Thursday, June 4, 2020

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This is my final daily post of CoVid Cocktails. Today is the last day of the twelfth full week of quarantine for Husband and me. I need to re-focus, and my liver needs a break.

My home state of Virginia is entering Phase 2 of re-opening tomorrow. Curves are flattening, and more (but not enough!) people are getting tested. Many stores are selling masks, and many people are wearing masks out in public. Many retailers are re-opening, and restaurants and bars are serving patrons in person (though mostly outdoors). Some jobs are returning.

We’ve got this.

I have started to go out, once a week, to run some errands. (My local WalMart had plenty of toilet paper the other day, but still no disinfecting wipes.) I am getting my hair cut in 2 weeks, going to the DMV to renew my license in 3 weeks, and seeing my dentist in 4 weeks.

Our Zoom meet-ups with friends are being replaced by driveway meet-ups. The daughter that we haven’t hugged since mid-February is coming home tonight, and we are actually going to let her into the house. (We will hug the stuffing out of her, of course, and undoubtedly serve her a cocktail.)

And I now know people who have survived CoVid-19, and people who never had any symptoms but likely carry the antibodies. (The latter should be regarded as a super-hero strength, said a friend.)

We’ve got this.

I am still overwhelmingly humbled by the health care workers and essential employees who keep putting themselves at risk. And I am overwhelmingly grateful to all scientists looking for cures and vaccines.

I am still anxious, and worried, and disappointed. I am still hoping that the most difficult days are behind us, and that we don’t experience a second wave of outbreaks.

I am still watching the social and political unrest in our nation. Today, our governor officially announced that Richmond’s statue of Robert E. Lee would be removed from its current site on Monument Avenue. When I first moved to Virginia in 1988, I didn’t understand the need for statues which glorified leaders of the Confederacy. These guys led the secession from the United States, right? And then these guys lost the war, right? Years later, I now better understand why these statues were erected, and why their prominent display sends a painful message to so many people. I am certain that similar monuments will meet a similar fate in the months ahead, and I am encouraged by the large numbers of Americans–especially young Americans– who are protesting the status quo and racial injustice.

We’ve got this.

Stay strong, everyone. Go vote, everyone.

Today’s drink is my version of a Cucumber Mint Gimlet. My sweet friend, Debra, sent some fresh mint my way, so I had to take advantage.

Cut a 2-inch slice of peeled cucumber into quarters. Place the cucumber, 10 mint leaves, and 1/2 ounce simple syrup into a shaker and muddle. Add 1 ounce lime juice and 1 1/2 ounces gin. Add ice to the shaker, then shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with mint leaves.

Please remember to drink responsibly.