Quarantine

I was in the advertising and marketing field from 1988 until 2018.  I wrote press releases and occasionally ad copy. So, when I have time to write a project, I try to choose words carefully.  This first post is about choosing words carefully. I hope it’s received in the spirit in which it’s intended. 

Quarantine.  I’d bet you’ve heard/are hearing this word a wee bit more than you would have liked to these days.  But I think it’s been overused.  Quarantine by definition means “a state, period, or place of isolation in which people or animals that have arrived from elsewhere or exposed to infectious or contagious disease are placed.” So, recently, we have learned about thousands of people – many of whom you know and love – were quarantined in one room, area or space, while they healed and to keep others in their household and the community at large safe.  Family members had to deliver food, medicine and other essential via clandestine measures. Trips to the restroom were also productions in order to maintain distance, safety and sterility. Many of us were safe to move freely about our own homes and to venture occasionally in a safe way to the grocery, pharmacy, parks or to pick up at restaurants, or the snowball stand. We were simply under stay at home directives from government. Sure, our movements were limited, and we were supposed to wear masks and practice social distancing. But we were not quarantined. I saw and heard comments about us being ‘prisoners in our own homes,’ and ‘locked down at home.’ Let’s reserved quarantined for those whom it’s medically necessary. Let’s reserve prisoners for those who are incarcerated. Let’s reserve locked down for those who are caught in SWAT roll or mass shooting tragedy.  Our home is supposed to be our castle, right? Our home is our sanctuary. Our home is where we create memories and dream up our hopes and desires for the future.  Let your imagination go back to pre-pandemic times for a moment. Remember when you would go out with friends or family. Maybe you stayed out really late and were going back to an empty house or had a long commute.  And when you made it home, you would call or text the people whom you were with that you were “home safely” or that you’d “made it home safely.” Maybe we should consider ourselves as being safe at home during these trying times.  The world can be a wonderful place, but sometimes we all need a respite when it’s not so wonderful. And that respite is home. Where we’re safe.

I’m Chi. And that’s what I said.