In this episode of
irRegular People we're joined by Pito Rodriguez, a 42-year-old Chicago man who contracted Covid-19, suffered through it, and survived.
We're in the middle of the worst surge of Covid cases in America since the pandemic began. Just yesterday - November 12, 2020 -
over 160,000 new cases were reported in America, while the daily death average is at over 1000 people.We're tired, we're lonely, we want to see our family and friends. But the risks that many of us continue to take, coupled with the lack of a national strategy, are leading to more suffering and continued deaths. Indeed, some of the risks we've been taking are forced by that very lack of a national strategy. But, the severity of the spread can be linked to some behavior that is very much under our control.
Despite the efforts of epidemiologists (and
some of our leaders) to convince us to stay as safe as possible, we keep making mistakes. No matter how many times we hear the same facts about the virus, we seem to be able to convince ourselves to take unnecessary risks.
Perhaps it's because often, if something is not right in front of us, we can't seem to grasp its reality or consequences. Sometimes, we need the human component.
But waiting - until the virus affects you or someone you love - to take it seriously, is not a good idea.
Take it from today's guest: Pito Rodriguez. He spent the last 8 months being very careful, very safe. But then he let his guard down - one time, maybe two. And that was all it took.
Listen to this generous, funny, well-spoken young man tell you what it was like for him - and why he doesn't want anyone to have to go through what he did.
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EPISODE CREDITS:
A production of Once Upon A Westler.
Created, produced, hosted, engineered, and edited by
Calvin Marty. Music composed and performed by
Calvin Marty. ----------------------
ABOUT PITO RODRIGUEZ:
Pito Rodriguez tends the bar at world-renowned, beloved Chicago neighborhood bar,
Best Intentions. He was born in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago. Soon after, Pito was taken to his family’s native land of Puerto Rico.
Still a child, Pito was brought back to Chicago for his schooling. He was raised in the very Puerto Rican neighborhoods of Humboldt Park and Logan Square. He graduated from the great Lane Technical High School.
At the age of 25, he moved back to Puerto Rico. It was there that he got his first taste of the hospitality industry. Pito worked at his Godmother’s restaurant in the pueblo of his hometown, San Lorenzo. Having always been drawn to the energy and feel of bars, Pito frequented them since he was underage in Chicago. Eventually, Pito was introduced to the other side: he was the one doing the serving.
Moving back to Chicago once again, he worked in financial services in various capacities but soon realized he hated it. After pondering his future, he remembered how much he truly enjoyed serving guests at the restaurant back home in Puerto Rico. And so, he decided to start his official career in hospitality.
Pito blends his influences from Puerto Rico and Chicago - two of the greatest places on Earth - to serve as an Ambassador of Puerto Rican Good Times.