Everyone is Essential

When the pandemic started to close down offices and businesses, there was understandably some anxiety and chaos all around. People that work in the office setting had to adjust and find ways to effectively get work done from home. Thankfully, modern technology has made many things possible and online meetings became a part of daily life. Those that could transition to work-at-home were able to retain their jobs. But others, unfortunately, just simply had to shut down & companies began to lay off workers.

Then, as humans do, it became a matter of labeling people--those in "nonessential" jobs (hairdressers, retail workers, artists etc) & those that are "essential" (medical frontliners, first-responders, grocery store workers, delivery people, etc).  I understand this labeling was simply to differentiate those that could still do their jobs and those that had to cease all together. 

But I noticed that it became a sort-of status symbol.  I started to hear (or see) people say things like, "I'm essential" with a kind of bravado that could possibly be interpreted as someone being more important than another. Even people I know & generally respected loved using the term "essential" and said it as often as possible when asked, "How are you doing during this pandemic?"  I'm sure for most, it's a harmless word, just information about whether or not someone still has a job during these crazy times.  But I started to see the word differently when I saw a tweet from an actor saying something (not exact words) to the effect of, "I just act, I'm nothing during these times."  I realized that this thought was so far from the truth. The jobs that are deemed "nonessential" are certainly not that.  They are just as important. I, for one, love artists & entertainers from various genres and wouldn't know what I would do if I didn't have their creativity to get me through some tough times.  To me, they are most certainly essential!  In fact, I'm that person that is concerned about diminished entertainment content fall-out (that's a mouthful) caused by the Pandemic. So, for me, entertainers of any & all varieties are essential.

So, what do I prefer to use instead of "essential", since I believe everyone is? I like to use "frontliners".  I feel like that covers occupations that are exempt from shut-downs. They are the ones making sure that we have medical care, the ones that make sure we still have access to food & supplies, etc.  They are at the highest risk of exposure to the virus causing the pandemic and deserve all the accolades and all the gratitude I hope they are receiving.  Because, personally, I'm truly grateful to all the frontliners!!!  Again, thank you! Thank you! It can't be said enough & I don't mind saying it again. Thank you!

But also thank you to all the hairdressers, nail technicians, make-up artists, entertainment figures, performers, artists and other occupations I fail to mention that enhance life. Because of the pandemic it is more clear than ever that your absence is glaring & your  contribution to the world is important---essential.  You are essential! 

Remember that the only thing constant is change.  Things will get better and hopefully, because of the things that we have missed, we will have a better outlook on what's important in life.  Wishing everyone safety, peace, & love. 💙

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Respect Workers--It is NOT Their Fault

One day I went into a "rabbit hole" of "Karen videos" on Instagram.  I don't know what was in me at the time to just watch video after video of people behaving atrociously towards other people. 

One video featured a black food delivery driver who was buzzed-in to a complex by the person ordering the food.  A lady who was coming into the building at the same time claimed she never saw him before & refused to let him in.  He calmly explained he was delivering food & needed to take it up to the person who ordered it.  She continually blocked him--getting close to him without a mask--with him repeatedly requesting her to please back off.  He finally called into the intercom again to explain to the other resident that he couldn't get into the building because of this woman and if she could come down to retrieve her food. The lady on the intercom seemed confused--like why don't you just bring it up to me?  What's wrong? Even after hearing this exchange, the "Karen" still refused to let the food delivery driver inside.  It was a very frustrating exchange & I commend the delivery person for holding it together & not losing his cool. I'm not sure if her actions were racially motivated or if she's just a jerk, but either way, she did not shine a bright light on her personal character.

Another video was at a coffee shop with a take-out window.  At the window, there is sign proudly declaring "Black Lives Matter".  A "Ken" decided to stage a one-man protest because he felt that the sign was offensive.  He blocked the window, refused to move & proceeded to harass the worker to take down the sign.  The worker eloquently expressed continued support for the movement, refused to take down the sign & asked him to please move so she could serve the next customer.  He continued to verbally state his opposition & refused to move until she took down the sign.  Customers behind him started talking to him, trying to reason with him to please step aside. They just wanted their coffee. He disrupted this business for at least 10 minutes until the worker decided to close down.  Again, another frustrating video of bad behavior with a person on the receiving end keeping their cool more than reasonably expected. 

There are a lot of videos out there that contain these types of similar behaviors (seems as though everyone has seen that lady at Trader Joes yelling & throwing a tantrum because she didn't want to wear a mask)--more frustrating than the next. Then there's the story of a 17-year-old (the same age as my First-Born) amusement park worker who told a couple to put on their facemasks. The man refused to comply and then proceeded to punch the worker in the face causing his jaw to break & require him to undergo surgery.  I don't think this behavior needs further analysis other than to say it is abhorrent behavior. Disgusting. Atrocious behavior. But it happens.  And it happens more than it should. 

According to scientific studies (and yes, science does adapt & change depending on information uncovered along the way), putting on a face mask reduces the risk of virus transmission. So, in response to this information, many have adapted policies that require using one in public settings. Wear one. And if you just don't want to, know that you will not be allowed in certain places. Order online or ask someone else to do your errands for you.  But to go to a business & harass workers who are doing their job is bad behavior. Seriously. Just stop that. 

Oh, and also, stop being racist. That makes you a sucky person too. 

  

Books are a Cure to Boredom

I'm one of those people that, as long as I have an interesting book on hand, I will never be bored. Pro-tip, carry your Kindle wherever you go!  Here are some titles you might want to check out if you're looking for some juicy romantic entanglements to delve into. 😉 Warning: These selections are for adults only.

Him (Him & Her Book 1) by Carey Heywood:  This story is so much about heartbreak! Sarah & Will have been best friends since middle school and they finally profess their love in high school and begin a young love relationship.  Then things take a turn for the worse and Sarah runs away to mend her broken heart. Sarah and Will are separated for 7 years.  They reconnect again when Sarah comes back to their hometown for her brother’s wedding.  But what really happened on the night that changed everything? Was Sarah justified in running away for 7 years?  They can’t turn back the clock so all they can do is live in the present and see what happens.  And maybe answer some questions too.  I loved the journey these two people make, but it’s overall sad too.  This particular version is seen through Sarah’s eyes.  The next book is through Will’s. 

 

 

Tattooed Dots (The Halo Series Book 1) by Kimberly Knight: This is a love story of Brooke & Easton.  Brooke is clearly in an unhealthy relationship with her longtime boyfriend Jared & as intelligent as she is, she can’t seem to identify it as such.  It’s almost like she’s just compliant about it.  Easton is a single Dad that has made some questionable choices in regards to his relationships.  They meet up on a singles cruise and really hit it off.  After the cruise they have to make some decisions that affect their relationship together and apart.  And then other challenges add to their romantic journey. These two are so romantic together and I rooted for their union the whole way.  This is a Part 1 of a series. 

 

 

A Harmless Little Game (Harmless #1) by Meli Raine: So many things in this story are really hard to read. The main character Lindsey was brutally attacked in a gang rape while being recorded in what would be a viral video that ends up tainting her reputation. She is sent away for four years to an isolated island “for therapy”.  She returns to “normal” life and ends up questioning the things she thought of as fact.  There are so many questions as to what really happened that awful night and what true motivations are behind everyone and everything.  As a reader, I just want Lindsey to get her justice! This is Part 1 of a series. 

 

 

 

Be safe & healthy everyone & please wear your masks!