COMMENTARY
proverbial pizza
(Mike Allen)

I admit that looking through spreadsheets isn’t exactly my definition of a good time, but browsing the list of Oklahoma businesses that received federal money from the Paycheck Protection Program was more interesting than most Excel documents. All types of businesses are on there, small and large. It makes sense for many of them to be asking for a forgivable loan. Others seem … questionable.

It’s a confusing time for most industries and their workers, so applying for this loan is understandable on the surface. Plus, PPP money was intended to keep jobs from disappearing and entities from going under. Still, the list begs a question: Are some trying to game the system? Perhaps. There were several large, national brands who were publicly called out for receiving money, and many subsequently gave it back. I’m not sure if any of the Oklahoma entities on this PPP spreadsheet are big enough to warrant national criticism, but what do we think locally? Mega churches, casinos and fast food chains — are they OK? Given the point we’re at with COVID-19, will it matter in six months?

I tend to think we’re still in a confusing time for employers — no word if Mazzio’s has retained the jobs of the Meat Grinder and the Quesapizza Girl — but as long as we can keep the proverbial pizza cooking, we may make it through this. Just lay off the buffet, for now.

Pizza PPP-pizza, huh huh huh huh huh

Past Sundaze comics

Imagine masks: Stitt starts fashion fad to emphasize eyebrows
Mike Gundy has shirt problems
Coronavirus spike: There’s still a pandemic out there
Safety and cleanliness are priorities for Election Day
Remember to put yourself in someone else’s shoes
Them boys from Oklahoma roll their joints all wrong
Pour yourself an age and wisdom on the rocks
All the government Oklahoma could ever want
Open sesame: Kevin Stitt and the 40 mayors
Parents agree: The Easter bunny is an essential worker
Bad news for Cheetos: Our behaviors are changing
Quarantine quandary: Are your pets sick of you yet?
Quarantine: A rear window into our worried minds
From wipes to swipes, social (distance) life impacted
Birds of a feather draw together
Where the whiskey drowns and the Bern chases …
Blow up the Thunder? Chris Paul extinguished the fuse
Imagine that: New Oklahoma brand confuses some
Be careful searching, algorithm overlords are watching
Oklahoma’s recent liquor bicker confusing, even sober
Highway to the construction zone
All ears: OU basketball gets it right as Top Daug returns
Stitt, tribal leaders pack their poker faces for court

  • Mike Allen

    Mike Allen is a graphic designer, painter, printer and tailor. He has a fine art degree from the University of Oklahoma.

  • Mike Allen

    Mike Allen is a graphic designer, painter, printer and tailor. He has a fine art degree from the University of Oklahoma.