OK, folks. Almost all of you are actually awake at this point and understand what is happening across the world. The news is coming at a frenetic pace and the uncertainty in the air has us anywhere from nonchalant to absolutely frightened.
I won't sugar coat it: We are in for tough times and dark days. These times are a little too interesting for my tastes.
Countries around the world are shutting it down and telling people to stay home except for essential travel. Exactly what that means varies from one country to the next.
I have mentioned over the last few days that these measures will need to be invoked here. They will likely start in hotspots this week and expand from there. In two weeks or so most places will be hotspots. That means we will see these measures in many places if not the entire country. Kids will be home from school and so will many parents who normally work.
Congress and the President appear to be working together to pass relief for the financial hardship that many are about to otherwise face, including mandatory paid sick leave, paid FMLA (family medical leave act) for up to three months, and other measures to help individuals and businesses, including small businesses.
These measures may seem draconian - and they are - but they are also absolutely needed. I won't repeat the numbers again projecting infections but they are staggering without massive and critical public health interventions.
This whole thing is anxiety-producing. You are right to be concerned.
But, we can choose how we face this. Many have faced similar restrictions on movement during wartime. They made it through those time and we will make it through this.
We can choose to have each other's back. We can choose to help when we can. We can choose to be kind and compassionate. We can choose to make this the very best we can make of a very dire and bad situation.
We can choose to practice good hygiene and prevent others and ourselves from becoming infected to the extent possible.
We can choose to face this head on with our eyes open.
We have other choices with much worse outcomes, but let's please make good choices.
A courageous person is not absent of fear. A courageous person face their fear and does what needs to be done. That is who we are and what we will do.
At least we don't have to worry about Blockbuster being out of our favorite movie and not being able to get there in any case.
Please sit back, take a deep breath, and take a moment to give thanks and ask for mercy and for those things we need - both material and other - to get through this.Hug those you love. Make a promise to keep each other safe and sound.
Slow down. Stop for just a minute. Think through the problems. The solution will be there, perhaps with a little help.
We. Will. Be. OK.
Love you guys. Take good care of yourselves.
I'll be here. I know you will, too.
I won't sugar coat it: We are in for tough times and dark days. These times are a little too interesting for my tastes.
Countries around the world are shutting it down and telling people to stay home except for essential travel. Exactly what that means varies from one country to the next.
I have mentioned over the last few days that these measures will need to be invoked here. They will likely start in hotspots this week and expand from there. In two weeks or so most places will be hotspots. That means we will see these measures in many places if not the entire country. Kids will be home from school and so will many parents who normally work.
Congress and the President appear to be working together to pass relief for the financial hardship that many are about to otherwise face, including mandatory paid sick leave, paid FMLA (family medical leave act) for up to three months, and other measures to help individuals and businesses, including small businesses.
These measures may seem draconian - and they are - but they are also absolutely needed. I won't repeat the numbers again projecting infections but they are staggering without massive and critical public health interventions.
This whole thing is anxiety-producing. You are right to be concerned.
But, we can choose how we face this. Many have faced similar restrictions on movement during wartime. They made it through those time and we will make it through this.
We can choose to have each other's back. We can choose to help when we can. We can choose to be kind and compassionate. We can choose to make this the very best we can make of a very dire and bad situation.
We can choose to practice good hygiene and prevent others and ourselves from becoming infected to the extent possible.
We can choose to face this head on with our eyes open.
We have other choices with much worse outcomes, but let's please make good choices.
A courageous person is not absent of fear. A courageous person face their fear and does what needs to be done. That is who we are and what we will do.
At least we don't have to worry about Blockbuster being out of our favorite movie and not being able to get there in any case.
Please sit back, take a deep breath, and take a moment to give thanks and ask for mercy and for those things we need - both material and other - to get through this.Hug those you love. Make a promise to keep each other safe and sound.
Slow down. Stop for just a minute. Think through the problems. The solution will be there, perhaps with a little help.
We. Will. Be. OK.
Love you guys. Take good care of yourselves.
I'll be here. I know you will, too.

