which signs were made for you and me

After convalescing approximately forever, my doctor assures me that I'm well enough to go outside even though I'm still somewhat short of breath. So I've been walking a few blocks up and down Mass Ave, carefully avoiding people and trying to regain a little aerobic capacity. I've been looking at the signs in store windows, as one does.

Obviously, a lot of places are open for only limited services, and a lot more are closed entirely. The signs don't just say "closed" or "takeout only" or "repairs only." They tried to say why they were closed or limiting their activities, which makes a lot of sense. Some said they'd be back as soon as they could, and they all tried to imply it. They only closed because they had to.

(Ah, but why do they have to?)

"...because of the corona virus outbreak..."
"...due to COVID-19..."
"Due to regulations..."
"Due to Governor Baker's mandate..."

I know there are insurance policies that will compensate you for what you HAD to lose (like if you got fired, or if you cancelled the con because the state forbid large gatherings), but not pay out for what you lost by terrified choice. So maybe some stores want to emphasize that the state is making them shut down, to remind their insurance companies.

But maybe, just maybe, some of them see all the suffering related to the coronavirus lockdown and think it's caused by the lockdown more than by the virus. That's why people are demonstrating in front of the Michigan state house. That's why my mother is becoming so hard to talk to, even about what I thought were safe topics like her health, or the fact that I have very kind friends.