A July 17 email from Caribou Coffee informed that face coverings are required beginning today (Monday, July 20). The requirement applies at Caribou Coffee company-owned locations. So I wondered if Caribou truly "owns" the space at our Willie's Super Valu.
When I last checked, many customers at Willie's had face coverings but many did not. Thus there was no requirement. I imagine that could change at any time. A friend tells me that it appears all the Willie's employees are wearing masks. At first it appeared there were only a few, then we noticed the glass or plastic panels going up.
As time went by, more Willie's employees seemed to be opting for the masks, and now it's reportedly 100 percent. But not for customers, not yet.
What an asset this store has been for all of us. What would we do without Paul Martin? Or Jay Nelson? Nelson has heeded my pleas to have Hostess cupcakes available in individual packages! As the first few weeks passed in this current troubling episode, I felt incredible admiration for all the Willie's employees, as they showed a yeoman's dedication.
If masks are now deemed necessary, we hope it reflects the best wisdom. We're largely "on our own" because the federal level of government does not want to be bothered much. It expends effort trying to restore "life as normal" as if there were no pandemic, as with using the Defense Production Act to keep meat processing plants going. And, to pressure schools all over the country, using the threat of withheld funds, to simply open in fall. Just open it up and have the kids pour in. Just do it. That's the Republicans' attitude.
The president wants the virus to just go away because this wouldn't require any special effort or expense by government. Don't you all realize by now how GOPers are programmed to think and believe? Republicans insist we need regular school (and sports I'm sure) to just "resume" because of, oh, how essential it is for our precious young people! The kids need to advance their learning. Or, horrors, we will have a "lost generation." One envisions illiterate young people wandering around as if zombies, 'cause they haven't been spoon-fed their normal "lessons."
Such admonitions come from a president who is so proud to say he "aced" a cognitive exam, so don't worry, folks, we have a president who can identify a picture of a camel. And an elephant. So don't worry, we can have faith in the man who heralds the essential nature of education. (Especially in private or religious schools, we might add.)
Today the news is reporting that the presidential daily briefings are returning. It's a bizarre world: it was in this setting where the president inquired about injecting disinfectant or shining UV light in the body. And Dr. Birx, instead of leaping to her feet and saying "you're a raving lunatic, Donald Trump, so just stop talking," she was restrained and courteous. She could have been a hero. We need true heroes right now.
Church muddles on
My church on June 29 announced its first "parking lot service." The email was a turn-off. People were asked to park in previously-marked spots. "Ushers will provide guidance on where to park." People were to maintain the six feet physical distance. Lawn chairs would be allowed. We were asked "not to meet outside our vehicles." I shook my head.
Too many rules and restrictions, too onerous, and this isn't to say I don't appreciate the logic behind them. I do. But it's just not fun or fulfilling.
This past Sunday, just out of curiosity, I pedaled bike over to the vicinity of my church, First Lutheran, just to see what might be up. There was an outdoor service. But rules appeared to have been loosened. A fellow parishioner waved me over and showed where I could grab a folding chair - very nice. Laurie F. came around with a communion cup that included a wafer. Printed programs were available but I didn't grab one. Through the course of the morning I'm sure I talked to one or two people within the six feet distance.
How do I assess it all? For the rest of the day Sunday my spirits were higher than they would have been otherwise. A great injection of positive spirit. But on the reverse side of the coin, September will come and the outdoor services will have to end. Can we keep our enthusiasm up over the next nine months? I strongly doubt that. Our ties with other parishioners and our clergy will diminish because they'll simply have to.
Don't we all dread the onset of cold weather. Many people will start coughing and blowing their nose as a matter of course. Anxiety will rise. Will the approximately 1500 (probably fewer) UMM students spread the dreaded virus here? We love having them here in normal times. We love them but do not want them to endanger us.
A UMM flute player was at the Sunday First Lutheran service, and I had the pleasure of getting to know her. Would you believe, she's a Catholic but just wanted to stop over and take part? She plays under Simon Tillier at UMM. How can band and choir possibly function at UMM this fall? We need to start getting some answers.
I smiled as I read the line in First Lutheran's email about how "last, but not least, plans are in place and supplies have been ordered (for communion)." I smiled because I remembered how Harley Hanke had gotten on me once for writing an article in the paper that used the expression "last but not least." He said it was an empty, useless phrase. I agree, Mr. Hanke.
"The Talking Rings"
My podcast message today, July 20, from my "Morris Mojo" podcast recalls the 1960 movie "The Time Machine" in which the heroic characters learn of past catastrophe from the "talking rings." You might remember. Recorded messages about our current anxiety with the pandemic might end up like this someday? To explain how our society began to suffer and break down? Leading to possible cataclysm?
We can pray against such a scenario. But the possibilities must be pondered. Here's the permalink for my 7/20 podcast episode from beautiful Northridge Drive:
https://anchor.fm/brian-williams596/episodes/The-Talking-Rings-eh0jgl
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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