As we move closer to the New Normal, the demand for many
things is increasing. We had to change our habits and routines. One of the
winners is TV dinners and frozen food. I have to report the facts, as I see
them.
Regular Demand
The normal things we need are really in constant demand
like food and drink and toilet paper. With restaurants and bars closed, we have
moved to eating at home. That’s why grocery stores were deemed essential. But our
wives found out quickly, cooking every day got old fast.
So enter the TV dinner’s popularity. As my wife put it, “If
it takes more than four and a half minutes, I’m not cooking it.”
The other thing that took a hit was personal appearance.
The practice of hair coloring, toenail, and fingernail care became a home
project. Let’s put it this way, there are more brunettes then I remember before
the shutdown.
A Note: Look
for the Spox’x Chicken Fried Steak TV dinner. Its demand has exploded. You
can’t find the dinners anywhere.
Static Demand
These are things that we do frequently but are not life
or death activities like eating out at restaurants. We have seen a spike in the
usage of drive-thru restaurants.
On-line buying became very popular and maybe a big change
to our new normal. Even the sale of cars online exploded. You just select it on
the internet and they drop it off at your home. You have seven days to return
the vehicle if you don’t like it. My neighbors are on their third car. Go
figure.
The price of gas is down drastically. Of course, we aren’t
driving anywhere anyway. I logged in forty miles last week down from a regular two
hundred.
Our social distancing and wearing protective mask usage is
starting to decline. One authority estimated that only about 15% of the people in
the U.S. practiced preventive methods.
One thing that is changing this is the current
demonstrations and riots over the death of a man in police custody. While the social distancing is out the
window, the wearing of masks has increased.
The job market is starting to improve. Many are starting
to return to their day jobs. Others are starting the old job shuffle. They are
changing jobs, hopefully with a bigger opportunity.
As broadcasted the other day, over 60% of the unemployed
are making more money than they did when they were working. I interviewed a guy
at a bar last week. “I’m not going back while I’m getting the extra money.” He
finished the conversation by hoisting his mug of beer and saluting me.
Next, I talked with a chair salesman. I just had to spend
part of my stimulus. He was forced to return to his job or lose his seniority.
“I was making more on unemployment but I couldn’t go backward. Everyone is
going to be looking for a job soon.”
Bars are coming back strong. At least, the new normal
will still include my favorite pastime.
Our Heroes
Our
condolences to those who have lost love ones and to the patients and their family
members that continue to fight COVID-19. Salute to our doctors and medical
workers and our first responders.
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