Monday, June 15, 2020

New Lockdowns Are Not the Answer



I remember a saying from back in the day “fear sells”. This is the reason why more bad news appears in the papers than good news. Bad news captures headlines. Good news is often buried on obscure pages below the fold.


As restrictions are easing up and more people are once again gathering with friends, dining on outdoor terraces, etc., new cases of coronavirus are on the rise. Of course this is going to happen. The goal of lockdown was to “slow the spread” and that goal was accomplished. What needs to be done now is to find a new way of life because the world has been forever changed by COVID-19.


What can we do? Keep the number of people coming together in one place to a reduced number to enable a safe distance between them. Beyond that, everyone needs to personally consider where they are going, how many people will be there and what is the risk of getting sick. Personal responsibility is a must. Closing down the world is not the answer. Change is the answer. We need to see what will work and what will not. This is a proactive approach that allows people to have control over their actions and their lives. We need to be able to enjoy life again. We need a “new normal”. We need to accept change is a part of this. Some things will return. Some things may not return. Everything will be different.


Wednesday, June 10, 2020

The Proverbial Bus



There are no guarantees in this world. There never was and, hopefully, there, never will be. The only guarantee is this moment.


Just as we began to look forward to getting out again, protests over an injustice, and it was an injustice but there is much more to the story, rioting and looting took hold of our streets. Peaceful protests raise awareness. Rioting and looting raise anger and fear. 


The Declaration of Independence opens with; “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I wish the people that are grandstanding now incorporate this in their speeches. Voices can be heard and can have an influence. It should be a positive influence for ALL people, not just ONE group. When you change one persons life, you influence all.


If we hadn’t been stuck in government created isolation and lockdown, how would people be reacting now? What about the people whose businesses are destroyed? To survive a pandemic and make a comeback only to be decimated by rioters and looters? Where is the justice in that? 


It has been a very difficult time in the world of 2020. I wonder how history will look back on these days? I am engrossed in contemplation of the events of the year. COVID-19 is still in our world, just slightly less impactful. Will it come back with a vengeance this Fall? One thing is certain, there will be a flu season. There always is. I hope that rioting and looting will not continue to be a part of our lives.