On The Road to Loosening the Restrictions
/It’s been an interesting week leading up to May 1st and Governor Pritzker’s extended stay-at-home order, with looser restrictions. Even though more businesses have been allowed to reopen (with curbside pick-up) as well as some parks and golf courses (with restrictions) there has been this brewing debate between saving lives or livelihoods. We saw several groups of protesters this week, against the stay-at-home rules. We also saw most people out and about following the rules, wearing masks and social distancing. I still tried to stay positive, starting my week by giving a shout out on air to my sister, part of the maternity unit at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington - definitely a hero in my book!
In order to keep my sanity, and still feel productive at work, I’ve created a new niche for myself - my Fabulous Fur Babies Facebook series, for one, which this week featured a guest appearance from Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts!
I’ve also started putting out a weekly construction piece, since there’s so much of it popping up now in and around Chicago - you know the old saying, that there are two seasons in Chicago…winter and construction! I’m starting to think there’s only one - CONSTRUCTION!
Hanging around the “home studio,” we’re still keeping entertained. Sara has moved on to 3-D puzzles! My fur babies find comfort in each other, and I’ve taken advantage of every inch of warm weather in my backyard - I even watched the Governor’s daily briefing on my patio one afternoon!
It’s interesting to see how not just individuals, but companies and non-for-profits are adapting to the “virtual world.” The Anti-Cruelty Society’s annual fundraiser “Bark in the Park” has become the virtual fundraiser “Bark from the Heart.” Hosea Sanders and I put together a promo - virtually!
The Cancer Support Center in the south suburbs is a tremendous support group for all kinds of cancer patients and survivors. I had previously emceed their spring gala, which this year has been replaced by the “virtual” telethon, “Rise Up.” https://cancersupportcenter.org/rise-up-virtual-telethon/ They asked me to put together a short video of support. It will air on May 17th, but you can see it now.
The first weekend in May brought exceptionally beautiful weather - great for going out and getting video of construction - in a safe way. I ran into my traffic colleague Bart Shore, camera in hand, also wearing a mask. We stayed 6 feet apart - even while taking a selfie (almost didn’t fit in the frame!).
The warm weather unfortunately brought out many with cabin fever, who didn’t feel the need to social distance. I, on the other hand, err on the side of caution. Even when more restrictions are lifted, I won’t be running back to the “old normal.” I spent my Sunday, along with my daughter, visiting my Mom. Donned in mask and gloves, I cautiously helped her with a couple things in the house. When I spotted her old cedar chest, memories of my childhood swirled within. I carefully looked through old pictures and newspaper clippings with my gloves, like a museum curator handling a prized artifact.
We enjoyed the remainder of the glorious day outside, with well more than 6 feet between us. Visiting my Mom, even at a distance, is nourishment for the soul.