I am laid off. I have lots of time on my hands. I am living through a deeply historic period in both my country's and the worlds history. So, I catch odd bits and pieces of things, moments I might miss if I was working. Stomach turning Trump press conferences, talking head round table discussions on the talking points of the day. And, more recently, appearances by the Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. His introduction of Kamala Harris as his running mate gave me hope, for the first time in a very long time. His remarks the next day on mask wearing were those of a leader and a patriot, one who truly cares about and for his country.
As he spoke he stated mask wearing is not about your rights, it is about your responsibility. A sense of responsibility, this seems to be one thing in short supply during these times. The current occupant of the White House refuses to take any responsibility for the handling of the virus or the shattering of the economy. The economy, what Trump once touted as his greatest achievement, revealed to be for many a fragile thing, a house of cards. Much of the population jobless, once proud middle class people lining up for hours at food banks, while the extremely wealthy make billions, that's correct billions, as their fellow citizens suffer.They see no responsibility to share these earnings with those less fortunate, or even those that they employ.
The looters take no responsibility for their vandalism and theft. Their families take no responsibility by not questioning where the new, expensive shoes they are wearing came from. Some spokesmen, not all, of the BLM movement suggest that these stolen items are reparations, payback for years of racism, instead of denouncing the looting as an irresponsible act.
Tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts converge on the small town of Sturgis, not wearing masks, irresponsibly putting not only those that call the town home at risk but also those in their own home towns when they return. Politicians irresponsibly send children back to school sans masks or social distancing, putting them, and those that teach them at risk. Denial of a potentially deadly kind.
When the pandemic began there was a catch phrase, "We're all in this together", although we never truly were. My state locked down for 3 and a half months. Our consistent, relatively low positivity rate, despite the irresponsible behavior of some, and phased reopening was the right thing to do. It was difficult, it cost us business and jobs, making glaringly apparent our decades of irresponsible behavior regarding the way we care for our citizens during times of crisis. Other states either did not lock down at all or for a much briefer period, throwing the doors open too early, allowing the virus to spread across them.
A vaccine is, at best, 4 months away. Patience is what is needed. There will still be sacrifices but if we truly are all in this together what we give up now will aid the future.
Show compassion, show concern, wear a mask, It's our responsibility.
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