Robbie Thomas
Covid-19 Post
If you see somebody running down the street naked every single day, you stop looking up.
Stevie Nicks
Note: These two NPR Podcasts influenced me to write this article:
https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2020/12/04/what-we-know-about-bidens-economic-team AND https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2020/12/01/coronavirus-nurses-health-care-texas-hospitals
When it comes to Covid-19 news, I’ve been keeping an eye on the State Of Michigan’s stats and how we are going about the restrictions. And also, getting my info through mainly NPR Podcasts when it comes to the national level. But recently, I’ve been thinking about 2008. I discuss my happy little times of 2008 with the Mourning In Hochington Series post. Besides Michigan and the state’s trouble with Covid-19, I have been thinking about how some folks out there can’t pay their utility bills, rent, mortgage, taxes, and also hospital bills if provided you went to the hospital for Covid-19. Been seeing and hearing some news about people getting big bills from the hospital.
When it comes to 2008, it was my recovery year. I had got a crap job at a plastics plant for $8/hour. The job was 20+ miles from me, and I was driving a 1992 Buick Shitlark (or Skylark) that overheated like a mofo during the spring and summer times. And my recovery was hanging by a thread. There were some shit times where my checking account went on the negative, past due bills, and not so sympathetic folks from the bank. I was living with family, and keeping us in the house with the lights on was also hanging on a thread. We all had to contribute.
When Covid-19 came to town, I knew there would be evictions, late bill payments, late car payments; you name it. Of course, some of us were lucky with the CARES Act and the stimulus (I only got two CARES Act payments), while some didn’t get it. During the layoff, I knew an employee just got the stimulus payment, and that’s it. When we returned to work, we worked 7 days a week/12 hours a day and took a nap on one of the break room booths for 15 minutes apiece. When most of us were told to stay home, I went back out doing food delivery via DoorDash and UberEats. I did my absolute best to stay in high-wealth areas such as Shelby Township and Rochester Hills, getting good tips and getting some boosts as well. I have already experience with that, and it was considered essential during that time.
Although this gig economy can be shitty, it’s a good option to have. In 2008, I had to fetch side jobs from Craigslist, which helped from time to time. But some folks weren’t happy with the idea that I had a Buick Shitlark for moving as opposed to a truck. I am thankful for DoorDash and UberEats during that time. Like I said, I got a stimulus payment and two CARES Act payments. I had to fill in the blanks. And now, at my primary job, most times than not, there is overtime available. I keep going and take most of it.
I do this because of two things now; the first reason, you can find that on my latest Investing article is 6 Dec 2020. These current restrictions in Michigan will also likely go beyond the three-week duration we are currently under. Hell, I can see this going all the way until my birthday on 31 March (I hope I’m wrong). If I can’t work at my primary job due to the government shutdown, whether at a state or national level, I might need to depend on savings. In late 2007-2008, it was all hanging by a thread with me going in the red with my checking account and the Overdrafts Manager calling me to tell me the riot act. Again, when Covid-19 came to town, I knew I had to prepare financially and was glad I did starting in 2009 with the current primary job and keep getting a chunk of that overtime (while trying my best not to burnout and piss and moan about it, been guilty of that crime). I might depend on it down the road.
Quite a few folks out there are not prepared for this shit financially, and I’m not trying to say I’m better. I fucked things up in late 2007-2008.
Truly when someone doesn’t know. Then it’s up to other people so they will assist.