Slow delivery of an internet order of fabric is really a minor worry considering the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that slow delivery is what first alerted me to the coronavirus problem.

I don’t ordinarily communicate with people on the other side of the world, but early this year I tried ordering fabric online from an Etsy store based in China. Then the store’s website abruptly disappeared.

After I ordered from another Etsy store, based in Hong Kong, I got a message from the retailer, Josephine: “Sorry to inform that, due to pneumonia medical issue, there are no courier for delivery.” At that time, we were just starting to hear news about the emergence of a new virus, and I remember thinking that if a virus was shutting down online retailers, it must be really bad.

I’m relieved to know that Josephine is doing OK, but the other retailer has not yet reopened.

COVID-19 affects humans, businesses … and weddings

Meanwhile, spread of the disease is now restricting American businesses as well. Like everyone else, I’ve made some quick adjustments in my shopping behavior to do my part in coronavirus control.

It took a while, but eventually my postal carrier dropped off the fabric I wanted. That fabric is for a dress, the dress is for my daughter, and my daughter is getting married on a Saturday in June. In normal times, I’d be spending much more time thinking about the details of the dress and the day, but now I’m more worried about the well-being of the wedding party and all the people on the guest list who are classified as high-risk.

At this point, the progression of the pandemic and timeline for social distancing and business shutdowns is uncertain, so the bride and groom aren’t finalizing the wedding details. In the meantime, the bride is trying to teach welding to high school agriculture students with remote lessons; the groom, who is a part-time EMT, is keeping his social distance from the bride; the sister of the bride, who is also the matron of honor, is planning 4-H camps that may not happen; the brother of the bride has his temperature taken every time he reports to work; and the father of the bride is finishing up a 33-year teaching career by writing online tests on small-engine maintenance.

Hermits, farmers have advantages

My own daily schedule hasn’t changed much, since my pig barn monitoring and cattle feeding don’t take me away from home anyway. Hermits do have some advantages in times like these. In fact, so do farmers. Markets may be melting and supply chains might need to be relinked, but agriculture still has a job to do. We’re heading into a planting season that’s likely to have plenty of nonviral challenges to keep us occupied.

As for me, I have a wedding dress to sew before I get too busy with spring farm chores. I’m still not sure how to handle dress fittings from a safe social distance, but we’ll figure something out. And I’m sure the bride will be beautiful, even if guests can’t safely come to see.

Keck writes from Raymond, Ohio.