There was music in Clarksdale this past weekend and that was a good.
It started Friday afternoon on Yazoo Street and moved to Third Street Saturday afternoon.
I also heard motorcycles, saw the RV’s and noticed several out-of-state car tags at stores and restaurants around town.
We had a baseball game at Lee Academy this past weekend and the stands were packed. And some of you COVID rebels will making the trek to Swazye Field this weekend to watch Ole Miss take on Alabama in SEC baseball.
No, COVID-19 is still out there and people are still getting sick, but I do think people are learning to cope and continue to live life.
The mask is a task
I am still uncomfortable in a mask.
Yes, yes, I do believe it keeps me from infecting you.
I won’t get into the politics of masking. I will say if I can ever do anything in this world to make someone feel safer and less fearful, I will do it.
I was raised in the South were being polite comes first and logic, reason and party politics wait on good manners and the evidence of good breeding.
I’ve seen people faint wearing a mask. I’ve written news stories of robbers stealing from stores and the only description given to police was the crooks gender and race and that they were wearing a mask. And I’ve tried to understand public officials at public meeting who are speaking through a mask.
I visited China in 1988 and saw masses of people wearing masks because they didn’t want to get sick and be out of work. I don’t think that is the mindset in Clarksdale, but I digress. . .
It is pretty evident some people will wear masks for the rest of their lives across this great country.
It is part of the new normal.
Moving forward
I wrote a column in March 2020 that started with me wondering when I will write my last COVID-19 story. It hasn’t happened yet.
Please realize while the media may not be pounding this story like it has in days past, coronavirus and the death it brings are still out there.
I got a headache last week that pounded and made my shoulders ache. That was my first symptom when I came down with COVID.
I took a home test and it was negative. I took my temperature and it was normal. I took a nap that lasted until Saturday morning and felt a lot better. It was apparently a false alarm.
COVID has scared us all. I’m glad there is light at the end of the tunnel. The sad part is how we have all suffered from this disease.
We have seen a number of businesses close over the past two years. Our students have probably suffered the most and will probably suffer from that education gap for the rest of their lives. We’ve seen people scared to go to church, public events and even the grocery store.
I can only hope we learn to live with this disease. I do think there are those in this community who have set their jaw and have decided to live life to the fullest and under the freedom allowed in this great country.
I’m one of them. Pardon me if take off my mask and smile.
Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register. If you have COVID-19 or COVID concerns he will gladly talk to you – on the phone – at 662-627-2201.
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