After a little over a month of what can only be described as “moderate” lockdown here in the United States many areas have decided to go on and begin opening back up to effectively normal business and work, beyond (thankfully) precautions being taken on a store-to-store, job-to-job, person-to-person basis. One can blame any number of reasons — a lack of commerce affecting state taxes earned through purchases and the hopes that people will spend their stimulus check (again, a paltry one-time $1200 that was given out to try to help with the impact of the disaster that COVID-19 has become) on goods rather than do what they should do which is, you know, pay bills with it. One could also blame the protesters who think going to work is more important than, you know, living, and the pressures of states dealing with their en masse insanity, but that, in the long run, I think isn’t as big a factor as one would think.
No, the fact is unlike most other nations, our government is doing fuck all to actually help with the situation — no rent freezes, no additional monetary support, and constantly, as more and more people are hospitalized and die of this disease, the impact is being downplayed and it’s constantly being treated like it will “be over in weeks.” Yeah, the idiot in chief has been saying that for over a month now — how about we listen to, you know, actual fucking experts on this subject and what they have to say?
Oh, wait, I’m sorry, they clearly aren’t experts, because what they say keeps changing. Let’s be clear, I’m saying that sarcastically, as a mockery of those who actually claim that, because the CDC recommendations keep changing slightly they obviously have no clue what they are doing. No, it isn’t the fact that this is a new, somewhat unique virus that we are learning about and dealing with in real time, oh no no, they are just incompetent and their advice should be ignored. Again, that’s complete sarcasm on my end as a mockery of their idiocy.
Idiocy; that’s really the name of the game here in the states, sadly. Half the people don’t seem to be taking this seriously. even now, and the other half seem to have not a clue how to protect themselves. You know how the CDC finally suggested wearing masks when out (something I see as a desperation tactic since clearly the much needed total US shutdown simply won’t happen)? Well, as I did my grocery shopping yesterday I noticed over a dozen people who had masks over their mouths but not their noses. Yes, people, for whatever reason, in pretty regular order were defeating the very purpose of wearing the masks!
They… understand this is a respiratory infection kind of virus, right? They understand the basics of human anatomy enough to get that the nose and mouth connect in the same area, right? Any kid who’s laughed while drinking something (the classic “milk coming out of your nose” trope comes to mind) knows the mouth, throat, and nose are all connected, which means that if you wear a fucking mask and don’t cover both your nose and mouth you aren’t actually protecting yourself (or others) at all! I… can’t help but say something vocally about this, either, when out. Not anything nice, either. Perhaps being a belligerent asshole may get them to actually take this seriously, cover their damn noses, deal with the mild discomfort and be safe. That being said, I understand some people may find them incredibly uncomfortable and, in work situations, may be forced to wear them for extended periods to a point where the mask is a hell in and of itself. I have empathy there and hope they have chances to take it off regularly, but they aren’t the people I’m targeting in this. I mean the regular shoppers and the like who clearly aren’t thinking.
Let’s also keep in mind the masks are as much to protect others as yourself — if you are infected you can easily spread the virus. Having a mask helps prevent the spread by catching droplets of spittle, etc, that can carry the virus. The entire idea is to prevent the spread, so it’s best to presume everyone is infected, including yourself, and take precautions to both not catch it nor spread it, and masks can help on both ends of that.
Still, the best way to stop this thing in its tracks would be an extreme shutdown, but that simply won’t happen here. As it stands the United States is still the leader in infections and deaths, and these trendss won’t change anytime soon. New Zealand was able to actually flatten its infection rate while ours continues to climb, and many say we’re not even over the first wave of this — we’ve got much more of the nightmare to come, and with us opening back up (because, “muh economy”) this is just going to increase peoples chances of getting infeceted, even with precautions being put in place. That’s not to ignore the fact that apparently there’s a new strain which is more infectious than the original form! Yeah, just what the world needs — an even worse form of an already incredibly dangerous disease.
Of course, there is a bit of good news – a possible vaccine, which is going through trials as all this happens, is being fast-tracked into production. Presuming tests prove positive it being produced in large quantities ahead of acceptance will allow for, hopefully, quick distribution and a possible early herd immunity to take hold in the populace. Only time will tell, and that may not be ready until January – a very long 8 months away.
Still, as I said, people are taking precautions. We’re still in a “curbside only” functionality at work. I’m wearing my mask regularly and we’re disinfecting repair items as they come in. Yesterday I went to one of my favorite guitar stores in the area to pick up some strings (and provide some good-old local business support) and they too were only letting people in with masks, only a few at a time, and via very strict controls. I, naturally, came in, did what I needed to do and only as I left, keeping goof distance between me and the store owner, did I bring up one additional short question. Distance equals safety, even with masks, and he was happy that I cared enough to take this seriously — apparently a few others who had tried to come in earlier yesterday weren’t and he had to ask them to stay outside. It is what it is, and I can’t blame any store for doing the same, especially when my shop is still “stay outside, we’ll do this over the phone or chat through the door.”
As things stand though, I’m still okay. I’m safe, but I don’t feel safe, and that’s really wearing at me. Please, if you’ve read this far (which I appreciate) do take care of yourself, and others.
I’ve still got a ton more to say on this subject and the past few weeks, but man, it’s depressing to write about this. Still, again, I must — this is the biggest event to happen in our lifetimes, and I have to document my thoughts for the sake of history and future research into this event. You never know who’s accounts of such catastrophes may prove a boon for anthropology, or just make for good reading a year later.
Right now globally we’re at 3,682,968 total cases. Active cases 2,217,514, Recovered cases 1,207,548, Fatal cases 257,906
In the United States we’re at 1,234,985: Active cases 998,645, Recovered cases 164,316, Fatal cases 72,024
Finally in TN we’re at 13,690: Active cases 7,108, Recovered cases 6,356, Fatal cases 226 with my home area, Shelby County, being at 2,901: Active cases 1,243, Recovered cases 1,598, Fatal cases 60.
There’s a super detailed breakdown of everything for archival sake — to show just exactly where we were at the time of publication of this entry, at about 9:30AM on May 6th 2020.
More to come, as always.
