Queenie Brown Magazine

Wholly!

What a year it's been - and it is only April.

Who would have believed, in our lifetime, the world would  come to a stand still - a complete shut down of schools, businesses, recreational centers, cultural institutions, borders - even public parks  - which is hard to understand until one considers the grime on monkey bars, slides, benches and swings - Yuck!" 

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We knew things were serious when: we had to line up six feet  from the person in front of us to enter a store with only 6 customers inside! We knew things were very serious when  major league sports cancelled their season then  night/ day time hosts began  broadcasting their shows from their homes... remember when "talk" about the virus began, and James Corden pointed to his studio desk, announcing, they'd stay "right here" keeping us entertained? Well, he now features various artists performing from their homes after being forced into hiatus due to "The Virus" in early March! We knew things were bad when cavalier leaders who promised "We have it totally under control" in January or who told us to, "have fun...go on spring break" as late as March - yeah, you know who I mean - backtracked, saying this virus is very serious; we need to stay home.

Ha! As@#%$s.

We knew things were really bad when the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, CDC in the U.S. and various authorities across Europe either recommended wearing masks or made mask wearing mandatory, if only in specific areas (like Austria where basic mask wearing in supermarkets and other food and drug stores became  compulsory). This was done as we learnt more about asymptomatic carriers  spreading the virus to healthy people.

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In reality, there is a group who saw all this coming. This "experience" is what our WWII Generation  was talking about when they stuffed cash - a shocking amount of cash - under their mattresses, "just in case;" or  saw value in  coins... my grandmother gave me a dime when I was a child, and even then I wondered, "What the heck could I do with this?" She knew. She saved change all the time, always having change to offer for one purchase or another. How about that older person who warned about  that  possible  "End of the World as We know It?" We  thought s/he was an old, annoying, doom-sayer, didn't we? Guess s/he was not so "crazy," after all. These people had simply  experienced Life Disasters  before we did. 

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My questions is, are we  saying, "Respect" to those people, now? You know, now that we  have gained insight into their experiences: being locked in our homes; witnessing  empty streets; worried about our income, worried about getting paid, worried about life; wondering what horror will come next or, my personal favourite, wondering "when this will  all be over!"

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Now that  we have  witnessed   thousands of needless deaths, striking anyone at any time - without discretion - has  this changed us ? Caused us to take pause and, maybe decide  to take this precious time to BUILD, GROW, EXPAND, IMPROVE... or are we using this time...   by wasting it?   

Now that we have internalized that the worst IS possible, with blessings to those who suffered great loss,  should we take this time to commit to our best? Even if our best means  getting that long awaited rest.

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As corny or new age or "hippy dippy (I like that expression)" as this  sounds, committing this crucial time  to our best selves is the opportunity in this horrid situation - the seed in the hard shell, as it were.   This issue of queeniebrownmagazine.com is dedicated to that effort. We will  examine how to clear our minds of all the JUNK that has been distracting us. We will assess  what we want and how to Strive for IT, as opposed to merely dream about it. We will discuss what might be holding us back then include a  solution to push through blocks onward to motivation then action. Of course, looking good along the way - just for ourselves - will be a bonus we cannot resist.

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So, let's, get to it.

 Paranoid, right?

So, if we never hear the term Coronavirus, again, it would be far too soon for most of us. I mean, do we NEED another person gabbing on about coronavirus this and coronavirus that, Covid 19, specifically?

But, why are we so touchy - excuse the pun. Are we tired of the discussion because we have been inundated with it for over twelve weeks or are we tired of the discussion because it - excuse the expression - scares the shite out of us and we just want to STOP thinking about possibly dying, sooner rather than later?

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If you were to ask me (and I know you haven't but I am going to share, anyway) this is an important conversation to have, We should continue having this conversations until we ALL comprehend the seriousness of these viruses!

Look, I don't want to talk about pandemics any more than the next person. I prefer to avoid all thoughts of lying in bed, lungs filled with - what? dead cells? fluid? congesting me to the point of being unable to breathe. The thought of dying this way is terribly, desperately, horrifying. But, the rational behind having this discussion (about a grave illness thus a hideous way to die) is to avoid having the experience of either! If we have to discuss it to FIGHT AGAINST IT, and avoid causing other pandemics,

Let's Do It!

