It seems like we are in the midst of a “House of Mirrors” at the county carnival. Just when we think we are heading out of this maze we hit a wall. The glass may appear transparent, but it is anything but. We hear the numbers have peaked and its time to restart the economy, yet many governors are extending their “shelter-in-place” orders even further. Some even into June. These governors are either power hungry or do not understand economics or the psychology of isolation.
Checks are hitting bank accounts, but most stores aren’t open to go spend the money. Many are saving it for their rent or mortgage payment. I can’t help but wonder how many of the 22 million unemployment claims will continue into the summer. From my research, some of the unemployed have received their checks and are now making more money than they were when they worked. I realize this is a temporary situation, but try telling that to the people who are getting the funds.
The shelter-in-place was supposed to flatten the curve and take care of our seniors and those at risk. It has now been taken to extremes. Many of these policy makers have no idea they are violating the constitution, religious and civil liberties of American citizens. Or maybe they do and don’t care. Someone needs to tell them before more constitutional lawyers bring even more lawsuits. Some elected officials who aren’t up for re-election in November may think their constituents will forget how their rights were trampled come their election day. I don’t think they will.
I personally have quit checking the scoreboard. The numbers seem unreliable. And when I see the numbers for flu and pneumonia are down I have to believe it’s because the coding of a deceased is being made as COVID-19 if the person dies with COVID-19. The operative word being “with” not “from.” With that kind of logic, if you die in a traffic accident and the autopsy shows you had COVID-19 then you would be coded as dying from it instead of from the auto accident.
Unfortunately the panic and hysteria hasn’t subsided. I know people who can leave their homes, but don’t. They are afraid they will die if they leave their home. They don’t realize their panic has turned them into a prisoner in their own home. Others won’t touch their mail for a week. Then it has to be disinfected. This is not the kind of behavior we want in America.
Some are taking drastic measures to obtain some incremental freedom. Driving across state lines to go golfing or to a park to play catch with their kids. Many are driving by themselves to church services in their respective church parking lots. Each of these examples have ended up with tickets or arrests for these Americans.
We need to get the kids back in school. But it doesn’t appear that will happen. So no graduations and no proms. What happens to moving to the next grade level? Some schools want to give every child an “A” and move them to the next grade level. Does that make sense for the child? Where are the kids who get two meals each school day from their local school now getting their meals? What will parents do for child care when the economy reopens and they get their jobs back?
I applaud all the businesses who have taken effective and intelligent mitigation measures. They are proving we can open our economy where it makes sense to do so. We can keep employees safe and meet the needs of their customers.
We must find a balance between healthy living and a healthy economy. I’m washing my hands regularly. I order food from local restaurants to do my part for the local economy. Spending most of my day outside in the sunshine lifts my spirits and I hear it’s good for reducing the threat of the virus. Like most Americans I’m finding projects to do and I’m completing them.
I used to enjoy the carnival. The cotton candy, corn dog and elephant ear were tasty treats. But I understood the pitfalls of the midway games and the rides that weren’t nearly as fun as they appeared. The House of Mirrors was a maze I tried to stay away from because I got tired of thinking I was on my way out only to hit my head on another transparent glass. I never liked that feeling and I don’t like to feel that way now. Neither do millions of Americans whose rights are being violated daily.
Until next time…