Housekeeping: Memorial Day, Socially Distanced Edition

Alright, listen up. It’s Memorial Day weekend here in these United States, and pandemic or no, Monday is a day off.

Additionally, we’ll be closing it down a bit early today, somewhere around mid-afternoon.

As is usual, there may be a scattered post or two, and some tweets here and there, but mostly, we’ll be off from this afternoon until Tuesday morning.

Obviously, this year is different than most. We’re in the grips of a pandemic. The Indy 500 has been postponed, and beaches, restaurants, and bars may be closed where you live. If they’re open, they’re likely operating at limited capacity and with social-distance rules/guidelines. You may even still be under a stay-at-home order from your state or city leaders. I know I am for at least one more week (fingers crossed the metrics continue to trend in the right direction).

If you do go out, be safe. Wear masks (it’s for all of us — if enough of us wear masks long enough, the virus won’t spread easily), stay six feet or more away from strangers when possible, wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer, and if you’re sick, stay home.

Before anyone accuses me of being political, please remember that I’m basing the advice in the previous graph off of what the health and science experts say. Nothing more.

We will get through this, one way or another. We may have to lose summer as we traditionally think of it, at least for this year (I hope not, but it’s hard to foresee a therapeutic being available before Labor Day, let alone a vaccine), but there are ways we can maintain some normalcy. Experts suggest being outdoors is safer than in, and if it ever stops raining around here, I plan on getting outdoors as much this weekend, and this summer, as possible, even if sporting events and concerts are off the table.

Of course, the combination of rain and no place to go may lead to a hopefully productive staycation. I’ve got a house that needs cleaning and video games that need playing. Either way, there’s no barbecues, brunches, or house parties in the plan this year. Or vacations. Last year, I got up early, fighting a mild hangover, to watch the Indy 500 from a Vegas hotel room. This year, I’ll be at home, like most of the rest of us.

Finally, I leave you with a reminder. Memorial Day wasn’t supposed to be about brats and baseball and burgers. It was meant to remember those who fought and died for certain values. Since you may be stuck indoors this year, take a second to reflect on that, especially if someone in your family died fighting for those values.

Hopefully, next year’s Memorial Day will be like all those that have come before. Let’s hope there’s racing with fans, open beaches, sports with packed stands, no masks, parades, and as much or as little social distance as we want. Until then, be safe, be well, and make the best of this most unusual holiday weekend.

We’ll see you Tuesday.

[Image: Ivan Marc/Shutterstock]