I write this from a Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Hospital bed because in late May I took a fall while leaving my house, severely injuring my back. I was told later that four local ambulances showed up. After a week in the hospital I was transferred to a local rehab facility for two more weeks, and that was under quarantine. I couldn’t leave the room and all the nurses showed up in masks and gowns. Sally was driven to the center for a window visit, which proved unsuccessful. So we communicated by phone. I did have a TV and was able to talk to family by Zoom. That was cool.

So now I’m finishing this column at home, taking my painkillers, getting help from local physical therapy people, waiting for the okay to drive—and thankful that I don’t have coronavirus.

There’s a dearth of news from the College, as it’s shut down. It’s hard to believe that through all the wars, strikes, and sit-ins and outs that have occurred through the years we get knocked out by a virus most of us never heard of before.

I did get a note from Lee Coffin, dean of admissions and financial aid, announcing that Dartmouth is admitting 1,881 students to the class of 2024. The new year is only two months away—can you imagine a whole class, never mind a college, learning from home? We will get through this, and I send a sincere hope that you all wear masks and keep your distance from each other.

I am saddened to report the death of William B. Enright of San Diego on March 7.

—Joe Hayes, P.O. Box 57, Rye Beach, NH 03871; jhayes697@yahoo.com