82 days ago, my bud and I decided to take part in a daily t-shirt challenge. 82 days ago, no one was quite sure where we'd be 82 days later. We assumed it would be a long, unknown road of isolation to Phase 2, with days of looting, careful use of toiletries and wiping down fruits, vegetables and bottles of booze with Clorox, while all the time, avoiding the outdoors and subsequent ventilators like Plague. So, this challenge between two guys with hundreds of t-shirts, would take place with a photo taken daily, each day wearing a different shirt, e-mailed to amuse each other and keep our minds off of death.
By Day 18, we started to get a bit creative.
Day 40, and the challenge was now as important to my morning as waking up, which I was grateful to still be doing.
Day 80, and clearly, it was time for some fresh air and a haircut.
But, here in NYC, today begins Phase Two, 122 days after the world was turned upside down.
Phase Two means looser restrictions, outdoor dining, in-person retail and careful haircuts.
I should, what?
Be happy?
Relieved?
Grab swimming trunks and head to the beach?
Go sit at some curbside picnic table and order a sandwich and a beer?
I'd love to, but I am not ready.
You see, 90 days ago, when there was a steady death rate of 500-800 people a day in New York, and thousands upon thousands dying across the world, there were still some morons claiming this was all overblown. These morons refused to wear masks. Or socially distance themselves. These morons had parties. And as soon as the temperature outside got above 60 degrees, even those with a modicum of responsibility, decided that hanging their masks from one ear, or dangling it from their pinkies while texting, was enough protection. Now, that summer has officially begun, do you think the vigilance of April will continue?
I sure don't.
This is really the first time I've addressed any of this since it all began. I wanted Burning Wood to be a distraction. I did my best and I hope I've kept you all entertained. But I'd really love it if some of you offered your opinions on all of this and the gradual reopening of Phases Two & Three, wherever you may be, because quite frankly, I don't see things getting better. I see things getting worse.
I know I'll continue to wear a mask, for as long as I need to while outside. But I'm not worried about my carelessness. It's everybody else's carelessness that scares me.
It wasn't magic that brought NYC to record breaking lows. We were once the epicenter of the virus. We are now the example of how vigilance works. Believe me, I understand the need to reopen. People need to make a living. To stay sane. To enjoy life while they can. But, did any of you have a friend or loved one get sick? I did. It wasn't two weeks of isolation. It's ongoing, still. Day 70 of weakness, body aches, dizzy spells and weight loss. I wouldn't want to feel that for a day, let alone 70 days.
On a separate note, I have sold more records in March, April, May & June, than I did in all of 2019. The irony? I have been unable to go shopping or digging. No one is calling me with collections to sell. I have an incredible amount of business with no inventory. I've been selling off my own collection, records I don't want to sell, just because I love the business and activity. And the income!
It's a small price to pay considering the alternative, but it is a fact. I need to survive like everyone else, and I'd love to embrace Phase Two and get the hell outside once record shops and flea markets reopen, and record shows start up again.
But look at the numbers. Look at the south.
It's back, spiking in record numbers according to the WHO, and I trust Pete Townshend.
But seriously...
I'm not sure the beach, or a Chef's Salad on a curb near West Broadway is worth it.
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.
Regularly scheduled Todd Rundgren and unwanted jazz posts will resume tomorrow.
And if you've got records to sell, come on over. I pay high and I'll wear a mask.
24 comments:
Like you, I'm in NYC and extra careful. I still will not go into any stores and I get everything delivered. I don't have much hair so it's easy for me to clip my hair; I just gave myself a haircut this morning. I miss going to record stores and other things of normal life. But I can't see myself getting back to normal until there's a vaccine
I live in Houston where the mayor and county admin are imploring the state to make masks mandatory. that won't happen because "Texas is a big state." So they've defied the state to issue their own mask order for business employees and visitors. we'll see how that goes. we live directly across from a hike and bike trail that is in constant use in the evening, with very few people wearing masks, which is disturbing. two small record stores have reopened but customers have to wear a mask. The large indie store, Cactus, has decided to stay with curbside service only.
