Maybe it was the mask mandate.
More likely, it was picking up word yesterday -- still mercifully unconfirmed -- that our Original Hot Dog Shop, an Oakland and Pittsburgh institution if we've ever had one, might be forever finished overfilling our trays with fries.
But I've had it. I'm fried.
This isn't about sports, so insert the obligatory disclaimers: I'm not an epidemiologist, not an economist, not an expert on anything more than a single city's participation in silly games. If seeking something above that, I'd advise not reading past this very punctuation.
OK, still with me?
Cool. Thanks. Because I'm betting this coronavirus thing's frying all of us past our collective comfort level. Maybe it's a moment. Maybe it's a whole day. Maybe it's a gradual gut-wrench that just keeps growing.
Whatever it is, again, I'm fried.
I want my work back. I want sports back. Most of all, I want my city back. That's not some sappy civic cheerleading, as anyone who knows me can attest. Aside from family, this place is the love of my life. And this social-media accounting about the 'O' closing, which I'll repeat has yet to be reported by a single reputable outlet, ripped me up regardless.
Not for the heaping fries, or the fake cheese, or the equally cheesy setting. But because it's part of who we are.
When my daughter Dara graduated from high school last summer, the graduation ceremony was at the Petersen Events Center. She could've asked for some big fancy after-party, but nope, she wanted the four of us, our immediate family, to glide down Cardiac Hill for some 'O' fries.
Visual evidence that we did:
Dara Kovacevic, Class of 2019. - DEJAN KOVACEVIC / DKPSI am an optimist and am confident that Ohioans will also live up to the challenge of doing things differently as we open back up beginning on May 1st.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) April 16, 2020
Today I’m announcing my plan for the future of Pennsylvania as we continue to battle #COVID19.
The plan includes details on:
1️⃣ Relief for Pennsylvanians
2️⃣ Reopening Pennsylvania
3️⃣ Recovery for Pennsylvanianshttps://t.co/HCdjAYMYmP
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) April 17, 2020
PA. DEPT. OF HEALTH
PA. DEPT. OF HEALTH
THE NEW YORK TIMESThe Governor’s upcoming plan to reopen Pennsylvania will absolutely incorporate this kind of data and regional considerations.
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) April 18, 2020