Happy New Year?
Saying farewell to 2021 won’t be difficult because the damn pandemic hung over everything like a black cloud. At this writing, events either were being canceled or in the planning stages of being “scaled down.”
And what’s going to happen in the Big Apple? Do a Google search for New Year’s Eve in New York, and you will be bombarded by bright lights advertising how you can download various sites that will allow you to participate virtually. (No, I didn’t do the downloads, and no I won’t.)
Now New York Mayor Bill de Blasio intends to have the ball-dropping in Times Square, but with major cutbacks. Usually viewing areas allow as many as 58,000 spectators, but those will be cut back to permit only 15,000 viewers, and people won’t be admitted until 3 p.m. Also, all participants must have proof of vaccination and be wearing a mask.
Now think about these changes for a moment and imagine that you are a member of the New York City Police. How in the HELL are you going to establish and maintain order while you are checking vaccination cards and masks? Do you think for one moment people won’t try to sneak in? And what about the unvaccinated who will want to use this venue to stage a protest? Good luck, Mayor de Blasio and Happy New Year.
Currently, I have no idea what will happen to the Tournament of Roses Parade and its truly spectacular floats. I can only hope that it goes on as expected because the work that must go into it defies description.
How about all those football games? Texas A&M already was forced to withdraw from the Gator Bowl. It remains to be seen how many more teams will have to do the same thing. Counting the playoff games and the college championship, there are 44 bowl games. The big wigs already have put into place various new rules for the two upcoming games on New Year’s Eve in case either Covid or Omicron makes an unwelcome visit.
At least this Christmas was better than the one last year, when we had to visit with family members via Zoom. But the miserable fact remains that the two viruses loom over everything, killing massive numbers of people worldwide every single day. Because we now have vaccines to combat Covid-19 and Omicron, we are somewhat better off than we were last Christmas, but we are not nearly where we should be with the availability with the vaccines.
But for various reasons many people either are hesitant or just flat out refuse to get the vaccination. Now I’m a strong advocate of freedom of expression, but I really can’t understand why so many people are opting for death over life, with the exception of those with medical conditions prohibiting vaccinations. Back in the day of the polio vaccine, children weren’t given a choice. They all just got the vaccine, and Dr. Jonas Salk was revered by many. Yes, I know these are different times, but a human life still is a human life, and I’m surprised by how many people are willing to choose death rather than life. If you are in good health and able to do so, please get FULLY vaccinated and help get rid of this modern version of the plague.
On a happier note, let’s hope that 2022 brings with it an end to the widespread illness that healthcare providers are courageously and indefatigably battling day and night. When that iconic ball drops in Times Square, bid farewell to a virus-marred year and welcome in 2022 by giving all your loved ones an extra hug and hoping for a better year ahead. Indeed, let’s devote ourselves to making 2022 a truly good year.
Ponder This:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
