What else could I write about this week when there’s only one topic on everyone’s minds? That, of course, is the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty it has injected into our lives. It’s fair to say I’m no spring chicken, and as such, I’ve lived through a number of frightening outbreaks, such as SARS, Swine Flu, and Ebola. The very first national health crisis I personally faced was the polio epidemic that terrorized our country in the 1950s. I can distinctly remember going to the Greensville County Volunteer Squad Rescue—holding my parents’ hands and scared to death—to receive my polio vaccine.

Even so, I must say that having faced a threat of this nature before does not make it any easier to endure the current crisis brought on by the COVID-19 coronavirus. Every day brings more reported cases, more deaths, and more uncertainty. The economic implications of the pandemic have left people and families across the nation in a lurch, with unemployment rising and the stock market falling. So far, I’ve been one of the lucky ones; I’m healthy, able to work, and my loved ones are safe. But not knowing if or when that will change is unsettling.

Frankly, these are strange and frightening times, and it’s difficult to move forward when we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. But while we are all naturally worried about what’s to come, it’s important not to dwell on “what ifs” and matters that are beyond our control. This is no easy feat, especially for those who are self-isolating, but it is possible to do! Be mindful of where your mind wanders in the coming days, and if you find yourself ruminating over what will happen next, stop and change directions. Call up a friend you can laugh with, get some exercise (you can even find free live classes streaming online here), or take a time out to do something you enjoy, like reading a good book, working on an art project, or catching up on your favorite show. Allow yourself to set aside your worries. Times are tough, but finding moments of reprieve will make them more tolerable and make us more resilient!