Charlie Barley is clueless. On his return to New York City after a weeks-long retreat in the Canadian wilderness, Barley bungles his way through a world turned weird by COVID-19 - until a call from his niece explains all.
Written by Andrew Lanfer (a...
When Charlie got home, he untied his roller skates, and was beginning to envision a dinner of fried fish, when his phone rang.
"Hello," he said.
"Hi, Uncle Charlie," said a voice.
It was Eliza Eggleston, his eight year old niece, calling from Minnesota.
"Hi, Liza." said Charlie.
"I heard you on the news," she said. "Mom and Dad were watching, as usual."
"Oh!" he said. "How did I sound?"
"Like you had no idea whatsoever what she was talking about."
"Oh," he said, somewhat dejected.
"You're not a medical doctor, Uncle Charlie."
"Well," he said, "That is true. But I do make a mean doughnut."
"I'm guessing," said Eliza, "that while you were up in Canada on your fishing trip, you didn't hear anything at all about COVID-19."
"I didn't hear anything about anything," he said. "That's why I love it so much up there."
"Would you like me to catch you up?" she asked.
"Sure," he said.
And so she did.
She explained everything any self-respecting eight year old now knows about COVID19, including:
It is a lot like a cold or a flu, just a really, really bad one.
It is very, very, very catchy (and extremely annoying in many ways).
Some people get it and don't even know it.
Some people get it and end up in the hospital, needing special treatments and even machines to help them breathe.
Most kids don't get very sick at all
The virus is serious business, however, for others - especially older people, and those with other sicknesses that make them vulnerable.
There are simple things everyone can do to keep themselves and others safe, including:
Washing your hands often-especially after being in a public place, coughing or sneezing. Use soap and water, and wash for at least twenty seconds (that's long enough to sing "Happy Birthday" twice, or the ABC song).
Avoiding close contact with people who don't live in your house. Stay at home as much as you can. And, when you go out, keep at least six feet away from other people, and avoid big crowds or gathering in groups.
Wearing a mask or cloth covering over your mouth and nose when you go outside. This helps protect others, in case you might be sick.
Covering coughs and sneezes.
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that many people touch.
Lots of grownups everywhere are working hard to take care of those who are sick, to make good decisions to keep us all safe (like when it's safe to go back to school, and for adults to go back to work), and to find medicines that help sick people get better, and a vaccine that will protect others from ever getting sick in the first place.
"Wow," said Charlie, "That sure explains a lot. Thank you."
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"Anytime, Uncle Charlie. You know where to find me. I'll take my thanks in doughnuts."
