Anyone watch the show “Stranger Things?” Of course you have…if you haven’t, that’s ok too. In the show there is an alternate universe called “The Upside Down.” I presently feel like I’m in the upside down. I’m feeling like I’m walking forward directionally however, I feel like walking backwards at the same time.
It seems like the world is divided into separate groups of givers, takers, protectors, problem solvers, problem preventers, and the worst, -the problem creators. The folks who ignore the warnings of gathering complicate matters. The folks that are deliberately not using good hygiene-are spreading the virus.
Another virus spreading through our nation and around the world is fear…rightfully so, might I add. Especially when we use memes and other misguided outlets for our news sources. Which, unfortunately, some take as facts versus researching the information to ensure what they are posting, sharing, gossiping about, and making important decisions based on is actually fact based and researched enough to have validity and merit.
I know people struggle. I’m struggling. However, mine and many others’ struggles are first world struggles. What happens to those folks who drink only bottled water, no longer have the ability to purchase this water. Even those of us who clean our tap water from it’s nasty sediments and germs will struggle to know how to clean and purify water to drink, should plants close because illness has spread far into the reaches of rural, urban, and farm communities.
The irresponsibility with not taking a pandemic seriously, I believe comes from sincere ignorance. Many current generations have not had to deal with a pandemic let alone real problems of global proportions. Parents and educators have not been required to teach young (for several years) about real hardships because we are spoon fed and spoiled by the bounties that our previous generations have bestowed upon us.
We keep spending time ignoring the warnings about the spread of the disease. Elderly to the young alike. I seen a kid about nine years old holding his fountain drink while riding his bike. Exercise is fantastic. However, how important is it for that young man to go into a convenience store to get a fountain soda at the risk of catching a contagion from someone who didn’t wash their hands after touching snot or saliva then touched that same fountain or countertop?
I take risks. I and many others are considered essential employees. I like to look at it as though I’m a wolf who runs into the fire to save and protect, and in the end, become part of a bigger solution. I have many colleagues and friends who also run into fires. Those are my people. The people who aren’t saving lives, keeping order amidst chaos, making decisions that cannot be made on a telephone video conference needs to stay in and around their homes.
I’m sorry you are bored. I’m sorry you are experiencing struggles with cabin fever or children that cannot manage their emotional dysregulation. The bottom line remains. Stay the fuck away from other humans. I don’t want your germs and because I have to work (because I am essentially Wonder Woman, jk) I don’t want to give you anything I may bring out from the places I go for my job.
For the folks doing what is being asked and following the restrictions using good humor and positive promotion-thank you so much. I love hearing about the singing, the bear treasure hunts, the food care, the visiting through windows of nursing homes to see loved ones, the truck drivers being cared for, the store clerks being treated as humans, with the exception of some asshole yelling at them about “hoarding toilet paper in the back” of a Dollar store (that guy can suck it).
I love that people are managing their travel cancellations, their family vacations that they’ve been planning for a couple years that are needing to be changed-they are doing this from a disappointed emotion, however, they are aware of the risks and the risks outweigh the benefits. Death will and should make one reconsider how entitled we sometimes feel when it comes to what we want, or feel we deserve or feel we may be entitled to receive. You are owed nothing.
For the overall complaints you may have right now about our current situation-it’s ok to be mad, it’s ok to feel abandoned and mislead, it’s ok to feel afraid of the uncertainty that most everyone must feel right now. It’s ok to be worried about finances, it’s ok to wonder when you’ll get to hug and kiss a loved one, and even be angry that the pandemic is interfering with your overall quality of life.
What is irresponsible is scaring others with misinformation because it fits your conspiracy theory. What is unethical is blaming one party over another for shortcomings that only few are trained to manage. What is unbelievable is turning on one another because we are afraid. When we are afraid and feel yucky-we want others to feel how we feel. Just like we want allies to support our good ideas and agendas, we want allies to be afraid with us too.
I am scared. I don’t want to catch this illness, but I also have to work as I did not win the powerball last night. If I catch this illness I’ve been informed by my doctor and another that is not my doctor, that it will most likely turn into pneumonia quickly, then a respirator, then possible tragedy. I have Little’s. I have people who love me. Why would anyone want to take a risk on my life and the life of my loved ones because they are bored and need to get out and window shop at the local Wal-Mart?
Stay in. Order groceries or send one family member out to retrieve them. Wash your hands. Cover your damn mouths and noses when you cough and sneeze. Stay away from people like me and other health professionals. Don’t risk your loved ones safety. Read credible news, not the one that supports this party or that. It would be awesome if people focused less on their political agendas and more on saving the nations’ people. Right now we are all one. We are all fighting the same battle, however, there are Benedict Arnolds among us sabotaging our success.
Don’t be a Benedict Arnold. Stay Home! I pray all stay safe and clean. Above all choose selflessness, compassion, understanding, acceptance, and self- fucking discipline.
~WM~
Whiskey Momma 