If the nation’s most densely populated city can do it, so can the sunbelt. Learn from NYC’s success (social distancing, wear masks, wash hands, have strong state leadership) and mistakes (no masks early, nursing home safety lapses, lack of social distancing enforcement, inept city leadership).
The flu doesn’t cause holes in lungs, chronic organ failure, potential long term respiratory or neurological issues, 20% hospitalization rate, 4-5% death rate, etc. Covid however, does. The flu has a vaccine, Covid does not and there is no guarantee it will anytime soon. There is only hope and hope is not a strategy. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst is the only option.
You can’t drive drunk or even drive recklessly without severe repercussions. Same is true for a mask. Wear it. Not for you, for others. They wear their masks for you. To profess to love the “sanctity of life” in the unborn is beyond hypocritical if you do not respect the sanctify of life in those already here. To pretend to “love your neighbor” is hypocritical if you are unwilling to wear a piece of fabric in front of your face when around others.
Most people actually have pre-existing conditions, so stop pretending this doesn’t affect you. Stop using the economy as an excuse because the reality is the economy will NEVER recover until people feel safe. ALL people… not just the 20% or 30% who downplay the virus for political reasons or refuse to face reality, preferring instead to live in a dystopian world of wild, unproven conspiracy theories where ignorant internet trolls roam. The longer we go without getting this virus under control, the longer and more difficult an actual economic recovery will be, and the more people that will needlessly suffer and die.
An Empty NYC Subway Car During the Height of the Pandemic
Also, learn from other countries (New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, etc.) who have “been there, done that” and already conquered Covid and are reaping the benefits of their efforts by returning to semi-normal lives. They had strong, unified national leadership that worked with science, not against it. Your individual rights are never as important as the rights of society as a whole. Otherwise each individual would be it’s own country. You are not an island, even if you want to be. If you don’t like that, take it up with your Maker, but don’t take it out on your neighbors.
Personal responsibility means taking control of your dignity, character and morality. Stand tall and do the right thing and if you still get sick, you will be mentally strong enough to overcome it. Or if not, at least you can bravely face what God has intended for you.
But if you act recklessly, silly and childishly, when you do get sick, you feel embarrassed, ashamed, weak and horrible about the selfish choice you made, that not only may cost you your life, but others around you as well. God may forgive you, but others affected likely won’t, and that will be your legacy… selfishness.
Let’s get this thing under control so we can get back to living lives that hopefully will be filled with a bit more gratitude and appreciation and regard for others. This experience has a lot to teach us, if we are willing to listen, and to stop yelling, kicking and screaming like a spoiled child who isn’t getting their way.
