Late in the day, dusk was giving way to darkness and traffic was becoming heavier.  I felt relieved to hear the voice of Kai Ryssdal, the host of Marketplace on NPR radio.  There hasn’t been much good news lately.  I believe it is better to know, — to be “Socrates dissatisfied, than a pig satisfied.” 

Ryssdal’s straight talk is calming, no matter the condition of small business under the conditions of pandemic isolation.  These conditions cannot be otherwise than they presently are, when I consider the attitude of most Americans toward the affluence which many enjoy and toward their fellow citizens. 

According to the jobs report from the Department of Labor, 965,000 new jobless claims were filed last week.  I need to say it out loud: nine hundred and sixty five thousand households lost a source of income and thus filed for unemployment last week.  Every one of those individuals has a story.  Perhaps they have a child, or a wife and aged parents they are supporting?  Women in the service sector were hit hardest.  You know the hostess at your favorite restaurant, who greets and escorts you to your seat .  She is not working along with most of the wait-staff.  Not to be forgotten is the lack of child care, keeping women at home in this pandemic.  Furthermore you must have the experience to know how difficult it is to supervise one or more children in front of a screen, for morning after morning of remote learning. 

Ryssdal succinctly described our condition: it is a race between vaccine distribution and labor market damage. 

No matter the measure, job loss triggered by the pandemic is historically high and likely to leave a lasting mark on the U.S. economy, according to the Wall Street Journal.  2020 was the worst year for job losses since WWII.

State and local governments cut 50,000 jobs in December.  1.4 million government jobs have been lost since February of 2020.

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It is time for a tune, a life-line of rhyme and harmony to sustain us is it not?  This one, this appeal to love, is what we need.  The pandemic aside, I would buy a concert ticket to hear this one song performed live.

The Power Of Love

The whispers in the morning
Of lovers sleeping tight
Are rolling by like thunder now
As I look in your eyes

I hold on to your whole body
And feel each move you make
Your voice is warm and tender
A love that I could not forsake

‘Cause I’m your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I’ll do all that I can

Lost is how I’m feeling
Lying in your arms
When the world outside’s too much to take
That all ends when I’m with you

Even though there may be times
It seems I’m far away
Never wonder where I am
‘Cause I am always by your side

‘Cause I’m your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I’ll do all that I can
We’re heading for something
Somewhere I’ve never been
Sometimes I am frightened but I’m ready to learn
Of the power of love

The sound of your heart beating
Made it clear suddenly
The feeling that I can’t go on
Is light years away

‘Cause I’m your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I’m gonna do all that I can
We’re heading for something
Somewhere I’ve never been
Sometimes I am frightened but I’m ready to learn
Of the power of love

The power of love
The power of love

Sometimes I am frightened but I’m ready to learn
Of the power of love

The power of love

As I look into your eyes

The power of love

lyrics written by Jennifer Rush