Are you dealing with anxiety? I am. With all the wacky things going on right now some days I feel like a chicken running around with its head cut off. And those are my good days. Basically, I am the opposite of zen.
I’m a Little Bit Anxious
At this moment, we are dealing with quite a lot. First, forest fires are raging on the West Coast and here in Boulder County. Second, Covid19.
Finally, and most anxiety-provoking for me, a strange election unfolds that has those in authority championing old forms of voter suppression in ultra-creative new ways.
What Are You Doing?
Now and then I stop and say to myself, “2020 what are you doing?!” It’s all just a bit much. But deep down I am mostly worried that these are the good times and that things could get much worse.
Colorado Forest Fires
So, let us begin. As I write this three forest fires are raging around us, two of them within eight miles of us here in Boulder County. The air quality is terrible and it’s too smoky to go outside.
On top of that, it smells like a plastic factory with mothballs in it burned down. Talk about feeling trapped during quarantine. My daily walks outside that sparked great joy are over for now.
But I really can’t complain about being inside my home when so many here in Boulder County have lost their homes and can’t do the same because their dwellings have burnt to the ground.
This makes me more sad and anxious than words can describe.
Covid19
When 2020 began I did not understand certain concepts that were to become key this year. Covid19? Quarantine baking? Fomite transmission? Mask-wearing? People arguing over mask-wearing? These ideas were foreign to me. I only wish they still were.
It all quickly became personal in March when we had to rush home a family member traveling in Europe. In April, we Lost a Loved One to COVID and then had to figure out how to grieve during the pandemic. The only word to describe this is “surreal.”
Now we must multiply our own grief times 223,547 families. That is how many people have died of this terrible disease here in the US. It’s hard not to be in constant COVerwhelm. The devastation wrought by this national disaster makes my own MS Diagnosis look like a cakewalk.
Still, the pandemic rages on and we are told not to fear it. What are we supposed to do? Shut Up and Bake?
In essence, we leave behind the first wave of Covid19 without a coherent national strategy, as we move into the cold weather and the impending, larger second wave.
The Election
Last but not least, we come to the election. I haven’t ever hidden the fact that my husband and I are passionate Democrats, and committed progressives. One thing our family has been enthusiastic about this year is supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
This commitment applies to equality in all arenas of life. Right now, an extremely urgent issue is guaranteeing equal access when it comes to voting.
Voter Suppression
Unfortunately, this year we have seen an enormous increase in institutionalized voter suppression as the Republican party has gone to war on this constitutional right.1, 2
These white supremacist tactics date back to the Reconstruction era and entail blocking American citizens from the polls.
After the Civil War, poll taxes and literacy tests were enacted to keep Black voters from casting their ballots.3
They’re legit taking the mailboxes off the street. Cheating 101. pic.twitter.com/hkXcV5vtBH
— Isaac Hayes III (@IsaacHayes3) August 14, 2020
The New Poll Tax
Here are some new forms of the old poll tax, as covered by Fox News and other sources:
- 1 ballot box for 4.7 million people in Harris County, TX4, 5, 6
- Eliminate polling places in urban areas7,8, 9
- Remove USPS mailboxes10 and sorting machines11
These exceptionally creative tactics undermine democracy.
Coup d’Etat?
We need to make it as easy as possible for everyone to vote! Not harder.
If only this administration put this much effort into helping its citizens exercise their rights, rather than hindering them, I would not be up at night worrying about a potential coup d’etat.
What Are You Anxious About?
Are you feeling a little unnerved during these strange times when an incumbent says they’re “running angry” and has stated numerous times they won’t accept the results of this election? Frankly, this freaks me out.
What Can We Do?
I love hearing from you all about what you’re going through and how you’re experiencing these times. Leave a comment and let me know how you’re holding up. I want to hear from all of you!
Dianna says
Elana, I admire you more than I can say. You have much to deal with and do it with bravery and a loving spirit. I’m writing to say that Canadians agonize over the terrible forest fires the U.S. is suffering through and that we are heavily engaged in your coming election. We are alarmed and saddened at the growing number of Covid deaths in the U.S. I live in Montreal where the numbers of the 2nd covid wave are rising daily – we had a terrible first wave which ravaged our homes for the aged in a heart breaking deluge. I have been working from home since March for which I am grateful but I have found my anxiety level spiking at an alarming rate off and on since the summer and have to remind myself that there are so many others suffering in worse ways. I’m so very sorry to hear that you have lost a family member. I wish you and your family well and thank you for your inspiring presence!
Elana says
Dianna, thanks for your wonderful comment my northern neighbor. Stay safe and take good care :-)
Marlene M. says
Thank you for all your hard work and being a voice in such anxious times.
The truth is hard to see for too many people, but it is out there looking back at everyone. We can not go on this way. I can not take 4 more years of turmoil and lies. The blind following of people who are elected to be working for all of us, not themselves and a non-leader.
Hope you and your family stay safe.
Elana says
Marlene, I hope you and yours are safe and well!
Giedre says
Hello Elana,
Had to look up what coup d’etat meant, thank you for continuing to teach something new.
What I noticed Elana, that you are growing in grace and humility, I mean that last comment from the lady here wasn’t an easy one to read, but you responded so gracefully, not a hint of offence or anger. Admire this!!
