IT’S BEEN A YEAR AND A HALF OF ME BEING IN THE HOUSE!

I’ve basically been in the house for a year and half now because of the Covid pandemic. I’m not exaggerating–March 10th, 2020 was the last time I left the house for anything other than food shopping and medical appointments. [Note: The big pic at the top of the page is a current selfie of yours truly, while shooting yet another one of my YouTube videos in where else but my house! It will be up soon, and you can watch them all right here: www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7mwI2jwcB2xB9dBCBxLZg.]

People at the current Venice Film Festival, acting like there’s no Covid threat anymore!!!

Wait–I did go out three times back in April, when I was first fully-vaxxed, (which means two weeks after your last dose,) before the uber-deadly Delta variant reared its ugly head. Two outings were to business events where everyone was required to show proof of vaccination, wear masks, and be socially-distant, and the other was a memorial for a pal’s mother, (who was a very sweet fan of my show, so how could I not go?) It was outside, and on top of that, I was the only attendee who sat all by my lonesome the entire time. I didn’t even hug my friend to comfort her, which I felt bad about, but it was (and still is) just way too dangerous.

One of the many healthful meals I’ve made during the lockdown. It’s whole wheat pasta topped with checca, which is basically a sauce of room temperture tomatoes. The recipe is in my Recipes section (duh) if your mouth is watering now. Photo by Karen Salkin.

This entire eighteen months, people have constantly asked me how my bon vivette self, who was out at least five nights a week pre-pandemic, is faring being stuck in the house. For the first year, I was totally fine. Honestly. First of all, I live with the funniest guy on earth, with whom I adore spending time, so all that togetherness was great. (For the new readers out there, Mr. X does not like to go anywhere. One of my pals has dubbed him “The Unicorn” because no one sees him! So we spend quality time together only when I’m at home.)

On top of that, I always have tons to do in my house. Most importantly, I would have to stay in for another five years to clean-out all my clutter! And because while Covid was at its highest numbers, I didn’t trust strangers to be cautious enough when making our meals, (ergo, we couldn’t pick-up from restaurants,) I was forced to cook, (and for once, had the time to do so,) so that new pastime has given us the most healthful diet we’ve ever had, which is an unexpected bonus. And I can watch old movies 24/7, not to mention my beloved Perry Mason. (You can read about how he helped me through the pandemic here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/television-my-summer-of-perry-mason.)

But the main reason I didn’t have a problem staying in for so long is…there was nothing to go to!!! So I was not missing a thing.

People at last week’s US Open, with the roof closed, which requires them to wear masks. As you can see, unbelievably few complied. And the tournament did nothing to enforce the rule. Photo by Karen Salkin.

But now I’m getting a tad confused. Because of social media, I see that other people are going out all the time, seemingly without a care in the world, like it’s all safe out in the world now. So I don’t know if they’re crazy or I am. I see pix of so many friends and strangers alike at events, and they’re all hugging, kissing, eating together, etc., like Covid is over. The news outlets are all confusing, as well, telling us that it’s more dangerous than ever to be out now in one story, and then the next one features celebrities hanging all over each other at a movie premiere!

Meanwhile, I’m still scared to go out, especially when I see so many of my fellow fully-vaccinated peeps getting the virus. But for the past three or four months, I’ve been getting a plethora of invitations again. Believe me, I’m grateful for all of them! I feel bad to decline any of them, even though some are easier to turn down than others. (I absolutely cannot attend indoor venues yet.)

Karen Salkin’s pandemic-length hair, which proves how long she’s stayed at home! Photo by Mr. X.

But now this week I’m invited to several fun outdoor events for next week-end’s Emmys. (Yes, they are happening again already!) It will break my heart if I miss them, but it would crush me more if I got sick, or somehow, got someone else sick. So I’m considering my options very carefully.

I have people on both sides of the argument advising me, and they’re all very passionate about their opinions. I have a hard time seeing pictures of people out and about, both in the news and on social media, because I want to be as brave as they are while at the same time I don’t want to be as—how shall I put it?–judgement-challenged as they are!!!

I really don’t know what to do about the situation. So let me put the question to all of you—how are you living your lives these days? Anything you can share in the Comments section would be helpful.

And—I hope to see you all out there before another year and a half goes by. Stay safe, everybody!!!