A Year Later
One year in the life – pandemic life. March is the anniversary month for when COVID became a pandemic.
To date, in the United States, greater than 500,000 people have died from COVID (worldwide: 2.5 million). Many of these deaths could have been prevented, but arrogance and a whole lot of attitude got in the way. Legislators often wanted to play the role of scientist, politicizing the situation to the point of chaos, which interfered with containment strategies. It was sad to watch states, who we thought had their act together, struggle with one of the most basic methods for controlling the spread of the disease, contact-tracing. (When politicians listen, not dictate, to scientists, we all benefit. Know it. Live it. Learn it.)
What I still can’t understand is why face masks became such a political issue. Something so small and simple that we know can save lives, and yet, you want to say it’s an attack on your individual freedom (WTF!). This is a commonsense directive, but then commonsense is not so common, especially with fear mongers.
COVID aside, anyone at any time presenting with upper respiratory symptoms (runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing and fever), especially during the flu season, should wear a mask until their symptoms have resolved. It’s an act of kindness. Also, it would minimize the spread of disease.
It’s not too late to improve the outcomes. Effort is everything. Why not choose courage to fear, truth to lies, responsibility to immaturity, facts to fiction, compliance to disobedience?
You might not get it because you haven’t lost someone to COVID, but one life lost is a big deal. Why? Because that death has a ripple effect, which has the ability to cause much pain, sadness and destruction, especially if the person who died is the breadwinner of the family. That is just one possibility. The scenarios are limitless. (To the many "Karens" of the world, you come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities and colors, I am guessing that COVID is not the culprit and that you’ve been suffering from mental health issues longer than you realize. Get help!)
This pandemic has proved our ignorance, which explains our denial and defiance. There is no hope for the future if we can’t work together. That might sound dramatic to some, but it’s the truth. Dear America, we are not immune to suffering.
On a more personal note, I am pleased with my friends and myself because we continue to do what’s right, which includes wearing a mask, abiding by the 6 foot rule and quarantining when appropriate.
I won’t lie because deep down inside, I hate wearing a mask. I really do. What helps me work through the challenges are walks, hikes, reading, meditation and other activities that calm my mind and nurture spirit.
For those of you who are still struggling with pandemic compliance, before you react, watch a few "Karen" videos. If you see yourself, you are part of the problem. I hope after watching, you’ll have a change of heart. (When this pandemic is over, if ever, we need to have a serious conversation about mental health.)
In our own individual ways, we’re all struggling. I hope we can be more understanding. Stay strong. – paerki
My Pandemic Year: COVID-19, Spring Memories, Practicing Social Distancing, National Park Week Vs. COVID-19, COVID-19: Sherwood Gardens, Spring Moments, A Sunday Morning Walk, Sherwood Gardens: Red Tulips, Go Hug A Tree, Live Your Best Life, Working From Home, Early Evening Walks, Fire Escape Garden (2020), Virtual Happy Hour, Missing NYC, Celiac Awareness Month, Neighborhood Walk (Bolton Hill), Charles Village: Virtual Garden Walk, Random Thoughts, After The Rain, Spring 2020, Flag Day, June Rewind, Liberty, Begonia Leaves, BLM (Signs Of The Times), Mornings On The Fire Escape, Self-Care Moment, Appreciating The Journey, Self-Care Sunday, 30-Minute Walk, Wear A Mask, 55, Kindness Is Happiness, Patterson Park (BLM Art Exhibition), A Pandemic Garden, Nature Is Speaking, Pandemic Life, Take A Break, Nature Is Nurturing, Pandemic Hugs, Little Free Libraries, Morning View, 911: Looking Back, Rituals, I See You, Roadside Stand, Summer 2020, Fall Mornings, Solitude, Fall Hike (Prettyboy Dam), Skyline Drive, An Impromptu Getaway, Who Is Listening, Catoctin Park, Picturesque, Modest Celebration, Joy In Being Alone, The Randomness Of Life, Prettyboy Trail, Wear The Damn Mask, Signs Of The Time, The Drama Continues, 45& 2020: You Got To Go, A COVID Thanksgiving, Escaping The City, Creating Memories, You Make The Rules, The End Is Near, My End Of Year Rant, Finding The Good, It Was That Kind Of Year, Winter Solstice, Lift Each Other Up, We Need A Little Christmas, End Of Year Thinking, Lincoln Mural, Neighborhood Murals, A Walk In the Rain, Ota Knox, One Of Those Conversations, Finding Peace, Soapstone Trail, Listening Is An Act Of Kindness, A Snowy Day, Saturday Hike: Ward Trail, A Wonderland In White, Like So Many Times Before, Monday Morning Hike, My Neighborhood (Morning Walk)
