I just reread my last post and I was pretty cranked and positive having just come off the 4 day music festival, enjoying the summer weather and vibes, and feeling that things are calmer in the political arena.
When I wrote it, I definitely felt like life was ‘back to normal’ in many ways. And, I still feel that way. Two days ago I went into Wal-Mart and noticed most customers were without masks, so I am assuming they are all vaccinated. But, we don’t really know, do we? I also noticed that the employees are still wearing masks which means Wal-Mart must still require them to do so. And to tell you the truth, if I was an employee somewhere like Wal-Mart, and in close proximity to many people all day long, I would wear a mask for an abundance of caution. The last few days I have been hearing about this new Delta strain of Co-Vid and how it is showing up in young people and in the unvaccinated. Thankfully the three vaccine types are keeping Delta at bay. But, I think this will be an ongoing issue now. Just as with the flu each year, Co-Vid will keep popping up and mutating.
I saw on the news this morning about the hospital in Texas where over a hundred health professionals have quit due to being required to get the vaccine, and they won’t do it. Health professionals! Well, Texas is a very red state, and they have drunk the kool-aid so to speak for years now. They have been told personal freedom is above common good. They say they don’t want to be guinea pigs with this vaccine – yet they are IN the health community! They see day in and day out what viruses and diseases can do to people. Have they seen side effects of drugs also? Yes, they have. But, still I am amazed that the Fox/Trump mentality has ‘Infected’ them so strongly. Kudos for the hospital for sticking to what is best for the patients that they serve. Unfortunately the hospital has got to be short staffed now – and that is another big concern, especially in the health field.
Short staffed. We are seeing it everywhere these days. The “Help Wanted” signs are out front at so many businesses. Recently I drove through a drive thru to pick up lunch, and there was a sign placed right along the drive-in area, by the speaker, saying “Cook needed”. I laughed, and then wondered “Do I really want to get food here?” Well I was in line. So – Yes, I did – and it was fine.
My hubby and I disagree on this issue about unemployment right now. Well, we agree on WHY so many places are scrambling to get back the employees that they had to let go of when the pandemic hit. Our country stopped for over a year. It did a lot of damage. It changed how people work. But now, hubby feels that not enough Americans, especially young ones, are not willing to start with little pay and that they won’t put in the effort to work hard and ‘move on up’. And, I get that to some degree. But, I think many of the places looking for help are not offering ‘career jobs’ or are not respecting the employee that faces the customer, and that has to deal with ‘humanity’ (if you ever have done it you know it IS tough!)… the wait staff, the fast food worker, the store salesperson, etc. Underpaid. No incentive to get a better position. It’s the nature of that business. Until bosses and employers realize the young person is VITAL to the business, then the business will suffer. Chick-fil-a gets it. (I’m leaving out the religious aspect of it. That part is dividing.) But, they treat their young people well and offer them a fair wage with opportunities for the future. They reward with scholarships. They expect a lot from them – but they get it. Give respect – get respect.
A friend was talking about how some places have had to reduce hours or completely shut down a day of the week because they can’t get help. Even my bank had to close the inside for banking one day when I went there because they did not have the required number working to keep it safely open. So, maybe we all just need to get used to it…. BUT, I wish instead that bosses and owners would see that paying better, giving employees some respect, will come back to them ten-fold (okay – maybe two-fold… ) and it is worth it.
People are not a commodity. Treat them as expendable and you will lose them. Don’t complain. It’s not their fault. Hard work comes from feeling valued. Loyalty comes from feeling wanted – and knowing you make a difference.
Small business owners need to understand this. If they can’t respect their employees then they will not be successful. If they can’t pay them enough, even when the business is just starting out, then it will be a revolving door with employees – and ‘word of mouth’ will be bad. Can’t pay employees a fair wage? Maybe you should not open a business.
Okay. I’m off my soapbox for now.
Change of topic: The 4th of July – officially “Independence Day.” What are your plans? With the pandemic under control, are you gathering? We are – and I am looking forward to reviving our summer tradition. We are planning a classic American menu (burgers & dogs, corn on the cob, baked beans, etc.), and we will have lots of games to set out in the yard. In the past we have read the Declaration of Independence – and this year especially, it seems like a good idea to do again. What traditions do you do?
I’m wondering what other summer plans you have on tap. Is it still a quiet summer, or are you racing to vacation spots to make up for lost time? Up the road from me in Myrtle Beach all the hotels are booked (again unfortunately with less staff to take care of customers) and the beaches are packed. Many come here by car – from North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee. I see the license plates on the vehicles crowding our roads! Yes, people fly in but more drive, packed with everything they need for a week of fun on the beach, and with bicycles hooked on the back.
I am lucky to live in ‘vacationland.” So, I don’t plan to travel anywhere else this summer, but to my daughters’ homes for some time with them and the grandkids. I look forward to that!
If you happen to be hitting the roads, especially over the 4th weekend, be patient – and be prepared for delays. I have seen accidents lately and they shake you up. No reason to hurry and beat the GPS time – because it’s just too dangerous. Be safe. Be kind to other drivers. Good lord you never know how stressed or frustrated they are – and I won’t even go to the ‘road rage’ issues these days! It seems like we all need to bring it down a couple of notches. Take some deep breaths!
Kind of ironic that people drive like maniacs to hurry to get to a destination for ‘relaxation.’
Summer in the year 2021.
Marla’s Musings 