Ok, maybe stating that I’m grateful for a pandemic such as this one that has a coronavirus core was a bit much—stemming from my desperation to have someone read my puny little article, but hey! Like it or not, everything has its own polar opposite and this particular pandemic is no different.

Sure, the coronavirus has the power to kill and it’s the leading cause of the world being placed on punishment by their government by being forced to stay in their homes. Ok, and yes there are people out there stabbing one another for the last roll of toilet paper—I know, I know. We are bombarded with news on the pain, the fear, and the ridiculousness that is surrounding the coronavirus.

So, let’s take a moment to focus on something positive, shall we? Let’s look at my reasons for being grateful that we are in the midst of a major pandemic such as this one.

People now cough and cover!

It sounds crazy, but people are now doing something that they should have been doing long ago. Folks now walk down the street or sit on public transportation, and cough into their arm. It’s like a dream come true! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen folks next to me in public cough without covering their mouths. People who don’t even try to even act as they care about exposing others to their nasty germs.

This use to infuriate me to the highest level. I didn’t know what it was going to take to force people to simply cover their nasty pie hole when they let out a big sneeze or cough! To make matters worse, it’s now the season for sinuses so you know where that’s headed! I don’t know if people are covering their mouths because they are afraid they will get their asses kicked by someone if they don’t, or what.

Hey, don’t laugh. People are getting major beat downs over toilet paper, so don’t think an ass or two won’t get kicked over an open-mouthed cough. Point is this: People are being decent for once. They are working extra hard to keep their germs contained…gotta love that, at least. This leads to my next point of gratitude…

People are now washing their hands after they take a piss…or worse!

It sounds juvenile to say that I’m happy to see people wash their hands after using the bathroom but trust me…there are a lot of folks who just wipe and go…literally. I have seen so many people go into a public restroom and walk out while wiping their very dry hands on their pant leg. Disgusting! I also know many guys who complain about restaurant employees who go into the bathroom, use it, and then come out without ever touching the water.

If I’m not mistaken, guys have to touch their wee-wee when they pee, so that makes it even grosser that they would walk away and then attempt to make my hamburger! This pandemic has led to folks washing their hands, and in some cases, folks are complaining to management when they see that there is no hand soap left.

Yes! Yes! It’s enough to get anyone a bit too excited. I’m tired of washing my hands in a public restroom and watching women just leave a stall and walk out. Trust me, they don’t just walk out after a good pee…it’s more. I’ve heard women in stalls acting as if they were freeing a small child in the toilet! Sorry to share our dirty laundry ladies, but something’s gotta stop this madness. Oh, something already did. Wink, wink.

The children are finally free!

What is a curse to parents has turned into a blessing to most children? I’m not a spiritual deity, but if I were, I have no doubt that there are zillions of prayers going out each night from kids who are begging to have their schools closed. They want more time off from all that learning, you know. Well, in walks the COVID-19 pandemic and tah-dah! Children everywhere are now playing with their toys, rather than learning from teachers who equally pray for days off! Everyone’s happy here.

True, we taxpayers are feeling the heat because we paid for these public institutions to teach kids for free, but we are not seeing a return on the money we spent. Are we going to get a refund in our taxes from these public school closures? Will they lower the amount of taxes that are being taken away for public education? Wait…I digress. Plus, I’m killing my own buzz. You get my point!

Evictions have been eliminated!

Yes, you read that correctly! People who can’t afford to pay their rent—since they can’t go to work to earn the money to pay—are still able to live in their homes without fear of eviction. Many states have taken the direction of sparing families the pain of placing them in the street during this pandemic. This is something that should have been implemented long before the pandemic because it’s not only the right thing to do but it’s the human thing to do. Has this pandemic turned us into caring human beings who actually look out for one another? Oh my.

Credit card companies and banks are put on hold

Lions and tigers and bears don’t have crap on credit card companies and banks, oh my! Thanks to the recent pandemic, credit card companies have placed a hold on reporting individuals who fail to pay their credit card debt on time. Additionally, people who overdraft their accounts will be forgiven in many states by banks who are attempting to work with folks…rather than rob them. You know something is bad when you have credit card companies and banks looking out for the people!

Every day there is something in the media about the world coming together to assist one another during this time. People have remembered that they are truly connected to others, and as such, they are working harder to be better people. Companies are working to be better companies, and the evil banks and credit companies are working to be less ass-hole-ish. You can’t ask for more, really. For these reasons, I will be grateful. It’s so much better than only focusing on the pain of it all, isn’t it?