2:30

It's the event, no the word, no it's just the event that will be perhaps the biggest in the history of the world to date? Whatever you wanna call it it's the word/phrase we can't go more than 2 seconds without hearing- Coronavirus.

 It's funny how the time 2:30pm can hold meaning in my life for the past month! 2:30 you ask? Yeah, it's the time that each afternoon whether I'm at home or sitting by my computer at the bar at work when Illinois Governor JB comes on and I listen intently to what news he's bringing and what new case totals and more importantly death tolls the state is announcing. I like all of us eagerly anticipate these new numbers to see if we are approaching the apex of the curve and if the people of this state are truly adhering to policies set forth by the stay at home order!

 Is Social Distancing working? Are others like me who take this seriously still doing it? It's the answers to those questions that makes me tune in each week at 2:30. Being around the same core group of people for the last month or so it's funny to hear some who take it seriously and some who for the most part don't! I am not going to blast their opinions cause that's now what this post is about, but we all need to take this seriously in order to get back to a normal daily routine. As I type those words- normal daily routine, it hits me...will we ever get back to a normal daily routine? What is the world going to be like post Coronavirus?

It's these questions that are I'm sure keeping others awake at night and not just me. It's unimaginable that when we all rang in 2020 something like this would happen a mere 3 months later but it's happening. With each passing day it appears to me that this country was so under prepared for something like this, but how! How, when we're supposed to be the most 'Powerful' nation in the world w/ some of the biggest companies and corporations in human history, are we not prepared for something like this? Seeing our first responders struggle to fight this disease without the proper PPE is utterly heart breaking to see unfold day in and day out but that's the realization.

For those who know me, I've never pretended to be a political person nor do I identify as being a Democrat or a Republican, and this post isn't going to dive off the deep end as I have some pretty strong opinions on how our President and his people have handled this crisis! But that's another talking point isn't it? When this all began, I personally said it wouldn't of mattered if Obama was still in the White House or anyone else, how can anyone be prepared to tackle something of this magnitude? But as the facts have come out and the shortages have unfolded on the daily news bulletins, it's clear to see that the Federal Govt has failed this country.

But I digress, as I could keep going on this for hours! Today was another day that I was afraid to go to the grocery store! I catch myself with the word choice because men don't like to admit their fears but I'll admit this today here and now, I was afraid to go to to my local grocery store today! Sure I went there as I need to bring home food for my son, myself and most importantly my pregnant wife! I had a bandana covering my face and got a freshly sanitized cart and it's so funny to say all that! I clearly wasn't alone in the store today as it was actually pretty busy in there go figure, which only added to my anxiety. I would speed walk up and down those aisles and luckily I've come to know this store like the back of my hand.

I wasn't alone in my social distancing practicing as almost everyone in there was wearing some sort of mask while many more were wearing gloves as well. What's crazy to me is the next part! Remember the days of just coming home and unloading the groceries without even a second thought? Now I'm the person who brings in the bags and we use our little kitchen island cart to put unwiped things on one side and after they've been wiped move them to the other side to be put away by one of us. Here we are in 2020 and my wife and I are wiping our groceries down w/ a cleaning solution. It's truly just...that's the thing I don't have a word to describe it.

 Anyways, for those of you who have visited this page so far, I greatly appreciate it. I have received a few nice comments so far and it means a lot to me. This blog is a great way for me to continue something I missed and love doing and that's writing. Well, stay safe my family & friends and remember tomorrow at 2:30, you'll know what I'll be doing!