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Maybe, it's from being raised by a germ fearing Jamaican mother (let's get a whoot whoot for all mothers who freaked out when their kids got dirty or wanted to touch nasty things then bring their nasty thing touching hands home), I hate germs. I hate the thought of germs, I hate other people's germs - I am evolved enough to appreciate my own germs; they help my body protect itself and survive and all the  scientific-y things bacteria that live on our persons (that thought took me a while to digest after that science class with... what was that grade seven teacher's name???) do. But, the thought of germs gives me the willies. Have you SEEN them under a microscope?

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My mother drummed into our heads (mine and my three siblings' heads) to wash our hands: "After you use the bathroom, blow your nose, come from outside - especially if you go to other people's houses and touched their things - and (lawd God) GOD please! don't put your bare bottom on their toilets!" When I was a child, you KNOW she held me up, hovering over the seat, if I had to use a public washroom... when I became too heavy she taught me to squat... these days I strategically line toilet paper atop the seat - yes! that's what takes me so long when I am in there!).

I don't mind a welcoming hug, but, even with dear friends and family I'd prefer an air kiss - three times is fine - to you kissing me on the lips. In fact, I would prefer an air kiss hug to shaking your hand! Not because I don't know where your hand has been, but because I don't know how well you washed your hand after having it there! You could be scratching all sorts of places (we all have to do it), that is fine, as long as you washed that hand well - VERY WELL - after.

Truth is, I followed what my mother taught me - how could I not, with the insistent pounding message? But, I thought her messaging was a tad extreme... I mean, really? if I don't wash my underpants by hand before putting them in the washing machine they are still dirty? Or, If I don't have a shower for ONE NIGHT, a rat will drag me away (never to be seen or heard from again)?

Still, I complied.

It was in my 20's, I shockingly discovered, not every person was taught the same cleanliness etiquette, our mother insisted upon. For instance, did you know some people DO NOT wash their hands after going to the bathroom? Or they'd quickly swish fingers beneath a running tap for three seconds then dash from the bathroom. I have personally witnessed this. Some people cough in their hands, pick their noses, yes, even scratch their private parts then have the nerve to be offended if you refuse to shake their hand!

Let's talk about being in public while sick. Do you know some people will enter a building, where they know colleagues and friends work, SICK! and not isolate themselves? It is understandable some individuals cannot afford to stay home in spite of how poorly they feel. But, precautions can be taken: gloves can be worn, as well as masks; things touched could be wiped; coughs and sneezes can go into elbows/ upon sleeves; COLLEAGUES CAN BE WARNED SO THEY CAN TAKE PRECAUTIONS!

But, God forbid someone look stupid.

Instead, friends are infected (forcing them to take germs home to their loved ones - especially that elderly person who is particularly susceptible).

My all time favourites, are those who hop on a plane for that vital business meeting or that long awaited vacation, feeling unwell but taking NO precautions in keeping their germs to themselves! Again, why look stupid... I wonder, do they think, "Screw other people. I have important things to do." Or, do they think other people want to catch their illness.

Maybe they don't think about other people, at all.

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Frankly, I believe we are far too mobile. Folks are running from this side of the globe to the other because we are desperate to have a fabulous EXPERIENCE or must make money for the corporation. Why is it so important to be jet setters, these days? How much profit is enough? Who are we trying to be? I believe this back and forth traveling (particularly for unnecessary reasons) is from where these pandemics stem. It occurs to me, we humans cannot adapt well to germs from other geographies. We have a difficult enough time managing our own local viruses. Remember how the British decimated the First Nations population with a simple cough (or was it a touch)? Notice the price drop of stock markets across the world because someone traveled from Wuhan China in 2019? What about that Italian merchant ship that fled attackers in Crimea only to rush home with the Bubonic Plague? We should not be jetting back and forth spreading our local germs.

OR travel depots must sternly amp travel precautions avoiding such disasters. 

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Frankly, all the jet setting and non hand-washing and exposing colleagues to germs was a beef I had when working in the nine to five world. I believed then (as I believe now) in social isolation (must I specify when feeling sick?). Yes, I know we are contagious often before symptom begin! Why are we squeezing against each other like eels in a barrel to share an experience? Why is a boss's bottom line more important than the employee's health? Why must we (who are vigilant with our precautions) suffer because of those who are careless, inconsiderate and or nasty? I like a good conversation like the next person, but, seeing people every 21 days is just fine, with me. If we must be more social, that's what telephones are for! Six feet are close enough after the air kisses: moi, moi, moi - step back. If, every flu season, we practice what Covid 19 has forced us to practice, I believe the annual influenza epidemics around the world would result far less in the 3-5 million cases of severe illnesses and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths (as estimated by WHO).

