Don’t say it out loud
There are some things we can’t say out loud. Perhaps no one should say them out loud. This pandemic is just as bad as advertised. People have suffered in every conceivable way, from routine inconveniences to losing loved ones.{ div} If you even suggest any “silver lining,” prepare to be shut down.
Having said that, people are talking, somewhat quietly. Following up on these hushed conversations, I put some friends on the spot. Be honest with me, I said. At some point, life will return to what it was before March 13, 2020. We will once again attend ball games, concerts and church. We can hug grandma, and she can hug us. But is there anything about pandemic- era living that you don’t hate?
The responses were interesting. One friend said, “Don’t tell my wife, but I am getting spoiled by online worship service. I get to sleep in late, I don’t have to dress up, and I can sit in my easy chair and sip coffee. I miss some of the people, but I don’t miss the Sunday morning rush.” He added, “Plus, it used to be a wild scene in the parking lot, with everyone rushing home in time to watch football, and I sure don’t miss that.” Praise the Lord, and pass to Julio Jones.
More than one person raved about working from home. “They tell me we’re going back to the office some day,” a friend said. “But I’m in sales, and I’m doing fine on the phone and sending e-mails. I used to have to wear a suit and tie, but now I can leave my pajamas on until lunchtime.” I wonder if those suits will still fit after the pandemic?
I have written about missing the face- to- face interactions with friends and strangers alike, but not everyone agrees. “I never thought I’d say this,” said a friend, “but I actually enjoy wearing a mask inside the store. I can buy a twelve-pack and two dozen doughnuts, and no one recognizes me. I used to see someone I know, and they would make some crack about ‘ where’s the party’ or try to make me feel guilty. Nobody even makes eye contact now, and I get in and out of the store faster.” He didn’t say it, but it’s probably also easier to buy bug traps and hemorrhoid cream too.
At least publicly, most folks say they want schools to be 100% in-person, and I am among them. It’s easy for me to say, since my kids are grown. But one mom told me, “I have two little ones in 2nd and 4th grades, and I have really enjoyed spending more time with them. I know they’re safe at home, and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to help them learn. I know every parent can’t do that. I actually dreaded them going back to school, because I don’t know what they might bring home. I pray that this virus can be controlled some day, because we all need our lives back. I’m not a home schooler, and if my kids were teenagers, I might not feel this way. But I can honestly say that I have enjoyed the extra time with family.” Yep, wait until those kids are 13, 14, 15. You might wish schools were open around the clock.
I actually had one respondent who was brutally honest about his happiness when schools closed during the pandemic. “I don’t like driving through school zones, because I have to slow down for the rug rats. The start of school was delayed about a month late in my county, and I sure enjoyed that month.” Oh, sweet revenge, someday you’ll be a parent, my young friend.
But not everyone views the pandemic in these terms. One frequent supermarket shopper told me, “I’m a germophobic, like Howie Mandel. I’ve never liked shaking hands, or people invading my space. I’ve often turned away people in the parking lot, who were offering me their shopping cart after they had finished. I know they’re trying to be nice, but I prefer to sanitize a cart as I enter the store. If nothing else, this pandemic is teaching people what I’ve known for years. The importance of thorough hand washing, and making sure you touch only clean surfaces. I hope those habits will stick with people long after the vaccines are approved, and life gets back to normal.”
He added, “I like the fact that stores and restaurants seem to take cleaning more seriously these days. I remember how nasty some of them used to be, and I hope we never go back to that.”
Who knows when “normal” will return, and what it will be like? Maybe we can learn from the bad, and the good, and be better prepared for whatever comes our way next time.
The following arrests were reported by the Polk County Jail between Friday, Oct. 16 and Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Find arrest reports
online on weekdays at Polkstandardjournal.com.
Marshall Dwayne Moore, 38, of Rockmart, was arrested on Oct. 22, 2020, by Polk County Police on a charge of criminal trespass.
