So…I was a little late to this party. For sure.
Due to my several months-long news boycott, I can’t say I even know when it all started. What I do know is when I figured it might be a good idea to get some hand sanitizer for the store – and I went to six places – it was long wiped out. The sales associates at CVS and Walgreens looked at me like I was an alien when I asked if they were expecting more in.
I have started reading the news again. I was a journalist in my past life and I do realize (although somewhat reluctantly) that my simply ignoring it will not change the state of the world.
However, it wasn’t newspapers that have made me understand the extent of the destruction that could be the fallout of the whatever this not-as-bad-as-the-flu-but-yet-way-worse virus is (I am utterly mystified by the whole thing). It was a book industry trade publication where I read about a Mercer Island – just off of Seattle – book store that is facing closure due to the coronavirus, that painted a clear picture of what we are up against. And then the fact that Italy has called that all businesses be closed.
At times of disaster and destruction, it has been shown that humanity can truly band together as one. Hurricane Katrina and several hurricanes in Texas have proven to be amazing demonstrations of beautiful heroics that erased any sort of discriminatory class and color lines, and saved countless lives.
“During this nutty, uncharted, anxious, social-distancing moment in time, I am going to choose to see it as, Us all being in it together.”
It is these moments that show that at the end of the day – we are all in this together.
Right?
So, I was telling my mail carrier — Who I discuss all important current events with. He kept me in the loop during my news cleanse — how I could not find one bottle of hand sanitizer. Not one. He explained that he had been delivering boxes and boxes of sanitizer and surface wipes and paper towels to people on his route for weeks. The same people! “They’re hoarding them!” he yelled.
Good lord.
Ok – so hoarders aside. During this nutty, uncharted, anxious, social-distancing moment in time, I am going to choose to see it as, Us all being in it together. And, I am going to make a plea….
Bee Hive has an awesome website – you can order any book at all off of it to be either picked up at the store – but if it gets to a certain point and you don’t want to come to the store – which I take no offense from – we will mail your books to you, or whomever the receiver (at the lowest possible rate – or possibly free depending on how many books).
Another thought is, if there is a book you know you are going to want, that is going to be released in the future – you can pre-order it! Your paying for it during this time, could be a huge help. And then you will have it as soon as it is out.
At this point, Bee Hive has gotten through more then I can say – all of which you have been privy to. I am not afraid of the coronavirus. Sure, Bee Hive has persevered partly because of my sometimes choosing to turn a blind eye to reality (news boycott = case in point), but also, because of you – this awesome, wonderful, beautiful community that loves Bee Hive as much as it truly loves you.
And, not only are we all in this together.
But, perhaps, we can read away the anxiety and isolation.
Books and stories make everything okay. Always.
Been thinking about you and your store. I had a little bookstore in my living room nearly 50 years ago and it was a struggle. Will be sending an order later today. Hang in there! And in the meantime, write a book. You’re a good writer. And if you need a copy editor, I’ve been doing that for 30 years.
Thank you so much Linda – I appreciate your thoughts and support. And, I will definitely be in touch if I need a copy editor!