When will I write my last column on COVID-19? When will I turn on the radio and not hear the gloom and doom stories of this disease? When will the conversation return to what is going on in my family, the good news that has happened to friends and the latest community event where we can all gather and have fun?
As we head into a season of thanksgiving I hate to be so glum. I truly have much to be thankful for.
But as the man who looks out the window on 128 East Second Street at this community, I find myself pondering the past and concerned about the future.
Let’s take a look.
Wedding vacation
I drove 682 miles Monday to come back and publish this edition of your Clarksdale Press Register.
Actually I drove to Milam County, Texas to see my oldest son get married this past weekend. I saw family and friends and the second most beautiful girl in the world after my wife.
We had a grand time.
Please ask Sara to show you pictures of our new daughter-in-law. As you know we have four boys and she is so happy to have another female in the family.
Yes, the drive was a grind, but it was so good to get out, be around happy people and re-establish those bonds with family and friends that truly make life worth living.
COVID has stolen a lot from us. Let me encourage you to take a little back.
Shortened season
Josh Troy and I were crestfallen when we heard the news that Clarksdale football had to cancel its playoff game last week.
I think we all realize our children may be the ones suffering most from this coronavirus panic.
As a high school sports writer for more than 25 years, I know for a fact college coaches go to playoff games to see up-and-coming talent all in one spot. There are young men in our community who will probably not make it to the next level because of COVID.
Even more serious, most of the kids in our community have received about half the education they should have received over the past 10 months.
Hospital news
I hope you have been reading the stories we’ve written about the possible sale or transfer of our hospital.
Change is news and there are many changes going on in healthcare across this country and in Clarksdale.
Our hospital is the third largest employer in our community behind government and schools, and nursing is the third most in-demand job behind cashier and teacher.
This is an incredibly complex transaction and I want nothing less than the very best for our hospital and our community. Please make an effort to understand what is going on.
What happens with our hospital will have a major impact on the future of Clarksdale and Coahoma County. We’ve got to get this one right.
Cure for COVID
The first lockdown happened this spring and was followed by a massive federal spending package. With COVID-19 cases on the rise, you can expect things to slow down and politicians to try and once again take control of something they cannot.
I don’t think we will see the cash windfall of CARES this fall and the old somber joke, “cancel Christmas!” has taken on a new meaning this year. And it’s not funny.
Please read the Editorial to the left. Yes, we’ve had businesses close in Clarksdale. We will probably have more close if we have another COVID shutdown. We are all seeing this community get more desperate as dollars and a way to make a living dry up.
But the economy of Coahoma County and Clarksdale will not be saved by folks in Washington, Jackson or even the courthouse or city hall.
This town will fall or flourish on what this community does this holiday season.
As I’ve said above, reach out to your family, watch the kids, work hard and give something back to your community.
Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register. He has bad days, too and you can call him at 627-2201 to cheer him up or just pile it on.
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