Yesterday it was lyrics from the Rolling Stones (See Post #1249)…today The Beatles: 

“Help, I need somebody
Help, not just anybody
Help, you know I need someone, help”

Will retirement comfort be squashed by a virus? When March Madness is canceled, that’s the end of the world as far as I’m concerned. I saw my final I.U. basketball game of the year last night – a victory over an under-manned Nebraska team, with hopes of finally returning to the invitation-only Big Dance. Unfortunately, the rest of the BIG tourney was cancelled this morning, with the entire NCAA tournament surely to be next. This will trigger more instability with the Stock Market and drastically affect everyone’s life savings. The question remains as to how this will change our retirement plans? Help!

Will this trip to Phoenix this morning be our last retirement adventure for awhile? Will Spring Training games, the main reason for traveling, be canceled by the time we get there? The Oregon State baseball team was at the airport this morning with expectations of at least playing in Tucson without fans in the stands. Certainly, their games will be fully postponed by the time they arrive, following the NCAA precedence with regard to basketball. They don’t want to risk putting their student-athletes at risk, but what about Major League Baseball? Will the Player’s Union support a revenue shut-down? Yes, it’s true! Help!

Major companies are losing big dollars because of the virus-panic, whether the threat is justifiable or not. For example, the NCAA reportedly gets 80% of its revenue from the tourney. As a veteran of the TV business, although many people will be stuck at home in front of their big screens, there may be no live sports to watch, impacting advertising spending and incomes. I’m glad to be on the workforce sidelines and not have to deal with the decisions involved. Selfishly, our hard-earned nest-egg is sadly at risk, along with retirement security. These silly games are just the tip of the iceberg. Are we the Titanic or the Unsinkable Molly Brown? Help!

Travel Insurance companies must be going crazy. Airlines, Cruises, Rail providers, Ticket brokers, Travel Agencies, Restaurants, and Hotels, to mention a few, are pulling their hair out with cancellations, refunds, and frustrated patrons. Everything that draws a crowd is shutting down. I’m starting to feel guilty about leaving home, but wonder if retreating is really the answer? We can catch or potentially spread this just as easily in our apartment building as on an airplane, especially considering we no longer have the safety of an isolated private home. I do, however, reluctantly understand the logic of limiting exposure by avoiding crowds. At least, we’re supporting our now struggling economy. Help!