Should I stay or should I go?

Hello, family, friends, and whoever else may be reading this. Remember me?!?  I haven't written much creatively in years (neither in a journal or online, shameful!) until this very moment. I have written plenty of other things, just not the fun stuff.  What prompted such a return, one may ask? Turns out it was COVID-19. Like many of us, this outbreak has forced me and my guy into some unexpected time off from work. And as we are all on lockdown in many different places in this world, I figured I'd reach out and send warmest regards from NYC. I've got time on my hands, that's for sure.

In preparation for what would become serious social distancing, starting Friday and through the weekend, I hit the supermarket and got essentials before and/or after work. Then Sunday, my job closed. That day, a 93 year-old woman came to the bar with another woman who had to be her daughter. They both sat and enjoyed a glass of Friulian Sauvignon Blanc, and as they were leaving, the younger woman revealed the elder's age. I thought to myself, "Damn, you should not have her outdoors! Wish I'd carded her (because that's always fun) and refused to serve her (which is never fun)..." For her own sake. I surely hope both ladies are ok. And they bring up the very issue we are all talking about. Should I venture out into the world for a glass of wine and a slice of normal life, or does venturing out make me a total idiot?  Or worse, despite no symptoms or fever, in heading outside, am I endangering others?? It's maddening.

While I have already faced facts and have to tighten my belt, I am relieved that Gov. Cuomo shut down as many systems as he did, including bars and restaurants. Honestly, I think the city and state had to close doors because of how many people were out over the weekend celebrating St. Patty's Day, clearly not abiding by the social distancing recommendations. For me personally, I work in a hotel bar these days. We share a locker room with all hotel employees (Front Desk, Housekeeping, Room Service, everyone) and three other restaurant/bars. You want some protocol for all these disparate groups, but nada!  I hoped they'd take temperatures of each employee before entering the building, but ended up closing most services altogether.

This pandemic definitely has many panicked but NYC seems to be holding on for now. The subway is still up and running last I checked. Even though I have not left the apartment today, other than to throw out the trash, I spent the afternoon cleaning this tiny apartment. It's truly shocking how much dust can accumulate in such a small space!

Oh, shoot!  I'm late for Jeopardy! All in all, we are here, hoping for the best and hoping to avoid the worst. Ciao for now!

Ok, back for a minute, just to say "Happy St. Patty's"!