My Daily Struggle in the COVID-19 Lockdown

This was another humid day. I really hope they find this vaccine soon because I am tired of wearing masks. I cannot wear them outside because I start wheezing. There are even stories of people fainting from ingesting too much carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide is lethal, but a certain amount of carbon dioxide, dear friends, is also lethal. I keep seeing people outside wearing masks when they do not need to, such as when they are by themselves or the closest person to them is well over 6 feet away. This is not the right weather for prolonged use of masks! When I went out today, I only donned my mask when I entered a store or confronted a stranger. This is the only time we need these masks. It seems like we are darned if we do and darned if we don't. So, it is the middle of the weekend. How many Chicagoans will be shot by Monday? How many will be killed? How many of these will be children? Pardon the sarcasm, but is that not what we have come to in Illinois, where no one can enjoy a s...

I received some good news today. First, I am no longer exiled from my office. I can start working on-site again. Hallelujah! There are still things I cannot do, such as drive clients and stay in enclosed spaces with them, but I will be able to have my office again. In the words of Mabel Simmons: "Halleluyer! Praise de Lort!" 😁 More good news: my church can start worshiping inside now, with social distancing of course. I have seen it done, and it will work. It has worked. I know that there are others who are still uncomfortable coming inside, but it is time. The virus is being controlled, we have been taught what viruses can and cannot cling to and for how long. Besides, other churches just as small as us are letting people inside with the same rules, and these churches have vulnerable people too: elderly, sick, et cetera. Another thing: summer is coming, and Chicago summers can be extremely hot. It was in the 80's and 90's in late May even. Do we want our clergy to...

Macchiavelli. Those who have taken Humanities in college have learned at least a little about Niccolo Machiavelli. He was a Renaissance diplomat who taught his contemporaries how to maintain power yet extend mercy and reason. One thing I remember most about him is how he asserts it is better to be feared than hated, which is why you can execute a man's father for a petty crime, and he might forgive you as long as you leave his inheritance alone. Hence, Machiavelli was, if anything else, a pragmatist. He was ruled by reason. I have seen little pragmatism in the George Lloyd matter this week. Before I continue, I want to commend the many police chiefs across the country who have condemned this hate crime and called it what it is: murder. Now, I wish to denounce Hal Marx, the mayor of Petal, Mississippi, who said, "if you can talk, you can breathe," referring to George Lloyd's last words. Has this man even graduated high school? Seriously?! It does not take an asth...

I had a good worship at church today. We did a drive in service, and people formed a circle with their cars. It just made me want to burst out singing: "Oh, may the circle be unbroken by and by, Lord, by and by..." It was a warm and sunny day, and I needed to hold onto an umbrella to avoid getting overheated. An argument between a few people almost but a damper on the beautiful day as a few people had gotten into an argument about who is the right authority on social distancing and COVID-19, and so on. This damned virus is driving everyone crazy. Not just the virus, but fearmongering politicians, media, and "experts". I see truth in what each of them say, but not full truth. Besides, none of them truly know everything, so we must stop behaving as if their words are gospel. I am unaware if any of you have experienced this yet, but when I wear a mask too long, I start having trouble breathing. At first, I thought it was too much fat in my midsection, and then I thou...

Today was pretty productive. Someone asked to be removed from the email list because, since they are in the at-risk population, my posts make them uneasy. I understand; it's no problem. I removed them from my list--no harm, no foul. I don't want to make anyone more depressed or afraid than they are already. This is just me sharing my thoughts and experiences until this thing is over. For those who are hanging in there with me, thanks a million; I really appreciate it. I know this phrase is beyond cliche, but we are truly in this together. And we will survive--together.  Now, I am going to give each of you some inside information: I am also in the at-risk population. I have asthma, Tetralogy of Fallot (a heart condition), and I have a glandular condition called panhypopituitarism (let's hear you say it in one breath!).  I know the dangers out there are more compounded for me, but I am the soldier I never was. Not only do I need to provide for my household, but my clients ...