It has only been one year. The national emergency was declared due to the coronavirus pandemic on March 13, 2020. This opened the door to allow federal help. For a while, everything took the sinks. First the folks began hoarding things like toilet paper. I can still see those empty rows in grocery stores.
Businesses started closing. We began wearing masks. Many employees were furloughed. While a lot of the morning news seemed to repeat itself, there was always something new for me to digest.
We began learning about how to exist in our new virtual world. Many people began working from home. One of our close neighbors has been working out of her new home office for months. Sometimes I am amazed at the number of missing cars on the streets during normal traffic times.
Almost every business has made adjustments to allow folks to remain safe and healthy while continuing to provide services. When Stuart (our dog) needs to visit the veterinarian or the groomer, the staff comes out and meets us at our car. Stuart goes in with them. I stay in the car.
Restaurants blocked off tables so proper space was maintained at all times due to capacity restrictions. There was never anything on the table when we would sit down. Salt and pepper would be issued in small packages when the meal was served.
Schools have been really struggling. Some school systems had to make drastic changes to compensate for sick employees. An example would be with school bus drivers. If a school system had twice as many regular drivers sick as they had substitute drivers, that would be a terrible dilemma. That was happening quite often.
Many school employees like teachers and bus drivers must be licensed by the state. Very few licensed school bus drivers have been sitting home with no job if they really wanted one. So, with lots of absent students, home learning, and sick drivers many changes had to be made.
School teachers and school staff now have the ability to get their shots starting this week. I’m hoping that will make a big difference.
A few times each week, I need to go to a grocery store or other local businesses. At least half of the time, I get almost to the door of the business before my mind yells at me that I don’t have my mask. I’m amazed at the number of people that I pass during that walk back to the car and the return walk to the store that nod and smile at me.
I was with my son a couple of weeks ago and he needed to visit a Walmart to get something done to his cellphone. I decided to wait in the car. I found a parking space near one of the doors and backed into it. It was amazing to see how many folks are also afflicted with the “Whoops No Mask” disease.
My wife, Lyn, has continued doing volunteering work at Anna’s House. It is a Lord’s Pantry located just a bit northwest of the Indianapolis Zoo. She has helped there for years. As you might imagine, they have been extremely busy.
We have had both of our Covid shots now. Neither Lyn or myself had any after-effects from those shots. I’ve talked with staff members at the nursing homes that Stuart and I visit. We have been informed that we might be able to start visiting again soon.
I’m in touch with several of my high school classmates. We have been comparing results and any after effects from those shots.
Indianapolis is the center of the college basketball world this month. Lots of people have been helping to clean up everything. Restaurants and bars can seat more people now and don’t have to close as early.
Last week, I had the opportunity to have a lunch with some classmates and later that day, Lyn and I went to dinner. Two different restaurants in the same day. In both cases, I was so excited. They both now offer real salt and pepper shakers.
I really hope that things continue to get better. Let’s keep trying to stay safe and enjoy friends and family.