To keep my message short what bothers me about democrats in US and other countries where liberals get power is their abortion policy. I can understand that to a degree its impossible to prove when the human being starts, like its impossible to prove that God exists. What I mean that many argue that its just a clump of cells like some other clumps of cells out there etc etc. Each of us have to go to our heart in the quiet moment and ask ourselves what we think about unborn and whether we are truly OK with abortion policies. I’m not judging anyone not suggesting anything, asking just to stop and ask one simple question about unborn.
Many aren’t fans of Trump but because they simply can’t support a party with such abortion policies, there isn’t much left, is there? Jacinda Ardern was my hero and I was so happy to see her party win, but it didn’t last, found out about their abortion policies and it broke my heart. Still can’t get why we mourn so much the lives of those who lost their battle with covid, but we close our eyes when lives are lost because of abortion.
Cause for some of us it’s just a clump of cells
Elana says
Giedre, thanks for a great comment. I was a history major in school, and am now a cookbook author. Little did I imagine I would be able to write about a coup d’etat on my food and health blog when I started it around 15 years ago, but here we are today! And thanks for your other thoughtful points too.
Linda says
Hi Elana,
A couple of things…
Any thinking person can see the potential for a real problem with the election results, but my stronger hope is that many thoughtful, honest, and committed people still exist who would keep a would-be tyrant in check.
Also, though you may be feeling “the opposite of Zen,” your response to the person who is unsubscribing came from a very centered place; it was Zen itself.
Namaste.
Elana says
Linda, you made me smile. Thanks so much and namaste back to you :-)
Jennifer says
I am so sad to hear that you are still struggling with wildfire smoke. As an Oregonian, we had so many days of smoky, unhealthy air and it felt like the last straw for a difficult year. I hope that we, as a country, can find a way to deal with the causes of out-of-control wildfires.
I am also so sad to read the personal attacks against you for expressing your political views. Even if I did not share those views, I would not condone such a personal attack. Bravo for including Fox News links!
Elana says
Jennifer, thanks for your comment! Fox News is undoubtedly my favorite source for footnotes because a large swath of the country believes most of the media is fake news.
Trish says
Being true to ones self is the best anyone can hope for!!…whatever your beliefs. As a nurse in all this mess …I just keep level by saying “this too shall end”…some day …some time…try to keep doing what you feel is RIGHT…
Elana says
Trish, thank you for serving our country and being on the front lines!
Andrea says
Uneducated people ( and Republicans) confuse Socialism with Communism and Totalitarianism. The people in the Scandinavian countries who are openly Socialist, are the happiest people in the world according to almost all studies. Republican control since Reagan, has undermined the middle class so it it almost nonexistent. There is no trickle down, just a few families controlling everything in this country. They debunk the media which are trying to save us and depend on the idiocy of the internet. Half of Republicans actually believe that Joe Biden and Hilary Clinton are pedophiles. We are in deep trouble.
Elana says
Andrea, I think that the Koch brothers and their PACs are responsible for spreading the misinformation that socialism = totalitarianism. It is sad, confusing to say the least, and keeps this country on the path to an oligarchy for the very wealthy. Hopefully this will change very, very soon.
Eve says
Dear Elana,
As soon as I see your emails pop in to my mail box I feel a cozy, homey joy. I feel excited about: the healthy food I can make my family from your seasonal recipes, your inspiring environmental tips (laying off the use of paper towels and using reusable bar wipes instead, composting, and more!), the sweetness you convey about your sons and family, and, if I’m being completely honest, my frank admiration of your success in creating your business out of blogging and recipe creations.
Your sharing about this nail-biting, fraught, time, and highlighting the surreal aspects of our current election period and asking how we’re all doing is…soothing, and helps create community and helps people not feel so alone in their thoughts, feelings, and in trying to cope with it all. I truly cherish your notes. Thank you for sharing your heart. Your efforts truly ripple out and bring joy and comfort and nourishment and love.
How am I doing? I’m asking my family for time for myself to rejuvenate my spirit, I’m taking actionable steps (phone banking, donating to my preferred candidates, doing charity food drives and winter coat drives in our local community, and on Monday, I get to go exercise my right to vote in early voting in my state), I’m asking for help in the form of prayer in my spiritual practices, and I’m educating myself about oppression that has occurred and steps we can take going forward so as to elevate humanity and evolve.
Thank you, Elana,
Yours,
Eve
Elana says
Eve, thank you for your amazing comment. It is so thoughtful, articulate, and full of love that I am a little overwhelmed by it. In a good way. I do not know how to find the words to respond other than that I am grateful, blessed, and downright lucky to be on this healing path with you. Thank you, thank you, and thank you. Elana
Evie says
Also, on another subject would you have a decent falafel recipe to share please ? I’m missing over lockdown my fave “The Palestinian sandwich” from a Lebanese Restaurant in the city called Umi Falafel, it’s a pitta filled with picked cucumber, roasted aubergine, fresh herbs etc tahini/chilli sauces and the most yummy hot crispy falafels. I’ve tried making my own but they either fall apart like breadcrumbs or are too solid like rubber balls help required please and thank you !!!! Much appreciated x
Elana says
Evie, I will add that to my list of requests!
Chris says
“Faith over Fear” – focus on helpful positives – Exercise – Diet – Sunlight – Meditation/Prayer – Deep Breathing – Purpose. The future – we are not there yet, but God is!! Those of us w/ autoimmune disease (I have RA & Colitis) have bodies in stress – this causes anxiety.
We need to love on ourselves as much as possible – especially now.
Elana says
Chris, totally agree!