Fox In The Henhouse

Last week I saw a fox in my backyard, it was quite large and very handsome, didn’t look sick and yet still, every time I take out the dog or go in the backyard there is a little worry in the back of my head that the fox will be there, rabid and attacking. Some days I feel like Covid-19 is that fox, lurking in the woods, circling ever closer to you and your family. It is waiting for the moment when you let down your guard, when you relax the rules because you are so tired of just waiting for the pandemic to be over. Just in the last week we had 3 employees out with third party possible exposure, thankfully all have tested negative. Beyond the stress of worrying about their health we also had to close for an entire day and then could only do dinner service for 2 nights.

None of these employees let down their guard but people in their bubble did. We can only control our own actions, but the impact of others actions right now can be devastating. Pre-pandemic my family gathered every Sunday at my parents house for Sunday dinner. Three generations and 13 people, we would all be too loud and eat too much but it was a tradition we cherished. The last time I saw my family en masse was in November for a socially distanced birthday party for our beloved niece Emerson. We held it in an open garage and wore masks. Now the only time I see them is when they are picking up curbside from Bruce’s Burritos.

The only upside to having to take a day off last week was that I got to watch the Inauguration of President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. If I had been at work that day I would not have been able to tear myself away from Twitter. I’m also a known crier, my staff knows it, my family knows it, the bank loan officers know it and the customers that are inordinately kind know it. Tears of joy and relief come very easily to me. They always have. I spent most of Wednesday happy crying but also worried about our staff, our business and our Country.

This has been a year of constant pivoting for so many of us that are trying to deal with survival during the pandemic, with a new Administration I am hoping that we can now have a National pivot. Not just for dealing with the pandemic but for how we as a Country are going to move forward in the face of watching a Capitol insurrection that was goaded on by Senators, House Representatives, and our 45th President. Now is not the time to rest it is the time to hold those in power accountable.

We also can not rest in our vigilance against Covid-19. The vaccine is coming but meanwhile every action must be considered. I can barely express the joy that I feel as watch our customer’s Instagram feeds and see the Healthcare workers receiving their vaccines. Folks that have supported us throughout the pandemic while working in direct danger on a daily basis. While we await vaccinations for even more us we need to tighten our protocols. Don’t let the weariness of the last year make us lax. Don’t gather with people outside your household. Wear a good mask, one that you don’t have to constantly readjust. I wear one for 8 hours a day and rarely have to adjust it.

Repercussions are real. We lost 2 days of revenue due to the actions of others. We are awaiting notice of whether or not we will receive another round of PPP funding. This will determine the future of Bruce’s Burritos. We have all worked so hard since May. Everyday has thrown new challenges at us. It has been my saving grace during this pandemic to still be able to serve our customers. Even when I can’t see their faces, just hearing their voices and knowing that for one night at least they didn’t have to cook for themselves or their families makes me feel like I’m doing something for the good of our community. This is what gives me hope. We can do this, we can make it through to the other side of what is certainly the most difficult time in recent history for the World.

Wear a mask, wash your hands and social distance. Support local small businesses and follow them on social media to learn what their system and safety protocols are. Be kind to one another and we can all celebrate together in the future.