TGIF ! Happy Friday! The last one in July! Oh – summer just seems to go by so quickly!
Soon, around here, the children will be heading back to school. The first day for students is August 16th I think. It just seems too early, because ‘back in my day’ (oh, yes, I’m sounding like an old person) we never went back until after Labor Day. Even then it was still hot and we didn’t have AC in most of the schools. I remember windows open in classrooms, longing for a breeze.
Today the concern is much greater than trying to stay cool. It sounds like schools across America will be starting back up with masks required for all. The Co-Vid variant is running rampant. The unvaccinated are getting sick and hospitals are filling up again. I had hoped that schools would be back to a ‘normal year’ and that teachers and students would be able to pick up where they left off when Co-Vid first hit. But, not yet.
I’ve been thinking about when we had other pandemics and horrible outbreaks in our history. Obviously the communication was not the same and the medical choices were limited. When smallpox or polio, or even influenza spread – did Americans feel divided on treatment? Were there large groups of people back then afraid to try an experimental drug? Did we have politicians weighing in on what to do?
Schools use to require smallpox vaccines, and polio sugar doses. The babies started to get MMR (Mumps, measles, rubella) shots. Tetanus shots were required for camp, and construction jobs. Traveling overseas meant whatever the country you were heading to you were required a series of shots. And now – thankfully anyone can get a yearly flu vaccine. These were and are all life saving, and sometimes they have totally eliminated the problem.
From the start of Co-Vid and it’s arrival in the United States I never felt that it was being used as some sort of scare tactic. I did not think the news stories were false. I praised the quick action of scientists and doctors and I was in line ready to get my vaccine. I had no fear. No doubt.
So, here we are – back to masking again. And, yes, I’m back to second guessing if I need to go out into public places… even though I am fully vaccinated! I should feel okay and safe. I do – but I also do not want in any way to be part of the problem. I want to do anything I can in my power to get us all through this time. But, here’s the thing: I don’t know who has been vaccinated and who has not – in the grocery store, or at my band rehearsals, or at church even. And since so many have not gotten the shots, our government has had to require masks for all of us again. So okay. I will continue to do what is best for community.
If these past five years have shown me anything, it is that a lot of Americans are stubborn. Question: How did they become this way? Were they just born believing they can do what they want (or not do what they want)? Did they live through a time that made them spoiled? Only self-serving? Are we all at fault for what is happening now?
Side note: I spent time with my daughter last weekend and we watched episode after episode of old “Sex in the City” shows. 1. They still hold up well today – and they still make me blush at times. 2. I think I write like Carrie Bradshaw, always asking open-ended questions.
So, here’s one…
How can you watch four DC and US Capitol police officers testify about their January 6th experiences and not hurt for them – and for where we are as a country?
I have learned that those with opposing views or beliefs often prefer to stick their heads in the sand and plead ignorance. On many topics… the insurrection on January 6th is one. But it’s not the only one. Sworn testimony. Facts and honest telling of the events. Some just don’t watch and listen, and then go on and say anything outlandish that they want to say. I’m thinking of a few members of our Congress. No punishment for purposely telling lies. No integrity in their soul No bad feelings in getting away with it.
Here’s another thing I have learned: Some people like to blame their busy schedules for not being informed. They say they are too busy to care. Or, they say they work the hours when important hearings and news is on. Guess what? You can pull it up on many media outlets at any time – 24/7 – when it is convenient for you. Your can watch video clips, you can google news stories, and you can make what goes on around you a priority…. because it effects you! It matters.
Yes, ignorance is bliss. It’s also dangerous.
I recently spoke to someone who is of my daughters’ generation and she told me that she is tuned into the events of our country and the world much more now than she was back in college. She works full time now, she pays taxes, she pays bills, she has rent due each month, she drives a vehicle, and she lives like a real adult now. (Poor thing – ha) She and I could talk about issues and she knew about them. She had opinions and I respected them.
Education leads to understanding. Making time – and being open-minded brings a higher level of acceptance. Of agreement. Of connection.
Schools will be back at it again in the next month, but we all need to keep learning. We need to find ways to work together to solve the problems facing us: pandemics, and bad politicians, and narrow-minded people unable to see beyond their little corner of this great big world.
Watching “Sex in the City” Carrie Bradshaw never had all the answers, and neither do I, but she kept writing and questioning… and so do I.
Marla’s Musings 