Christopher Ray Parker, 42, of Rockmart, was arrested on Oct. 22, 2020, by Polk County Police on charges of drugs not in original container, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance — two counts, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, trafficking illegal drugs, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, tag light requirement, no brake lights or working turn signals, and sale, manufacture, deliver or possess dangerous drugs.
Zachery Edward White, 39, of Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 22, 2020, by Polk County Police on charges of simple battery, and disorderly conduct.
Austin Donald Crumley, 20, of Aragon, was arrested on Oct. 21, 2020, by Aragon Police on a charge of theft by shoplifting.
Rodney Verdell Battle, 52, of Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 20, 2020, by Cedartown Police on charges of possession of cocaine, tag light requirement, and driving without a valid license.
Zeferino Duque, 32, of Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 20, 2020, by Cedartown Police on charges of simple assault, and thirddegree cruelty to children.
Margaret S. Presley-Bevis, 60, of Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 20, 2020, by Cedartown Police on public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and three counts of resisting a police officer.
Corey Albert Vines, 44, of Gainesville, was arrested on Oct. 20, 2020, by Polk County Police on charges of failure to maintain lane, driving while license suspended or revoked, possession of methamphetamine, and tampering with evidence.
Corey Brian Blackmon, 21, of Rockmart, was arrested on Oct. 19, 2020, by Polk County Police on a charge of obstruction of law enforcement officers.
James Edward Preston, 26, of Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 19, 2020, by Polk County Police on charges of theft by shoplifting, and probation violation.
Frances L. P. Springer, 39, of Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 19, 2020, by Polk County Police on a charge of permitting an unlicensed person to operate a vehicle.
Javonta Lamar Springer, 19, of Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 19, 2020, by Polk County Police on charges of failure to yield while turning left, and driving on an expired or no drivers license.
Tyler Odell Abram, 19, of
Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 18, 2020, by Cedartown Police on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, not having driver’s license on person, headlight requirement, and tag light required.
Chayla Duke, 19, of Aragon, was arrested on Oct. 16, 2020, by Aragon Police on charges of theft by shoplifting, and possession of methamphetamine.
Norma Compton Green, 53, of Aragon, was arrested on Oct. 17, 2020, by Rockmart Police on a charge of theft by shoplifting.
Michael Shane Humphrey, 42, of Piedmont, Ala., was arrested on Oct. 16, 2020, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on two counts of theft by taking.
Donald Ray Jacobs, 20, of Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 17, 2020, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of theft by shoplifting.
Timothy Eugene McClure, 51, of Rockmart, was arrested on Oct. 17, 2020, by Rockmart Police on a charge of giving a false name, address or birthdate to a law enforcement officer.
Delayna Sheree Nesmith, 34, of Dallas, was arrested on Oct. 16, 2020, by Rockmart Police on two counts of theft by shoplifting.
Cody Dylan Nix, 29, of Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 17, 2020, by Polk County Police on charges of battery, obstructing law enforcement officers, unlawful conduct during a 911 call, criminal trespass, and public drunkenness.
Chukwudozier R. Ojiagbaje, 23, of Dallas, was arrested on Oct. 16, 2020, by Rockmart Police on charges of terroristic threats and acts, and criminal trespass.
Stephanie Overstreet Dempsey, 28, of Rockmart, was arrested on Oct. 16, 2020, by Aragon Police on charges of possession of methamphetamine, and possession and use of drugrelated objects.
Derrik Ray Payne, 42, of Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 17, 2020, by Polk County Police on charges of discharging a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless conduct, unlawful conduct during a 911 call, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Christopher Lave Stocks, 33, of Rockmart, was arrested on Oct. 18, 2020, by Rockmart Police on a charge of driving without a valid license.
Kimberly Thrash Tate, 47, of Lindale, was arrested on Oct. 16, 2020, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of seconddegree criminal damage to property.
James Dustin Whitfield, 41, of Cedartown, was arrested on Oct. 18, 2020, by Cedartown Police on charges of possession of cocaine, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Heather Megan Williams, 31, of Rockmart, was arrested on Oct. 18, 2020, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of theft by shoplifting.