Back in the 1980s, when all those layoffs from various industries occurred, you would see images of people standing in line at the soup kitchens waiting for a free meal.

Now, in 2020, with all the business closures due to COVID-19, you once again see charitable outfits passing out "care packages" to those suffering financial loss resulting from no longer receiving paychecks, comprising food and basic essentials.

But it's not people standing in line one sees----it's a line of cars, backed up for blocks around, waiting for volunteers to walk up to their window with the goods.

There's an element of irony in observing folks in $40,000 late-model vehicles being in need of food and public assistance

...like "My God, I can't even afford to pay my cable and phone bill this month!  If it wasn't for these 'heroes' I wouldn't even have food on the table for my family!  After this month all the money will run out---I won't even be able to make my rent!

I hope the washer and dryer in the basement holds out.  I can't afford to get those fixed either.  I think I still have enough to afford gas for the car."

                  Defund The Police(????)

The government and authorities have, for the longest time, been seemingly quite helpless in their ability to get rid of the gangs, drug dealers, illegals entering into the U.S., or to do anything about the overall plague of civil violence

...yet let you or I do anything fucked-up, or even as much as cross the wrong person, and---VOILA!---the police suddenly appear out of the woodwork, law books in hand and dusted off to be thrown directly at us.

It is said that true anarchy is being ruled over not by written laws but by the wayward whims of the strongest and most physically aggressive, the charismatic flim-flammers, the most physically attractive and aesthetically-appealing, those who have tons of money and influence, the most prosperous, the most favored

...sort of like the classroom and a lot of work places.

 Those who considered the quarantine of last March and April to be an "extended vacation" ...

...You obviously:

---live in a house you either own or rent.   Clearly your place of residence is not a small unit inside an apartment building

---drive your own vehicle.  You're not solely dependent on buses, subways, light rail, or commuter trains when needing to get around

---can afford cable/satellite TV and Internet service, making virtual interactions and online shopping possible.  You'd never need to leave the comfort of your enclave or abode just to go shopping, run errands, or make appointments

---live in the suburbs or in a small town.  You don't have to endure continual urban noise of populated areas, still-ongoing construction projects, or traffic in and out of "essential" businesses.

---own your own washer and dryer---conveniently located in your basement or utility room.   No need to leave your comfortable surroundings to truck down to any commercial coin laundry "just to wash your clothes".  Everything you need is always on hand.

                                              Adage For Today

Don't drop too much in someone's lap.  The weight just might paralyze them, then they won't be able to do anything

If ever asked to be a "Contact Tracer" I'd simply state that the fee for my services runs $800 a day----CASH ONLY!

Did the officials honestly figure on me doing any of their "dirty work" for free while they receive the paychecks (or profits)?

                         Classic Hobson's Choice

Attempting to stave off an aggressive migratory mega-virus with a Napoleonic/Genghis Khan demeanor, but not being able to do so without throwing the economic and cultural ecosystems into disarray.

The city of Columbus Ohio has dismantled and removed all statues of Christopher Columbus
...cue up GOODBYE COLUMBUS by The Association