TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | SEPT 2020 19
By Joey Goralczyk
Georgia Experiment
2020 has certainly been a long year, and we’re only 8 months
in. Thanks to Covid-19, on top of the endless wave of sickness and
death, we get no sports, no concerts, no fun, and no vacations. No
vacations for Tybee at least. The rest of the country is on holiday and
they’re all coming here. It’s been one busy summer. I’ve met more
people from more states this year than ever before. So thanks to
that... The Georgia experiment is in full swing and I don’t think Tybee
Island is in the control group! I’m really quite amazed that we aren’t
an epicenter. Maybe the revolving door of new germs boosts our herd
immunity? Maybe we all had it after the renegade St. Patrick’s parade
and thought it was a hangover? Who knows? I just hope we all get thru
the rest of this and can watch some football.
The Petri dish has revealed some fun results though. When people
get here, they’re shocked how wide open it is on the Island, and either
thrilled or appalled. Someone recently asked me if they needed a
mask to enter a certain bar. I replied, “Yeah, if you want Dave to make
fun of you!”
They were not amused. I dropped them off and never saw them
again. Perhaps I offended them. Who’s to say? On the other hand, most
people are so happy to be out and about, they’re equating karaoke
with live music. It’s hard to imagine how long some states have still
been shut down. We’ve been wide open for more than 3 full months
now and the social distancing mostly went out the window long ago.
As always, Tybee is a world away.
However, In Savannah masks are the “new normal,” and I am finally
at least showing up prepared. When it started I was not. One early AM
I was at a gas station off Presidents Street in fairly desperate need
of gas for myself and smokes for a bar full of unprepared people. I
walked in without noticing the signs on the door and was promptly
told get the hell out. She was kinda mean about it. This wouldn’t have
been a huge problem, except those smokes. She wouldnt even let me
in to BUY a mask. I was quite miffed, and went to grab my best option,
a greasy towel in the trunk. As I was angrily ripping at this towel for a
perfect fit, a gentleman approached.
Thru his mask I heard him ask me for a light. I thought on my feet,
for better or worse, and offered up a deal. Under the watchful eye of
the check-out clerk, this stranger and I exchanged his mask for my
lighter. I walked in, smirking, but no one would ever know. The clerk
seemed a bit miffed with me, and informed me that that’s not really
how the masks work. I politely paid, walked out and handed the good
sir his mask back. He said I could keep it. I’m sure Dr Fauci would
faint if he read that. Probably not the wisest thing I’ve done, but spite
is a helluva drug!
In all seriousness though, everyone stay healthy and safe. Wear a
mask or don’t, but don’t be a dick about it either way. Happy Labor
Day and let’s get back to normal!
/kellyaromatherapy.com