Back Before
Twelve days ago was “Super Tuesday”. Joe Biden won big, ten states to Bernie Sanders’ four. And even Sanders’ win in the “big enchilada,” California, was close, earning him only forty-seven more delegates than Biden, 211 to 163. Super Tuesday results changed the entire course of the Democratic nominating process, followed up by Biden’s strong results this past Tuesday in Michigan, Missouri, and three other states. Sanders managed to win only one, North Dakota.
That was the “big deal” last week, the week before the United States confronted the Corona-Virus head on. And the elections, and life, go on, despite all of the “oxygen” in our lives taken up by this ultimate health crisis.
My wife is “fostering” a rescued dog. She named the eight-year old “Bandit,” and he came to the house three weeks ago in sad shape. His back legs hardly worked, his ears were so filled with infection the he couldn’t hear, and he had other skin infections and probably worms. He was a mess from months wandering outside. Before there was the corona-virus quarantine, Jenn was quarantined here in the house, giving intensive care to Bandit. This coming Tuesday he goes for an MRI and possible spinal surgery to determine his fate.
But he has improved under Jenn’s care. He’s standing better, eating regular dog food, and finally sleeping more than two hours at a time. He’s good enough, that Jenn could actually leave the house for a few hours without worrying. Since Tuesday is Bandit’s big day at the veterinary hospital, we decided to go cast our primary votes at the County Board of Elections in Newark.
Social Distancing
It was the first Saturday of “social-distancing” to slow down the course of the corona-virus. Folks here in Licking County seem to be taking that seriously. The roads weren’t as crowded as usual. When we arrived at the Board of Elections, there wasn’t a line, even though this was the only place to cast early ballots on Saturday morning. We walked straight in, got our “new” optical ballot from the clerk, and voted. I complimented the clerks on the new apparatus, not only is there an actual paper ballot printed, but you can visually check your votes to make sure there are no mistakes. Licking County seems ahead of the voting curve.
We were out, Jenn for the first time in weeks. So we went to lunch at a local pub. It was a little early, but we didn’t expect to be the only customers in the place. It gave us a chance to talk to the staff over our burgers. This was their new “reality” of business, a few customers but many open tables. It was supposed to be a Saturday of NCAA basketball finals with the bar packed. Today the bartender was straightening out the bottles on the top shelf; no one was looking for a drink.
It’s Saint Patrick’s Day weekend, America’s excuse to drink Guinness beer and Jamison’s Irish whiskey. But it’s not happening, folks are staying home, and no one is getting a tip for good service.
On the Point
What’s going to happen to these restaurants? One of our favorite spots in Cleveland, Nighttown, has closed its doors for a month. The workers are laid off, told to collect unemployment. Other restaurants are shortening their hours, and soon will start cutting back on employees.
Investors have been anticipating a recession for months, but Corona-Virus has sealed the deal. It’s not just the stock market, down twenty percent, 6000 points in the past month. It’s those bartenders and waiters, standing around at the restaurant, talking nervously to the few customers. Food comes out fast, and drinks are never empty. But these folks won’t be working for long. When the government says that they’ll take care of those hurt by the epidemic, I hope these guys are in the front of the line.
I know we’ve got to practice “social distancing”. My substitute-teaching job has turned into developing materials for “online education”. Kids are going to check-in online, get their assignments, and then put them in the “drop-box” to be graded. It’s a “brave new world” of teaching, one that puts us all out of harm’s way. And if you study the “flattened” curve of disease, it’s going to last for months. So get used to it.
But don’t forget all those folks who are going to lose out. Not just kids who will miss the personal contact, but people who will lose their jobs because we are all hiding from the virus in our homes.
And if you go out to eat, leave a big tip. They need it.
