Critics question CARES Act spending in some states

125494077_web1_Coronavirus--1-

27 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 1 new death

WILKES-BARRE &mdash; OK, I admit I miss Lily, my cat, who died in 2017.
				Lily would be a great comfort to me during the awful coronavirus pandemic. She would bring much joy to my life &mdash; far more than reruns of &ldquo;Law & Order&rdquo; and &ldquo;Two and a Half Men.&rdquo;
				I mean, the damn Yankees don&rsquo;t even provide much relief the way they strike out so often. But that is what baseball has become &mdash; strike out, strike out, home run, strike out strike out. No hitting behind the runner, no sacrifice bunts, no putting the ball in play, no driving in runners in scoring position.
				Baseball schmaseball.
				Yes, Lily would be a great distraction from all that is wrong in this pandemic world.
				But don&rsquo;t get the wrong idea &mdash; I&rsquo;m not about to get another cat.
				Several of my very well-intended friends have suggested I do just that.
				&ldquo;Get another cat,&rdquo; they say, attaching pictures to text messages, emails and Facebook posts.
				As tempting as it is, I reiterate that I just can&rsquo;t do it. I have my reasons, but I will keep them to myself.
				There is some hypocrisy here, I know. I wish that all those furry friends could find loving homes and avoid the shelters and the rescue farms. They all deserve to be adopted and taken care of by people who could find joy and comfort in their company.
				But I just can&rsquo;t do it.
				I was the proud papa of Lily, who lived to be 19-and-a-half-years-old. She provided me countless memories and good times.
				Lily would greet me when I got home and run to the top of the steps, turn over on her back and welcome a little belly rub. She would then follow me to the kitchen and expect a couple of treats. She would watch TV with me and allow me to pet her for a few minutes every day. She would keep to herself, but she was always nearby.
				Lily had her favorite spots in the house &mdash; at the end of the couch, at the top of the steps, behind the couch, under the table, looking out of the patio door and, well, anywhere she chose to be.
				Lily, like all cats, had her own, very special ways about her. She lived her life her way. She slept when she wanted, she ate when she wanted, and she played when she wanted. She also offered her love when she felt like it.
				So enduring the pandemic in my Lily-less world has been difficult. That&rsquo;s why I occasionally write about her, remembering her quirky personality and her faithful companionship.
				Which is what we all need right now. We need to, as it is popular to say, be there for each other as we go through this pandemic together.
				Humans and furry friends alike must do everything they can to take care of themselves and each other until we either have a cure, or the virus miraculously runs its course.
				As the presidential campaign attests, people have differences of opinions on the candidates. That is a good thing. It&rsquo;s what America is all about. But we can&rsquo;t hate on each other just because we like one candidate over another.
				Respect everybody&rsquo;s right to have their own opinion. Don&rsquo;t spew venom.
				That may sound simplistic or idealistic, but we should be able to tolerate each other&rsquo;s opinions.
				Our furry friends love us no matter whom we intend to vote for in November.
				Learn from them.

Beyond the Byline: Lily would help in coping with corona