The global pandemic we all fondly refer to as COVID-19 has wrecked more budgets than can be counted.

Together, with Gov. Tom Wolf, the virus has displaced record numbers of workers and destroyed the restaurant, tourism and bar industries. It is quite ironic that the state run Liquor Control Board was able to post a positive report for sales and especially for net income.

The net income for the 12-month period was $208 million, a 9% increase over the previous year. PLCB credited the COVID-19 events as being a major factor based on sales escalating as new rules and regulations were going to be enacted by Wolf. COVID-19 days out-produced Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve numbers.

Those holidays are traditionally the biggest sales days as people stock up for entertaining and also for any extra they might need to handle the stress of family get-togethers.

Now that is something the governor can be proud of, even if it also is a reflection of how he crippled the bars and restaurants, which of course are not state owned.

Rumors abound that another lockdown is under consideration by a variety of governors. It may be due to COVID-19 or it may be to curry favor with the president-elect, who is pushing for stricter controls, especially face mask regulations.

There were reports yesterday that New York was going to close restaurants again, and Gov. Wolf has shown a liking for playing monkey see, monkey do with New York’s governor.

Stay tuned and be ready to push the LCB to new heights, as we feel certain he will give us a heads-up to stock up from the state’s personal stash.

You see, contrary to his normal actions, he does understand how marketing and sales go hand-in-hand. He just doesn’t care when it kills the livelihood of average citizens.

— RV