Actors who dwell in the world of soaps were getting ready to return to their studios and jobs. Gov. Gavin Newson was planning to lift the shelter-in-place order created to keep the coronavirus from spreading. A day before the opening date, LA (and the country) had to deal with another crisis. Following the murder of George Floyd by a policeman, groups of protesters took to the streets.

Sadly, some of the protests were overrun by violence. New York, LA and cities in between became infernos and looters took advantage. Things calmed down, and the rioters and thieves departed. The protesters regained their places. Guess what? The protests are working. Charges were filed against the officer who killed Floyd by kneeling on his neck for nine minutes. The three officers who looked on and did nothing to stop the brutal attack, even as the handcuffed man on the ground begged the policeman to stop and prayed to his dead mother, were fired. Protests do work. Ask those who marched for civil rights. Ask me, who protested the Vietnam War. And as these protests are working, our soap opera crews and casts are not. They will get back to it soon!

"Days of Our Lives" is getting many happy returns as beloved and despised characters return to the canvas. Sami, in a short-term return, arrived in town with her wayward daughter, Allie. We know Sami's stay will be brief, but Allie will be sticking around. Allie's dad, Lucas, also returns to Salem. Lucas is a great character; let's keep him! Eve is on her way back. She is a bad girl, except when she is love. Chloe will be back. Kate's long-gone son, Philip, returns home. The character lost a leg during his time at war. Last time they brought him back, he was playing basketball with his two legs. Claire heads back to town after being released from a sanatorium after admitting she started the cabin fire that almost killed Ciara. It appears she will move in with grandma Marlena. There goes Marlena and John's happy marriage. Shawn comes home to help settle his daughter. Please let Shawn stick, too. He is great to look at and a fine actor. In the next few months, Will and Sonny will be gone. Their last date is slated for mid-September. Rafe also heads out of town.

Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie, "Days of Our Lives") is hoping the sixth time is the charm. That is how many times she has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award. This time, her submission will be very subtle. "I have put in funny, bitchy, overly dramatic. This time I am sending in the scene where Julie is dying and Doug is by her side." Doug is played by her real-life hubby, Bill Hayes.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.