We are living in an unprecedented, even surreal, time, folks.
I know a lot of football coaches who rightly say trying times do not build character, rather trying times reveal character.
Amid this pandemic, the worst of our emotions - the anger or the fear or the loneliness - still do not come close to explaining the way some Americans are acting.
The Pennsylvania woman who coughed on the entire produce area in her local grocery store - on purpose, mind you - prompted the store to throw away more than $35,000 in fruit, vegetables, meats and bread. The jackwagon in Missouri who licked an entire row of products in a Walmart. The crazy woman who licked an airplane toilet seat because the virus was getting more coverage than she was, and everyone else participating in the coronavirus challenge.
In a word: Shameful.
On the other end of the spectrum
Thankfully, the stories of support, sacrifice and strength have been much more abundant.
There are the big sweeping gestures like New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees and his wife giving $5 million to the state of Louisiana to help fight coronavirus.
There was the virtual visit Peyton Manning delivered to University of Tennessee students this week to offer his encouragement and support.
And there are countless other kind gestures from non-Super Bowl winning QBs, too. Near and far, from the school teachers driving around their kids' houses and waving just to say hi, or the curbside concerts musicians are giving family and neighbors from safe distances to the small business owners making every sacrifice possible to keep their doors open and their people employed.
That's what gives me the most hope in these trying times.
TV craziness
Being socially isolated has led to some strange things.
Yes, I know, our grandfathers were asked to storm a beach in France, and we're being told to sit on our sofas.
But a couple of television developments that normally would have escaped my attention need to be mentioned.
First, the TV show "Tiger King" on Netflix has become the most-discussed miniseries since "Roots."
Second, Season 18 of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" debuted this week with a fistfight between two of the sisters, which begs a couple of questions:
How in the world did they get to an 18th flipping season of that garbage? And is a kat fight between two of the K-named sisters the most unifying thing in our nation right now?
The first question will be for sociologists and college professors to hash out many years from now. The second is absolutely, because I am pretty sure that in this historic time of divided, the one thing in America on which we can all agree is that we hope both fighting Kardashians lost.
Obit observations
Last week I mentioned in this space the added difficulties of losing a family member in a time of social distancing.
Losing loved ones is never easy, but people grieve in different ways; the formal funeral process can ease that grief for a lot of people.
Last week I wrote: "And may they realize that their losses are our losses, whether the formal services happen or not and no matter how many folks can attend."
And earlier this week, I received this from one of the family members I mentioned: "I'm reaching out today to express appreciation to you for noting and highlighting the obituary of [our family member] in your ... column in the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Our family struggled with the decision on whether to invite family and friends to gather at a visitation, and what the proper tribute should be in an unprecedented time such as this - but ultimately decided to heed advice that gatherings of more than a few people should be avoided. Your column described this dilemma perfectly, and I'm sure that many of your readers could relate to, as you put it, "trying to do everyday things" as safely as possible. Again, thank you for your thoughtfulness, and here's hoping the "new normal" comes sooner rather than later for all of us."
Amen.
Be safe and healthy, friends. Until next time.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter at @jgreesontfp.
Jay Greeson