Life As We Know It ... Now

Back on March 10, I posted a quick little screed about all the things that were suddenly getting canceled as a result of precautionary measures to stem the roiling tide of coronavirus infections. I rattled off a laundry list of events in my own little sphere of existence that were either indefinitely postponed or knocked off the calendar entirely, closing with an exasperated little flourish of “I’m getting fed up with this shit.”

Ah, fed up indeed.

Had I known that, seven weeks later, we’d all be where we (still) are today, I may have worded it differently. Or not. I certainly was fed up, but I’m not sure I was entirely aware of the magnitude of what was shortly to come.

Seven days after that post, my wife, kids and I made the decision to literally escape New York City, a lucky, undeniable privilege many of our friends and colleagues were not able to similarly take advantage of. They’re still there, sheltering in place and staying indoors in a city renowned for its tireless hustle’n’bustle, now rendered unrecognizable as a veritable ghost town.

No one is enjoying this. It’s not normal, it’s not easy, it’s not comfortable, and it sure as shit isn’t fun. But we’re all doing it, because it’s the smart, responsible thing to do.

Whoops, well not so fast.

In certain states across the nation, pockets of science-doubting, Trump-loving folks are actively protesting to “re-open” their respective states, some more vehemently than others -- see the strenuously confused little rocket scientist pictured at the bottom of this post. While some are motivated by the very real and drastic ramifications of the prolonged shut-down directives wreaking havoc on the economy and their livelihoods, still others are wedding it with a reason to get their “Don’t Tread on Me” flags and their precious assault rifles out to make a statement about the violation of their Constitutionally protected freedoms, equating the public health recommendations, shelter-in-place directives and advisories to cover your nose and mouth with a mask when in public as the perilous first step towards succumbing to communism.

As if.

The bottom line is this: The sheer force of your will to re-open the economy will in no way minimize or diminish the very real COVID-19 threat. By being impatient and opening things prematurely, you're essentially feeding the virus and gravely delaying its abatement.

Be smarter. Be less stubborn. Think beyond yourselves. There are no corners to cut here.