Thread by @VitoDotTV

My thoughts after attending a #Funeral while the #Coronavirus #Covid19 numbers continue to rise here in the US.
Unfortunately, my mother in law passed away on 2/24. It was heart failure. She was late 70’s. She lived in AZ. We live in Chicago. The funeral was past Sat (3/14)

1/16

The whole 19 day wait in between was heart wrenching from the grieving of course. It was a long time to wait but it had to be scheduled that far because of many details. During that time the virus continued to spread in the US a little more rapidly on a daily basis.

2/16

During the 19 day wait, I also had to start preparing for our self isolation due to CDC recommending “social distancing”. I was gathering some canned foods, water, sanitizer, wipes, etc. and all of the things we needed for our household to hunker down for a few weeks.

3/16

A funeral is not just any typical gathering. A funeral is sad, stressful and just mentally exhausting in so many ways. Immune systems are down. We want to hug to console. We want to shake hands since we haven’t seen each other in so long. Close contact list goes on and on.

4/16

A couple days before the funeral, I was developing a lot of anxiety thinking about being close to so many people. The CDC just announced no gatherings of over 50 people for the next 8 weeks. Also any gatherings over 10 people were strongly suggested to be canceled

5/16

Friends and family that were planning to attend were calling to cancel for many reasons, they were older, they had underlying health conditions, they were scared etc. All completely understandable as the news and social media is screaming at us to isolate and stay home.

6/16

I believe I was waiting for something to change. Maybe it would be canceled. I didn’t know. All I know is I was feeling more and more fearful of even going but of course I had to go to support her and others. It’s family.

7/16

What an awful feeling it was. I told my wife I was going to be there for her but I was going to be in the background, almost avoiding people.

8/16

I brought a box of rubber gloves and a N95 face mask. I had it all in my hand as I walked into the funeral home. As soon as I walked in I didn’t see any masks, gloves, wipes or even hand disinfectant. How is that possible? WHO just labeled this as pandemic a week previous!

9/16

Only Immediate family members there. Nobody is concerned. Hesitantly, I place gloves & mask in the coat closet. I'll get them out later as more people show up. Say hello to family and accidentally shake bro in laws hand & give a quick short hug to sis then think, bad move.
10/16

I run to bathroom and wash my hands. I ran out to car to get my own personal little hand sanitizer that fits in my pocket and I’m ready to use that if it happens again. More people show up. Nobody has a mask. Nobody has gloves. Nobody has hand sanitizer.

11/16

I am thinking haven’t any of you people been watching the News lately? I’m not hugging but as people get close, just a one arm around with a quick pat on the back and then distancing myself. Also doing many elbow bumps.

12/16

I know the 6’ distance rule is in place. I am trying. I was probably maintaining 3’ distance. The whole entire day I did not see anyone taking it seriously, even at the dinner afterwards. Many talked about it but no PPE was amazing to me. This is a crisis we are in here.

13/16

I really wish this beautiful and expensive funeral home in the suburbs of Chicago would have taken our health and safety much more seriously. I almost want to write their name here, I'm so frustrated but I won't now and will assume it's happening everywhere still. No idea.

14/16

I know that it would be horrible to cancel funerals because it is a fundamental start to the way we mourn. But something HAS to change. Funeral Home Owners, please take this a LOT more seriously! You already charge $xx,xxx and above for your services.

15/16

To all #FuneralHome Owners and Directors, PLEASE add some hand sanitizer, rubber gloves, facemasks etc to your services for the health and safety of us all.

PLEASE.

Thank You.

16/16