Note: I was a little flustered during this recording because I feel SO strongly about this topic. Perfection is not a need nor a goal here. So… ❤
Well now. We have officially breached the 30-day mark. I know some of you are far further into this, but given my geographical and work situations, I reached that overwhelming milestone this weekend. I did end up taking a break from writing this weekend, but it wasn’t for the reasons you might think. I took a moment because I needed that time to codify my thoughts. If I am completely honest, I took that time because I was feeling unsure as to how to handle what I was feeling and furthermore, I wasn’texactly clear on whether I wanted to translate those feelings to the blog.
WHAT?!
I know. I am always candidly sharing, so why the thoughtful consideration at this juncture? Well I am not ashamed to admit that I was squarely in the ‘acting like a good girl’ camp that I spoke of in my last two posts. At a minimum, I was exploring my version of that personality trait or behavior. I could tell you that I was trying to maintain equilibrium and keep this space as non-partisan as possible. Really, I was scared to put myself out there in a very bold way. I was terrified to attach myself to an idea that might spark controversy or turn people off. As I’vealways encouraged all of you, I had to admit to and explore my fears before I could get to the point of overcoming them.
That is exactly what I did. I admitted to myself that I wasn’tacting like a loyal devotee to the topic of relationships and thus, avoiding a particular topic. I was scared to put myself out there and open the door to debate or even alienate a subscriber, thus discouraging them from returning. Then I had a few subsequent thoughts that are very important to share. First of all, as this blog is literally entitled ‘The Path to Worthy’ it seems hypocritical to act in such a way that I believe diverges from that path. I’ll get back to that. Secondly, and more importantly, my desire to be truthful far exceeds my need for approval or followers. Don’tget me wrong, I am grateful for anyone who takes the time to read my words. Truly. That said, I’m not about to change who I am to see if I can generate a greater online presence.
How would my silence be contrary to the prescribed path I’mtrying to convey every time I post? Well, muting myself would be akin to lying at worst and withholding at best. I would be letting fear rule me and dictate my actions. I would be prioritizing the perceptions and judgments of others over a commitment to my own sense of self. I don’t know everything, not even close, but I KNOW with ever fibre of my being that is NOT the way.
I am going to get to my point now, but I thought it was important to disclose these aforementioned points to you. I wanted you to understand that this doesn’t always come easy. This is not a simple process of writing down my stream of consciousness and uploading it to a website. Much like everything else in life, writing for this blog is a process, a learning experience, and an exercise in self-exploration.
So, now that we have that out of the way, let’s get to the real story. I am NOT going to drop a disclaimer in here, but I am going to slip in a warning. I am never PC, but this post will be less politically correct than anything I have ever written. I am going to share my truest thoughts and yes, judgments. I am going to let loose exactly how I feel without any hesitation. Consider any qualms I had or have expressed in the 650 or so words before this paragraph. Okay, that’s that.
I saw a photo yesterday that stopped me in my tracks. The caption of the photo described the scene as follows: ‘Nurses blocking anti lockdown protests in Denver is the kind of bad assery that we should all aspire to’ (Instagram: @shafieikeyvan). So, you can picture it, right? Nurses wearing scrubs and masks standing in the middle of the road, blocking cars emblazoned with ‘land of the free’ posters, driven by folks wearing ‘USA’ adorned garments.
I’ll do a quick spin through anti lockdown protests. And I mean quick because quite frankly, it makes me ill. These folks claim they don’t want the government to tell them what to do and furthermore, don’t believe the government even has the right. I will spare you my diatribe on the absolute hypocrisy that exists there (i.e women’s reproductive rights, social services, etc.) and simply share a generic fact or two. As I recall from social studies class (high school I think) and had a refresher on recently, the Public Health Services Act (1944) gives the federal government the right to enact a quarantine when faced with the risk of infectious disease. The Centers for Disease Control (the famous CDC which is all over the news these days) is charged with carrying out these types of decisions and making recommendations based on the information they receive. States (think governors) are generally allowed to enact any legislation where federal laws do not cover. They also have certain powers that enable to them to take any action to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. So yes, they have this right. Good?
A basic economics lesson will tell you that when a state independently makes a decision to quarantine or is subject to a federally mandated quarantine, it suffers economically. Seeing as though states need money to run and are not permitted to declare bankruptcy, they typically just start issuing IOUs for their debts. Without a viable structural solution, a systematic problem is created across the United States. Thus, reason would stand that if a governor or other state official is making a recommendation to quarantine (or pass stay-at-home legislation) or carrying out such an order, it is a decision made with great difficulty, not ease. The idea that a state representative would tank his or her state’s economy to influence the national election is…well…insanity. That ruin would stay with that individual. Can we agree that several if not many of our elected officials are bought and party-aligning pieces of shit (whatever your party)? Therefore, does it stand to reason that SEVERAL of these selfish, monetarily-motivated folks would appoint themselves the sacrificial lamb for the good of their party? I don’t care what happens to my political career that I’ve lied, cheated, and stolen for…so long as we get the right President into the White House. Yes, I suppose there are some folks that are that passionate, but not many. Most of these charming folks would do just about anything PROVIDED they are able to rise up the rankings. What good is the “right” President if you aren’t part of the inner circle to reap the reward?
