Hello and welcome back to the Dogpound, where, if you are not sick, you are scared, and maybe you might be both. Please do not get me wrong, I am not dismissing the virus, but since I was a pup, we have always heard warnings about the yearly flu season, how we needed to be careful this winter season, and how the shots we got for the last flu bug will no longer protect us from the current flu bug that was making its rounds. This is how crazy it is getting. The leading news topic was that we reported our first case of the coronavirus in the state. The first case of the virus in a population of over six million citizens is the main lead considering all of the other thing going on in this world? Wow! To put things in a bit of perspective, here is a list of a few of the major flu outbreaks in the United States since the 50s. There was the Asian flu of 1957-58 leading to 70,000 deaths in the States; in 1968-69 we had the Hong Kong flu, which resulted in 34,000 deaths; and then there was the famous H1N1 flu that caused over 18,000 deaths. Now, we can hope and pray this virus comes nowhere close to these numbers, but at the same time, I do not remember the current panic that we are seeing today. Reading today’s headlines driven by the constant drumbeat of gloom- and doom-24-7 news, you would think that if you tested positive that you were DMW (dead man walking, or if a female, DWW, can’t leave you out!), or maybe you will turn into a walking zombie! Yikes. Run for your lives! Then if you are not sick from the virus, you have to be ready to throw up as you watch the stock market go down and up and down again like the worst roller coaster you have ever been on. Part of this was caused by concerns the virus would interrupt the flow of parts and materials from other countries causing plants to shut down. Then when you thought it could not get any worse Saudi Arabia and Russia decided to play oil roulette, opening the spickets and flooding the market with surplus oil. This is good news for the consumer; gasoline prices are now under $2/gallon, but this negatively impacts a lot of the energy sector since this will dramatically reduce their revenues. So, what to do!? First off, do not panic! The zombies are not coming to get you. We have been through this before, and we will get through this one as well. Hang on tight…say your prayers, wash your hands…stay home if you are sick, avoid crowds if you have a respiratory weakness, and we in the Dogpound will get through this rough patch and come out on the other side better and stronger.
THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK
“Breathe…you are going to be OK. Remember that you have been here before, and you survived. You will also survive this. Have faith in your resilience.” Dogpound Wisdom
SMILE
A couple’s happy married life almost went on the rocks because of the presence in the household of old Aunt Emma. For 17 long years she lived with them, always crotchety, always demanding. Eventually, the old girl passed away. On the way back from the cemetery, the husband confessed to his wife, “Darling, if I didn’t love you so much, I don’t think I would have put up with having your Aunt Emma in the house all those years.” His wife looked at him aghast. “My Aunt Emma!” she cried. “I thought she was ‘your’ Aunt Emma!”
That is all I have for today. As always be good, do good, play safe, and remember to stay calm and be careful out there.
JR
