along with too Many Businesses that have been the backbone of the local community for decades

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US COVID News Thursday

“US job losses due to COVID-19 highest since Great Depression.”
CIDRAP News

“‘I Can’t Keep Doing This:’ Small-Business Owners Are Giving Up. More owners are permanently shutting their doors after new lockdown orders, realizing that there may be no end in sight to the crisis.” NY Times

“American initial jobless claims above 1 million again.” CNN

“As schools reopen in parts of the United States, a study published Thursday found that some children have high levels of virus in their airways during the first three days of infection despite having mild symptoms or none at all — suggesting their role in community spread may be larger than previously believed.” Washington Post

“Authorities say a patron at a bar in Sturgis, South Dakota, has tested positive for COVID-19 and was able to transmit the virus while attending the massive Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The 2020 Rally drew more than 460,000 vehicles during the 10-day event. Many locals were worried the huge crowds and lack of social distancing rules would lead to an unmanageable outbreak of COVID-19.” USA Today

“Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris have ramped up their criticism of the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus in recent days. The pair held two briefings earlier Thursday, one on the coronavirus and the other on the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. “’This virus has impacted almost every country, but there’s a reason it has hit America worse than any other advanced nation. It’s because of Trump’s failure to take it seriously from the start,’ Harris said in accepting her (vice presidential) nomination on Wednesday.” CMBC News

“At least 15 states reporting Covid cases at colleges and universities.” CNN

ETc, etc, etc… The virus in the USA continues to be out of control.

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Although I do have photos taken today, my photo today is an older, pre coronavirus snap shot.

We got an email today from one of our favorite restaurants; saying that they are unable to survive COVID because they do not have the funds to reopen in the current economy. The staff (many who have worked there for decades) are all still available & eager to go back to work if anyone can step forward to take over the business. That possibility seems unlikely.

The photo above was a snapshot of Easter a couple of years ago: a Memory Shot. Easter Brunch at this restaurant had become a tradition for us. Over the years, we have also enjoyed many evenings of fine dining (including some special events) with them. Someday - when we eventually have the “freedom” again to dine out - this restaurant (and the staff we’ve come to know well over the years) will be missed by us. I feel bad for the employees who now have an uncertain job future. Many worked here for decades; which is rare in the restaurant business these days.

Even after America someday returns to a post coronavirus “normal”, there will be a different new normal for the country. So much is now being lost. Although I feel like we’ve been living under a form of “house arrest” to safe guard our health, we actually are some of the luckier people during these difficult times.