April 19, 2020
Corona Virus is Personal
There is no denying, the Corona Virus is personal.
Not just because it has disrupted the ‘business’ of Exit with our workshops and chapter meetings cancelled and those of you who comprise our membership among the people most at risk due to age (and with age other health complaints).
But, taken together with the expected global recession, the team here at Exit is not really sure what to expect (but who is)?
Is membership of Exit a discretionary spend? Or is having an Exit Plan a vital insurance policy for the future? Because, in the age of Covid, who can be sure what is just around the corner?
But Corona is personal because the Exit team is scattered throughout the countries of the world.
We have team members in Spain, Ireland, France, Italy and Australia (and the US) who are all living through a prolonged compulsory lockdown.
The Dutch are doing much the same although the term in this country is ‘intelligent lockdown’. Nevertheless, the outcome is much the same.
Stay at home, wash your hands and save lives (yours and everyone else’s).
We have team members who have lost older relatives in nursing homes in northern Italy and another team member whose 60-something sister is infected.
It seems everyone knows someone who is effected.
All the while we try and stay optimistic, balancing the pessimism of scientific projections for the future, while recognising the enormous political and economic pressure that governments around the world are under.
Pressure to turn life, as we knew it pre-Covid, back on.
As one whose background is in the sciences, however, I have to admit I’m taking a realist approach to the future.
If I’m honest, I don’t know when the next Exit workshop will be conducted. I don’t know when I will next talk with Exit members face to face.
I don’t know when (or if) I’ll ever see my homeland of Australia and my hometown of Darwin again.
Meanwhile I’m doing what most people are doing: devising new ways of working, of getting the Exit message out and of ensuring that those people who want end of life options, have them in place.
To achieve this, we are working on:
- Livestream Exit workshops (3 x in June – August 2020)
- Weekly Podcasts (commencing 26 April)
- Ongoing monthly PPeH Updates
- Online PP Forums
- Life Member online video appointments (forthcoming)
I urge Exit members to stay with Exit during this difficult time.
Please continue to support the organisation financially, if you can.
We are one community. Our common goal of choice has not changed.
And take care.
Philip
Vale – John Prine
(October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020)
So if you’re walking down the street sometime
And spot some hollow ancient eyes,
Please don’t just pass ’em by and stare
As if you didn’t care, say, “Hello in there, hello.”
Exit