Sure, we should attend social gatherings: parties, concerts, restaurants, local theaters, but, allow people their "bacteria border" (that's a whole other article), and

STAY HOME IF WE'RE ARE NOT FEELING WELL!

Where did this "soldier on" when you are sick mindset come from?

Highlighting people who cannot afford to stay home is less the issue than highlighting the organization that penalizes workers who do (stay home when ill). Sure, there are individuals who take advantage of systems that support "staying home while sick", but, let's be honest, we all know who those individuals are. They should be penalized for their bad behaviour, not the rest of us. Unions must stop protecting such behaviour in order to safeguard the rest of us - literally.  There should be zero tolerance for the assholes (excuse my language, that slipped) ruining it for conscientious people while organizations, institutions, corporations, bosses in general, take responsibility for changing the "coming to work sick" attitude. Entering a public environment, ill, is irresponsible as opposed to admirable. If you are sick, stay at home, wipe what you touch, call in for help if you need groceries - and Lawd God! stop

sending sick children to places healthy children attend! You KNOW you do it.

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Finally. ALL governments must work in cooperation under obligation to the people they (are supposed to) serve. I say, are supposed to serve because we all know many officials are self serving bastar - opps! almost did it, again - we know many government officials are out for themselves instead of the general public. Governments should be working in cooperation so if a virus hits, that origin region can be shut down and placed under quarantine. Immediately. No one should be allowed in or out for that area until the quarantine period is over. Emergency medical professionals should be dumped in the area - before the rest of the world suffers. Governments must STOP posturing, faking, lying and actually PROTECT its people - finally. Considering our technologies and abilities, it should take far less than THREE MONTHS (about what it took with  COVID 19) to shut everything down, if necessary (which could be avoided if the origin location is closed, right away). Of course, in the COVID 19 circumstances THEY had to allow time to dump their stocks for a good price and get their loved ones to a place of safety before the rest of us sheep began baaing. I sound cynical, it's true. Don't just listen to me, read this article written in The Atlantic by Ed Yong March 20/20. 

But, what do I know? This could just me be being paranoid. Right?

UP

You might recall our QueenieBrownmagazine.com, Christmas 2017 Edition, wherein we introduced you to Patricia Kumbakisaka as a Special Mention.

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This international child: born in Romania, raised in Greece then Canada; speaker of five languages with a goal of becoming a diplomat with the United Nations was so impressive, we felt it necessary to share her with you - in spite of her (then) tender (28) years (she recently turned 31. Happy birthday, Patricia).

Right on time and as expected, Patricia continues to shine. You can read more about her here: https://www.100abcwomen.ca/patricia-kumbakisaka-on/  where Patricia is named, one of Canada’s 100Accomplished Black Women of the year to be awarded this fall. We continue to be impressed by this young woman, and are proud to know her. Go, Patricia!

Patricia Kumbakisaka, a quintessential example of how today's young person can grow into tomorrow's Real Person BEING Extraordinary.

DATE!

Featuring, Andrea Blum.

So, you think standing in a line to shop for groceries is bad; avoiding other shoppers, in said grocery store, difficult; then there is the (almost?) empty store shelves and the restrictions placed on the  favourite item(s) you want to purchase - annoyingly inconvenient, No? 

If you think these experiences are challenging, picture communist Romania 1980, where you did not line up to purchase items on your grocery list, you lined up to put basic necessities on your table. We speak not just of "necessities" you fancy for a dinner recipe or breakfast menu the next morning, but, real basic food items like a loaf of bread and milk (if you were lucky). As for meat. What meat? It would be no surprise witnessing a person boiling their shoes to make soup!

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Can't imagine it?  Andrea Blum can.

It is unnecessary that she try to conjure images of this unfathomable (to most North Americans) time because

she lived it.

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Today, you would never know

the frightful struggles Andrea survived.

Ranked as the top 1% in Toronto, top 5% as well as "Top Tier Real Estate agent" in Canada; rewarded top awards five years in a row, Andrea's tireless work ethic is challenged by few. Her cool, respectful, honest, approach makes her a real estate agent clients can trust.

As if her unwavering work ethic, sincerity, analytic ability is not enough, this Fine Arts grad channels her talents through the FREE staging element of her business. Many  may hear "staging" and think, "Phooey, Money Grab!" But, remember, Staging is free with Andrea, and her designer's taste is stellar. Accept it.

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Do more than take our word for it, find Andrea here: http://www.andreablumteam.com

0r here: https://www.instagram.com

or here: https://www.facebook.com/andreablumteam/

See for yourself.