[LEAKYSEALS951]

That was pretty much me last night.

I took the car for a drive, and a local brewery was open, which was weird since it is usually closed on Tuesdays, but they "had" planned on some big St. Patrick's day event.

Cancelled- and they were converting to take out beer only. The door was open, so I walked in (armed with a jacket pocket full of soaking wet hand sanitizers). I was the only person in the whole place and was the last person they were going to serve in house.

I bought the last in house beer and tipped nicely, knowing it wasn't going to be enough. We (an owner and myself) talked about the last week.

Outside, a local vendor had bought (something like $5-10k?- I don't recall) worth of extra food for the recent events/ St Patty's day/ several concerts, which were all cancelled. He's a very talented cook, and employees a number of people. He was converting to take out, but again, no one there, with a staff and a S#$ load of fresh food that needs to be cooked.

My wife had ordered food from another restaurant, which I was to pick up, but to support the local vendor, I bought an entire second dinner for myself there, and tipped him even more.

When I got to my wife's restaurant to pick up the first dinner, I was the only person there as well, so I tipped them even more.

Next store, I went into a local winery and bought several bottles just to support them. I usually pick up about one bottle a week. I grabbed four. Again, only person there.

Seeing each place change so much was devastating. I took the same angle, do what I can while I can, knowing, it wasn't enough. I could not eat or drink enough to keep even one of these places going, let alone four places. Quite frankly, I wan't too keen on ordering food to go from these places either, but I couldn't not do anything.

That's not including a local bike shop, where I had considered going in just to buy something to help out, but in jest with the owner at the brewery, I commented "What the hell am I going to do? buy an innertube? It won't keep him going."

My profession (dentistry) has been relegated to emergency only care. It's been very touch and go this week. Pretty much all dental hygienists are not working. There is not enough to cover overhead. I told my boss to let the staff get my proceeds. It hasn't come to that quite yet, but will be there soon.