Apocalyptic Polly: A Pandemic Memoir

Apocalyptic Polly chronicles both the intimate experience of one woman trying to protect her family during a global pandemic and the broader story of a nation upended by public health measures designed to prevent its spread during a period of growing political division, social unrest, economic crisis, and extreme weather. A child of the Cold War, the author reflects on how a "prepare, prevent, and respond" mindset led to a lifetime of anxiety and extreme caution in the face of Covid-19 - but proved no defense against heart-breaking loss. This bracingly honest memoir is a contemporary history, enriched with excerpts from personal text messages and social media posts that kept her connected to the outside world during her household's year of self-imposed isolation.