My point is that while you can entertain these theories regarding the motivation behind these actions or inactions by government representatives, it seems a waste of brain power. Don’t let me stop you though. If it makes you happy, conspiracy theory away. I’m just trying to offer a different perspective. I don’t much care to debate it. I am just explaining that the logic doesn’t compute in my brain. Not even when I try and see another side. That is that.
Okay. I may have lost some of you because you disagree with me or perhaps because you are just so tired of this shit. I kind of hope it’s the latter, but my mind and heart are open here.
Whether you think that this is some grand scheme or not, I want to understand how HUMANS can be blind to human suffering?Is there truly a thought that the reports are fake? Or is it that the numbers are just not profound enough? Do things get confusing when Dr. [not a doctor] Phil compares casualties of COVID-19 to swimming pool or car accidents? It is when someone throws the “regular” influenza figures in there that we get turned upside down?
Why is there a threshold consideration for life? Most of us are not scientists, we are not the people making the tough decisions, and we are not responsible for what comes next. Or are we? If we make a decision today that the loss of human life must reach a very particular number before we give a shit, aren’t we starting a ripple effect of innate proportions? Are we not setting ourselves up for a tsunami of casual indifference if we decide today that 800 deaths per day in New York is just NOT enough? What is your number?
We have people of all ages, sexes, and backgrounds dying daily in this country from COVID-19. Not only have scientists and medical personnel told us that we can ‘flatten the curve’ by staying home and social distancing, but we can see the proof in the numbers of fatalities and diagnosed cases. This is not speculation or propaganda. This is scientific fact. Fact. Not opinion. And it makes sense, generally, no? I mean if a person in your office has a stomach virus and comes to the office while infected, chances are that person is going to infect people in the office with said stomach virus. This is not a new concept. This is a more extreme application because of the nature of this virus; its transmission, virility, and well, how little we really know about it still.
I am not discounting the financial damage wreaked with the ‘PAUSE’ legislation. I am not making light of unemployment or mounting debt. Not even a little. I don’t even have the words to express how I feel about it, but I don’t see that as a justification for putting thousands and even millions of lives as risk. Florida reopened its beaches to promote the kind of freedom we are talking about and this is AFTER spring breakers came down with COVID-19 after hanging out together, despite scientists and doctors warning to the contrary. The state basically said that the income generated and feeling of liberation elicited by such a move were more important than people’s physical health. Then their lives. Holy shit. That’s a big statement.
Let’s move onto the front line and essential workers now, because no, I am not even close to done. These people serving our country are exhausted and scared, and many are sick at this point. They are ill-equipped from a PPE perspective, overworked, and many, underpaid. They are putting their lives on the line EVERY SINGLE DAY to save people in this country. Some of them will lose their lives, MANY will lose their patients and friends and family members, and several will actually have PTSD after this unprecedented situation. After all that, people are saying that they just don’t give a shit, which basically means that it is all for naught. They are saying that these folks signed on for this. NO ONE signed on for this. No one signed on for something that they are saying comes around once a century. No one could have because who the fuck knew?Even if they read about it in a book, living anything is a different story altogether.
What does all of this mean? Where is our fucking humanity? I deleted a woman or ten off Instagram last week. I don’t mind people finding lighter ways to get through this difficult time. I don’t mind memes and home exercise routines. I don’t mind any of it. I mind people being tone deaf. I mind conspiracy theories. I mind the loss of humanity that means we put our political affiliations over the well-being and lives of HUMAN BEINGS. We took HUMANS with COVID-19 and shipped them back to Guatemala. You know what that did? It infected Guatemala. Stop quoting chapter and verse from our Founding Fathers. They got a lot of stuff right and a lot of stuff wrong. They lived in a world vastly different from ours. Do you really think we should abide by rules that were established over 200 years ago? Should the rules we set today be adhered to rigidly 200 years from now? If so, throw out your cell phones. Get rid of your cars. Toss most of your food. Move out of your homes.
I talk about relationships a lot. That is my bread and butter. Oh, and feelings. Lots of feelings. And that’s just it, I have a LOT of feelings about this basic relationship we share as humans. We need to clean up our act. We can keep on being hateful and arguing our points from our respective soap boxes. What does that solve? Who have we become? That is not freedom. That is the worst form of imprisonment there is. You act that way and you are as good as bound by the bars of the establishment. You have relinquished your freedom to subscribe to a platform that doesn’t even really exist anymore.
I have a thought. Let’s start from a place of humanity and move from there. Let’s start with kindness, respect and love. You don’t want to follow the protocol? Fine, don’t. But don’t protest. Just leave your house and take your own risks. You want to stay hunkered down until June? Do it. Don’t chastise those who return to the world when the EOs are lifted. Live your own life and leave everyone else out of it. You do you. It is truly that simple.
I’ve said it before and I will say it again. We can tear each other to shreds and the collective they have won. The people with free health care for life, fancy stand-alone homes, and doctors on call. You don’t like my politics? Fine. This isn’t about politics. This is about being human beings with beating hearts. Come on.
End of story.
Talk to you tomorrow, if you come back.
L.
thepathtoworthy.com 