To say that 2020 has been a trying year would be a vast understatement. Through it all, the Coronavirus has continued to pepper us with repetitive jabs. Who would have ever thought that, after almost a full year, we would still be dealing with this dreadful virus?
On Monday, there was positive news from drug-maker, Pfizer, regarding the success of their latest vaccine trials. People were rejoicing and you could feel a much needed sense of relief in the air. The stock market reacted immediately and the Dow Jones hit an all-time high. It seemed, at least for a moment, that we were finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. But as Tony Montana might say, "Just when they thought we were out, it pulls us back in...."
By Tuesday, doom and gloom was back in the air. We were informed that COVID cases were spiking dramatically. State and local leaders immediately reacted by announcing they would be reverting back to the social distancing rules of months ago.
I was having dinner in a local restaurant on Tuesday evening. Maryland's Governor, Larry Hogan, was giving a press conference on a local news channel. As he announced that the State would be rolling back restaurant capacity to 50% (it is current at 75%), a nearby waitress shook her head in disbelief and whispered, "We can't survive this again...."
Another customer reminded us that "Lockdown Larry's" restrictions were only the State restrictions. The local leaders could tighten them up even more. And that's exactly what happened. On Thursday, our local (Anne Arundel) County Executive announced that, beginning on 11/20, restaurants and bars would be limited to 25% capacity.
Sadly, this could the final blow for many bars, restaurants and small businesses. Many of them were just starting to dig themselves out the hole that they fell into after the initial COVID shutdowns. Rolling capacities back to 25% just won't be sustainable for some of them. And to add to the misery, we are now in the midst of the holiday season where these small businesses anticipate an uptick in sales.
A week or so ago, I was at my local shopping center. I was sad to see that several businesses had already shut down since the beginning of the year. I couldn't help but wonder about the future of the rest of them.
During the Christmas season, Tina and I always enjoy the festiveness of the local establishments. The restaurants and shopping center are decorated with all of the traditional Christmas swag. You can feel a sense of warmth as a waiter greets you by name as walk through the front door of the restaurant. After a nice dinner and a couple of adult beverages, Tina and I would normally stroll through the various stores, soaking up the atmosphere of our own personal "Mayberry" as Christmas songs played softly in the background. Sadly, our intimate tradition is in serious jeopardy this year.
One of the other restrictions that will be implemented is a 10-person limit on indoor gatherings. So, if you are used to having that traditional Thanksgiving dinner with the extended family, you might find yourself in violation of the law. Sounds more like 1984 than 2020, huh?
2020 has, no doubt, been the worst year in so many ways. I would hope that 2021 will be much better. But as we've seen, nothing is guaranteed anymore.
As we continue to trudge through this, keep all of these small businesses in mind. Order carry-out from the restaurants when you don't feel like cooking. Try to buy from the local retailers instead of instinctively heading to the big box stores. The survival of our small businesses is going to depend on all of us to support them during these unprecedented times.
Wishing all of you safety and sanity as we try to manage our way through this.....
kw
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