A Little Quarantine, A Little Hope

How does one get their thoughts down on what’s affecting the world right now?

It seems strange that only a few weeks ago, my biggest worry was whether or not I could survive a master bathroom makeover (which I’ll update you on soon) and what to wear to Derby (a worry now moot). Suddenly, our lives have shifted, and all we see in the news or on social media are fears, politics, more fears, and worry about Coronavirus and Covid-19.

I don’t have to update any of you on what is happening. Last night, the call was made to close down gyms, salons, theaters, and they’re joining restaurants and bars that have already closed their doors. Bigger businesses, like Williams-Sonoma, Neiman Marcus, and Vegas casinos have made the decision to close their doors, and smaller businesses are following suit. I’m not sure what this means for our economy. I’m worried for my friends that own small businesses. I’m worried about our small business. And I’m desperately worried about Louisville’s economy in the light of a 4 month delay of Derby season.

We’re a city that revolves around horse racing. Restaurants and bars can make their profit for the year if they do Derby weekend the right way. The millions of dollars funneled into our city in May are astounding, and without them, I’m anxious to see what our city relies on to survive.

But, there’s hope…

Companies are adapting. Suddenly, there are changes to the rules, allowing work from home and shorter hours. Tasks we thought could only be accomplished in a group office setting can be accomplished from the comfort of one’s home office (or one’s sofa, in front of Netflix, if one is a multitasker). I’m choosing to remain hopeful that the other side of this pandemic is a Nation that will rise more liberal in the way we allow business to be done. Is it possible that we can become more European in the way we view business and our economy, leaping towards looser and more independent work days?

As for me, well, my Realtors are independent contractors, and can choose to continue to work however they wish, with their clients permissions. It seems as if our office will continue to be open to support them, though there may be a meeting in my future about how to do that remotely. I’m still in the office for now, though getting here at 7am because my anxiety won’t let me sleep in.

I hope, sweet readers, that you’re staying safe, and I hope that you, too, will find the potential good in this and focus on it. Maybe you get to spend more time with your family, and maybe you get to test your own creativity in a work-from-home situation. Maybe you have the time to try the recipes you’ve been wanting to test.

Stay well, friends.