TAMPA, Fla. — Yes, it’s April Fools Day. But this year, obviously, it feels a bit different to play a joke on someone.

Instead, we caught up with longtime comic Chris Gorges for a few laughs. He’s been performing in Tampa Bay for more than 30 years.

We asked him about April Fools Day, which many felt should be “canceled” this year.

“That’s not a bad idea actually,” Gorges said. “I don’t know if you want to be tricking people in the middle of a pandemic.”

Gorges says that he has no work right now as a comic, with clubs closed up everywhere — he’s currently filling time like the rest of us.

“I’d rather be doing the shows," he said. "Like now, I’m doing house repair stuff. Now I have zero excuses. I have no excuse not to fix the base of the house."

Like many parents, he’s also adjusting to his new job of leading school-at-home for his son.

“I’m the principal, teacher, hall monitor, guidance counselor. I’m a cafeteria person as well! I’m the entire school board,” Gorges said.

As for levity in a time of pandemic, Gorges recommends finding some of your favorite comedians online, as many of them are posting more of their acts now.

But perhaps even more importantly, he encouraged something just as important as laughter — kindness.

“Everybody: be positive. Help each other,” Gorges said. “That’s we gotta do. We’ll be back.”

For more of Chris’ work, visit his website.