Publisher
Fillmore County Journal
This past couple of weeks has been chock full of anxiety.
Reports of a rise in COVID-19 cases has put people on edge. Even without any government restrictions, people have taken it upon themselves to prevent the spread of the virus.
And, while all of the national media attention is laser focused on the coronavirus, there’s another very contagious virus infecting people at an impressive pace.
This is one virus you do want to catch.
Positive thoughts, my friends. I’m not trying to paint some sort of perfectly rosy picture. Reality will tell you otherwise.
Minnesota Governor Walz announced at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, that he was restricting bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, theaters, youth sports, and fitness centers (among others). In that same announcement, Governor Walz said, “I’m not going into someone’s home on Thanksgiving. But if you’re gathering with a lot of people not in your family on Thanksgiving you are really speaking volumes about what the values are here in Minnesota.”
As I reflect on the conversations I’ve had with various bar, restaurant, and fitness center owners over the past couple weeks, I have been utterly amazed at how positive these business owners have been in spite of the challenges they are facing that are completely out of their control.
Sure, they’re stressed about having operating restrictions placed on their business, again. No doubt. And, it won’t be easy, again. They will need our help as members of the community. If we plan to visit these businesses in the future, we had better support them now. Order take-out and buy gift cards when you can.
They were shutdown for 51 days last spring as a result of Governor Walz’ restrictions relating to the coronavirus, and now they’re shutdown again for another four weeks.
That’s a heavy weight for these businesses owners to carry upon their shoulders. But, with everything these local family-owned businesses have endured, they remain optimistic.
If 2020 has taught us anything, that would be adaptability is the key to survival. All of us have continuously adapted to whatever has been thrown our way.
While we are mastering our adaptability skills, from the people I talk to, nobody wants for this to become the new normal.
• We want to have our kids back in school every day.
• We want to watch our kids participate in sports, speech, concerts, and plays.
• We want to go out to eat and not have to wear a mask.
• We want to attend events with friends and family.
• We want to have people over for supper.
• We want to have in-person meetings.
• We want to celebrate holidays together.
• We want to attend fairs and festivals.
• We want to travel.
• We want to be free.
We will get there, and hopefully sooner than later. There are so many things we will do again in the future when the world returns to normal, and I’m not giving up on that idea.
As I reflect on where we are at today with Thanksgiving Day approaching, I remain thankful that I encounter so many positive people in this area. True optimists.
The people we surround ourselves with will have an impact on our own attitudes and perspectives. Think positive thoughts, and spread that like an infectious virus, my friends.
That’s my Thanksgiving Day wish.
Leave a Reply