April 23

This has been an odd week because we actually had to go out three days two of which we had planned. Monday we had to go out for Mom's blood work and decided to go to the local dairy since we were there anyway on Tuesday. We had to go to the supermarket and to our dollar store to replenish some of our pantry and cleaning supplies. The unexpected trip was to pickup a prescription yesterday. Oh how things have changed. We normally time our shopping for low volume times and that hasn't changed. However other aspects have changed. There were no crowds anywhere. I don't think the supermarket had even a dozen customers in it and only three at the dollar store. The panicked buying of a month ago has disappeared. Both of the close supermarkets have designated which door is the entrance and which the exit, and have made all aisles one way. I think the clerks are also feeling the stress. The friendliness we are used to has evaporated replaced by a reasonably polite curtness without eye contact and seemingly determined to accomplish her task in as little time as possible with as little interaction as possible. Before the virus we would meander through the store chatting with other shoppers and spend some time at the check out chatting with the cashier and no one in a hurry. I miss that.

I wasn't sure I was going to post anything about reading until I found this. A well deserved and well stated criticism of the Roberts Court.

Not long ago I got really tired (read pissed off) by the "Thank you for your service" uttered by everyone when talking to or about veterans and active duty military. I felt at the time that it was the least our society could do for people called heroes--and by least I mean it was given in lieu of any more meaningful expression of gratitude, like better health care, better terms for mortgage interests, better educational grants. The expression demanded the least effort, thought, or emotion from the people uttering the sentiment. I feel the same about the constant reference to the "frontline" heroes and the "essential" workers. The expressions of gratitude are nice but the least that can be done for those people. Many of the so-called essential workers are low wage employees in delivery services, grocery stores. How about paying them a living wage and providing comprehensive health care? More than 15% of the medical personnel dealing with the pandemic are immigrants whose status is threatened by #45's new immigration executive order. Great way to thank them for their service.

I liked a comment from a commenter on a news segment yesterday which claimed that the United States government is plagued with mediocrity from the top down. I would amend that just a bit because mediocrity is too generous a term for the phenomenon. When I hit on a better one I will get back to you. In the mean time provide your own substitute.