Nearly 7.6 million Americans who don't have access to the world's best, and free, medical care and treatments are in my thoughts and prayers today. The ones that never got mentioned. The ones that were persuaded not to wear masks and social distance. The ones that lost jobs, lost loved ones and had lives ripped apart because the nation dismissed their troubles as "a few sniffles" and "a minor inconvenience that mostly everyone recovers from". Seeing the major disruption and duress this disease causes to the world's most powerful man should have everyone stopping and taking pause to remember those who don't have flexibility at work for weeks, those who don't have access to affordable healthcare, and those who ended their lives in a bag in a refrigerator truck.
Today, 16 states churned off another 1,000+ new cases, and 5 others just missed that mark. Positivity rates in nearly half the states are in "uncontrolled spread" territory, and teachers and kids in those states are being packed into schools, doctors and nurses continue to put their own safety on the line, and yes - "libertarians" continue to "valiantly" fight for their "freedoms" by refusing to wear masks, take preventative measures seriously and care about anyone other than themselves.
This, sadly, includes the one American with a positive diagnosis we now all are aware of - and expected to be concerned about. We should be, but not at the continuing expense of millions and millions of Americans who - if they are lucky - are now stricken with a pre-existing condition and a doubtful future. Not a single one of the bodies stuffed into those bags and on those trucks, or any of the thousands to come, will give a sh%t about what tone we took today, and the level of respect we showed in light of today’s news. What they need from us is a commitment and continuing, focused action that says a month from now, we will no longer be a nation that mocks science, puts lives at risk to keep the Dow and NASDAQ afloat or embraces conspiracy theories or medical “outsiders” to dictate public health policy. Vote.
We must finally use this as a long overdue wake up call that a complete lack of a national strategy and response to a dangerous pandemic is no longer acceptable for this country. We must work harder, be more focused and act with more urgency today than we did yesterday — because we see in front of our eyes that this is a national emergency, far from controlled, and getting worse. Because we know that the faceless, nameless custodian or teacher in Wisconsin who is going to spike a fever tonight matters just as much to the United States of America as “Patient One” who just got a complimentary chopper ride for 12 miles to be treated by a legion of the best doctors in the world. That message CANNOT change today, and we cannot be distracted. It is NOT “disrespectful”.
We must finally use this as a long overdue wake up call that a complete lack of a national strategy and response to a dangerous pandemic is no longer acceptable for this country. We must work harder, be more focused and act with more urgency today than we did yesterday — because we see in front of our eyes that this is a national emergency, far from controlled, and getting worse. Because we know that the faceless, nameless custodian or teacher in Wisconsin who is going to spike a fever tonight matters just as much to the United States of America as “Patient One” who just got a complimentary chopper ride for 12 miles to be treated by a legion of the best doctors in the world. That message CANNOT change today, and we cannot be distracted. It is NOT “disrespectful”.
Taking a moment away from the inevitable “debate” about the proper way to react, and what this all might mean for the next 33 days and beyond, is the ONLY course for this nation. Recognizing that you can feel empathy and shock, and STILL feel anger, outrage and disgust about the course of events, political choices, and stubborn disregard for science and public health, is normal. In fact, it’s urgent. Vote. Do it as soon as you can. And work every day from this day forward as if every action you take will turn the outcome of this election.
It very well might.