A Southerner’s Guide to Surviving the Coronavirus Pandemic

The second week of March in 2020 dramatically changed the lives of almost every person in the South – in fact – the entire country, due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Here is what Americans, especially Southerner’s know:

We are a resilient people. Our ancestors have survived everything from pandemics to epidemics, to civil and world wars to recessions and depressions. We will survive this too, and we will ultimately be more robust. 

RELATED: Welcome to the Southern Americana Podcast

Many of us wanted to blow off this latest pandemic as merely a stronger version of the flu. I know, I was part of that group. On April, 2, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued a “stay-at-home” order. The order expired on April 30 and many businesses, including most restaurants, are serving a limited capacity of dine-in orders.  Most other Southern governors have done the same. What does this mean? It’s merely a stronger suggestion for people to stay close to home. Hopefully, we can resume life in May. If not, I fear our economy will be irreparably harmed. 

Make no mistake, the newer strains of the coronavirus is a severe threat to our region, country, and world. We must take every reasonable precaution to stop the virus from spreading to others, especially the most vulnerable among us, such as my 92-year old mom (who is as healthy as a horse) and others that are compromised by respiratory and autoimmune conditions. Just today I reached out to a fraternity brother, who not only is the mayor of a rural Tennessee county, but a certified respiratory therapist. His prognosis for this epidemic is not good. He fears we’re in for a longer ride than most of us want. Yet, I want to believe the great scientific minds in this world will find a way to stop this virus.

Flordia, Georgia, and Louisana are the hardest-hit areas in the South. It may not surprise you to learn that Mardi Gras may be the primary reason why there are so many cases. The situation around the city of New Orleans is of particular concern.  Texas has also seen a sharp uptick in reported cases. Fortunately, Tennessee is doing well with less than two percent of cases resulting in death. 

Here are the most up-to-date coronavirus stats that I will update daily. You can ignore China’s numbers. We all know those slant-eyed bastards are lying. Here is the source where I assembled the chart below:

On the flip side, most of us probably have friends who are wringing their hands regularly and posting on social media about how the world is going to end. I’ve encouraged them to stop because over-worrying isn’t going to make anyone feel better. I’m posting the coronavirus numbers so we can keep everything in perspective and remain informed. 

Practice Common-Sense Healthy Habits & Learn Something New

First, let me reiterate that we need to instill additional sanitary practices like consistent hand washing, using alcohol-based cleaning supplies and keeping a respectable, yet safe distance from others. 

We also need to slow down and read more books, spend quality time with our immediate family members, and take the time to learn new skills and hobbies. For example, I asked for and received a bass guitar for Christmas when I was about 12-years old. By mid-February of the following year, I had laid the instrument aside for basketball and baseball season. 

I did learn to play the guitar when I was 19. With the help of Joe Bass (yes, “Bass” is his last name), who happens to be an incredible professional bass player in Rock United Band, among others, I’m going to pick the bass guitar back up with the goal of playing well enough to take Jimmy James place in the house band at Puckett’s in Leiper’s Fork. Don’t worry, Jimmy. I’ll NEVER be as good as you.

Southern Americana Podcast

My newest project is my new podcast, Southern Americana: Connecting the South’s Music, People & Places. You can check it out on Apple, Spotify, or whenever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It’s indeed a labor of love.

My most recent episode is with Layla Tucker, the third and youngest child to Country Music sensation, Tanya Tucker. Layla is only twenty but already has the talent and stage presence to make her own mark on the Country and Americana charts. 

Another episode is with famed Nashville session pedal steel guitar player, Bruce Bouton. He has played on all of Garth Brooks’ albums as well as many of Country Music’s top singers and acts such as Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, and many others.

Recorded on the stage at Puckett’s in Leiper’s Fork, TN, the first episode featured my interview with singer/songwriter Emily Elgin. 

The second full-length episode is with a Leiper’s Fork resident and a fantastic singer/songwriter/actor, J.T. Hodges. He grew up near Fort Worth, Texas, to musical parents that instilled in him a love of music and helped him not only learn music and to sing, but how to entertain. Plus, he’s stared in a Hallmark Channel and Lifetime Movie, so some of you ladies have probably seen J.T. on your TV screens.

Support Your Local Restaurants & Service Industries, Including Those In the Entertainment Industries

Restaurants throughout the South are closed to dine-in traffic. Come to think of it, Sonic may be the only chain that didn’t have to alter their business model. Carry-out and deliveries are still being offered by many restaurants coast-to-coast.

However, tens of thousands of jobs have already been eliminated. Bars and music venues have been especially hard hit. One example is Nashville, TN. Lower Broadway, near the city’s downtown area, has dozens of establishments that are now closed. Many musicians and those who support them are now without work and most are considered “freelance” or “self-employed.” You can support many musicians by viewing “Live” performances available on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Other service-related industries such as hair salons, barbershops, gyms, and health clubs are also closed. I spoke with Melissa Schleicher, a Nashville area celebrity stylist who owns several salons. Because of a state-wide executive ordered issued by Gov. Bill Lee, she was forced to shut down all of her locations, displacing about 80 employees. Melissa is the personal stylist to Country Music artists such as Carrie Underwood and Alan Jackson, among others. You can follow Melissa on her Instagram page to keep up with the latest salon-related news.

 

On Being Under ‘Self-Quarantine’

First and foremost, everyone needs to chill-out. Yes, this is serious, but stop being so hard on others. A friend was recently berated by a postal employee for ripping some of her own tape with her teeth. Talk about going “postal!” Be patient with everyone. Our region and nation need to get over the hump so we can enjoy our favorite activities and resume our professional lives. 

My goal over the next two weeks is to record as many podcasts episodes as possible because, hey, all of our favorite Americana and Country artists are at home too, so I’m hoping some will be more than willing to get away from family and roommates to chat for a bit. 

I’m also enjoying watching a ton of Facebook Live and Instagram Live performers from lots of amazing singers and musicians of all genres. Below the stricter request to stay home came, I got three acts together last Thursday night at Moo Country in Leiper’s Fork to play on their back porch. You can watch their performances here. 

We Will Grow Stronger

I think back to an old Hank Williams, Jr., we sang in college, A Country Boy Can Survive.

Not only can we survive the coronavirus pandemic, WE WILL SURVIVE!

Take the necessary sanitary precautions advised by the CDC, maintain yours, and everyone’s sanity around you by chilling out and remaining calm. Watch movies like Shadows In The Sun (and the Godfather trilogy too), download and listen to the Southern Americana podcast, and so many other well-produced podcasts, pick up the phone and reconnect with an old friend or possibly mend a relationship that got off track in prior years. 

Follow OneSouthernMan on all of our social media platforms, as well as Southern Americana podcast where ever you listen. Listening to Apple & Spotify is easiest for most people. 

Stay safe and keep in touch!