An open letter to my queer sisters, brothers and assorted others:

The Covid-19 pandemic is certainly turning life upside down. “Business as usual” has been cancelled or curtailed, from employment to education to entertainment. As the infection rate and death toll climbs, a sense of foreboding is coming to permeate the collective consciousness. “Pandemic” is a big word. How bad will it get? When will things “go back”? We don’t know the answers to these questions, and we won’t for some time.

But in the meantime, we suddenly find ourselves in a world where our usual concerns don’t apply. Instead of fretting about workplace politics, maybe now we’re wondering if unemployment benefits will cover our expenses. Rather than worrying about our place in the pecking order at school, we’re missing our friends and wishing we weren’t stuck at home with cranky parents. Last month, we were fantasizing about kissing the cute checker at the grocery store, but today we’ve got a mask over our mouth, and are hoping the TP will be back in stock soon.

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