Editor’s note: This is the fourth installment of our new blog. We will be asking for insights from people from across the community who have something to say about their experiences, the ongoing state of affairs, or their lives that will speak to our current time together. This week we hear from Sid Ellis. If you would like to contribute please let us know. — Kathy Jennings, Managing Editor, Southwest Michigan's Second Wave

The new “normal” may be something that we have been headed towards because of technology. But it has been accelerated at a rate that we were not ready for by this thing called “social distancing.”
 
Social distancing -- keeping far enough away from one another to prevent the spread of the coronavirus -- has put a big emphasis on technology.
 
This seems so sterile, yet, through the use of technology, so many things are being taken care of. Technology helps us with everything from conducting meetings and reconnecting with old friends, to ordering food, movies, and household items. Senior students in the Kalamazoo Public Schools are even being allowed to pick up Chromebook laptop computers.
 
The technology we’re using as we shelter at home is not new; it’s just being used more so that we don’t need to go outside. Who knew it really is useful and will change the way we live our everyday lives? Perhaps it will change our lives even more after this health crisis is over.
 
Sid Ellis is executive director of the Douglass Community Association.In my household, like so many with teens, we barely see our youngest son who is 18. He is usually closed in his room playing Fortnite or working on his YouTube videos. One good thing is, we now make him come down to eat dinner with us and we all watch a family movie together. That’s something we haven’t done in I don’t know how many years.
 
Of course, some household “to do’s” -- that were put on hold -- are now being done. And my wife and I spend a lot more time together than usual. Now there’s technology that allows me to have board meetings and even a leadership-development regrouping so organization leaders and staff members can catch up with one another. And what about the need to continue to be around people?

It has been answered by my still going to the Douglass Community Association building to help distribute diapers (only once last week) or to sign and distribute checks for a few employees (which I was able to pick up from the accountant). Yet now, anything from the accountant will be mailed until further notice.
Those are the three words we now hear most of all, “until further notice.” That is what we now find ourselves coping with, “until further notice.”
 
Until further notice, I will exercise three to five times a week at home because I cannot do it at the YMCA. 

Until further notice, I will read more books and magazines that interest me because I have to fill my day with something other than Netflix. 

Until further notice, I will use everything in my refrigerator and not go to the grocery store every other day which allows me to save money. 

Until further notice, I will not be using a lot of gas traveling around the city to attend community and collaboration meetings, even though gas is cheaper than it has been in who-knows-how-many years. 

Until further notice, I will reach out to friends I have not spoken to in years. Now I will check on them at least once a week just to make sure they are doing okay and have all they need.
 
Until further notice, I will spend more time with my wife and we will discover new things about ourselves and the world we live in through documentaries, our favorite periodicals and, wow, even talking. 

Until further notice, I will pay attention to everything coming out of the mouths of our local, state and national politicians because this situation gets closer and closer to me every day. It’s as close as the death of a young fraternity brother and two alumni of my high school in Detroit.
 
Until further notice, I will peacefully spend each night on my back porch relaxing and needing the fresh air. 

Until further notice, I will contact my staff and communicate with them each week because of the uncertainty of our working situation. And yet, so many positive things about life have emerged as I see the people in my community coming together in various ways to help feed, clothe and shelter those in need. Even the way we speak to each other when I have gone to the store for some necessity is more positive and caring as we say, “Stay safe.”
 
I have been able to stay more than positive during this time because I have faith that this too shall pass. My desire is to use the magic of technology to connect socially with more and more people, even those reading this now.
 
Stay Safe and live your best life.
 
Sidney Ellis is executive director of the Douglass Community Association, a center for social, recreational, educational and community development services in Kalamazoo’s Northside Neighborhood.