The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting every person on the planet, including those most vulnerable among us. Some individuals, who because of disability — mental or physical — had been receiving special services, are now sheltering in place either at home or in group homes.

The pandemic has not only severed vital lifelines to social and therapeutic services for the disabled, but has financially impacted those programs upon which they heavily rely. A few local programs that have been affected by the recent business closures include the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program and Hidden Wings of Solvang.

There is no usual in these times. The only person I know who said his life was not upended was my son-in-law Rick, who already worked in isolation from his Los Angeles garage — converted several years ago to his home office.

I vacillate all day, every day, between wanting to connect and wanting to go inward and quietly face my hopes and fears. But, mostly, the single thing that has brought huge comfort, is hearing how others are handling this time of isolation.

I belong to a women’s study group in Northern California. Since our move here three years ago, this group of a dozen women is the group I most miss. Smart, spiritual and interesting, I’ve greatly longed for their company. Now, thanks to the miracles of electronic communication, we’re doing Zoom meetings. Finally, I can join them.

The events surrounding the coronavirus pandemic are changing so rapidly, that I hesitated writing what may soon be out of date. However, as I sit at home, with all of my upcoming book, social and religious events canceled, I am profoundly struck by the effects that this new reality has on all of us.

I am an extremely social person. I look at a busy calendar, and I am generally pretty happy. Although I spend a good many hours each week in the solitary activity of writing, I also crave being with people. I love the interchange of stories between good friends, the stimulation from cultural events, and, most importantly, the warmth of physical contact. I’m a hugger. My mother was a hugger. My kids are huggers. My dear friends are huggers.