I'm going back into hibernation. Two days ago, Joplin, Missouri, a town an hour west of me, was the "Hot Spot" of the entire country in regards to increased percentage of COVID cases. It's hitting the rural areas now.
I doubt we'll see MLB this year and I'm beginning to wonder about NFL.
Sal, don't forget you owe us your fave Utopia countdown.
Nice t-shirts BTW.
Randy
First, it's great to see you use this space to express ideas and entertain in ways other than what's on the record player. Yours is a smart, funny voice, and the more we hear it in different ways on a variety of subjects the richer are lives are for it.
Second, you have 82 fucking t-shirts? I mean, I might have thirty, but maybe five are wearable, and three of those have holes in them, which doesn't stop me from wearing them constantly.
Third, we're safe from covid up in the country, safe as long as we act responsibly, which we do but we rely on others to do the same to help us save safe, and not everyone is so great on that aspect of it. I imagine NYC is pretty mixed on the mask wearing, and that would infuriate me. All of those states that opened early, were lax in their rules and in enforcing them are now seeing spikes, and you know what? Since they can't isolate states, those numbers will come to bite us New Yorkers in the ass soon enough. Pisses me off. We need angry people who won't be intimidated and who'll put a stop to what really is legalized murder.
But maybe, if those Tulsa MAGidiots got the message the rest of the country will as well.
Keep at it, Sal.
It's mostly back to normal here in Copenhagen, but it was never like what is still going on in the UK or USA. I work at home and go out when I need to, washing hands and face more times a day than I really want to. Masks are rarely seen here, but you have to wear one if you are at the airport or on a commercial flight. Groups of 50 are now deemed OK. We'll see how it goes, but I try to avoid big groups.
There are plenty here, especially the "indestructible" youth who don't respect the guidelines, but that's nothing new.
Take care of your self and try not to sweat the rest.
On a more cheerful note, perhaps you should dial in one of your anticipated sets that is now out as a 3-disc set on bandcamp (at least), the XTC covers:
https://futuremanrecords.bandcamp.com/album/garden-of-earthly-delights-an-xtc-celebration
- Paul
Over here, across the Newtown Creek, from Queens, I agree with you 100%. Very limited trips outside (basically once a week for food shopping) with mask and gloves. I let my wife cut my hair a couple of weeks ago (not bad, hon!), I've never liked eating on an NYC sidewalk anyway, and summer movies are mostly overrated. Retail is opening? Well, I need a watch battery, otherwise I'm fine.
Call me when we get to Phase Five.
Sorry I'm not doing my bit for the economy... but I have this weird habit of listening to people who actually know what they're talking about. You know, those commonly derided experts. And they are so right: there's no second wave because we haven't gotten past the first wave. We haven't reached the back side of the mountain, we're still in the foothills...
But damn, I would so like to veg out on a Sunday afternoon watching a baseball game.
Here in AZ they blew open the doors in mid-May before any downturn in the number of cases was seen. Now we're seeing the highest number of cases that we've seen we've gone from a coupe of 187 case on June 1 to 3,183 on June 20. The reason? No one is wearing masks, keeping distance and testing is practically non-existent. A lot of oit is political as well. Our Governor, who is a Republican and a Trump supporter, refused to wear a mask as well until that is last week when he realized the shit was hitting the fan.
The bottom line is that everyone still needs to be careful and vigilant by wearing masks and practicing social distancing or it can come back and bite everyone in the ass again.
Paul,
Garden of Earthly Delights is one of my favorite albums of the year. Great collection.
As much as the deniers and the oblivious continue to angered me, more and more, when I venture out, and I see people approach me who are wearing masks and maintaining a respectful (and appropriate) distance, I'm grateful for those who get it: How truly serious this is, and that most importantly, it's not about you, it's about others. It's so simple.
