Random Thoughts For Mid-April

Let’s Think Positive. The Top Five.

I heard a quick interview with Bill Gates last week, I think on CNBC. I respect Bill Gates, especially with his generous support of the less fortunate. He is obviously off-the-charts smart, aggressive, and usually provides a solid go-forward outlook on many things. In this interview he was a not very positive, as he feels that the “get-back” economy coming out of the Covid-19 issues will be very slow. He feels that though the supply will be there, the demand will take many months. I disagree with Bill Gates….which is hilarious as Bill Gates and I, at least at the intelligence level, are polar opposites. While the economic mechanisms of the USA make take a bit of time to come back to pre-virus levels, I feel strongly that we are the ultimate consumers and when the ramifications of the virus finally diminish, the pent up consciousness of most Americans will stimulate both supply and demand. I realize this issue is completely different than the after effects of the 9/11 tragedy – and very different from the 2008 financial crisis. My positive outlook stems from the American mantra of consumption and resiliency – after the market crash of 1932, the World Wars, and 9/11, the citizens of this country rallied to get back to the things that stimulate our economy, and it will happen again. Yes, the drivers for this recovery are in most ways directed by the healthcare specialists and their ability to bring a vaccine to the market. This will happen, maybe not as fast as we all hope, but it will happen. At the first glimpse of the virus subsiding and a vaccine in the horizon, this country will once again rally – with a great deal of demand to satisfy.

Top Five Things I Think

1. Amazing that people and their drama still make headlines with everything going on in the world. For one, Lori Loughlin and her unyielding effort to preserve her innocence after scamming her daughter’s way into USC. The scheme is shameful but at this point in time, with our country in such dire straits, who really cares about Loughlin and her designer husband?
2. Heroic does not come close to describing the front line healthcare workers and first responders who are working tirelessly to help thousands of people around the country. Ron Howard should produce a docu-drama saluting all of these heroes.
3. If you are bitching about having to work from home….stand down and be thankful that you are still employed. Take a minute of your valuable time and think about all the millions of people that would be happy to work from home right now. Yes, the dynamics are different and your kids may be driving you crazy….but be grateful to be employed.
4. I find it funny when I hear someone announce that they don’t miss sports. Maybe these events will happen late summer or into the Fall, but you cannot tell me that you are good with no March Madness, The Masters, the opening day of baseball, the NBA playoffs, French Open, or the quarters, semis, and final of the Champions League. Even my Atlanta tennis people are inconsolable due to the cancellation of the ALTA season……especially one of them.
5. Last but not least: if you want to forget about Covid-19 for an hour, feel way better about yourself, and admire a 60-minute freak show, watch the added-on eighth episode of Tiger King. Yes, Netflix airs this episode starting today. Can’t wait.

Adios, pay it forward, stay safe and have a nice Easter Sunday.