Allergy Season

You know, the COVID-19 experience we all went through in 2020 was bad. There’s no denying it. Millions of people got sick. Many of them died, including nearly 100 people right here in Crittenden County, so I’m not downplaying the seriousness of the pandemic when I say this, but there was one positive thing to come out of it.

I missed allergy season.

And this is no small thing, at least on a personal level. In late spring and early summer, I suffer from serious seasonal allergies. Every summer but last year, that is. I guess it’s because we spent March and April “sheltered in place” so I didn’t go out much. And then in May and June, everything I usually do outside got canceled, so I was mostly at home.

I’ve read articles about how this year’s flu season was basically nonexistent compared to previous years thanks to all of the same guidelines that help prevent the spread of COVID-19 also work in stopping the flu from spreading, but I don’t know that I’ve seen anyone make the connection between the pandemic and lower numbers of seasonal allergy cases. Maybe I should write a paper and get some kind of recognition?

But, alas, it’s that time of year again and I’m finding myself outside more and more. Don’t get me wrong, I love being outside in the summer, but it’s like all the plants and flowers and such have been saving up all that pollen since last year, waiting outside my door to attack.

I’m currently playing that game where your nose is stuffy on one side so you tilt your head the other way to get some relief. Then you tilt it the other way and repeat until October. Yeah, that’s no fun.

Maybe I should just shelter in place again?