There are more than a few Grinches trying to steal Christmas this year, but we fear the ending will not be quite as redeeming as the one Dr. Seuss wrote for his 1957 children’s book, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” when the original Grinch’s “small heart grew three sizes that day” and he returned all the gifts, food and decorations he’d just stolen from the Whos in Whoville.
Instead, it is looking more likely than not that these Grinches will remain small hearted while millions of Americans face the prospect of a winter holiday season spent missing family members who have died from COVID-19, trying to avoid catching or spreading a virus that has killed more 1.7 million people (including nearly 3,000 U.S. health care workers) and struggling to pay their rent, make their mortgage payments, put food on their tables and buy gifts for their children.