From daily reports detailing the death toll and number of people infected to heated debates about how to interpret the data, the effect on the economy and the best allocation of resources, there has been an outpouring of bad news and negativity surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
However, it isn’t all dark.
When things seem bleak, just take a look around the community. There are many instances of kindness, from neighbors checking in on each other and going on shopping trips for those at risk to local restaurants bringing meals to healthcare workers.
If one takes the time to look, there are plenty of bright spots, one of which you don’t even have to look up from your smartphone to find.
Travis Reed, a Madison resident and viral social media comedian, has been working his thumbs double-time to bring some levity to the current situation.
“I recognize these are serious times and even though I know it is a serious time, it doesn’t mean we should stop doing things that make us happy and smile,” Reed said. “Laugh, love and stay positive are things I live by, so I definitely love how everyone is coming together for a greater sake.”
Reed, a physical education teacher at Madison Crossing Elementary, has gone viral on social media many times over the past few years for his funny posts and memes, which seem to resonate with others.
His recent posts have centered around missing his students while distance learning, all the things he is missing under the shelter-in-place order and the impact of the virus.
For instance, when the coronavirus had officially hit the United States and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended no gatherings of 10 or more people, Reed took to social media to joke about how things had changed.
On March 21, after schools had made the decision to close and many began working from home, Reed posted: “This coronavirus really getting y’all right huh?!? Everybody stocked up on groceries. Y’all at home spending time with your kids. Bills ain’t due yet. Gas .79 cents. We all are using good hygiene. Ain’t no ‘rippin and runnin’ as my mama would say...Everybody looking out and taking care of each other...Ain’t no fights or shootings. Everybody done cleaned their house 12 times in three days. Teachers and nurses getting appreciated. Christmas movies in March. Flights and cruises going for $17. No going to bars or clubs, indoor game nights instead...LOOK ATCHALL. Y’all done messed around and Made America Great Again.”
The post, which was slightly edited above, was shared 8.7 thousand times, had 905 comments and 5.2 thousand likes.
That wasn’t the first time one of Reed’s posts has gotten that much attention, and it certainly hasn’t been the last.
In mid-April, after restaurants had been closed to seated dining for nearly a month, Reed mourned the temporary loss of Mexican restaurants.
He wrote: “I miss hearing the sound of fajitas and everyone turning at once to see who got it.”
The post, simple and to the point, garnered 533 shares, 98 comments and 368 likes.
Reed has always enjoyed making others laugh. Social media just happens to give him a broader audience.
“I’m just an overall goofy person that loves to laugh and smile and just enjoy living life, and I want others to do the same,” Reed said.
He has been posting his jokes, which are mostly observations and experiences from his own life in the Jackson metro, for a while now.
In fact, the first one to launch Reed to “viral” level was when he shared about picking up food from Zaxby’s and the bag fell off his passenger seat because he hit a pothole.
“Which I’m still bitter about,” Reed joked.
After that, he began to post the things that “crack him up.” For instance, he was thinking one day about things in Madison that he sees daily that make him laugh, so he began to compile a long list of “Things to do in Madison.”
The post - which includes things like “pretend those nutrition drinks taste good,” “eat Chick Fil A breakfast, lunch, dinner, midnight snack and afterlife” and mentions the word “brick” no less than six times - was shared 618 times and received 930 likes.
The list resonated with many people and got a laugh from Madison residents and non-Madison residents alike. Many joined in on the fun by contributing their own suggestions for the list in the comment section, which totaled approximately 641 comments.
Many of his posts poke fun at aspects of life in the metro, but Reed means no harm. He’s just having fun.
“I just have to be careful not to offend anyone, because those aren’t my intentions at all,” he said. “It’s strictly for those people that you never know what they are going through and just need some kind of laugh, smile or even a chuckle to get them through the day. I have people messaging me almost every day thanking me for giving them a smile when they need it the most, and that’s what makes me happy.”
“I also think it resonates with people especially around here, because they know exactly what I’m talking about, whether it’s the whole city made of brick, or the Ugg boots with the 4XL T-shirt and the nike short shorts outfit, the Lululemon yoga pants, which I call ‘Lululiuimenoade’ because I don’t think I know how to pronounce it,” Reed added, and the list goes on.
Reed, a graduate of Madison Central High School and Mississippi State University, was inspired to pursue a career in education - and not stand up - by his parents, who are life-long educators.
His mother, Doris Reed, taught for 30 years. His father, the late Frankie Reed, coached basketball at Madison Central in the mid- to late-90s before becoming assistant principal and, later, the Assistant Superintendent of Madison County Schools until he retired.
“I’ve always been around Madison from the time I was in the first grade, and of course I wanted to be exactly like my father,” Reed said.
In fact, one of the most difficult parts of the coronavirus pandemic for Reed has been the closure of schools and being separated from the 700 students he encounters each day.
“It breaks my heart to not be around them and not being able to see the smiles on their faces, or do the secret handshakes we make up, little things like that,” Reed said. “I also miss my staff so much...Every night I say a prayer for those kids whose only love, attention and sometimes food come from schools and their staff, so that’s been the hardest part of all of this.”
“Luckily some parents have been emailing and sending videos and pictures of them working out and staying active so that makes it a lot better,” Reed added.
And, in the meantime, he will continue using his gift of humor to make the hard times just a bit brighter.
