EYECARE: Coronavirus BRIEFING: Community Voices Community Voices Offer Personal Takes on the Pandemic By Staff Thursday, April 23, 2020 12:15 AM John AlofsNEW 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 2020This was to be our yearDifferent from the restNow all we feel is fearAnd being put to the testNo more one or twoNo more better or worseA worldwide pandemic, who knewThat 2020 would be a curseStay at home, shelter in placeWe have to work from homeDon’t get too close, I need my spaceThere is nowhere I can roamNo patients to see, nor glasses to sellInstead we wear a maskCan anyone find some PurellMy neighbor takes me to taskThe days they have a different toneThen what has been the normI look for my S.B.A. loanAnd feel a bit forlornWho thought of things like P.P.E.’sHangout, Go To Meeting and ZoomQuarantine has been the pleaWe all stay in our roomWhat happens when we rid this poxAnd start our lives anewMy mirror shows a silver foxAnd whiskers through and throughWe will get through this, that I’m sureBut life won’t be the sameWe will adapt, and find a cureBut maybe no baseball gamesSo here’s to friends and familyAnd to all the new things we triedContinue to be safe and healthyI’ll see you on the other sideBy John Alofs Check out these stories describing our new, day to day reality in VM's Coronavirus Briefing special section. Creating a Pandemic Playlist #WFH Is Our New Normal: Views From the Home Office 8 Things (Some Free) to Keep You Distracted From Thinking About That Other ThingSaving Your Sanity During a Crisis