https://allpoetry.com/poem/15028312-Kwangju-by-Mac-Crary

You know how all the very poor in Section 8 look forward to our monthly check. You may also know I love Chinatown and visit regularly. On Monday, the 2nd, I felt a little bit of a runny nose so even though I have allergies I pushed hard to get everything I needed, as a deaf person alone, done. By Wednesday, done, and still sniffly I locked the door. I have only gone down in a mask for a care box from family after standing in the door of the office and asking the office permission to enter and again briefly, in a mask, at times that seem to be when no one is around, down the steps for the mail. I wash my hands real good with the anti-bacterial that came. The situation hasn’t appreciably changed. My psychiatrist for the deaf thinks it is allergies but she is in Pennsylvania and doesn’t really understand the state of emergency here. It isn’t my opinion that it is just allergies, but my eyes itched pretty good. Although I use my respirator to make sure my weak bronchials (I also have diabetes) are lubricated and have a wonderful UHC provider so there are vitamins (the C is gone). I have washed a few things by hand, slept mostly soundly (fear made me clammy one night, I think was all) breathing well, not coughing (at least until I used too much toothpaste this afternoon over some lozenge), and will be planning to ask the Community what you want me to do come next Monday when I will need supplies or testing (that is only hoping that the situation remains stable and does not go into decline for me). As it is, I am just runny-nosed in the morning mostly, a little out of kilter as usual from my diabetes, but energy wise very productive at home, in Tacoma, where I love living. I wouldn’t dream of knowingly endangering you. There was anger at me on the bus because they could see my nose was a little runny on Weds. I do not want to feed into any sense of negligence. I applaud deeply the Compassionate Social Distancing advice. We need to buy time. Doctors are taxed but working admirably and efficiently at risk to themselves looking for treatment and intervention that will optimize the prospects for care. The absolute tragedy for the elderly is unendurable. Maybe the states not affected by this current epicenter will follow the regulations and routines we consider wise now proactively. I’m locked down, behaving I assume safely, based on my readings, until Monday. At that time, I will ask what the Health Authorities advise and take any opinion you send my way with the greatest of gratitude.