So for the past two Tuesdays we were out and about in the world, specifically on a trip to the US to visit family we hadn’t seen in nearly 20 months. With a 91-year-old MIL and a brother who’s recovering from a severe illness (not Covid), it was high time to make the trip.
I’m not going to beat this horse for long, but I do want to say we were shocked when we drove across the border near Buffalo, NY. We got through in 4 minutes, a new record for that chore. The border person asked three questions: “What is the reason for your visit,”, “And where are you going,” “How long are you staying?” Since we were entering using our US passports, these questions were out of line — but it’s not a good policy to point that out. I’m sure you noticed there was nothing about Covid, a question about how we were feeling or if we’ve been vaccinated. We drove away shaking our heads at the bizarreness of what had just happened. It was as if Covid didn’t exist.
Returning to Canada was just the opposite. We had to pre-register online for our crossing, supplying proof of our two vaccinations, presenting a negative Covid test result no more than 72 hours old, and then having to take an additional test which, if it proved negative, would allow us to avoid quarantining for 14 days.
I was so sad to read in Tom’s post yesterday that Bouchercon is again cancelled for this year because of Covid. It was also sobering to read of his, well, lack of enthusiasm for the launch of his new novel. That does not mean he’s unenthusiastic about the novel, just the launch. No matter how many you’ve had published, the launch of a new book is always a joyous occasion. Tom sounded, well, melancholy about it.
What are we poor authors to do? It’s hard to promote a novel when you can’t easily get out in public, and let’s face it, book promotion via social media is hit and miss at best.
What can readers do to support authors whose works you enjoy? Just what we’ve always done: buy books. I’m starting with Tom’s latest which I’m buying — from a brick and mortar store — just as soon as I post this.
But things will never get better until everyone stops pretending that Covid 19 doesn’t exist and does something about it.
4 comments:
Rick, thanks for buying a copy of Shadow Hill. I just found out this morning that the restaurant where I was having my launch party had to close because two staffers have covid. I'm disappointed but also sad for the owner of the establishment because she's a dear friend.
That is too bad, Thomas. Interesting experience you had at the border, Rick.
Tom, ever feel like you can't catch a break? Wow. My heart goes out to the restaurateur. That really sucks.
Sybil, the whole experience was surreal. It's as if the pandemic hardly exists -- at least in western New York State.
Well, if the Canadians would like to see another example of U.S. insanity, check out the news reports of the South Dakota motorcycle rally in progress, populated primarily by unvaccinated people. Talk about a superspreader event, and no one seems to care. Mass ignorance like that makes me ashamed to be an American.
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