As we enter December, the final month of what has been a year to remember, I can’t help but think we are all expecting January 1, 2021 to turn the page making all things wonderful and rosy again. I’m an optimist, a glass half full kind of person but a gnawing in my gut says, ” Not so fast”.

Up until about 2 weeks ago, I believed that the year 2020 would leave me unscathed. I was careful, wore a mask, limited my time in stores and cancelled trips long and short that I thought might bring me some relief from the monotony. I was however, feeling I was safe from the wrath the year dished out with fury since the year was soon coming to a close.

How wrong I was. I ended up in the hospital with a kidney infection and had to stay there for several days while my cultures grew. Sitting there reading books and watching bad television; there’s no Netfilx in the hospital, I had a lot to reflect on.

For those of you who think a mask isn’t necessary, please think again. While in the hospital a mask is required 24 / 7. Yes, even while I was sleeping, or trying to on that uncomfortable bed. No exceptions. If it slipped down, every nurse and doctor asked me to pull it up before they entered the room. Think about that for a moment when you want to resist the mask for any reason. We all hate it. You are not special.

If you think getting a COVID test every couple of days is going to save you, think again. Since I came into the hospital with a fever, the test was required. That swab up the nose is the most painful thing. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank goodness it was negative but I have no burning desire to do that again anytime soon.

If you think COVID is the only disease you can catch in 2020, you’re wrong. But the presence of COVID in our world will affect how all other things are treated. Take care of your body and your mind. Don’t be afraid to call the doctor or the dentist or a good friend for support. The simplest thing you can do for yourself and those around you is wear a mask and wash your hands. Those two simple acts will help protect you from a multitude of things we hope and pray will miraculously disappear in 2021.