![covid](https://garyacosta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/covid.jpg)
COVID-19 got into our household during the holidays. We had a small gathering on Christmas of only immediate family, and within a few days we all had the virus. We still don’t know how we got infected. While most of us were lucky enough to have only mild symptoms, it was still very scary. Six months ago, I didn’t know anyone personally who had contracted the virus – today I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been touched by a COVID-related death. I’m afraid we have a long way to go with this pandemic. The vaccine rollout has been slow, especially in California, and with the virus mutating, there is a lot more uncertainty.
I still think 2021 will be far better than 2020, but concerts, live sporting events, large conferences and busy restaurants might be further away than we had hoped. Having the virus and surviving it only intensified my conviction that our health and safety must come first. Everything else can be replaced when we get to the other side of this. From a risk versus reward standpoint, I am glad schools will be open in the Fall. There are only so much our kids can take, but we all need to do our part to be safe and responsible. Please wear a mask!
Regardless of political persuasion, most people think the rhetoric of politics has gotten out of control. If you believe that, as I do, there IS something you can do about it. You can ask yourself whether you are helping or hurting the situation. I like to say that there are two types of people in the world: people who add stress and people who relieve stress. I think similarly, some people are adding to the political spectacle in the country, and others are at least trying for something better.
Gary's Blog will return next week.
This past week, the National Association of Realtors invited me to participate in a meeting with the NAR leadership and Jonathan Kanter, the Assistant Attorney General of the United States.