By Eric Schoen
This marks my 500th column. With what’s going on the world I wish I felt like celebrating. COVID-19 and with what happened last week at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. We will celebrate when things calm down and we can all gather together safely.
Just to make matters worse as I sit in my Yonkers apartment at press time writing this column the television and radio helicopters are hovering overhead. A fire has engulfed a row of stores at the intersection of Yonkers and Seminary Avenues. Flames shooting out of stores including Tibbetts Market and Miracle Cleaners. No electricity or phone service in the area.
The market is open probably a year after the bureaucracy that accompanies the attempted opening of anything in Yonkers delayed it several years. Good, hard working people operate the market. Deli counter filled with fresh foods always looking perfect.
The same can be said about Miracle Cleaners. The cleaners were bought from the long time owners several years ago by a nice young couple. Before Covid-19 if I passed late at night I would see the couple still at work. I’m sure their business has been affected by fewer people going into the office and working from home. Say a prayer for the young owners of Miracle Cleaners who have probably invested their life savings in the business now losing it all as parts of the building the store resides in have collapsed.
The good news. After a slow roll out people are starting to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Just this week more elderly and front line workers have been added to the list of those eligible to receive the vaccine at this time. New York City has set up locations where vaccines are distributed 24 hours a day by appointment. On the first day appointments from 12 midnight to 4 a.m. Tuesday morning were booked within hours.
Westchester will be giving vaccines out at the Westchester County Center. We have to make sure every dosage we have is distributed in a timely basis. There is no reason that is not the case. People want the vaccines. Use the internet and telephone to schedule your appointment. This way additional groups of people can schedule their vaccines.
I know the manufacturers are working hard to produce the vaccine. When I heard the Mayor of New York City say that the city would be running out of vaccines with 2 weeks, it certainly is not good but at least that means shots are going into peoples arms. That’s good!
How do you even begin to discuss what occurred at the Capitol Building in Washington last week. It reminded me of Barbara Bush swimming in the White House pool when she saw rats, yes rats in the pool. Do we care so little about the safety of our public officials and their families that we wouldn’t check to be sure there were no rats in the pool or last week that crazies would not be able to have free reign to scale the Capitol?
And the clown that egged them on and said he would be joining those protesting in their March to the Capitol? Where was he? Marching? Nope. He stayed in the White House and watched the situation unfold on television. What a coward!
The situation got so bad that a Democratic Congresswoman had to be locked in a room with Republican colleagues for their safety. She asked the Republicans to put on masks. They refused to do so. And several days later she came down with the coronavirus. The Republican Congressmen who wouldn’t put on masks should resign.
The head of the Capitol Police and the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives and Senate have resigned. I’m glad. It was their responsibility to be sure the members of Congress and the Senate were secure. They had resources available to them that they didn’t call upon until it was too late. Asleep at the switch.That’s that’s what they were.
When I saw people scaling the Capitol Building and breaking windows and doors to obtain access to offices I knew our nation was in trouble. These are the kinds of things we see in other countries around the world, never before seen on these shores.
What has me worried now is the Nuclear codes that the Clown in Charge at the White House has power to use until 12 Noon the day when President Biden is sworn in to office. It’s dangerous to think of what he can do in this short period of time.
Donald J. Trump is not only a danger to our country but he is a danger to the world. Impeachment? Why give the guy more press. Those that could invoke the 25th Amendment will not do it. My suggestion. Just let the guy’s term expire and we get rid of him. Then with a new President and a new Congress we can go on with the people’s business.
Inauguration Day is Wednesday, January 20. 12 Noon that day we will have a new President. Say a prayer for him. After the events of last week and actually the last 4 years let’s hope that Joe Biden will Make America Great Again!
Pray for our Country. Pray for Good Health and that the vaccine can be distributed quickly to say more lives. Pray that we can gather together some day in the not too distant future to celebrate my 500th Column.
Thank you for inviting me into your homes each week. I get great joy sharing my thoughts with you. If you like what I have to say tell a friend. If you don’t you know how to reach me!
A Final Thought: As we get ready to Celebrate Martin Luther King Day on Monday, remember that King visited Temple Emanu-El in Yonkers. My parents went. They thought I was too young to go. They didn’t bring my sister with them as they felt it was not safe for her to go. Reverend King was escorted into and out of Yonkers by a Yonkers Police escort. He had to be taken in the side door of the Temple. The Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, Abraham J. Klausner marched with Reverend King.
We remember Martin Luther King on this special day President Ronald Reagan signed into law to honor him. If you want to learn about a most interesting man, google Rabbi Abraham J. Klausner. He, too was an amazing man saving lives during World War II.
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM, go to WVOX.com and click the arrow to listen to the live stream or download the WVOX app from the App Store free of charge.
Editor’s Note: Congratulations to my friend Eric Schoen, on his 500th column. It is not only remarkable that you have penned 500 columns, but all of them have been unique and interesting.
In my travels around Yonkers, the one response that I get most from our readers is how much they enjoy Eric Schoen’s column. Congratulations, you have become a part of the fabric of the City that you love, Dan Murphy
