Virus leaves the US travel industry struggling to recover

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Former Rice Township man wanted on rape charges

WILKES-BARRE &mdash; Tuesday was a landmark day.
				Not because it was Pennsylvania Primary Day and we were voting for mostly unopposed candidates of the party of our choice/registration.
				Nope, this was a significant day for a much different reason.
				Tuesday, June 2, was the first day in two and a half months that I wore real pants again.
				After working from home in self-isolation and wearing only sweatpants or shorts, I had to put on my khakis and head back to work at our offices at the corner of East Market Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
				I have to tell you, it was a bit weird having to sort of dress up again. I was quite comfortable wearing very comfortable clothes while working from home.
				And in addition to real pants, I also wore my protective facial mask. Full disclosure, I was the only one in the newsroom for the first few hours of my shift, but as soon as others arrived, the mask went back on.
				As you can see in the photo of my work area, it is a bit stark. I have not returned several personal items to my desk because, well, I just didn&rsquo;t feel like it. In fact, I didn&rsquo;t even bring Mr. Bill and his faithful dog OhNo into work today. I left them at home where they will stay until this pandemic is finally gone.
				So far it has been pretty much back to normal in the newsroom. After a few adjustments to my PC, everything is running at full speed ahead.
				Including the darn police scanner which site just 10 feet from my desk and, more annoyingly, my ears. That scanner is one thing I have not missed for one second. Especially when it gets stuck on a channel that only producers loud static. It can be very bothersome.
				I also returned to discover my cheater glasses were broken &mdash; possibly by me before I left for self-isolation, but I really can&rsquo;t remember. Anyway, thank goodness I had another pair of same strength.
				On the way to work, I stopped to vote. My consolidated polling place was not busy at all. In past elections, where I voted was much more crowded and only handled one voting ward/ Perhaps online voting and mail-in ballots were more popular than anyone realized.
				Another task that needed to be performed today was to clear out my office voice mail that had way more messages than expected. Apparently, listening to them remotely and deleting them didn&rsquo;t exactly work, necessitating me to delete them again.
				I&rsquo;m not sure I will ever get used to wearing a surgical mask at work, but I certainly understand the need to. Mitigation comes in various shapes and tasks. If we are to eradicate this virus and survive to one day again enjoy life, then wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer and social distancing are not too much to ask.
				Despite all the uncomfortable side effects.
				I am also wondering why, after hearing just about everybody say &ldquo;we are in this together,&rdquo; that I have felt to alone? Coming back to work helped to rid me of that melancholy feeling. Seeing people in person and talking to them really makes a difference.
				And oh yeah, wearing pants also gives one a renewed sense of normalcy.
				Especially because they still fit &mdash; even a little looser in the waist.

Coping with Corona: Happiness is finding your real pants still fit