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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis is what we face
I have an 88 year old neighbor ( "Jean" ) and a 70-something neighbor ( "Evelyn" ). Neither seems remotely concerned about COVID-19 despite Jean's recent 3-day hospital stay for blood clots in her lungs and Evelyn's ongoing laundry list of health issues.
Jean asked me to pick up milk with our usual grocery order, and I told her I'd leave it on her porch when I got home. I also recommended that she tell Evelyn not to go out unless absolutely necessary.
"Why?" asked Jean.
"Because of the virus."
"Well, she has to go out."
"Then you should limit contact with her," I said, "because she's exposing you to risk."
She seemed to accept this minimally sensible precaution and said she'd warn Evelyn.
Fifteen minutes later Evelyn drives away to god knows where.
***
Twenty minutes ago I returned with Jean's milk, and as I pull up to my house, there's Evelyn coming out of Jean's door.
Ten minutes ago I left the milk on the porch, and Jean opened the door as I was crossing the lawn.
"Do you know where Evelyn went this morning?" I asked.
"To the grocery store, with her (sickly 67 year old MAGA-hat-wearing) brother."
"But you know that's dangerous, right?"
She seemed annoyed that I'd presume to suggest that Evelyn had acted unwisely. "Well, she has to go out."
No she fucking doesn't. Evelyn has two grandsons in town, both of whom I know for a fact begged her just yesterday to let them run errands for her. But she's stubborn and therefore stupid, and she's going to get herself killed along with her MAGA brother and Jean, at the very least.
***
This is what we face. That idiotic proud defiance based on nothing and with no greater payoff than an increased risk of death and a false sense of rugged individualism.
You've likely heard the projection that if we as a nation do everything right, then by December we'll each know one person who's died of corona. And if we don't do right, we'll each know six people who've died.
Well, looks like I've got three sewn up already.
Srkdqltr
(6,129 posts)They are adults. Smile and do what you need to do for you and yours
Orrex
(63,086 posts)The point is not that my neighbors are idiots, which they are, but rather that we are in a nation at least half-full of idiots who will happily go to bars and stand in long grocery lines and wash their hands seven or eight times a week.
I don't care for the "fuck everyone else" attitude that you propose, both because simple human compassion forbids it, and because it represents a direct and active threat to me and my family.
But sure. Smile and go on about your day.
crazylikafox
(2,739 posts)Orrex
(63,086 posts)In these times, none of those three will qualify for top priority triage.
And they aren't wealthy, so no one will bump them to the top of the list.
SlogginThroughIt
(1,977 posts)mercuryblues
(14,491 posts)he finally admitted this is serious.
I wish a reporter would ask if he still considers this a hoax.
Orrex
(63,086 posts)Still, every little bit helps.
Srkdqltr
(6,129 posts)What happens in the neighborhood stays in the neighborhood
Orrex
(63,086 posts)I'm sure that you're quite intelligent, but your point absolutely is not.
What happens in the neighborhood stays in the neighborhood? What fantasy land are you living in where that's true?
I'm sure that your pithy nonsense will protect us all. We can simply tell the virus that we're all from another neighborhood, so it should mind its own business.