Journaling the Coronavirus (COVID19) Pandemic, Reflection #44
April 25, 2020
Lake Geneva, WI
Harley Davidson, Trek, and Alan Edmonds Shoes…what do they all have in common?
The automobile, or rather the lack of those human carriages has brought a certain commonality to those three seemingly disassociated products. Driving in cars and trucks is down seventy percent across the nation, and in some places, much more. There are no cars in Lake Geneva for most of the week because of the Coronavirus “stay-in-place” declaration, with a slight uptick on the weekends. The city wants to go back to paid parking for revenue purposes, but yesterday, of the eleven hundred parking meters we could drive around and view, only about sixty had cars parked in slots. But we have Harleys and other motorcycles all over the place, seldom parking in any of the slots that are free, even. They just tour around, drawing their drumbeat attention, and then they move on. Not in big groups, like they used to be, but socially distanced, if you will, at just a few at a time…but so many. Bicycles are all over and also people simply walking around. Since there is nowhere far to drive, many people are giving driving up entirely, unless they have to carry groceries in the car or pickup.
I don’t know what’s going on across the nation because I am not out there, but in and around the lake here, that’s what’s happening. I used to not like the big groups of Harley drivers, but don’t mind them anymore. They are quieter now and I understand them better now. They need to, have to, get out and into the freedom of open-air and the road and all of what it means to be an American. Who would have thought? I’ll never ride a motorcycle again because the risk of injury or death is simply too high (although lower now with all the other vehicles staying off the road).
I am happy that this virus did not strike fully, and be reacted to so wildly, deep into the beginning of a terrible winter. That would have made things so much worse.
I pray. Most of you pray. I pray for me and you and I hope you do too.
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Share your activities
James
Here in mid west Michigan an area dependent on tourism camping and fishing the traffic volumes are about 1/3 of what is normal.
Half the people out and about looking like they are taking part in an NBC drill the others go on as normal as possible.
This county has had 15 cases of vivid since the count began and zero deaths. There are 48,000 residents in a 480 square mile area.
There is a good amount of frustration with our governor for some her executive orders as there should be. We are not Detroit.
Glad you’re well enough to write again. Thanks for the prayers.
I see the glasses as half full but this virus is definitely causing a crack in the glass.
The ‘crack in the glass,’ and when does that glass break and shatter to the floor? Great analogy.
We don’t know is the answer, but we should never have stepped so quickly and deeply into the shutdown.
Half, fully half, of our colleges and universities are openly discussing whether to open in the fall.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim in southern New Jersey Atlantic County lots of vehicles out but less then normal. On a bright sunny day yesterday while biking saw this. But the weather has been so bad rainy on shore cold wind could have brought more out on Saturday. Today another raw damp windy inside day. until the ocean gets warmer it will be miserable. To wet to work on the garden etc.
Thank for sharing your conditions, Ken
I believe the ‘SUN’ will be shining everywhere.
Semper fi,
Jim
Central Wyoming, 76 cases 23 in last two days. Life is normal for me, unless we go grocery shopping about 50% of people wearing masks. Have stay at home orders, but traffic pretty much normal around town. No meetings, school, or restaurants and small businesses open. Indian reservation has been hit hard, and it’s leaders trying to take a hard line, but not being listened to. County health officer encouraging the wearing of masks, I believe it should be mandatory. Lots of unemployment. National forests, parks and state camping areas closed. Won’t have to put up with tourists this year.
You may not have to put up with tourists this year, that is true. You may have to put up with the results of ‘carry conceal’ however.
The ‘trouble’ if this continues, is not going to come from the outside.
Semper fi,
Jim
Just got through having church on line. Much different, but it is a connection with those I worship with. I am on the front line, at least two days a week handing out food to those less fortunate, at my community Food Pantry. My wife is preparing for surgery to have her appendix removed,(elective surgery) Next week I will have completed my Master’s Degree in Christian Spiritual Formation, but graduation will be on line, due to the pandemic. Good news, the recovery rate of the virus is now 69% versus the death rate of 31% (worldometer) All we hear is the bad news, we must get our economy back. Will be starting my business by June, with online presence first.
The death rate in the U.S. is around three percent. The world out there has mostly shitty medical care when it is available at all.
There is no counting out there either. Can you imagine a census being taken in Mali, Eritrea, Burkina Faso, etc.? We simply approximate and
we do so back here and then use the numbers to influence opinions and then actions of others. Sucks but there it is.
Semper fi
Jim
Good day to you, just so you know i read your stuff often and though we don’t agree on everything, i find your insight sound. i think as we get older and have seen much we tend to get a different view of whats going on. history always repeats itself. hopefully our freedoms can survive this as a nation. blessings on you and your family
on another note…i dont ride my bike anymore either…to much pain involved after. but i always loved the freedom and air. i never did ride with a group though i was a solo rider on a quiet bike…i really miss it at times
Thanks for your comment and sharing, Gregory.
Guess what? few us agree with each other all of the time ~~smile
sorry about your “bike retirement’
Semper fi,
Jim