Fever

Everybody's got the fever
That is somethin' you all know
Fever isn't such a new thing
Fever started long time ago

-          “Fever” sung by Peggy Lee

        

As I write this, the world has gone mad due to a virus now labeled as a “global pandemic.” Its name is COVID-19, which stands for Corona Virus Disease, first reported in ’19. Bet some of you didn’t know where that name came from, did you? COVID-19 has also been called novel coronavirus because it is novel, or unique. That sums things up pretty well.

Now to the world gone mad part….

Everyone is trying to lay blame on someone for this crisis. Most blame appears to be assigned based on your political mindset. Some blame the mainstream media for blowing things out of proportion. They certainly have kept it in the spotlight. POTUS climbed on board last week, so maybe it isn’t all about the liberal media spreading propaganda to ruin the president’s re-electability. Ohio is a red state, and Ohio has been in the forefront in taking action to reduce the spread of the virus. Personally, I think they might be overreaching, but I understand their rationale.

The blame game continues unabated. Some social media posts show train tank cars photoshopped to include COVID-19 labels. There are some seemingly intelligent people who believe that a secret conspiracy by the government or against the government would proudly proclaim their handiwork on railroad tank cars as they roll through cities and towns. Some self-appointed scholars are saying Obama created this virus years ago and gave it to the Chinese to weaponize. Others claim Trump is using this as an excuse to cancel elections and keep himself in power. The Chinese ministers of misinformation claim that the US Army secretly brought it into China and released it. US official say that the Chinese officials are desperately in need of much of America’s hoarded toilet paper. One indisputable fact is that we are ALL now dealing with this virus and its fallout.

A&E now has a lot of fodder for many future seasons of their show Hoarders. Toilet paper has become as valuable as gold nuggets. I recently saw someone complain on social media that a local store was rationing toilet paper and they were only allowed to purchase two 48-roll packages. Yes, someone was complaining that they were only permitted to buy 96 rolls of TP for their four-person household. Oh, the humanity! Perhaps someone in said household has a severe intestinal issue. That is a possibility. Still, we have all seen photos of hoarders purchasing 20 large packages or more of bathroom tissue. C’mon people, this is NOT the zombie apocalypse! You will still be allowed out of your home!

Yesterday, Ohio governor Mike DeWine ordered all bars and restaurants to close. Carryout and delivery are the only options available today. I don’t know if you can order a couple of beers and a mixed drink and have those delivered, but I kind of doubt that. Ohio retailers that have Sunday liquor sales did a booming business after the 3:00 PM announcement from the governor. It is quite likely that beer, wine and liquor shelves across the state will soon look like the toilet paper aisles. Alas, poor Joe Six-pack, I knew ye well. 

In all seriousness, there will be many affected financially besides business owners. Most restaurant servers are already paid a pittance, with tips from diners expected to make up the difference. Many of those folks will now have no income. The governor promises prompt response for new unemployment claims, despite state officials warning a few weeks ago that Ohio’s unemployment system was critically underfunded and could not sustain a recession like in 2008-2009. This should prove interesting to watch unfold.

Schools in Ohio are closed from March 16 through April 3. So far, that is. The governor stated yesterday that he would not be surprised if schools do not reopen at all for the rest of the school year. This closure affects all schools in Ohio, both public and private. Teachers are still reporting to school to facilitate distance learning activities. This is uncharted waters for most schools and staff, and I wish them all the best in this endeavor.

Also suspended are extra-curricular activities including all athletics. You know the situation must be extraordinarily grave if sports are banished from schools! This ban also affects school musical productions, which in turn affects me. I am still directing the high school musical at the school where I spent my teaching career. I thought things were going just a little too well for our show this year!

The mandatory school closure opens a whole new can of worms for musical directors. The current thinking is that we will reschedule our show for a date in May, as are many other Ohio schools. If the school closure is extended, as it might well be, we would be forced to cancel the show for the first time in 35 years. The logistics of collecting rented scripts and returning script deposits to the cast members has yet to be determined, but I’m betting it won’t be pretty.

Ohio daycare centers sound as if they might be in jeopardy, if the governor’s dire admonition yesterday is any indication. He warned parents to get their young children out of daycare centers. I feel like starting a betting pool on what day and time the governor will officially order daycares closed. You know it’s coming – you just don’t know when!

I am certain more changes to everyday life are imminent. I am afraid that this won’t be resolved in a few weeks or even a few months. In the meantime, quit hoarding supplies, stay home if you feel poorly and appreciate spending time with your families!