As we move into the Thanksgiving holiday, we have a lot to be thankful for, despite the devastation of COVID-19.
First, let’s get business out of the way.
This office will close down with minimal staff time due to the increase in Hays County’s COVID cases. A decision will be made in 2021 about when to open up. Messages can be emailed to [email protected] or left at 512.268.7862.
Active COVID cases in Hays County had dropped to 304 on Nov. 2. Yet just three weeks later, active cases rose to 671. That’s quite a change, but it was expected because schools were in session and Halloween took place.
We can mask up. If we need to meet, we get tested and then quarantine. Do we need to close down businesses again? That’s a call for the governor to make. But in the meantime, wear your mask.
So why shut our office down? To be quite honest, this staff is working hard, trying to cover every kind of story, and there is no use exposing members of this staff more than necessary. Reporters are mainly covering governmental meetings virtually, and we do most of our reporting these days over the phone. It’s what has to be done.
My staff knows how to mask up correctly. We must be thankful for the people who wear their own masks correctly. That means covering the nose. Folks, this pandemic is real. Wear the mask and wear is correctly. Don’t come into this office with the mask below your nose.
We all have other things for which we should be thankful.
1. The COVID vaccine seems to be coming along in rapid speed. We should be thankful because our medical personnel need those vaccines. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has specified that the first vaccinations will be for emergency use, and that is as is should be. Emergency workers should get the shots first.
The rest of us will just have to wait. Even with several different companies madly working around the clock to produce vaccines, it will take many, many months for those companies to make millions of vaccinations.
And, when the vaccines are available, get one. That’s how we will beat this thing. Sorry, anti-vaccine folks. We need to all take this vaccine.
2. Let’s all be thankful that the election is finally, finally, over. The lawsuits have gone through the courts and now our democracy can move forward, as our forefathers intended.
President Trump has done everything in his power to stop the count or to have recounts done. That’s fine. It’s within his right.
But the Wall Street Journal among other legitimate news media is reporting that when a federal judge knocked down his challenge to Pennsylvania’s election results, the fight was about over.
When Trump concedes, even if late in the game, everyone should be thankful that our democracy stands. Hillary Clinton conceded to Trump the day after the election in 2016. Trump needs to concede to Joe Biden so that our government transition can get started, for the safety of the American people and for the safety of our country.
3. The National Guard – let’s all send them a huge “Thank You”. This brave group is dealing with the mortuary shortage in El Paso, due to the number of deaths from COVID-19. A group of 36 troops will be providing “mortuary affairs support,” according to CNN.
4. Let’s be thankful for our friends and family. Humans require personal “touch” and contact. So, get in touch, call, zoom.
