Things seem to be improving with the state letting up on the brakes a bit from its early attempts to curb the effects of COVID-19. The same is going on at a national level to promote reopening business and moving forward to soften the shutdown’s impact on the economy.
The stock markets and financial institutions took a pounding but have started recovering. The petroleum industry has been pounded with prices dropping below $1 a gallon. That is creeping back up, and while it is higher here you can still buy gas for a $1.35.9 in Jackson. With consumers told to stay at home and many businesses closed, the market is glutted with no place to store gas and fewer people who are using it right now.
So what does the new, new look like? Despite the easing of restrictions, we have to remain careful.
It is easy to understand that senior citizens will have apprehensions about returning to the crowds at church. We should continue social distancing.
Giving a big hug to someone may have become a thing of the past, at least for the near future. Mississippi has been able to keep virus numbers low because for the most part we have practiced social distancing.
The reason the number of cases has gone up is that more people are being tested, and the more you test the more cases you are going to find.
People should still be cautious about gathering anywhere, at least in the near future. It is unlikely that our state and community have seen the last of this and, unfortunately, the virus could recur later in the year. And if all the stops were pulled tomorrow and we didn’t exercise restraint we could see more of what we have experienced thus far.
I would think that casino business is going to be slow to rebound. People do not want to go out and sit down next to someone they do not know or have any idea where they may have been.
Right now and probably for a while air travel will be limited to stateside and no foreign travel. We were slated to go to Mexico, but it is a cinch we don’t want to go there with no knowledge of Mexico’s virus levels or controls.
The restrictions on restaurants and salons that reopened this week are not going to be lifted in two or three weeks. These guidelines will probably continue for a while.
Some of our businesses have been closed for almost two months. Now is the time to show your support for them. Schedule hair appointments, plan to eat a meal out or at least order one to go. We have to support these local businesses now more than ever.
The shut down is going to affect local government with loss of tax revenue so we will have to expect some changes in services for awhile.
We are seeing a shortage of meat in some markets and prices are rising at a fast pace. Meanwhile farmers are unable to get their products to the processors because of pandemic scares. Good food, poultry, hogs and all types of consumables are being destroyed for lack of processing, and some people going hungry--it makes no sense.
Being unable to contact governmental agencies for assistance makes no sense either. Unemployment agencies could set up in a parking lot in every community across the state. I believe the delays could be corrected if that is the real goal.
The best thing moving forward is to use common sense to reduce the possibility of exposure. Be cautious and don’t fall back into old habits. Most of all, don’t panic.
