Based on what has happened so far, we know without a doubt that many of the events of 2020 will be read about, talked about and researched by future generations for many reasons.
The New York Post offers an interesting recap of some of the highlights of the year at https://nypost.com/list/major-2020-events.
And to think, more than one-third of this year is still left. It already feels like ages and eons ago since we rang in the new year.
Obviously, COVID-19 has been the major headline of the first eight months, and it will remain in the news even after a vaccine for this novel coronavirus becomes available for widespread distribution.
In the meantime, we also have all of this continuing fallout from the COVID bug.
Not long ago, we were told that both the East and West Tallahatchie school districts would be going completely virtual with distance learning this fall. Some school districts are having regular classes, while others have adopted the hybrid model, incorporating elements of both in-school and virtual education.
Just last week, the boards of trustees of both local school districts ruled that if there will be no live classroom instruction, there will be no fall sporting events.
That means no school-sponsored junior high, junior varsity or varsity football or basketball will be played anywhere in Tallahatchie County this fall. Tiger Stadium in Charleston and Choctaw Stadium in Webb will be eerily dark and quiet on Friday nights.
How weird will that be!
For the first time in decades, this newspaperman will be scrambling to find something to occupy his Friday evenings. Maybe there will be more date nights with the wife, COVID and government regulations permitting.
Well, at least there will be some semblance of college sports, unless the pandemic derails those plans, too. Already, some individual colleges and universities — even entire conferences — have announced that they will not be playing football this year. In some cases, the cost and logistical nightmare of implementing and overseeing protocols designed to help ensure the safety of players and fans are just too much to handle.
The NFL plans to forge ahead, just as professional baseball, basketball, hockey and soccer have done — although there have been delays, interruptions and distractions galore, courtesy of the COVID. Seeing images of professional sports venues with games being played but no fans in the stands is interesting. Public address systems piping in recorded fan noise, music and other sound effects may help the players with focus and drive, but it’s not the same — especially those cardboard cutouts of fans in the stands.
Those interested in the synchronized high-kicking antics of the precision dance company were no doubt sad to learn recently that the Radio City Rockettes’ annual Christmas show in New York has been canceled.
The Rose Parade, aka the Tournament of Roses Parade, will not be held prior to the Rose Bowl football game in California. However, the game is still a go — for now.
The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade plans to roll its 94th procession Thanksgiving morning, but there will be no marching bands or performance groups.
The strangeness continues, but it seems many people are doing a pretty good job of adapting and improvising.
There seem to be more people wearing face masks in public places, although some still forget, or refuse, to do so. Remember, the goal of the mask is to stop the wearer from spreading his germs to others. It may provide some protection to the wearer, but the idea is to wear a mask so that you won’t infect others.
Some things have returned to as close to normal as they can under the circumstances.
The Plaza Cinema movie theater in Grenada reopens this week with brand new guest seating and, I’m sure, with required social distancing, sanitizing and other safety measures employed.
I haven’t been out to see a movie in so long! I’m ready.
