This Side of the Pond

The pandemic has always seemed comfortingly far away here in Crook County. Halfway up a mountain, safe in our small towns, few of us know anyone who’s been diagnosed with the dreaded virus – right?

Well, if you’re reading these words, now you do. I am the sixteenth identified case of COVID-19 in this county.

I caught the virus despite not having left Sundance since March. Despite having avoided almost every gathering and large event.

Despite staying away from public meetings and doing everything I could to keep on top of the news through online means. Despite being able to count the n...