letter to my friends - during the coronavirus pandemic

Dear friends,

I write you this letter as the number of people infected with the Coronavirus soars in NYC. As you may know by now, New York is now the epicenter of this pandemic with 52,318 total cases and 728 deaths as of today, March 28, 2020. 

As my anxiety escalates, I will try to leave it aside for a moment so I can share with you some of my experience living during this historical and unprecedented time.

Some of you have called, sent messages asking how are we doing and showing concern about my family’s well being.

These are times when people are letting their masks fall and showing who they really are. I see white hair on my friend’s head, hidden before by meticulous hair treatments trying to hide their age. I see big stars going public in their T-shirts and unwashed hair offering classes, counseling and connecting with their audience like never before. Our leaders shake and fall as our invisible enemy arrests them and confines them to their homes. Little by little, we start to see each other as we truly are. No makeup, no fancy outfits. Just us in our slippers in our living rooms trying to make sense of all this.

I’m not going to smile and tell you: “I’m spending time with my family,” because for me, the days are spent speeding between washing the dishes 100 times a day and 100 new projects piling on my desk. As for now, I do not have time to read that book or patience to sit through a movie like most people. I just live one day at a time, trying to take care of my family as best I know how.

Being a doctor’s wife doesn’t make anything easier either. There is a constant fear that soon I will face the enemy, and I am not looking forward to that. 

Last week my husband learned all hand sanitizers, gloves and masks were stolen from his office and the hospital. Disaster can show us a different side of people. People can be selfish, mean and irresponsible. This is how our society is, raw and without makeup.

However, as you know by now, I am a fighter.  

Not long ago I had a discussion with my son Rafael. He was very distressed about the environment and that soon, we would all be underwater due to sea level rise. He was very pessimistic. My answer to him was: “Raf, we never know. Something may happen and things may change.” Well, here we are and it is time for a change, perhaps sooner than we thought.

Yes, we are scared but this is also an opportunity to improve.

And despite our physical distance, I feel more connected than ever before. It’s time to listen to people, empathize and understand how anxiety can affect one’s life. Everyone can help. Each one of us can contribute and help each other. 

Let’s share our love, create new ways to communicate, and help the people that are on the frontlines of this battle. Create new gadgets, donate masks, call your friends, continue to pay your housekeeper (if you can afford it) and tip the delivery people.

I am very thankful for many things in my life. Our friendship is one of them. Thank you for reaching out. 

I hope the bridge we are crossing right now will take us to a better place. A less polluted planet, where people will care about each other and feel a greater sense of community.  

We are in this together.