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John Alofs
NEW YORK—Several months into the COVID-19 crisis, we’ve all had time to ruminate on its impact and how it will continue to profoundly shape our lives, at least in the foreseeable future. Many of us in the optical industry are expressing our thoughts and feelings about the pandemic through writing, music, video and other creative endeavors. The latest of these Community Voices is John Alofs, founder and CEO of Eyewear by R.O.I., who reflects on our current situation in his poem.

Ode to 2020

This was to be our year

Different from the rest

Now all we feel is fear

And being put to the test


No more one or two

No more better or worse

A worldwide pandemic, who knew

That 2020 would be a curse


Stay at home, shelter in place

We have to work from home

Don’t get too close, I need my space

There is nowhere I can roam


No patients to see, nor glasses to sell

Instead we wear a mask

Can anyone find some Purell

My neighbor takes me to task


The days they have a different tone

Then what has been the norm

I look for my S.B.A. loan

And feel a bit forlorn


Who thought of things like P.P.E.’s

Hangout, Go To Meeting and Zoom

Quarantine has been the plea

We all stay in our room


What happens when we rid this pox

And start our lives anew

My mirror shows a silver fox

And whiskers through and through


We will get through this, that I’m sure

But life won’t be the same

We will adapt, and find a cure

But maybe no baseball games


So here’s to friends and family

And to all the new things we tried

Continue to be safe and healthy

I’ll see you on the other side


By John Alofs


Check out these stories describing our new, day to day reality in VM's Coronavirus Briefing special section. 

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Saving Your Sanity During a Crisis