Abraham Nussbaum

At a friend’s request, here are some songs from the pandemic–victims, survivors, allies– all together, again. Mostly first-gen because: Gen X for life.

Songs for digging in the dirt, sitting in the shade, and planting yourself.

Songs for morning afters– sobriety, reality, health, salvation– and a way to hold your head that doesn’t hurt.

Sometimes the big night is every night, and every dopamine-carved pathway brings you to the hospital.

Sing along, y’all, when you’re feeling that good ‘ole euthymia.

Cather says “The mind, too, has a kind of blood; in common speech we call it hope” and these are bleeding songs for dry minds.

As Muddy sang, “I know you’re coming back home,” and my troubles will come to an end…. eventually.

They say the first cut is the deepest, because the deep cuts from childhood and trauma underlie every struggle.

Songs for– I hope– the most discouraging phase of the pandemic. This one is from someone who encourages me– my sister– so if you haven’t already, get your vaccine!

Songs for waiting in the queue, administering doses, and recovering afterwards. Don’t miss your shot!

Songs for sheltering in place, quarantining, and riding out a fever curve. The cover art is a quarantined immigrant at Ellis Island. History rhymes…

Everyone needs help: routine, urgent, and emergent. Sometimes you need a hero. They are waiting for you in the Emergency Department. It’s a hell of a place to wait. Not the kind of place from which you send postcards, except for this one from the NLM: Operation Emergency Room.