New Normal
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17th, 2020: a unique day in our history. Unusual things have happened on this day, as Ohio and the rest of the nation dig deeper into the era of Corona-Virus. Here, Governor Mike DeWine tried to cancel today’s primary elections, and a local court overruled him. When he lost the case, the wily veteran showed his well-earned political wisdom. He waited until 10:00 pm last night to have his Public Health Director declare the election a public health hazard – too late to appeal. The election is postponed, probably for a while.
Speaking of Governor DeWine, it’s not often you’ll hear me speak highly of a member of the GOP in this age of Trump. And while it’s not likely that I’ll be voting for him, I do admire has political courage. Two weeks ago he cancelled one of the most important revenue and sporting events in Columbus, Ohio, the “Arnold Sports Classic;” and the town was aghast. Today, in what seems like months later, it’s not a big deal. The Governor is trying to stay ahead of THE curve, literally, and I hope he continues to be willing to make the tough decisions. He’s doing what’s right, not what’s politically correct. DeWine is an Irish name, and from one Irishman here (it’s Martin O’Connor Dahlman) I’ll raise a glass to the Governor tonight.
Homework
I spent my day working from home. It’s kind of hard to wrap your head around the idea of substitute teaching from my office at the house, and today grading “papers” was all done online. But I spent my “work” hours staring at some awesome projects from my new social studies classes. I even got the same old headache I used to get with term papers, but I didn’t fall asleep grading quite as much!
As I worked I listened to the President’s press conference. As of yesterday he finally realized the real bad news: millions may die on his “watch”. Mr. Trump is subdued, and worried, and saying all of the things that he should have said two weeks ago; the kind of things that Mike DeWine has been saying all along. But at least he’s got it, and he’s working to be “Presidential”, something he’s always said he could do but never pulled off.
I also watch Governor Cuomo of New York today, talking about his children, and his parents, and what life is like under “social distancing”. The Governor was telling stories of his life to describe what we have to do: it must have felt the same when Americans gathered around the radio to listen to President Roosevelt in the depths of the Great Depression. Cuomo’s key: what’s going to happen is going to take time, but in the scope of our lives, it’s a short time that will only feel like it lasted forever. The only things we will lose are those family and friends we lose through death. Whatever we can do to lessen that loss is worth the sacrifice.
In the World
I did venture to the Kroger’s for some needed supplies. No, we’re still fine on toilet paper, but heaven forbid the dogs run out of carrots, or canned food. Good thing about the toilet paper, by 2:30 there was none left in the store again. Someone must have a mountain of that stuff somewhere, a basement filled to the rafters, or a garage that you can’t open the door. I guess I have to admit it: I hope they have a flood. It would serve them right. Even if Ohio says “shelter in place” you still will be able to go to the store for supplies. That includes toilet paper.
But I found what we needed, keeping my “appropriate” physical distance from the other customers. Everyone was subdued, except for the young cashier. There wasn’t a “bagger” so I was doing it myself. As I attempted to pickup a new plastic grocery bag again and again, she watched me, and finally said, “You have to lick you fingers”. I knew that, but it’s a “new” world of corona-virus, and I didn’t think that finger licking was appropriate. But as she said, “it’s your bag”.
St Patrick’s Day
Anyway, I’m thinking about an electronic assignment for my remote students at the other end of the computer screen. There’s a Bobby Kennedy quote:
“There’s an old Chinese proverb: may you live in interesting times. Like it on not, we live in interesting times.”
I think my young charges should write what life is like in the 2020 Corona-Virus. I hope it’s a one-time event for them, something they can tell tall stories about to their children. It’s history class I’m teaching, and it’s history that they’re living. So are we.
But regardless of all that, it’s St. Patrick’s Day – and we’ve laid on a supply of Guinness and Conway’s. There’s no party at the Irish Pub tonight, but I’ll still be celebrating me Irish heritage.
Sláinte!
Sorry, I disagree on the subject of Dewine calling off the election.
It’s one thing to call off a sporting event, even to call off schools. It’s another thing to call off an election.
People have died to preserve our freedom, and elections are at the core of our freedom. No freedom could exist without elections. Your folks fought the Nazis to protect our freedom, and but for the grace of God, could have been among those who made the ultimate sacrifice for that lofty purpose. It is sad but true that others will fight and die for our freedom in the future. Whether they die from a bullet or a virus is not the point. Our freedom, and our elections are inextricably joined and worth dying for.
Nevermind that Dewine did the deed under cover of darkness after a judge told him what I’m telling him here.
Just think about this precedent. Do you think that guy in the White House would hesitate for a second to call off an election? Dewine just gave him a road map.