I'm on the same page with you here in Cleveland OH. Reopening, young people (mostly, but there are also defiant older folks) ignoring mask and distancing protocols, restaurants with varying degrees of compliance. I'm too old to get this disease and survive for sure so I continue with shelter at home, only going out for groceries and one take-out dinner per week. Like Keith, I'll need a vaccine before normal or something like it returns.
Excellent thoughts, Sal.
I’m very concerned that the reopenings in the “good” states will only lead to more Covid spread. Florida, Texas, and other states are already proving this.
Wisconsin had bars filled with maskless idiots and forced masked people to vote at the polls and had Covid increases two weeks later. The news videos during Memorial Day weekend were scary, because of “everybody else’s carelessness”. A good outdoor flea market reopened nearby in south Jersey, I passed.
I’m very reluctant to go anywhere with the reopenings because I have rheumatoid arthritis and take meds that lower my immune system. If I were working, there’s no way I’d ride the train like I used to, I’d drive into the Big Scrapple and arrive two hours early at 7am. I have no idea what my fellow train commuters have been doing and I don’t trust them.
I doubt it, but maybe Trump and his enablers realized with his rally embarrassment that even his hard core supporters know that he’s been lying about the Covid and ignoring it now isn’t helping. It may have been a rare display of common sense that stopped people from going to the rally, not the K-poppers and pranksters. Hey, there’s a bad joke- Donald Trump having a revelation.
I’m trying to be positive, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks, then rely on politicians. Stay safe.
Sal, I live in Saratoga Springs, NY now. My wife was biking through the state park with a mask on (see is 68 with an underlying condition). As she reached a main road to cross, a car drove by. A young lady (20-30ish) gave her the middle finger and shouted out "take that f**king mask off!" Saratoga is suppose to be a progressive community, but I guess assholes are not limited to certain zip codes. joe
Sal, first and foremost thanks for Burning Wood. I really enjoy reading your commentary and the feedback from your regular readers.
Regarding the pandemic, I am with you. My family and I are erring on the side of safety. Masks are a no-brainer.
We recently went on a beach vacation here in NC, and decided to try a night out at a nice restaurant that was advertising 50% capacity.
But it still felt uncomfortably close, to us. We couldn't really relax and enjoy the meal, and we won't eat inside again.
Last year we took my daughter's best friend with us on this vacation and we had intended to take her with us again this year, but sadly had to un-invite her because COVID and worrying that her family had not been as vigilant as we have been. It was a bummer. But that's the way things are, for now.
Finally, DVR Alert: TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is airing a GREAT music documentary tonight at 8:00 EST.
"Jazz on a Summer's Day" documents the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. In addition to the jazz giants featured (Satchmo, Monk), Chuck Berry and Mahalia Jackson are on the bill. I saw this thing years ago and it knocked me out. Highly recommended.
Thanks and stay safe, all.
JB
Thx JB! Jazz On A Summer’s Day is a fave. The Anita O’Day footage alone is worth the time.
Still wearing a mask when I go out, and still keep my kids in the car cuz I figure me going in to the store without them lowers the chance of catching something by 2/3. Still not going out except for those shopping runs (not an online guy) and rare family/neighbor visits.
While I'm not as fearful as some -- it looks like the death rate is lower than initially thought -- I also don't go out of my way to put me or my little ones in harm's way (DUH!). And being "merely" sick rather than dead is not an attraction.
C in California
Looking on from another country, we are appalled by what is happening in USA and UK… is “not many dead” a success? Vaccines are a long way away (2 years probably), so all you can do is to stay safe. USA has not hit the peak yet. This is the new normal, sports and music festivals ( and music clubs etc) are completely off the agenda, and you can forget tourism… international tourists ain’t going to want to visit, and I don’t think Americans are going to be too welcome across the globe for a bit…. And flying itself is pretty risky, close proximity for several hours.
