COLUMN: A Corona Light would be a delight

     The sun is shining and it is a wonderful day outside (as I write this on Monday) and if you stay away from the news or social media for a bit today and soak up some sun, for just a little bit, life seems like normal, even if it’s just your imagination working.

     As far as the newspaper business goes, the last two weeks have found us making decisions on the fly with no experience to fall back on or mentors to ask for advice. And we’re not in this alone.

     I haven’t had a conversation with any other small business owner that hasn’t covered three basic topics: Employees, revenues and bills. These are unprecedented times and as businesses are asked to shut down or change the way they do normal business, well what we are doing now may be the new normal for a while.

     Today we made a change at the Express. Our door is locked. We are open for business but are asking you to call ahead, the number is 465-3555. If you pull up out front, you can also give us a call, we’ll help you the best we can. It may be an outside transaction though.

     As many businesses have shut down in our community, we are doing all we can to keep publishing the news. We feel obligated to our readers and the community to continue to print the newspaper each week. For up to date information we are posting continuously to the Express Facebook page. Our website, monticelloexpress.com, no longer has a paywall so you can view both the newspaper and Shoppers’ Guide online at no cost.

     Unfortunately, you will see a smaller version of the Express for a while, especially the sports section since we have no high schools sports season going on at this time.

     Decisions are still being made about future projects. A lot of those decisions will be based on how quickly everything gets close to being normal. For example, you might see our tourism book after May instead of during May. But we will have the graduation issue published, even if the kids don’t happen to go back to school.

     So far, we’ve been lucky with the virus here in Jones County. One person was confirmed today (Monday) and another local business had an out-of-town customer that was infected.

     I implore everyone in our community to abide by the social distancing suggestions. We keep hearing about young adults still congregating at their friends’ home. It only takes one infected person to send our community and county spiraling out of control.

     Be safe, spend some quality time with your family. Get yourself some fresh air as well. And it might not be a bad time to say a prayer or two.