does one do? Came home anxious, nervous, and scared. Started to clean the house to deal with anxiety. Under the table, discovered the stored away stash, MRE’s, meals ready to eat. Wow, have food for four months.

 Look at all the historical paraphernalia acquired over the years. Surprise, discovered seven roles of Bin Laden WIPE OUT toilet paper with his picture on every sheet. Purchased this toilet paper about two months after 9/11 and put it in the back of the bookcase shelf. Wow! Now have toilet paper, too. Was feeling very happy, and so now have food and toilet paper but no soap!

Behind a washing machine and a drier was a pail. Filled with little bars of soap from all over the world, collected on travels, now have food, toilet paper, soap. Stocked up is helping to cope with this Pandemic. Every day I walk through the Saint Mary Cemetery to exercise and stay calm. There, one can find solace, peace, and serenity in a garden setting. Today there were six senior citizens, walking the cemetery trails, six feet apart, singing, “We Shall Overcome.” The birds were singing, the flowers in full bloom, the air fresh and clean. We wondered what is next?

by Vincent J. Tomeo