COVID-19 Lockdown, Day 258

 Yet another week passed. The good news was that the COVID-19 infection rate is starting to plateau, meaning that new cases and deaths have plateaued. Also, there is more talk of the vaccines and when people will begin getting them. As for the unpleasant news, I have learned personally what my commuting clients must endure with social distancing. I took a bus with him, and three buses passed us by before one could stop. Whenever a bus no longer has space to socially distance, it runs express. Hence, it took three times as long as it usually does to get where I am going. Also, I was talking to my friends about what to do on New Year's Eve, but it seems like we probably won't be able to get together as we planned. Damn you, COVID-19! Ruined the whole year and killed over 250,000 Americans. I think this video from Office Space sums up what I think of 2020, possibly the worst year of my life (hint: the year 2020 is the printer): 


At least I accomplished one good thing this week; I finally finished my book about Chicago's Tent City! I had hoped to finish by last June, but stuff happens. So far, 4 people bought it, and I know about two of them. ;-) Since my mentor went to be with the Lord when I started writing it, I dedicated it to her. Since I wrote about the homeless population, I have pledged to donate 20% of my book profits to those who help the homeless populations the most in Chicago: Salvation Army and Pacific Garden Mission. If you cannot buy a copy, please at least share the link on your social network of choice. Here is the link: https://www.lulu.com/en/za/shop/devin-ml-andrews/tent-village/paperback/product-gp2y68.html?page=1&pageSize=4

If you buy the book, you will see some pictures I took of Tent City last Sunday. When I told my pastor and deacon that I was going to Tent City, the deacon gave me some blankets and slippers for them. They gratefully accepted them and let me walk about their camp and take pictures. You can review the pictures by clicking on this link:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1q4vQwxJ-doxqu6pyj3b-nr37booQUlmW?usp=sharing.  One person told me that, while they have an overabundance of socks, thank the Lord, what they really need is propane. I will discuss this with my pastor since he seems interested in doing more for them. While most of the villagers, as I call them in my book, are quite guarded, they are welcoming as well. For those planning to spend a fortune of Christmas presents this year, I would challenge you to donate at least 5% of your shopping budget to help the homeless--not necessarily at Tent City, but in any way you can. After all, if you change a few of your own life circumstances, you would also be homeless. If God has blessed you (and He has), spread some of that blessing around and make yourself twice-blessed. 


A little housekeeping: four of you have responded to me about when I should conclude my blog. Three have said that I should continue until the FDA (or USDA--I get them confused) approves a vaccine, and one said I should conclude the blog at New Year. If you have not responded, please let me know as I have not yet made my decision. Thank you for being as committed to reading my blog as I have been to writing it. 


--Signing off.


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