Raoul’s 2 Cents
Open for Business? What Do You Think?
Are you looking forward to Monday? That’s the day businesses are supposed to restart opening their doors. At least that’s what the US Federal government suggested at the time of this writing. It’s up to each governor to decide what’s good for the State. And it’s up to each business to decide what’s good for their company.
I was apprehensive about that. I thought it was too early because people are still getting infected and people are still dying. But then I watched an interview with a woman from the Wall Street Journal (I forget her name). And she had an insight about when to open: “You have to balance the need for health and safety with the need to bring back the economy and getting people’s lives back to normal.” She said the prevailing mindset is a purist mindset (which was like mine) — to open business only if every trace of that virus has been eliminated. Although it sounds good and safe, the drawback is we will be waiting forever for that to happen while the economy and people’s mental state will continue to spiral downward to the point where it may never recover. A better alternative, she claimed, is to open the doors now while the epidemic continues to loose steam (accepting that there will still be people getting infected and dying) in exchange for the economy starting to revive. Does this make sense to you? What do you think?
If the health charts that I’ve been seeing are accurate, Covid-19 isn’t as deadly as was earlier estimated. More people are dying by other causes anyway. There are also more medications and ventilators available than a month ago. More people have now been exposed and have built up their immunity, so the risks have significantly diminished. What do you think?
This balancing principle may be sound but it still needs wisdom when to implement. Nevertheless, if the shops and offices continue to take precautionary measures, if people wear face masks and wash their hands, avoid physical contact, keep their hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth … this should work. What do you think?
Come Monday, many businesses will start opening their doors. Some already have. Let’s hope they will be responsible. And let’s start living again. What do you think?
Keep safe and hold on to your faith. TGIF people!
Raoul
Joke of the Week
Thanks to Mike of New York, for sharing this joke.
Video: How NOT to Make a Face Mask
Thanks to Mike of New York for this video that made me cry..
Video: Love at 60 Feet Under
Thanks to Naomi of N Hollywood, CA for sending this video made by her personal friend, Paula.
Video: Archie Bunker Goes to the Hospital
Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA for this classic sitcom.
Don’s Puns
Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C.who loves puns.
Parting Shots
Thanks to Naomi for this reminder to be more sensitive to our dogs.
Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. for this serious announcement.
Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA for this Twilight reflection.
People from all over the world send him jokes and Raoul sends those jokes back with his original sketches. 
Doug
May 2, 2020 at 7:41 am
Raoul,
This is the only time I find myself in disagreement with you. Your conclusion was: “Come Monday, many businesses will start opening their doors. Some already have. Let’s hope they will be responsible. And let’s start living again. ” I do hope they are responsible, but that’s not what I am seeing in news reports. I see them crowding unmasked in protest gangs and even showing off guns. They and their elderly loved ones at home will pay a terrible price when they bring the coronavirus home and expose their families to a sudden and painful death. That’s what I fear, because I care. Meanwhile I need patience to persevere until medical science finds a cure and a vaccine.
I love you brother. I remain your former pastor and forever friend. I hope.
Doug
Raoul
May 2, 2020 at 7:44 am
Hi Pastor Doug,
Thanks for your feedback. I know it was not easy for you to send so I really appreciate it.
My point was that we need to balance safety and the economy. To favor the extremes of either would be devastating. Whether it is time to open the doors of business will depend on each locality. Maybe more specifically, it depends on the responsibility of the neighborhood. Look at this video about Taiwan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAaDC0lv13s
Taiwan didn’t stop the economy but the population was cooperating and there were very few fatalities.
The blatant display of stupidity by those demonstrators is an indication that that sector of society is NOT ready to open their business. In a sarcastic sense, they will be the first to be eliminated. Sadly, many Americans are too spoiled with their entitled freedom.
Let’s hope that each of us survive the virus and the falling economy.
Tom
May 2, 2020 at 7:45 am
Loved how to make a face mask.
Tom
Regie in Manila
May 2, 2020 at 7:47 am
Hi Bro.
It depends on how you look at things. It’s news. What else? It’s what makes readers read more. It’s the bad news i read too about the US. Bad news is what sells.
Better question is how are we coping with the reality? How are you doing? Getting by. Eating well. Staying healthy. So with my fam. Hair growing in all directions. And just enjoying reading your Friday fun for a change than the news we read.
Raoul
May 2, 2020 at 7:48 am
Regie,
I agree it depends where you are and what you hear in the news. But the principle remains the same. And that is, we need to balance the need to be safe and the need to start the economy going again.
So, what else is happy and exciting?
Michael
May 2, 2020 at 7:49 am
Very Funny Raoul! 🥪
Sincerely,
Michael
Heather
May 2, 2020 at 7:49 am
Yep! No matter what we do, or when we do it, people will die. This virus is no different than other viruses that causes the flu, mumps, measles small pox, pneumonia Etc. Hindsight will tell us the true. It always does!
As for me, my family, my wonder dog Buddy, my job and my friends contacting me throughout these weeks and Netflix have kept me going.
I am so grateful for my life and times. Stay well.
Heather