COVID-19 and Past History

OK, it’s almost a month and the nation is still in lockdown. Businesses are closed, schools are closed, and nerves are frazzled. Well, I should clarify that a little:
- Businesses that are considered ‘essential’ are open. This includes supermarkets and restaurants for take-out and delivery only. Of course ‘essential’ includes health care workers, police, fire, etc. Now the stockboy at the local grocery store still receives meager pay, but is considered an ‘essential’ employee.
- Schools are closed, but are teaching virtually online. Students are expected to sit in front of a computer screen all day while surrounded by TV, gaming, siblings, and every other distraction you can imagine.
- People argue about wearing facemasks. Some folks feel their personal rights are being attacked if they’re forced to mask up. Even if I don’t completely agree, I can see their point. In the past few weeks, mask recommendation has repeatedly downgraded. At first high quality KN95 or N95 masks were recommended to keep you safe from COVID-19, then these masks were in short supply for medical professionals. OK then, wear pleated surgical masks. What’s that? Now there’s not enough for healthcare workers? Okayyy… then wear a cloth mask over your face… any grade… any material. I personally keep a cloth kerchief around my neck and put it over my face when people are near me or I’m in a store. I see no need to wear a mask and deny myself fresh air when nobody is within 20 feet of me.

My big concern is that, now they know they can quarantine and disrupt our lives, they can do it again. This is COVID-19. What happens when COVID-20 or 21 hit? I’m not a conspiracy theorist (wellll… maybe a little), but recent history shows that government and big business (the ‘they’ I’m talking about) can manipulate our way of life:
- 1973 saw the Energy Crisis. Gasoline prices had always been in the 20s and 30s cent per gallon range. As a result of the energy crisis we had rationed gas and prices shot up from 39 cents to 86 cents per gallon.
- Late 1979 saw a second oil crisis with people waiting on lines to buy a limited amount of gas. You were only allowed to buy gas on odd or even days, depending on your license plate number. Gas prices rose from 86 cents to $1.19 a gallon.
- In 1980 crude oil prices nearly doubled to $39.50 per barrel. I know that unrest in the Middle East and OPEC affected crude oil output, but I also know that American oil companies posted record profits during this time while the consumer footed the bill.

When I was young, savings banks offered 5% interest on your savings. This was chump change, as certificates of deposit and money market funds paid 18-20% interest. Then the Savings and Loan crisis began in 1980 and ran into the mid ‘80s. Some S&Ls were much higher risk than others, issuing speculative loans that failed, yet they received the same premium rate for Federal deposit insurance. This crippled the banking industry, although those running the failed S&Ls were bailed out while their customers suffered the consequences. Slow moving Congress finally passed the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989. To this day, banks pay out a much lower interest rate, making 5% look like a great return. The $15K sitting in my bank’s checking account now pays a whole 9 cents interest per month.

Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in August, 2005. Oil refineries were devastated, crude oil spiked to over $70bbl, and the gas prices at the pumps shot up. Less than a month later, Louisiana was faced with Hurricane Rita. Before it even hit, gas prices rose at the pump. Refineries escaped major damage, but prices spiked in anticipation anyway. Once again, American oil companies posted record profits as the consumer picked up the tab. As comparison, in 2004 gasoline cost the consumer $1.59gal, in 2005 it rose to $1.88gal, and in 2006 it reached $2.59gal.

Please pardon me for ranting and raving. I know how important it is to stay safe and healthy. People are dying because of COVID-19. It’s just my frustration with the whole situation. We haven’t faced anything like this in my lifetime. It’s new to all of us. The government has no answers; they’re playing it by ear. Meanwhile, all of our lives are turned upside down with no end in sight. On a positive note, while the dojo is technically shut down, I am still outside the building during class hours. I am pleased to say that many members have joined with me in training outdoors. For those who are unable to come train in person, we will offer online Zoom classes starting this Sunday. See you there.
#OldManRantFinished