March 11, 2021 marks the official 1 year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the last 365 days, our lives have been different. In some ways, drastically different, and in others, differences you might consider minor. Yet, I am certain that this last year will be a life event that will stand as one of the historic turning points in history that I have lived through. This will join September 11, 2001 as life defining historic events.
By mid-January last year I had heard of COVID-19 and was reading articles about this virus in China. By February, it was clear that it was coming to the United States. By March 8, the virus was the lead topic of every conversation. However, it was March 11 that changed everything. The World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Then Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, the Jazz game was cancelled first, then in the blink of an eye, the entire NBA was suspended indefinitely. That was the day that it became real for everyone. Real in the sense, that this was going to impact our lives, it was going to change our lives. On March 12 and 13th, the rest of the sports world including the NCAA tournament came tumbling down. In a minute, everything was cancelled. Grocery stores were overwelmed with demand for food and reduced hours. Restaurants were closed, and events were cancelled.
Friday March 13 was the last day I went out to a client for work. We were told that on Monday we would be working from the office, socially distanced. Schools were closed starting on Monday March 16. I was working in the office that day, although, no one was really working, we were all discussing what was happening. Then we found out that we were to start working from home. March 16, 2020 was the last time I worked from the office. It has now been an entire year working from home.
The amount of uncertainty during those first few weeks of the pandemic is hard to describe. There have been so many things we haven't done. Yet we have been blessed, and we are fortunate. A vaccine has been developed, cases are finally (ever so slowly) declining and there is hope on the horizon. Our family has been cared for during this time and we have been together and happy and healthy.
Yet, there are so many images that will remain with me forever. Most of all, those trips in March and April to the grocery store with the look of uncertainty in the eyes of everyone. Then seeing everyone in masks everywhere we went since then. Even now, it is hard to believe this is the world we live in. Hard to believe how everything can change in one instant.
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