MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > How would the Ricardos and the Mertzes r...

How would the Ricardos and the Mertzes react to the coronavirus?

posted 5 years ago by AndrewHNPX2 (120)
6 replies | jump to latest

I could see Fred working around the building in a hazmat suit.

[–] [email protected] (5902) 5 years ago

Well, the Tropicana would probably be closed for a few weeks and Ricky would be home and underfoot (and on Lucy's nerves) just like in "Building a Barbecue". Lucy would probably look for some project for him to do.

As for Lucy, she never seemed like a germaphobe. I don't think she'd be afraid of a little old virus. She always seemed to think of herself as indestructible, like climbing out on ledges, pretending to be Superman, falling into palm trees,etc.

But she resisted sending Little Ricky to nursery school because, "All those other children have germs."
She would probably be the first parent to keep her child out of school. I think she'd be considerate towards elderly Mrs. Trumbull and do her marketing for her.

As the landlords, the Mertzes would probably be wiping down the banisters with bleach and putting up a "No Visitors" sign on the front door.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

I imagine the four in the Ricardo apartment. Lucy, Fred and Ethel are wide-eyed and stiff. Ricky is standing between them,
looking them over, his hands on his hips. Then he says, "Well, you don't have to stand around, looking like statues!"

[–] liscarkat (18489) 5 years ago

In the 1950s, most people had more sense than people do today. They would not succumb to ridiculous hysteria.

[–] [email protected] (5902) 5 years ago

I don't know if they had more sense or more self reliance. It's not right to make a blanket statement, but overall I think people in the fifties had a more realistic approach to life. Now some folks biggest problem is how to amuse their kids because school is cancelled. I read an article about the "stress of parenting" during this crisis. Oh the humanity! (to borrow a phrase)

Today people seem to panic if they face a little adversity. Of course it's not a "little" thing if you or a loved one fall ill from this virus. But the reality for most people is that they will be stuck indoors for a while. The country is acting as if this is THE biggest tragedy humanity ever faced. Tell that to the folks in the 1300's who dealt with the bubonic plague.

[–] Lily Magnum (264) 5 years ago

The economic impact of it probably will be one of biggest tragedies ever.

[–] AndrewHNPX2 (120) 5 years ago

In the 1950s, most people had more sense than people do today. They would not succumb to ridiculous hysteria.

Read up on McCarthyism and then get back to us.