Friends,
I’ve been sheltering at home for the last couple months and didn’t realize that some things were happening out in the world without me. Businesses from Souplantation to Pier 1 Imports aren’t just closed for the duration of the business closure order, but are closing for good.
These have been popular franchises, but they just couldn’t make it. One, because they can’t see how their business model can coexist with public health guidelines. The other seems to simply be out of money. Those aren’t the only businesses that will fail due to this pandemic crisis. They don’t represent the only jobs lost forever.
The people who are doing fine? The people who make and sell toilet paper. We panicked at the beginning of this thing and ordered toilet paper from wherever we could find it. I went the “natural” route and hit up all the weirdo websites offering recycled, up cycled, green cycled personal hygiene products. My sweet bride attacked the problem with a hammer and ordered Chinese toilet paper from Amazon. My method failed with oleaginous apology emails. Her package finally arrived. I have concerns.
Your pal,
– bob