My Daily Struggle in the COVID-19 Lockdown

 Dear Mr. Biden, No matter what is being said by President Trump or his staff, it seems that, unless anything happens in the the next few months, the presidency is as good as yours. Mazel tov.  You acknowledged that the United States of America is divided and that you want to help us heal.  The best way to do this is to listen to those who either voted for Trump or a third party, or who only voted for you under duress. By duress, I mean those who don't like you or what you stand for, but they still think you are a safer bet than President Trump. While President Trump spent too much time on social media, did not have his facts straight, and did not talk properly to others, he still listened to non-leftists--especially those who were denied the civil liberties. By this, I mean those who were fired from their jobs for refusing to wear "pride" pendants, as well as those who were being fined and lost their businesses in Colorado and Washington for refusing to bake cakes for sa...

Today started out rough. As you can tell from my previous post, yesterday was pretty bad. I went over to see my grandmother, my cousin, and her children. They are doing as well as can be expected. They are getting ready for next week, going through her belongings. That is such as stressful and emotional thing to do as it is matter of going through old pictures and memoirs. Aunt Hattie certainly took a lot of photos! In fact, she took photos of everyone! I am going to look for some photos tomorrow and will post what I find. In other news, it seems that governor is planning to "reopen" the state in 5 stages. With all that has transpired, I hadn't the chance to read more into this. I should do that tomorrow. Alas, this lockdown has placed us into a stalemate. On the one hand, if we reopen the state too hastily, more people will get sick and die. On the other hand, if we keep this strict lockdown for too long, the state, and its less fortunate residents, will go bankrupt. ...

Made it to 30 days. One month. One ridiculously long month. The lockdown is set to expire on May 1st, but the governor is hinting that it will be extended. I hope not. I hope for something miraulous to end this because everyone is suffering in one way or the other. There are people now protesting all over the country for the restrictions to be lifted. Before you start criticizing them as crybabies, look deeper. These people are losing their jobs and their businesses. Plus, they are also protesting how law enforcement and municipal/ state leaders are abusing the lockdown. Remember how people at drive-by church services were sited? Remember the doctor providing testing to the homeless had been arrested? Whenever a state of emergency is declared in any country, tyrants always use the occasion to trample on the basic and civil rights of the people. Alas, each national crisis puts our Constitution to the test. If we choose to stay asleep during such times and obey each demand and encroach...

Good Friday. A sobering day in which I remember how my Savior suffered and died for the forgiveness of my sins. It is the second holiest day of all Christianity. Our Vicar had another livestream, and I almost missed it because Mozilla Firefox cannot stream well from Facebook. On Chrome, there were no problems. Just as you think the mudslinging had subsided, Governor Pritzker just had to open his 100 lb mouth. He is now repeating the rhetoric of his extremist comrades. He had the nerve to insist that Trump was failing to help with providing necessary materials for fighting the outbreak. What is the proof? Also, why are governors like Pritzker and Cuomo becoming more apt to depend on Trump for support? Another thing: Illinois and New York have GDPs greater than 1/3 of Europe. Why aren't the governors making resources for their states instead of demanding resources from the President, especially considering how they told him to take a hike ever since he was elected. Maybe if they wo...

Today was a good day. I had gotten up around 7:30 and watched the Palm Sunday service livestream. I then went out and delivered palms to people from church, as well as my mother and grandmother. Also, I was able to get some work done on my new book; I had been neglecting it for too long.  This will make an interested Holy Week. Indeed, though I keep saying this, this is the first time since I remember missing church on the major festival days. At least there is livestream. I hope we can agree to some sort of compromise on Resurrection Sunday; I know that this day will be very hard for many. Still, I understand and submit to the lockdown, and I would have for what happened to  Rev. Rodney Howard-Browne of Tampa, Florida to happen to our Vicar and Maintenance Pastor. I am confident we can think of something to observe the holiest day of the year safely, like a drive in service. After all, would we not be in the protection of our vehicles? Communion may be another story, but I ...

Another Sunday without church. At least there was a livestream through our Vicar and a Pastor in Schaumburg. I loved the sermon. It gave me comfort. The increase in cases around the country is demoralizing. Dr. Fauci is projecting that the death toll, once this is over, might reach 300,000. I felt out of it all day. I just feel sad. Is this pandemic, though human-made, a punishment from God for all of our sins to Him, His creation, and ourselves? If so, when will the world, America especially, repent so that this plague will end? Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, but will we get palms? Then the Sunday after is Resurrection Sunday (aka Easter), my favorite holiday, but will we celebrate the Lord's resurrection as a congregation or at a blasted computer screen?  Signing off.

Today was almost decent. Was finally able to spend more time outdoors since I needed to buy groceries for my clients. Do you know how difficult it is to buy groceries for 8 people? It took me about 2 hours, not to mention how long it took to unload them. At least a client came and helped me put them away--using social distancing, of course! It was so annoying though, having to wear those gloves and face mask all that time. Plus, there were limits to half the items, and they were out of some of the affordable things. For instance, the maple-flavored syrup supply was completely depleted. At least my clients will have a chance, for the first time in their lives, to taste 100% maple syrup! I just had a sad thought, though. Another Sunday in Lent, and I won't be going to church. I don't know how I am going to cope if this thing continues through Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday. Enough of this lockdown! Would it help if we arrested all the irresponsible people who won't use d...

I was so glad to get out of the house after work today; staying cooped up in the house since Monday afternoon was more than enough for me; I don't know how people can do it. I had to get some medicine and a few things, so I put on my mask and thick gloves and went out. I had a growing craving for a Coke, so I bought a Mexican import while I was at the store. Sure, I was one of the few people wearing masks, but so what? So, Chicago's mayor laid down the law today because some people are too stupid and/or inconsiderate to obey the lockdown. People are going golfing, and they are socializing on the lakefront or in the park. After all that is going on, people still don't get it. Because of this, she closed all parks and lakefronts, and she told people that if anyone violated the restriction, she would fine them or even thrown them in jail. Right on, sister! It is disgusting that it had to come to this. Personally, I think it should be legal to take such monstrous morons and s...

Another day spent at home. While I went to my patio to "summerize" my bicycle, I was in the house all day. Besides Tangaray flirting with me and the occasional "Hey Devin?" from the wife, I didn't get many interruptions today. That was good since I was busy checking in with clients via telephone, plus the clients of my esteemed colleague since she was out sick (no, she doesn't have "it", God be praised). Of course, the day could not end without correspondents criticizing the President. So, there was a press conference today, and when the President said that he hopes that the crisis would be over by Easter, Dr. Fauci, the medical spokesperson of the COVID-19 task force, said that it is necessary to be flexible. Because of this, people not only think Fauci is openly defying the President, but they are congratulating Fauci for their illusion. Let's get something straight. President Trump is NOT a doctor. He has no medical training. Ask him you...

So, I survived my first day working at home, making phone calls and doing documentation. Work at home is not easy as it sounds, especially for one used to keeping work at work and home at home. First, it is too easy to want to get comfortable. I must sit on a hard dining table alone to work. Second, The cats keep insisting on attention. Actually, Felix, my tuxedo, will pull at my pant leg a little and then leave me alone. Tangaray, my wife's tabby, though, comes and licks my back, taps my side, and then jumps on my chair and smacks my temples. Then, of course, there's the wife, who asks me questions and strikes up conversations when I am trying to concentrate. I know. She likes having me at home in the afternoon, but it is very hard to get out of work mode when I am in it. I am already wishing for this lockdown to begin so that I can get normalcy back. I read on the news how these brats are ignoring the shelter-in-place orders, enjoying spring break when crowds are outlawed. ...