Where to begin? So much to say and so much time to say it. What feelings, emotions, or thoughts are you having? I think it would be therapeutic to share them.
- The Media is driving this COVID-19 narrative.
From the outset the slippery slope went something like this:
If we don’t shut things down the government will look like they are uncaring and deaf to the plight of the sick and ailing. If we shut everything down and “shelter-in-place” the economy will tank and it will take years to recover. Because of this media driven narrative, hysteria and panic took center stage. This led to hoarding and poor irrational decision-making. It became a chain event. All states began following the decisions of states like Washington, California and New York who were most affected.
Facts and rational thinking were bowled over by decision-makers hell-bent on protecting everyone. When in fact, only a small percentage of people were at high-risk. I’ve heard doomsday figures as high as a million Americans will die from this virus. Maybe that is accurate, but at this point we don’t know and putting out those kind of scenarios does little to nothing to help the situation. What it does is make the panic greater than the initial problem. Panic breeds panic. It always has.
- Our legislators know little about economics, medicine, or healthcare. They know even less about leadership
Rahm Emanuel’s quote “You never let a serious crisis go to waste” appears to be the mantra of many. One would think “Identity Politics” would take a back seat during this time, but it doesn’t appear to have done so. Not at all. Instead name calling, fear mongering, and political blackmail have taken the place of bi-partisan, patriotic decision making.
I’m not saying the packages and legislation is right or wrong, but restraining legislation with irrelevant regulations, or pork barrel and pet projects is not the way to address a stimulus package. The actions of members of congress is disgraceful and shameful. There is not and likely will not, be any accountability for their actions. In true political fashion finger-pointing and second guessing is the preferred method of problem solving.
Legislators and leaders at both the federal and state levels need to understand the ramifications of their decisions before those decisions are made. Making decisions based on doomsday scenarios and what another locale is doing leads to further calamity and hysteria. There has to be a balance between the health of our citizens and the economic health of our country.
- We are not focused on the “hot spots”
As I mentioned earlier, all the states have followed the lead of the states most affected. This sheep-like leadership isn’t strategic nor rational. Why would a state with less than 500 cases shut down schools, restaurants and businesses in every county of every state? Some may say “to keep the cases from going to 1000 or 2000.” I contend if we focus on the “hot spots” this wouldn’t happen.
A state with “hot spots” should focus on the those areas. Seattle in Washington, Chicago in Illinois, San Francisco and Los Angeles in California, and of course New York which accounts for about six percent of all cases thus far. Every state has major population centers. We should be focusing efforts on those areas and keeping people sequestered in and away from those areas. Social distancing appears to be working and it can work without shutting everything down everywhere.
- We are boiling the ocean
Speaking of hot spots, trying to ensure no one gets the virus is truly a “boiling the ocean” style strategy. Fifteen days will not be enough time to stop this virus. Five months may not be enough time. If we trust information coming from southeast Asia it will be anywhere from 6-12 weeks to see a downward spiral. The fact is we don’t know and guessing doesn’t help. Focus should be on those individuals who are most vulnerable to the virus. We need to look at ways to treat those people. We can’t wait on a vaccine. Possible drugs like hydroxychloroquine should be given careful consideration, despite the results, at this point, being anecdotal. Trying to test every person who has shortness of breath is not the answer. At this point the mortality rate is around one percent. Let’s focus on those one percent.
- What should I do? Or what can you do?
I am doing several things.
First, I’m keeping the faith. I choose to believe once the public realizes this is something we can overcome the panic will begin to subside. The virus, the economy, the media hype, is all something we individually have to come to grips with. We have to understand the true reality and deal with facts, not hysteria, hoarding and hyperbole. Following and trusting a higher power is not only one way, it is the only way to calmly get through these times.
Staying calm and discussing all aspects of this virus and these challenging times is another thing I am doing. I watch very little news because I don’t know who to believe. I trust the scientists and the physicians, but unfortunately, they don’t understand the economy. I’m reading what I can and decide what is based on facts.
Gracefully call out people who don’t deal with facts, but with theory.
Live life with optimism.
Help neighbors and friends with small chores.
Plant flowers or your garden.
Clean the vacuum cleaner, particularly the roller. Not a fun job, but essential.
I walk when I can and enjoy the beauty of the dogwoods and azaleas.
As frustrating and irritating as this entire situation is, I refuse to allow incompetent politicians, unscrupulous media types and fear mongers to dictate my attitude or my way of life. I will follow the rules and guidelines put in place, but I will continue to ask questions of those making the rules and guidelines. At some point this will pass and those in decision making roles will be rewarded or held accountable for those decisions.
Let’s stick together, not pointing fingers, or holding hands, but doing what’s right for the good of our neighbors and our country.
Until next time…