"...Covid Journal"

 

From my Pandemic Journals. This from March 17th, 2020.

I was offline today till now. I had to pull my head out of that beehive. I don't know the world's latest. ...other than now the Virus is in all 50 States. However I can give you my subjective local view of things. Traffic seemed lighter. Those that can working at home,...or worse laid off.

Went shopping, and to laundry. My local is taking only ten loads a day. I was number 12. My friend the owner let me in. She said she was making exceptions for old customers. Bless her. The markets are open. Shelves perhaps 30% empty. This after being restocked from the earlier rush.

I assume the distributors are not topping off the locals,...holding back. A wait, and see. The library was closed. A note said fewer days new shorter hours. Also directions to the main branch downtown. This has a normal schedule.

The food take outs except for the chains were shut.
The Haitian Chinese Hispanic, and Indian take outs either closed for two weeks or on shortened times.

Maybe one in six wearing masks.
Btw the drug store was out of these all week so far. Folks speaking to each other. New Yorker's open up when shit hits the fan. Folks telling their personal war stories of this thing. Blessing each other.

I'm listening to WQXR while posting this. These guys are one of the last Classical Station's in the region. We used to have several. Listen Live below...

https://www.wqxr.org/

They're programing music for this event.
This to help, and calm folks. Giving good information, and beautiful music. Some host's reading emails from listeners.

Just now several emails from musicians laid off as all concerts are cancelled for the duration. Musicians artists of all genres. Classical Blues Rock Folk,...are all listening to 'QXR. ...as am I.

As I say people are speaking. This brings out our best. So often we part by saying "...Bless you". I did this as well,...western rationalist that I more or less am. A Blessing is an intent of positive affirmation to another. These days especially.

As for our national situation,...

We all have an idea of what's coming.
Given how badly the Feds have acted so far. This is so terrible that's it's beyond mere blame. It's just happening, and we are all in it.

We're likely in for the Italian model. We're two to three weeks out from it. So should be calmly prepared. Bless you all.

That term again, "...Bless you."

As I post this on the evening of March 17th 2020.

I hear Bells. Saint Marks with her new bells barely two years old in her 120 year old steeple. That, and Saint Gregory's further down with her 140 year old brass. Both chiming as the sun sets.

With a hymn of Bells, and Blessings on the lips of many. That's Brooklyn on this dusk.

(...Bells of Saint Greg's Above.)