Sunday Morning Post (V.2; #12): It Sucks to Be US

I have been working from home this past week.  The novelty of this exercise wore off after three days.  I complain even with the knowledge that I am one of the lucky ones: I am still employed.  Over three million Americans applied to unemployment benefits last week, which I think is a record.

The statistics show that the number of cases is rising in this country, as is the ignorance from the far right.  Medical professionals are dealing with not only tracking and, more importantly, treating new cases but also with researching an eventual cure and vaccine. The cure may very well be a full year in the future.  The cries of “hoax” from the far right are also rising and just as dangerous.  I fear that we will not find a cure for their ignorance.  Their condition is incurable.

Governors of various states have demonstrated that they are the adults in the room by adopting a series of precautions to slow the spread.  Under orders business in many states have ceased operations or, as in my case, transitioned to an all at home work force.  We’re still serving our clients even as we hope these current conditions will be temporary.

The notions of quarantining all at home and safe distancing may do the trick at the state’s levels.  I wish I could say we are getting the same level of competent guidance at the federal level, but...  One minute we are told that we should prepare for an extended period of extra precautions; the next minute we are told that the country should be open and fully operational in time for Easter in two weeks.

Unfortunately, bacterial viruses have no concept of a calendar.  They will do what they are biologically capable of doing before they die.  They don’t punch in and out on a time clock.  Their shift is 24/7.

The federal government’s response — depending on if the ideas of the adults in the room prevail — may hinder our capability to overcome the disease.  Governors in some states are not getting the medical equipment they requested because President Petty* doesn’t feel they gave him the correct amount of respect which he feels is his due.  It’s sad to think how many people will die at the cost of his vanity.

On a personal level, working from home hasn’t been so bad.  My commute has been reduced from 4 miles to six feet.  Dress is beyond casual; shirts and pants are now optional.   That’s as far as I’ll go with that description.

There are some hardships not usually experienced by a typical middle class American.   For example, we have been trying to order carry out from our favorite local restaurants.  The fast food franchises and pizzerias have stayed open.   We did have three Chinese carry outs within a two-mile radius for years.  Not now.  All three have closed until further notice.

Now, with cases rising, the closures may very well be extended for a few more weeks or months.  We understand that this sacrifice is necessary to alleviate suffering and avoid death, but for now it does suck to be us in the United States.

*As in petty and vindictive, not Tom.

(Thank you for reading.  Stay well, everyone.)