The saga continues, and Nero fiddles.

Fortunately some beautiful spring weather has made it pleasant to be out and around the neighborhood.  We find our screened porch to be a great daily source of peace and solitude.

One of our bartender friends dropped off a bottle of his homemade Old Fashioned Syrup the other afternoon.  But he just left it on the porch then emailed me later to tell me it was there.  I replied to object that we had been hoping to say hello – and to pay him.  His reply to me was moving and I wanted to share:

“I know me too.

I’ve been a social distance steward.

Plus it’s really hard seeing people and not hugging them.

It hurts my heart.

Hope you guys love it and it makes quarantine a little bit bearable!!!!

Cheers!”

Cheers!

Nota bene: this is not my opinion, only a thought I’ve been pondering.  Keep that in mind when you read it.

One of the things I wonder about as this virus thing chugs along, is whether the long-term economic impact of all these closures will ultimately be more devastating to a larger portion of the population than the health impact.  In U.S. alone in the last two weeks, 10 million people filed for unemployment, vs. (as of 4/5/20) 311,536 confirmed cases and 8,499 deaths.

It sounds crass to suggest the possibility that the lives saved are not worth the cost, and I’m not actually suggesting that to be the case.  But there has to be a breakeven point in terms of cost/benefit.  We’re doing all this quarantining to stave off a capacity crisis in our healthcare system.  I get that.  But at what point does the long-term economic cost – that is impacting everyone, not just the ones who get sick – outweigh the lives saved?  And perhaps more importantly, if the same thing happens again in a few years, then what?

To apply the medical terminology to the economics, isn’t this a bit like infecting everyone with the virus, then depending on the strength of our personal immunity and an overwhelmed healthcare system to cure us?

What’s better than 20% off a case of wine?  20% off TWO cases of wine!  When our grocery store offers their case sale, we often stock up.  Our new Harris Teeter has a really nice selection of wines under $20.  James The (Retired) Wine Guy will recognize some of these old friends!

I’m a bit puzzled by this whole thing about masks.  Many health experts have been saying for a long time that they aren’t necessary.  Now all of a sudden we are being “encouraged” to wear them in public, while health care professionals who desperately need them still can’t get them.  Yeah, you can make your own or have someone make one for you.  I’d like one in red flannel plaid, please (don’t you dare).  The rationale for recommending them seems tenuous.  One doctor was quoted as saying “it’s better than nothing.”  OK, perhaps.  Another person stated that “the effect is greatest when masks are used along with hand hygiene and social distancing.”  But isn’t that like the claim on a health food product that says it promotes weight loss when combined with sensible eating and exercise?

Over the last few days the weather has improved and started to warm up.  I’ve seen a number of our neighbors – many that I never see outside the house unless they are in their cars – out walking around the block.  I know that a lot of folks are going stir crazy sitting around  the house and getting outside is a good way to overcome that.  But I tell myself that maybe I’ve inspired a few of them by my own walking.  Except that most days I’m out and about and never see a soul!

I had an interesting email exchange with a friend yesterday.  He commented about how Kathy & I always seemed to find the silver lining in things, even when the outlook seemed bleak.  We do consider ourselves to have a positive outlook, and I’m often surprised when others’ comments seem to reflect the opposite.  Sometimes the silver lining can be hard to see, but there is almost always something to latch on to.

Considerable time was spent “contemplating” the proper way to photograph this particular subject.  Take comfort in knowing that I was actually seated on the floor for this photo. 🙂

This photo is appropriate for these times, and also for the fact that for practitioners of the faith, it’s April Fools Day. 😉

I walked at least 5,000 steps per day – usually many more – for 30 days in a row in March.  I took the 31st off to break the streak.  To my way of thinking, there is little to be gained with streaks, and the longer they go the more the pressure builds to continue.  So by purposely breaking it, walking becomes just something I do, and not something I have to do.  And I was back at it again this morning! 🙂