Sherman R. Frederick
Marinscope Commentary
Marin has been super-cautious throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a fact for which Marin-ers should say “thank you.” Early-on what we didn’t know about the disease justified that approach.
We know more now and I, for one, hope the Marin County Supervisors resist the temptation to make knee-jerk moves that would slow down the recovery of the economy or otherwise limit individual freedoms and public gatherings as was done in 2020.
While stats show an uptick in delta variant cases and hospitalizations, something like 98 percent of these cases are happening to the unvaccinated. (So, get vaccinated, dammit.)
As for the so-called “breakthrough” cases — those cases in which the delta-variant defeats the vaccination — current data continues to show that these account for only 2 or 3 percent of new cases and those cases the sickness is far milder. That means the vaccinations are powerful and working as advertised.
Marin has done its part in getting people vaccinated. We should not need any kind of restrictions based on current numbers. California as a whole, however, lags behind with only 61 percent of Golden Staters vaccinated. We need to do better. Get your arse in gear, governor.
In the meanwhile, let’s not go crazy in a misplaced zeal to squash the delta variant. Based on what we know now, that simply is not justified. And for goodness sake, our small businesses in Marin need half a chance to recover from the gut-punch of 2020.
Of course, I am not a doctor, but I play one in this column. Being overly cautious in early 2020 was a very good thing. In mid-2021? Not so much. Marin has earned the benefit of the doubt. Keep Marin free. That’s how I see it, anyway.
IF YOU WANT A JOB …
You can’t go anywhere in Marin without finding a store with a big “help wanted” sign in the window. Jobs are everywhere. If you live in the Bay Area and you want to work, you can work.
Nothing says that more than what just happened at the popular San Francisco restaurant, The Morris. It has been so busy since the end of the shutdown — every table full, every night — the owners decided to close the restaurant for four full days. It was unprecedented for The Morris.
So, why?
The staff currently on hand needed a “mental health” break. Hat Tip to the SFChron for that tidbit.
FLAVOR OF THE MONTH: NUTTY
Now comes the announcement that Ben & Jerry’s ice cream will no longer be sold in the so-called “Occupied Palestinian Territory” in Isreal. It’s a protest against current Israeli policy. I’m just spit-ballin’ here, but I don’t think this is gonna solve the crisis in the Middle East. It will, however, piss off a lot of people who still hold the quaint idea that ice cream should stay out of 2,000-year-old political fights.
FACEBOOK, MAKE IT STOP
All of a sudden Facebook is loading up my timeline with products that make it easier for me to put on my shoes and socks. I know I’m getting older, but please, Facebook, make it stop. (And please, stop selling my data to companies looking to market to old white guys who once searched Amazon for a pair of loafers. Grrrrrr.)
COCKTAIL PARTY FACTOID
We all need to make small talk in social settings. Here’s a factoid you can use on your next occasion: The National Low Income Housing Coalition found that it takes a household income of $68.33 an hour — more than four times the local $16.32 minimum wage — to comfortably afford a two-bedroom apartment in the San Francisco area. Anyone out there ever had an hourly job that paid that much?
ONE MORE THING
— If thine eye offendeth thee, logeth out of Facebook.
— Do not eat aluminum or you will sheet metal.
— Why did the sea monster eat five ships carrying potatoes from Ireland? Because no one can eat just one potato ship.
— I found this great picture depicting a Novato Democrat trying to blend in at a monthly Marin County Democratic Club meeting.
OK, I apologize in advance to possums everywhere for that. Thanks for your time this week. If you’re not reading a Marinscope newspaper, you’re missing something essential to life here. See page 3A to subscribe to our unique reporting and perspective on local events. Happy trails until we meet again and don’t forget to live by the hippie credo: Be kind; question authority.
(Sherman Frederick is the editor and publisher of Marinscope Community Newspapers. You can reach him by email at shermfrederick@gmail.com, or by phone at 415-408-1073.)
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