It’s 11:41 pm. I’m at my desk researching open access considerations for one of my grad school classes. It also happens to be March 21st. The first official day of Illinois’ “Shelter in Place” mandate in response to Covid-19.
I hear the rustling of leaves from my office window and I wonder which neighborhood critter is strolling by.
I also hear a plane flying overhead in the distance. The volume of its engines indicate a larger plane. It could have been arriving or departing. And the different types and styles of Boeing this and Boeing that are certainly not my forte to differentiate so I couldn’t tell you what type of aircraft it might be.
But what popped into my brain at that moment was a question I never thought I would ask myself. “How many people are not on that plane right now?” Considering the crisis our state, nation, and world are facing right at this moment, why or how could anybody travel in the midst of such chaos.
Five days ago, The New York Times asked “Should You Cancel Your Vacation?” and just 11 hours ago posted “Can I Travel by Car?” They like to respond to their own questions with, well, even more questions.
Essential and non-essential are the operative words these days. From essential employees to non-essential travel, I wonder if there are any physicians on that plane en route to a hospital in need of more doctors. What else would constitute essential travel, right?
As telecommuting becomes universal, there may be sons and daughters headed back home to be with their families. Riding out this storm as a family unit opposed to being in solitude. At least that’s why I would be on that plane right now if it were me.
I’m also reminded of vacations, special events, conferences, weddings, and visits that all had to be canceled in recent weeks or days. Those people are not on that plane. As well as those of us who made plans and had to cancel them in hopes of rescheduling for a later date. Some estimates say June. Some say two years.
These days, the quiet of the night can be felt at rush-hour in the morning and lunchtime in the afternoon. Less drivers. For now, I’ll get back to my studies and day dreams in the familiar quiet of the night.
But these dark days bring a different variety of day-dreams, and questions, than just a couple weeks past.
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