Spring Break 2020
Explore Venice ...
Speed Train from Venice to Modena and Bologna, and then down to Rome …
Explore Rome, perhaps take the boys to Gladiator School …
That’s what was on our itinerary for this week. A jam-packed schedule because I was determined to see the most of the beautiful country that is Italy this one trip . We took the advice of knowledgeable friends who shared that it’s impossible to see everything worth seeing just in 7 days so I planned the best I could fit in to make it enjoyable mostly for the boys. It was going to be an amazing time. For the first time since I’ve dreamt of us taking a family trip to Europe, I actually followed through and took advantage of all the resources at my disposal to book our adventure. So excited.
Our boys had no idea.
It was meant to be a surprise.
They still have no clue.
I’d finally booked our flight at the end of January, then in the following weeks, mapped out our itinerary. While the news about coronavirus was around , only China seemed affected at the time. The fact that it would change anything wasn’t even a thought.
Until news of impact to Italy started rearing it’s head in mid-February. By the last week of February, we knew we couldn’t go anywhere. Especially not with the kids. We started canceling our plans. And because I we preferred that all our money spent on 4-person international flights not sit as credit under restrictions on using it within a limited period of time, I kept a close eye on the news in Italy, CDC Alerts, and this Worldometers tracker a coworker shared with me. The rate at which this situation escalated in Italy is astounding!
After weeks of waiting, the government shut Italy down, which forced the airline to offer a full refund (our Eurail speed train tickets are a totally different situation I might save for another post.) Regardless, I’ve been unable to keep my eyes off the news there.
This is all still surreal.
How did we all get here?
What made us think this would only affect China and the rest of the world would be fine?
I was even naïve enough to think we could take a local road trip across state lines, an Airbnb while visiting outdoor sights - because there was no way we were getting on a flight to anywhere, right? Those plans were quickly foiled. We soon realized the wise thing to do for our safety and that of those who are vulnerable in our community is to just stay home. School canceled, church online, 100% remote work while we’re supposed to be on “vacation” - because what could we do and where could we go anyway? Nothing and nowhere. While I can’t deny feeling sad about what we could be doing if things were different, I’m thankful that we weren’t already in Italy, and got stranded or quarantined there.
I’m privileged to work in the healthcare industry where I can contribute in a small way to the response to this pandemic.
I’m thankful that I don’t have to worry about homeschooling our kids for at least one more week of their scheduled Spring Break.
I’m thankful for all those on the frontlines knowingly placing their health at risk by caring for those who need it, and the essential workers to make sure the community is taken care of.
My heart aches for those who have lost their source of income due to this crisis.
My heart aches for the lives that have been lost, those who are gravely ill whose families can’t be near to comfort them.
I know some folks are still out there thinking this has been blown out of proportion, and the precautions being taken are too severe. I’m no medical professional, but I know this is very real. Please reduce the risk of getting your self infected, or even worse affecting someone who’s immunocompromised/higher risk by staying off (what a good friend of mine calls) these coronavirus streets! If you don’t believe me, listen to this medical professional who hits the nail right on the head.