“Sing of good things, not bad; Sing of happy, not sad”
—-The Carpenters
This is indeed a scary time. The news is so disturbing that I stopped reading it, and staying in the house except for our twice daily walks is getting old. We can concentrate on the fears and discomfort, or we can look for the several silver linings in this darkest of clouds.
First of all, the environment is getting a much needed break. With most people staying home, there are comparatively few cars on the road. Many businesses have closed their doors or lessened their work force. There is less exhaust spewing into our air, which gives Mother Nature a breather. I read in Time today that “One of the deadliest epidemics in decades has dented energy demand and industrial output in China, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 million metric tons—close to what Chile emits in a year.” I saw a before/after photo of the Wuhan region and the latter’s lack of air pollution was startling.
Secondly, we are watching companies and individuals take care of each other in remarkable ways. Many restaurants in our area are opening for take-out and delivery only. The staffs come to work every day to cook and deliver to people who can’t or won’t cook for themselves. In return, people are buying gift cards for their neighborhood restaurants so workers will be paid today even if they won’t be used for months.
Comcast is trying to work out a way to give those who can’t afford it free internet for several months, so their children can attend virtual classes. Universal is hoping to put current movies on streaming, so those who can’t go out will be able to watch them. Whole Foods and several other big chain stores are allowing seniors and those who are health compromised to shop before the stores are open to the public.
It is equally heartwarming watching neighbors helping neighbors through this frightening experience. No one seems to care about their neighbor’s political affiliation anymore. People are doing what they can for those around them. Yes , there are the people who saw this as a business opportunity and bought up all the hand sanitizer, etc, to sell at insane mark-ups, but I have to believe Karma will take care of that. That guy In Kentucky with 18,000 bottles of sanitizer that no one will allow him to sell on the Internet can’t be feeling so smart now.
I am not minimizing this calamity that we are facing economically as well as health wise. I believe that we will probably never be the same after facing this crisis, but I also believe that our very sanity depends on our ability to hang on to the good. It is there if we look for it. Most importantly, we must stay healthy...as a country and as individuals. Please continue your social distancing, hand washing and caring for each other. This too shall pass if we all do our part.
AND READ PEOPLE...READ!
The book I am sharing with you this week is The Big Lie by James Grippando. Grippando has a way of capturing the politics of the day and wrapping it into an exciting legal thriller, and this one definitely fills that bill.
As always a complete review of this book follows my blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly
—-The Carpenters
This is indeed a scary time. The news is so disturbing that I stopped reading it, and staying in the house except for our twice daily walks is getting old. We can concentrate on the fears and discomfort, or we can look for the several silver linings in this darkest of clouds.
First of all, the environment is getting a much needed break. With most people staying home, there are comparatively few cars on the road. Many businesses have closed their doors or lessened their work force. There is less exhaust spewing into our air, which gives Mother Nature a breather. I read in Time today that “One of the deadliest epidemics in decades has dented energy demand and industrial output in China, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 million metric tons—close to what Chile emits in a year.” I saw a before/after photo of the Wuhan region and the latter’s lack of air pollution was startling.
Secondly, we are watching companies and individuals take care of each other in remarkable ways. Many restaurants in our area are opening for take-out and delivery only. The staffs come to work every day to cook and deliver to people who can’t or won’t cook for themselves. In return, people are buying gift cards for their neighborhood restaurants so workers will be paid today even if they won’t be used for months.
Comcast is trying to work out a way to give those who can’t afford it free internet for several months, so their children can attend virtual classes. Universal is hoping to put current movies on streaming, so those who can’t go out will be able to watch them. Whole Foods and several other big chain stores are allowing seniors and those who are health compromised to shop before the stores are open to the public.
It is equally heartwarming watching neighbors helping neighbors through this frightening experience. No one seems to care about their neighbor’s political affiliation anymore. People are doing what they can for those around them. Yes , there are the people who saw this as a business opportunity and bought up all the hand sanitizer, etc, to sell at insane mark-ups, but I have to believe Karma will take care of that. That guy In Kentucky with 18,000 bottles of sanitizer that no one will allow him to sell on the Internet can’t be feeling so smart now.
I am not minimizing this calamity that we are facing economically as well as health wise. I believe that we will probably never be the same after facing this crisis, but I also believe that our very sanity depends on our ability to hang on to the good. It is there if we look for it. Most importantly, we must stay healthy...as a country and as individuals. Please continue your social distancing, hand washing and caring for each other. This too shall pass if we all do our part.
AND READ PEOPLE...READ!
The book I am sharing with you this week is The Big Lie by James Grippando. Grippando has a way of capturing the politics of the day and wrapping it into an exciting legal thriller, and this one definitely fills that bill.
As always a complete review of this book follows my blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly
Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog
