It won’t be long until everyone is retired, as jobs begin to disappear. The State of Illinois just announced that they don’t have enough money to pay unemployment benefits. The restaurant downstairs from our apartment just closed their doors rather than try to deal with Health Department guidelines. Small towns will soon be shutting down, as more people stay home, especially if we’re required to wear masks. Thankfully, the Dow Jones is up this morning, but I’m not sure why? These were some of the things that I learned after stepping outside this morning, while listening to the radio. At least, I can still take the dog out and do my ritualistic run (Day 4,113, by the way). It will be the last I tune-in to grim reality for the day, as I prepare for an afternoon of left-overs, snacks, and boring cable shows. 

I talked to a friend in the TV business yesterday. It’s been thirty years since I appropriately hired him on an April Fool’s Day. He would have been on spring break with his family in St. Lucia this week, but was instead working from home while on a conference call as we spoke. It was a reminder of how glad I am for both my wife and I to be retired from the ranks. He indicated that advertising revenue was down about 50% with many cancellations combined with threats to shift dollars elsewhere without bonus guarantees. What a hassle! His first quarter bonus has gone down the toilet and his daughter will be celebrating her 16th birthday at home. In comparison, my biggest problem right now is what show to watch next!

I did get a few bonus steps in yesterday, as we walked down the street for a take-out fried chicken dinner. The last couple nights I’ve only eaten half of my food, having ruined my appetite on sweet snacks throughout the day. I can feel some depression setting in, so running in the morning is my sanity savior. The most constructive thing I’ll do today is trim my toenails. Optimistically, I don’t think we’ve even yet reached the half-way point of self-quarantine. Local businesses continue to try to woo me with regular e-mails, and I appreciate the fact that they haven’t given up. Going to the mailbox is now usually a disappointment, as there’s no longer junk mail to make me feel wanted. Recent articles report that this may be the last straw for the struggling U.S. Postal Service. 

I wonder what life will be like after this viral storm finally passes? On the positive side, food manufacturers, vitamin companies, mail-order businesses, liquor sales, and toilet paper producers can’t keep up with demand. Certainly, new ideas will generate innovative niche opportunities. It will still take years for our economy to recover, and many small companies don’t have that kind of time. Selfishly, I’m hoping that Social Security benefits will not be adversely affected, but I’m already feeling sorry for the current workforce that will soon see 70 as the minimum retirement age – or will never get a chance to enjoy their golden years. “Don’t Worry…Be Happy.” Tomorrow is another day!