I just talked to Ernest. He has recovered from his bout with pneumonia and is feeling good again. He was never tested for the virus but had a lot of the symptoms.
Can't reopen yet except for pickup and delivery, but he is talking about my setting up outside the entrance and playing to promote that part of it, maybe an evening or two.
People could sit in their cars and hear while they wait for the orders to be brought out to them. There is plenty of room for the social distancing thing.
He applied for government help for small businesses and has been accepted. There are stipulations that allow a large percentage of the loan to become a grant.
Louisiana way be slow to open back up totally because of the huge numbers of virus cases around New Orleans. Even in Shreveport the numbers are five times greater than on "my" side of the river. Different demographics entirely.

Good news Don... I hope it all works out but your safety is the main concern...

If I don't get out and start doing something I'm going to die anyway. Sitting around, gaining weight...
I started back on low-carb diet three days ago, and gradually increasing exercise as well. Time to get back in gear.
And by the time this is over I'm going to have a pony tail and beard!

Good to hear about Ernest, Don, and hopefully some good news for you ...

I hear you about putting on weight ... we at least try to get in a walk every day ...

And don't complain about a pony tail, at least you have hair !!!

I was joking about the beard though. Osage don't have much facial hair. Got a lot in my nose, but I'm leaving that to filter out the bugs.

I got some exercise today...
I walked out and started my car in the driveway then walked back in the house...
I feel so much better now. ..

Oh yeah I forgot I went around the house and sprayed the weeds before the landscaper cut the lawn today

I actually drove over to the boat launch at the lake near my house yesterday. Most boat trailers I've ever seen there. The entire parking lot was full, maybe 50 boats. It's a small lake too.

Everybody does what THEY think is best for THEM, I guess ... just like picking a keyboard ...

Good news Don. Keep those chops up so you’ll be ready to roll.

I hear ya Don. Hope you get back to work real soon. 2 days sounds like a windfall Yes, sitting around and gaining weight, awful. I took on a wood project today just to get moving. Good luck

Don
Good news and glad to hear it, any good news these days is welcome. Nice to have an owner actually think about music duiring all this. I feel we entertaineers are the last thing they will want to worry about when they re-open because they'll be trying to makeup lost time. We'll see but I'm not hopeful aabout things returning to what they were.

“Pity Party”, everyone has them from time to time. Are they bad? Naw, just a place to hide and complain.

I hear you Don, you are waking up, fantastic. The blood begins to flow a bit faster, new idea come, and the old smiling Don is back. NICE!
I like that, John C.

Good luck with it Don!
Lee

That's really exciting! Glad to hear about your friend Ernest too. The testing situation is a mess; you can bet that he was infected.

I'm not a virologist. But I'm pretty sure this thing is being spread by people breathing, talking, laughing, etc. Many of them don't even know they have it.

Indoor environments are risky, because aspirated virus can linger for a long time. Outside it should be diluted by fresh air, but I would make your personal safe zone at least 15 feet. Someone compared the virus breathed out by others to cigarette smoke. We don't allow smoking within 25 feet of our building entrance, so give yourself a buffer!

Not sure what to tell you about requests and tips. Maybe use PayPal for family & friends with the name of the song as the subject? Make a poster, or write your PayPal ID on a white board near the door (not near you!) Overall a positive development!

Go get 'em Don! Enjoy the return to the gig! Hopefully it won't be long and you will be back to the nightly serenading!

Thanks everyone. Yes, I'm really ready to get out, but have to be very cautious for a while yet.
Ted, I'm sure he had it. One of our close friends, who came into the club very often, was the first person in this area to die from it. I had taken off for vacation the month of March, or I may well have caught it too.