Are you like me and even after all these months of CoVid wondering if it’s all for real? Did you think in your lifetime you would ever have to experience a worldwide pandemic like this?
It sure makes me realize that life as we know it (or should I say ‘knew’ it) can change on a dime. Normal life is we knew it is gone. When the pandemic first came to the United States and our lives changed back in March I thought to myself ‘well this is weird but I can get through it for awhile.’ I didn’t know we would be here in December, here now, in the thick of the spread. If you listen to the mainstream news you will hear of hospitals at maximum capacity, and nurses & doctors begging people to wear masks and to stay away from others. They are drained. Family members of the sick are scared. Those who have died can not even get a usual ‘send off’ with a funeral. No normal closure.
Yet too many ignore it and continue their living as they did before the pandemic started. I saw on Facebook this morning a shared post from a farm/nursery business in Michigan where people were lined up around it waiting to go in and see Santa and nobody had on a mask. The company advertised that they were open because it is their freedom to do so – and they thanked all who came out, defying the warnings.
I can’t help but wonder if the mixed messages all along and the defiance of some Of the people And businesses have kept the CoVid virus going when it could have been shut down faster. I feel like they are making it worse, spreading the virus, and expanding the problems associated with it.
America – home of the free. Founded on freedoms.
A perfect storm hit America. Trump’s ‘lack of leadership’ And denial of it, and no plan ahead of time, and then ignoring the start of it when it came here…. think back on his early comments. He totally downplayed it and didn’t take the virus seriously. Then there were those mixed messages. The politicians vs. scientists. Who to believe?
So… here we are 9 months later, thousands dead from CoVid, millions more have been sick – and have tested positive with it. Some state governors again have to be the ‘bad guy’ and close businesses, and limit gatherings. I see the rants on social media. People are mad. People are still very defiant. Blaming others… and still touting personal freedom.
I have been very careful all along. But, I am questioning even more now about going to church, or really out to any events. Why take the chance? Why even put myself out there – and be a spreader? I have not been tested, and I don’t think I am positive. I’ve had no symptoms, but I am smart enough to know that any interaction is scary right now. I always wear a mask out. I still get back in my car and sanitize my hands after every time I go somewhere. Two weeks away from Christmas and I want to be healthy for it. So, I’m taking precautions. Christmas will be different – our close family members will be together, but we are not having extended family or friends with us. We are supposed to attend an out of state wedding right after the new year and we so badly want to go! But, I’m not sure if we will. It will require flying, staying in a hotel, being indoors together with wedding attendees. I feel so bad for the bride and groom. I can’t even imagine how they feel right now as CoVid continues to worsen.
So, it will be a pretty dismal winter – and spring. Yes – Soon the vaccine will be started here in the US, and after months of getting it out to us all, we WILL eventually return to a normal life. There is light at the end of the tunnel. But not yet.
I know I will get pushback on this statement: But I really wish America’s freedoms were not a priority right now. We need to stop the “I get to” language. When freedoms are not healthy to all, or are not fair to all… then they need to be invalid. I am tired of hearing that because someone lives in America they can do whatever they want. Freedoms of this country have been highjacked, and used to hurt others. It’s not right. Or moral.
The result is that the United States has become one of the worst CoVid countries on earth.
Marla’s Musings 