There was music in Clarksdale this past weekend and that was good.
It started Friday afternoon on Yazoo Street and moved to Third Street Saturday afternoon.
We also had the CARES Animal Shelter fundraiser downtown with people going in an out steadily over two days - longer if you want to count the days it took to set this thing up.
We had a football game at Lee Academy Friday night.
I also heard motorcycles, saw the RV’s and noticed several out-of-state car tags at stores and restaurants around town indicating tourists.
No, COVID-19 is still out there and people are still dying, but we do think people are learning to cope and continue to live life.
Spaghetti Supper
The St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Parish Fair was one of the first events Sara and I attended in this town.
We went and sat at a picnic table to enjoy our meal and you sat beside us. We really didn’t know a soul and we aren’t kin to anyone in this town.
But we got to know the people we broke bread with that evening and we had lots of friendly Delta folk come up to us and welcome us to Clarksdale.
I’ve always felt if you want to really get to know someone, share a meal.
On Tuesday night I once again went to the Parish Fair and spaghetti supper.
It was different, but everything is different now.
I did recognize people -- even with their masks on -- and was greeted by them.
Yes, Clarksdale is beginning to feel like home to Ingrams.
The mask is a task
I am still uncomfortable in a mask.
Yes, yes, I do believe it keeps me from infecting you, but as far as I know I have not been infected.
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 description given by police basically told only the gender and race and then said 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.
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 that started with me wondering when I will write my last COVID-19 story.
Please look at stories on Page One and 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.
We have seen a number of businesses close over the past six months. 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.
Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register. If you have COVID-19 he will gladly talk to you on the phone at 662-627-2201.
