I needed an escape today, so I took a look at my DVR. I had fallen behind on several TV shows – all the way back to January on one. It never occurred to me that I was re-entering the “before time.”

            The first several episodes were entirely COVID-free. Local news tidbits made no mention of it. There were no commercials about being “alone-together” or making mention of “these difficult times” or companies announcing their donations of PPE or the widespread institution of curbside pick-up at restaurants. I hadn’t realized how every hour of broadcast television (most especially the commercials) is now so consumed with the pandemic until its absence became glaring.

            As for escapism, the show I watched ended its season with a dramatic cliff-hanger. As if I needed more uncertainty in my life.