Slight Detour: In This New World of Ours . . . .

During her visit home, Annie has been using various cups from the back portion cupboard--cups I haven't even seen for some time.

Yesterday I saw that she had used a cup with my mother's artwork. Of course, anything that reminds me of my mother makes me smile.

I once again smiled this morning upon seeing her cup of choice from last night.

For some reason, the image by Gary Larson spoke to me.

We do think we're pretty smart most of the time. Every once in a while, though, we need a wake-up call to be reminded that we, alone, don't always call the shots in this world.

And, sometimes we may even enter a frenzied, unknown state, wondering just where the heck we are headed.

We're also reminded occasionally that we ARE all in this together.

Let's hope the herd mentality and a little common sense can keep us on track toward finding a better world.

I also do believe that we are entering a new frontier of creative opportunities motivated through necessity, much like is seen in the video below.

~~~~~

In other news, we have a blizzard this morning.

We were fortunate to have our electricity come back on after about three hours last night.

A huge tree blew over on Selle Road east of us and took a power pole and lines to the ground.

A Northern Lights crew and neighbors teamed up in frigid, blowing wind to get things back in order.

It had to be a tough night for Northern Lights and Avista linemen, as power kept going out all over the area.

Many, many thanks to all who worked so hard to keep the rest of us comfortable and safe.

When daylight comes, I must go searching for a portion of my greenhouse which blew away in the night.

I hope I find it.

~~~~

Chris Pietsch, Sandpoint High School graduate and photojournalist for the Eugene Register Guard in Oregon.

Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows how proud I am to have been one of Chris Pietsch's teachers, 4-H leaders and family friends.

That pride in this former student has extended ever since his junior high and high school years in Sandpoint during the 1970s and especially through his career.

After reading Chris's post on Facebook last night, I can say I've never been prouder.

His words speak for themselves and for all who work their hearts out as journalists and photojournalists to present the truth.

Chris Pietsch

13 hrs

The “Media” and COVID-19

Let me say this straight up, people SHOULD be concerned about this pandemic. They have a RIGHT to information! Responsible, accurate information about what is happening!

I can’t speak for all media coverage. I have been so busy covering events here locally over the last few days that I haven’t been able to watch much TV. I read our own stories in the RG, check my Twitter feed and read posts from my friends on Facebook. Like all of you, I stand slack jawed in witness of the speed with which the world has changed over just the last few days. The dominos are falling at an incredible rate. I get it, it can be overwhelming.

But I am tired of people saying that the “media” is somehow responsible for causing people to “overreact” to this pandemic.
Stop for a moment and consider a world in which a bunch of journalists do the opposite of reporting on this. “Nothing to see here! Go about your business. Don’t ask any hard questions of officials?”

The idea is absurd on the face.

I am told all the time, “just report the news, let people decide for themselves what to make of it.” That is what I and all the colleagues who I work with DO. I didn’t tell anyone to hoard toilet paper or hand sanitizer. I wanted to see Sabrina Ionescu and her Oregon teammates play in the NCAA Championships next week as much as anyone! I want to be able to go buy toilet paper when I NEED it and not face empty shelves.

What we at The Register-Guard HAVE been doing, is telling our readers what we know to be true. We don’t have any confirmed cases of COVID-19, yet. So far officials world wide are concerned that this situation has the potential to be much worse. There is evidence to support the idea that many people might die if steps are not taken NOW.

Have we been guilty of under playing flu deaths in past years? Maybe? But does that mean we shouldn’t cover this crisis to the best of our abilities in the here and now?

If there is a “media” it is as diverse and complex as mankind. Some organizations are working hard to provide factual information, some may be cutting corners or looking for clicks. Some may be Russian Trolls for all I know.

So do yourself and me a favor. Consider the sources of your information. Vett it with other sources. Assume that the information you hear from a friend of a friend who knows somebody, may be wrong!

And stop hoarding toilet paper!

Responses to Chris' thoughts. Two respected journalists among the responders.

Kim Carstensen favorite line: Stop hoarding t-p

Joyce Barbara Howson What is it with this hoarding of toilet paper, seems to be world wide! Toilet paper will only keep your bum clean, will not sustain you. Should be hoarding perishables

Juli Thorson I'm having to REALLY restrain myself over this blame-the-media c--p. Thanks for sharing this. Public Service Announcement: Facebook is the largest medium on the planet, and using it to spew uninformed opinion about coronavirus makes that spew part of the problem.

Marianne Love I hear you, Juli. Thank you.
Juli Thorson People just don't seem to realize that by participating in social media, they are media contributors themselves. It's called social MEDIA for a reason.
Zach Hagadone Amen! Regarding Facebook/social media: "We have met the enemy and he is us." I've been in journalism for 20 years and it's a worse climate than I've ever seen (and I started amid Y2K and 9/11). The average person simply doesn't want to be informed unless it immediately meets their personal biases. If/when it doesn't, they hunker behind their keyboard and build a Facebook fantasyland of comfortable lies... then blame "the media" for not informing them. I'm writing for posterity at this point.