While Jared and Ivanka spruce up their resumes, Pop Trump is in the throes of diva mode: likely bedridden, sulking in a shiny, foundation-smeared robe, his toupee in clips on its wigstand, looking forlorn. Melania is probably cowering somewhere in the opposite wing, drinking, and texting Justin Trudeau.
So it goes, Pence plans to attend the inauguration while Trump jets off to Palm Beach in Air Force One that same morning. The only technicality enabling Trump to execute so disrespectful a move is that he is still POTUS until noon on January 20. So, let me just say—Mike Pence may not be 2020’s man of the year, most interesting man, or anything of that like, but for me, the guy is probably Most Surprising Man of the Year. Not only did he turn on his disagreeable counterpart when shit started hitting the fan last week, he’s also been going through the presidential motions considered customary at this transitory point following the election. So, yes, I’m surprised. Pleasantly, in fact. Love or hate him, Pence is picking up the slack and acting with decorum, and that’s enough for me.
In other news, how is COVID culture treating everyone so far this year? Is anyone having a hard time navigating pandemic anxieties? If not your own, maybe you live with a significant other or relative that has qualms regarding the current COVID conditions? I’m not referring to navigating the wearing of masks and staying six feet part. What I’m referring to is going to restaurants, bars, barber shops, gyms—places that are open and are, despite one’s personal preference, completely inhabitable by state standards. Considering my pool of family and friends, there would seem to be a solid split in degrees of comfort level. Some have no issue going out for a drink or getting their hair done, while others have plenty of issues doing such things.
For me, it’s challenging to make such a call; these places, while they do what they can to accommodate CDC regulations, can’t claim to be completely safe. Not when the case rate is as bad as it’s ever been. And what enables these aforementioned places to stay open while cases continue to spike is something I ponder. At the same time, if you were to ask me if people should be doing all of this, I don’t really know what I’d tell you. You can’t name a public place that will admit you without a mask. When you’re at a restaurant, you’re distanced enough from others when you remove it. For the average healthy adult in my age group, I feel this suffices.
There are some details particular to some of these places I’d like to discuss however. If anything, it’s an opportunity for me to think out loud, and, hopefully, you won’t think I’m crazy.
If I’m getting my hair cut, the barber puts their hands through my hair to help guide the cutting. Do I ask the barber to wash up before cutting? Or is wearing my mask enough protection from their hands? Should they clean the barber chairs? Or wash those black smocks?
Next: an indoor swimming pool. The gym I belong to demands you keep a mask on when you aren’t actively swimming. Fair enough. But if I (unknowingly) have COVID, are my germs liable to infect the swimmers on either side of me? Presumably, my hands touch the exposed pool walls from time to time. Is that not bad? What if I have the second strain (more contagious)?
Perhaps all I achieved there was split hairs, or expose my own mild form of OCD. But I feel I raised a couple legitimate concerns. All in all I want you, my dear reader, to do what you feel is right. That much is all that matters.
Cheers and talk to you tomorrow.
