In our daily search for a silver lining during the coronavirus shut down - the suggestion from New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell that Jazz Fest and French Quarter Fest will not happen this fall was a blow to local optimism.
Yesterday, during her press conference, Mayor Cantrell expressed her opinion that Jazz and French Quarter Fests should not happen this fall - as was the goal - and should focus all their attention on the festivals returning in the spring of 2021.
The mayor also hinted that Essence Fest would not be postponed but would be cancelled this year. This morning the Essence Fest officially cancelled for 2020 and will plan to return in the summer of 2021.
The question of the Saints season was addressed, and the mayor said that the NFL was working on that decision.
When we all faced the news that the coronavirus had become a pandemic across America and stay-at-home/social distancing orders were given - we all had reason to believe that the orders would remain in effect until the end of April. Reluctantly, we began to accept the reality that nothing may change until June. There was optimism that there would be festivals this fall, and certainly we expected the Saints season to be on schedule.
Even with the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths appearing to reach a peak - or at least a plateau - there is growing speculation that the need for social distancing will continue long after the original dates it was predicted to end. Harvard researchers are projecting that the need for social distancing may be a reality until 2022.
All of this news is a shock to the fragility and uncertainty of our disrupted lives. Would it be better for the collective psyche of America to let us go a little longer believing that things will soon change - or is it better for us to accept the new reality now rather than face intervals of disappointment as each projected deadline is extended? There is no right answer to that question.
Some of you would prefer to hold onto the optimism and others were rather have the reality. But at this point - we don’t yet know what our new reality will be or when it will be realized. If there is a consolation in all of this - it is that the experts appear to have miscalculated the number of ventilators and hospital beds that would be needed by this date, and that is great news. There is nothing wrong with hoping that those projections that take the coronavirus crisis into the fall are wrong.
At this point - it is impossible to know when we - as a society - will feel comfortable gathering in large crowds at festivals, concerts and sporting events. As we approach life from a day-to-day perspective - this summer and certainly this fall seem light years in the future.
It would not be surprising if Jazz Fest and French Quarter Fest were cancelled for 2020 - not just because of that anticipation that people will be reluctant to gather in large crowds - but mostly because of the logistical nightmare of putting musical acts together in an appropriate location. French Quarter Fest would have a location - but Jazz Fest would have to figure out how to stage the event before the horse racing season at the Fairgrounds opens.
At this point - it is painfully realistic to believe that Jazz Fest and French Quarter Fest will be officially cancelled for 2020 - but we should cling to the hope that we do have the Saints and LSU to rally around this fall.
Even if the Saints proceed with their 2020 season - will the stands be full? Will many opt not to go out of fear of being in a large crowd? Can you imagine how long it would take to get in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome if taking our temperature was added to the security shake-down?
Reality will not rob me of my optimism - but we all need to be prepared to accept what we need to do - while hoping that predictions are off and the crisis that has disrupted our lives will end sooner and not later.
Use your head - stop the spread!