Thoughts during the apocalypse, Part Six.

OK, I'm sufficiently depressed for the day, so it's time to write. I've listened to Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York  (so when are the Democrats going to draft him for the presidential nomination?) and Gov. Charlie Parker of Massachusetts (well, that's what Joe Biden called him. Of course I know his last name is Baker). I've listened to Tom Brady's Tampa Bay conference call and Mike Pence fielding Fox News softballs in the Rose Garden. And I'm watching people ignore the social-distancing guidelines across the pond in my backyard. Just another day in the coronavirus panic.

So far, I've been fine. I'm in that vulnerable group -- 66 years old with pre-existing (but controlled) medical issues -- but I've shown no symptoms and my last gathering in a group was a week ago Sunday. My body temperature has been consistently in the 96.0-97.8 range, which is normal for me. I've had a few sniffles, but those have coincided with the annual emergence of the flowers and grasses, to which I have been allergic all of my life. I don't have headaches or new body aches, at least any more than I had going into this thing. The only new pain has been from watching my retirement accounts dwindling into the ether, but I've been told not to panic. I think the day I was told not to panic was the day when I started to panic.

I have to admit, I'm starting to run out of provisions here. I've put off any trips to the supermarket since last week, It's not that I can't afford to miss a meal or two, but I don't want to sustain myself with McDonald's or Burger King for the next two weeks. I did drive into Boston last Friday to get takeout food from Mansfield native Jen Royle's restaurant (read earlier posts) and may do it again as long as I'm not going to be hauled off into a detention center for being on the roads.

By the way, Ms. Royle was interviewed last night on WBZ about her transition at TABLE from sit-down restaurant to takeout. It's on the CBSBoston.com website.

And now I'm watching President Trump (still pains me to even think that) enjoying his latest video lovefest on Fox News. Just infuriates me. If brainpower could light a city, this guy couldn't get a lightbulb to work inside a refrigerator.

(Deep breath.)

OK, let's get to the other apocalyptic thoughts for today:

** Sad news at my former newspaper as the coronavirus crisis has forced layoffs. Still not sure how many of them, but one was veteran political reporter Jim Hand. Ted Nesi of WPRI-TV, a Sun Chronicle alum, quoted editor Craig Borges as saying these were being regarded as furloughs so that those laid off can collect unemployment benefits as soon as possible. No word whether they will be called back to service once the virus disappears and advertising revenue starts coming in again, but from what I'm told, that's possible.

Let's hope so. This area needs a local daily newspaper. It needs an independent watchdog, not stupid "Everything (Town Name Here)" Facebook pages where people can throw shit against a wall, see if it sticks, and then claim they are informed.

** Tom Brady didn't offer any revelations in his conference call, his first as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. There were some questions from Boston reporters about his departure and whether he thought the Patriots did enough to try to keep him, but he took the high road and said that he enjoyed his 20-year tenure here, and that he felt it was time for a new challenge. Can't say I expected anything else from him.

** Speaking of change, I hear that the Patriots will have new uniforms this year. The Flying Elvis logo will remain, and from what I am told, the changes will be subtle and not overwhelming. I'm not a fan of change, but maybe since their uniform has not changed since 2000 and the out-with-the-old philosophy seems to be in place, maybe a different era requires a different look.

Also, I'm told that there will be seven teams in all with different unis this year, including the Rams, Browns, Chargers, Falcons, Buccaneers and Colts. Sad to hear about the last one -- I love teams that keep their look from the pre-merger NFL.

** The NFL Draft will take place as scheduled at the end of April. There will be no fans present in Las Vegas, and apparently Roger Goodell can't hug all the picks. Some things never change.

Sarah Behn

** You may have heard that former Foxboro High School basketball star Sarah Behn resigned her post as head coach of the Brown University women's basketball team after six seasons.

It's been a rough stretch for Sarah; Brown was just 17-40 and 3-25 against Ivy League foes over the past two seasons. But in addition to the recent passing of her mother, Diana, she has also had to endure a controversy in which seven former members of the team accused her of body-shaming (which she steadfastly denies), and she was involved in a domestic incident in August 2018, in which she was accused of assaulting her husband during an argument. The matter was only recently resolved when her husband chose not to testify against her in court; they are getting divorced.

It's a reminder that rarely is anyone's life perfect, and it's even more difficult for those involved when problems are exposed in the public eye. The fact remains that Sarah Behn is one of the best basketball players I have ever seen, and she will have a lot to offer if she chooses to return to the game -- and I hope she does.

** Three guests lined up for the immediate future on "The Owner's Box." I'll do my best to help you while away the hours. All done remotely, by the way.

** Wash your hands, folks. More thoughts as they pop into my head.