Mask Mandate Mess

For the states that don't have a mask mandate, shame on the "leaders"

who haven't done so! And to the states that do have a mask mandate

that isn't being enforced, shame on those "leaders" too! 

It's common sense to require EVERYONE to wear a mask inside of

a public building. It's not hard. It's not expensive. It's simple. What's 

not simple is trying to maintain your workforce when half of them are

sick, or in quarantine. There needs to be consequences to not wearing

a mask in a public place. Getting escorted out of the building by a 

professional enforcer, and at least $100 fine sounds good to me. These

consequences would save lives. That's what mask wearing is all about.

And it's about respect, caring, love, compassion, and humanity.

Everything's Weird

I know it's August, but part of my brain is still in March.
This COVID crap is weird, unnerving, and unreal.

Our lives are strangely intertwined, even though we don't
know each other. It's crazy how a few germs could have
so much power. It's even hard to find the products to keep
ourselves safe from the germs. And COVID has stolen
so many of what used to be normal moments. We have to
wear masks to save our lives and others. And our jobs are
either gone or so changed by CDC regulations that it feels
like a new job position. Some kids are in school, and some
are still homeschooling. Some parents can work, and others
have to stay home to be teachers and protectors of their 

children.

We also have protestors in the streets, trying to get justice
for multiple crimes committed against blacks. And unfor-

tunately, there are also disruptors causing violence, destroy-

ing property, and endangering lives. And if that wasn't 

enough, the government can't figure out how to help people

properly...and there's a change shortage. I'm getting really 

tired of rounding up my purchases. Can't these businesses 

round down?

I don't usually rant, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who's

frustrated. Writing is therapy for me, and I also like to take 

pictures, draw, and read. I'm feeling better now...I think I'll

go outside and get some sunshine. That's the only thing that 

hasn't changed.

Are You Too Embarrassed to Wear a Mask?

I've been wearing a mask in public for about two weeks. I never thought
I'd need to wear a mask, but I feel like it's not an option. I feel safer know-
ing I'm protecting myself and others. When Covid first came to America,
the "experts" told us it wasn't necessary for us to wear masks. But a month
later, they said we should! Imagine how many lives could've been saved
if from the start we all had a mask on.

Don't let embarrassment stop you from wearing a mask. A LOT of
people are wearing masks, and you won't be the only one. Someone I
know told me I looked crazy wearing a mask, and my mom replied,
"I'd rather look crazy than be dead!"

Cleaning Tips From a Germaphobe

 

I've been a germaphobe for a little over 13 years. My oldest son died when
he was seven from pneumonia, and that's what caused me to be a germaphobe.
I was devastated, angry, and I kept thinking how germs killed him. It really
messed with my head; it still does. I've tried to tell myself...Germs are normal.
Germs build our immune systems. When I was little I touched germs all the 
time and I survived. But telling myself these things doesn't work.

Now that coronavirus is here, everything I've been doing to combat germs for
the last few years doesn't seem extreme anymore. Some people think that be-
ing a germaphobe is a mental illness, and maybe it is, but I think the precau-
tions I've been taking to stay healthy make perfect sense.

It's interesting how coronavirus is making everyone rethink germs. If you
clean stuff the way I do, it will help you stay healthy from multiple illnesses,
not just coronavirus.

When I get home from the grocery store I put all of the bags on the floor. I
wash my hands and I clean almost every item with antibacterial wipes before
I put them away. I don't clean egg cartons, frozen dinner packages, bags of
fresh produce, or raw meat packages. If I buy cheese sticks, I drop them out
of the package on to my clean kitchen table, and then put them in a sandwich
bag to store in the clean part of my refrigerator. I consider the two bottom
drawers in the refrigerator dirty, and that's where I keep eggs, vegetables,
and thawing meat. I have a clean shelf in the freezer for cleaned off ice cream
containers and ice packs.The rest of the freezer is dirty.

When I travel, I sanitize everything that I believe should be germ-free.

• all of the light switches
• the kitchen faucet
• kitchen counter
• the dining room table and chairs
• lamp switches
• refrigerator handle and shelves
• microwave handle and turntable
• the cooking range handles
• toilet seat and handle
• the bathroom vanity and faucet
• the tub faucet
• every door handle

We should all try to be germ-conscious, and not because the news tells us to.

Our health and the health of everyone we care about is in danger if we don't.

How Brick and Mortar Stores Can Keep Customers

Every day more brick and mortar stores are closing. Many people
blame online shopping for the downfall of these stores, but I disagree.
There are a lot of people like me, who like to shop in an actual store.
Some stores put too much focus on the online versions of their businesses;
therefore, ignoring the important elements that need attention in their
brick and mortar stores.

Five Ways to Keep Customers in Brick and Mortar Stores

1. Make sure the associates act friendly and look happy.
    If I go to your business and no one speaks to me (or someone is rude)
    I'm not going back. When someone walks into your house do you ignore
    them?

2. Make sure prices are reasonable and not overpriced.
    It's a guarantee you're going to lose customers when items they've
    always been buying suddenly become too high.

3. Only sell quality products.
    Stay away from cheaply made items, because they're just going to
    end up being returned, or the customer just won't come back.

4. Make sure the restroom is clean...
    And please have plenty of toilet paper and soap.

5. Keep the rest of the store clean too.
    No one wants to shop in a dirty business. Don't forget to sweep and
    mop the floors. Take out the nasty trash, and use some glass cleaner
    on those dirty windows and mirrors.