A new normal as COVID-19 impacts our lives

     Welcome to a new normal…

     Just walking down First Street in Monticello during the day and in the evening, it’s eerie. Businesses are closed. Restaurants and bars are closed (some are still holding strong with carry-outs and deliveries).

     People are, hopefully, staying home.

     So as a glorified news junkie I’ve been watching and tuning into the national news, now more than ever, to stay up-to-date on all things coronavirus-related. (I need a life, right?) The national news right now is quite depressing!

     But it’s been interesting to see all of the field reporters “zooming” in from their homes from around the country. It’s also been interesting to see how many of them broadcast live from their home offices.

     I love to read and the first thing I always notice is the reading material strategically placed behind them on the shelves. Have they really read all of those books? (I should talk!) Or does the sight of a bookshelf full of books of varying sizes and lengths make them seem smarter? One reporter for MSNBC showcased her bookshelf not only full of books, but someone took the time prior to her broadcast to color-coordinate all of her books based on the color of the spines. Really?? That’s taking it a little too far.

     It has been nice to take a break from the news to hear more news. Some of us at the Express sadly look forward to Governor Reynolds’ daily press briefings at 2:30 p.m. every day. (Again, I lead a sad life right now. Cut me some slack.)

     In all seriousness, I have been taking news breaks to listen to Monticello’s own Jim McDonough perform via Facebook Live twice a week. I thoroughly enjoyed his mini piano concert a couple of weeks ago where he played famous movie theme songs from the past five decades or more. Such a treat!

     So many famous musicians and bands have been taking to social media to perform live for fans who can no longer attend their concerts in-person. What one would normally pay an arm and a leg for to buy a front-row ticket for is now free thanks to coronavirus!

     I enjoy ending my days by watching the late-night talk show hosts’ shows: Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert. Well, they’re no longer able to produce a show from their studios in New York and California with a live audience, so these hosts have resorted to mini talk shows from home. It’s been more entertaining than anything seeing their kids come into the broadcasts. They still interview celebrity guests via Zoom or FaceTime. Again, a new way of life…

     It seems our lives now are consumed with nothing but news about coronavirus. With that said, the Express has tried and will continue to provide uplifting stories about those lending a hand and doing good in the community during this time of hardships. Last week we shared about local sewers and a local industry who made facemasks for medical personnel and more. This week, we have a story about Jim McDonough delighting an online audience and La Belle Boutique donating N95 facemasks at a time of much need.

     While home and personal life has been upended, so has our work lives. The daily grind here at the Express is not what it used to be. I find myself pulling out my planner every morning only to be reminded I don’t have anything on my schedule for the day.

     Yes, we’re still busy working every day to bring you the latest about coronavirus. Yes, we’re still covering city, county, and school business. (It’s taking some getting used to, watching the county supervisor meeting via Zoom from work versus sitting in the boardroom inside the courthouse.) Yes, we’re still gathering the court news every week.

     But it seems people want to be uplifted right now. So if you know of a positive spin on our current situation, someone doing something for others, a business reaching out to help, let us know. We want to share those happy stories… You can e-mail me at kbrooks@monticelloexpress.com or call 319-465-3555. And while our office is closed to the public to keep us all safe right now, we’re still inside working. (I’d be lost without my job right now. It’s literally one of the only things that gets me out of the house, other than Fareway.)