Not Beginning of the End But the End of the Beginning

As Thomas Paine once wrote back in the Pre-American Revolution 1770’s when East Hampton Village was already over 120 years old, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Not many argued with him then, not many would argue with him today. The coronavirus epidemic has rocked the world especially the east end.

As the summer season of 2020 approaches the east end, many are in desperate need for things to get back to the way they were so that they can nurture the economic opportunities a summer season provides. To many this means making enough money to last for the off season economy. Unfortunately most signs point to that just not happening.

This is not a pessimistic opinion but a realistic one. With the EH Town and EH Village Boards already beginning to enforce restricted access to their beaches via new 2020 emergency Parking restrictions for non village or town full time residents battle lines are being drawn in the name of public safety, common sense and necessity. Of course not allowing non-locals on the beaches won’t hurt at the ballot box next November; imagine telling the locals you can’t have complete free access to their beaches 24/7? In East Hampton back in 2008 everyone knows how that played at the ballot box.

Then there are the many seasonal bars and restaurants that help both locals and visitors celebrate the summer season, the truth is many will never open this summer, while others many never open again due directly to coronavirus protecting restrictions still to be formulated. The loss of those local jobs will hurt the local population. However with calamity comes opportunities meaning liquor stores, food stores, and certain essential services will continue to see record profits while their neighbors may still be collecting unemployment benefits or small business bank loans to survive. It is almost like the Charles Dickins “Tale of Two Cities” famous quote, “It was the best of times of times, it was the worst of times!” The summer season will happen.

The question is not will everyone’s normal summer be inconvenienced but by how much? Even the most optimistic of folks know this summer will never be the same as even last year.

What we do know is that the summer rental market is soaring. Beach stickers issuance for non-residents have been suspended for the rest of year for East Hampton Town and Village, certain restaurants will not open of if they do have new occupancy restrictions and by the way, how does one eat in public while wearing a mask? Will anyone get to see movies at the movie theaters and OMG will the HIFF have to be canceled this year?

What I am guessing this all will mean a few things for sure; long lines outside supermarkets and food stores to buy food, higher priced inside not to mention extreme shortages on the shelves. Parking problems, and record traffic situations at traffic lights. As for beaches on hot sunny days, a never before seen level of chaos with Uber drivers, parents, and friends dropping people off near the beaches and then picking them up; of course that is if the beaches stay open.

I predict a lot more folks bike riding, walking dogs, jogging and wandering about the town and village roads all times of the day and night. More joy rides, and more delivery vehicles.

The truth is I am not sure how the EH Public School situation will go down after summer, not to mention the physical realities of voting in November? Who really knows the answer to all these questions? Sadly no one. What we do know is what is happening is not the beginning of the end of the coronavirus epidemic but just the end of the beginning.