CATCH THE BUZZ – The Uncertainty of Catch the Buzz

The Future Is Now

March 23rd 2020,

Jerry Hayes, Editor of Bee Culture Magazine

I have never been to March 23rd 2020. I have never experienced this thing called a COVID-19 Pandemic. I have never been forced to work from home, which starts tomorrow here in Ohio. I have never experienced working with Great people like Kathy, Jean, Amanda and a dozen or so fantastic writers on Bee Culture from a remote digital platform. I have certainly lived through various historical markers that for the most part I have only seen on the 6 o’clock news or PBS NewsHour. But, I have never lived in a moment in History such as now. A History driven by an invisible agent. I must believe my elected governmental leaders, the media, health care and bankers. It is Scary and interesting. We don’t know when it will end or what it will look like when it does and what changes in society and culture and financial system are going to be artifacts.

I, like you are a puzzle piece on this personal and societal journey. Selfishly I don’t want to be part of the older 10% who get COVID-19. And I think about and worry about my children, grandchildren, long time beekeeper friends, neighbors and my community at large.

So, I am going to work from home efficiently with the goal I can bring some value to those that read Bee Culture and have trust and confidence in Bee Culture. I will get outside and take walks by myself, go to the Big Box and buy what’s left off the concerning almost empty shelves and wait like you for the all clear.

Be safe. Be well and lets trust ourselves and our neighbors more than we have in the past so when we come out of this our neighborhoods, and communities, places of worship, stores, stop light and every place we get the chance for eye contact with our brothers and sisters will register friendship, respect and acceptance.

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CATCH THE BUZZ- Beekeeper n95 Masks to Donate

Dear friends,
Elaine Akst, from our community here, has suggested a great way to help health care workers. She knows that many beekeepers have n95 masks on hand for applying oxalic acid to colonies.

*Should beekeepers have extra unused units and/or filters they are STRONGLY encouraged to donate these, in their packages, to their local health care providers, hospitals, or fire/EMT stations. Similar programs tapping into masks on the shelves of residents have helped in Seattle. Any way to elevate this message, maybe via FB or your respective lists??

Best wishes and be safe,
Jay

Jay Evans
Research Leader
USDA-ARS Bee Research Lab
BARC-E Bldg 306 Beltsville, MD 20705 USA
Ph 301-504-5143 FX 301-504-8736
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0036-4651