Interesting to watch movies etc with people hugging and shaking hands…
Love the Tshirt thing… and love the regular music commentary. I don’t go for about 40% of the material you put up, but I enjoy someone writing intelligently about it.. and being exposed to new sounds. I used to love the Joe Jackson blog for the same reason. Enjoyable commentary and new sounds.
Keep the mask on, and sanitise as often as you can, you can’t control the other fools.
Sal, the NYT has a piece on resilience. www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/health/resilience-relationships-trauma.html
It helps to recognize we can't control what idiots do. And clearly you've attracted a lot of readers with the same core values as you: respect for others and science, listening to experts, being responsible, and of course Todd Rundgren.
Bravo, Sal.
I feel that one can't be overly cautious, Sal, only underly cautious.
Underly cautious is six-feet-underly, so I'm gonna be cautious a little while longer.
- Stinky
Seen from a far corner of the world, where ordinary life has been barely touched by the pandemic, what you in the US are going through seems unimaginable. Not just the virus, but the attitude - the aggression, the stupidity, the impatience, the selfishness - at every level of society. And it's a long, long way from over, no matter how gung-ho your politicians are, keen to get you back to work to enhance their stock options. Not so keen to use their countless billions of banked currency to help the unemployed and sick.
It's all so big, so uncontrollable. Thoughts and prayers? "Keep Calm And Carry On"? Cling to hope? It isn't hope putting people on the streets and at risk - it's anger. Burn Baby Burn? It's never the homes of the rich that get trashed and looted. They don't live where you live.
No answers. As an individual, you can behave responsibly. Be Good. Seize the opportunity to not be an asshole as you would a cold beer on a hot day. It's always been that way.
Be careful. Stay well. Listen to the music.
(and thanks for your writing)
Sal, here in Kawasaki, Japan, almost everyone still wears a mask. Actually, in Japan, every winter through early spring many people wear a mask because of regular flu and pollen allergy. I can't believe the Trump rally in Phoenix - nobody's wearing a mask!
We have issues regarding our government's conducts (you know our prime minister Abe is the only friend with Trump among world's leaders, you can imagine...)
Oh, I probably owns 40~50 T-shirts.
Sal:
Agreed. I've spent the last few months working from home (left my NYC office on 3/16 and haven't been back). Work has been hectic (10-12 hour days with work-life balance boundaries blurred) and I've not had the time for navel gazing that so many people seem to have. I have not missed the commute into the city and am dreading having to do that when the office reopens. I see people in my area (Morris County NJ) largely behaving but that's starting to change. I don't trust the 'knuckleheads'. 120,000 dead and more on the way if this goes sideways again. It's not worth it. I mask up for provisions once a week and that's it. On the plus side, I've finally replaced my old turntable with a new one but haven't had time to hook it up. I will be spinning some vinyl in the near future. Thanks for what you do. Michael D.
Sal, love the t-shirts. I'm in Orange Couty CA, where we originally thought we had closed down early and dodged a bullet. The county health commissioner wanted masks to be mandatory in public - people came to her house to protest! She has three young children, and resigned.
Here successor backed down on the masks (recommended not required) and even though it likely didn't affect too many peoples behavior it was very disappointing.
I'm doing takeout and quick late night grocery store trips but not much else. Might try to do a car-adjacent meal with a friend who is doing the same level of caution. It's going to be like this for a while. January Hawaii vacation? I want to but...not convinced it will be doable then.
Wearing a Steely Dan concert t-shirt to get in the mix! Thanks for the post.
Belated entry to the conversation. Our little island closed its borders quite early on so minimal cases & deaths. After 5 weeks of no new cases most restrictions now lifted, except for the border closures & I'm not in a hurry for that. Looking around the world I feel very lucky living here - not for the first time. And I'm loving your t-shirt collection btw; my oldest one still being worn is a Stones European tour 1990. So, great t-shirts but I'd display them on a better mannequin. Wait! What? That's not a mannequin? I am so sorry.... Cheers!
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