Jack of Harts

One year ago, my place of business was humming along nicely. I work in the hospitality industry, and we were doing well most nights. Then, came the national emergency due to the Covid 19 outbreak. We locked down for 14 days, which became a month, and then two months and then three. Some States still haven’t left lockdown. Some States never did a lockdown at all. But the no matter where you are, the media has been united in their constant reminders that “Lockdowns Save Lives,” that “Masks Save Lives,” and that we must all “Follow the Science” as told by far more knowledgeable, government or media approved, minds. Travel of any kind had to end. Gatherings for any reason had to be stopped. Even medical treatments were not allowed. One year later, I’m doing my company’s economic books, and looking at the cliff we hit a year ago. Right now. Right here. It all started today.

One year ago, the economy was humming. My hometown had an unemployment rate of something like 1%, which is the same as saying that everybody who wanted a job had a job. The trick was finding people who wanted to work for their money. Then we started “14 Days to Flatten the Curve,” to slow down the growth of the Wuhan Virus and keep the hospitals from being overloaded. That quickly transitioned into “Lockdowns Save Lives,” the never-ending effort to stop the spread at all. The government and government scientists dictated what businesses or schools were allowed to stay open and paid people not to work. Those businesses like mine that were deemed essential had to let many people go, and then had trouble finding people for what work remained when the government paid them not to. One year later, finding people who want to work for their money is still the big trick.

Five years ago, Philando Castile was shot five times in Falcon Heights, near Minneapolis, after following standard policy and informing an officer that he had a firearm. He died. Four years ago, the officer who shot him was acquitted on all charges. A month later, Justine Damond was shot dead by a Minneapolis officer after she called 911. His body camera was not turned on. Two years ago, he was convicted on some charges and sent to jail for over twelve years. One year ago, George Floyd died while a Minneapolis officer held a knee to his neck for nine minutes. That set off a year of protests, riots, lootings, and the general burning of entire neighborhoods in Minneapolis. The court case charging the officer with murder and manslaughter has now started, and the city is braced for more violence. Five years later, I’m still glad I don’t live in the Twin Cities.