Compared to the same period a year back, sales of alcohol jumped 55% during the third week of March, just around the time that people were told to shelter at home. Online sales of alcohol were up 243% over the same period. Here in Colorado liquor stores were designated an "essential" business. In case you can't guess why, consider cases of domestic violence skyrocketing or hospitals trying to cope with the surge in COVID-19 cases while also dealing with desperate drinkers suffering withdrawal.
Maybe some of this was simply the toilet paper crowd stockpiling beer against the COVID Apocalypse. I like a drink as much as the next guy. OK, maybe a little more than the next guy. But this really made me take a look at my own relationship with alcohol.
And now, just when people were penned in, missing friends and family, unable to get out and maybe even dealing with the loss of a job or, worse, a loved one, guess who is there to help? That's right! Beer company marketing departments! Consider these zingers from the helpful folks at Budweiser.
"Keep your 6 packs close and everyone else 6 feet away!" Good advice, right? Or maybe you prefer the direct approach.
"Stay home and drink beer!" (Seriously, that is an actual tweet from Budweiser.)
What sort of human being thinks it is ok to take advantage of the current sad situation to coax people into drinking more?
Its not even good beer.
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