Peter Frampton once sat on a beach dotted with palm trees, pen and paper in hand, intent to find the lyrics of a new song from within the corners of his mind. As the hours passed, and the sun moved across the sky, the palms stood tall and still, but their shadows stretched across the beach and his paper. That day, it was his power of observation that produced the song … “Baby I Love Your Way” which begins:
“Shadows grow so long before my eyes And they’re moving across the page Suddenly the day turns into night”
COVID19’s shadows are also subtly changing our behaviors – like our frequency and regimen around hand washing, or using gloves or some type of protectant as we interact with pin pads or tablet surfaces in public use. Watch how fast “contactless pay” takes hold through the balance of the year! Americans purchase of hand sanitizer spiked 73% according to Nielson, sales of thermometers have climbed 47%, and aerosol disinfectant purchases rose 32%. Business travel will yield to telework and videoconferencing, and we will certainly buy more of our groceries in bulk, and make more purchases on-line going forward to cut down the frequency of trips to crowded stores. Amazon and Costco, and those like them are going to benefit.
We’re also spending more time as a family, aren’t we? I’ve seen complex puzzles being solved via photos on Facebook and a lot of shots about “what’s for dinner!” This dynamic may be COVID19’s best legacy. We’re connecting more.
“All great change in America begins at the dinner table.”
Ronald Reagan
Let’s hope Ronald Reagan is correct.
Driving the Daisy's 