When I am investigating something for business or personal interest, I look for a variety of sources that provide appropriate context, expertise, and research background. I have some “go to” resources (not Wikipedia or influencers), that are eminent experts or have studied the works of Nobel prize winners and noted scientists.
To be clear, as we navigate through our COVID world, I am not an expert in medical science, I have seen too many confusing and contradictory statements, and the trust level is extremely low with people’s decision-making.
A friend sent me this anonymous sarcastic post that was made in response to a Gavin Newsome comment about COVID on Instagram in early December:
This coronavirus is the strangest virus I’ve ever heard of. It’s very dangerous the way it spreads. It is so mysterious the way it lurks in schools but then dies at Home Depot. It can wreak havoc in churches; praying people are exceptionally vulnerable! Although it’s mind-boggling how it vanishes when people stand close together holding signs, destroying businesses, homes, property, monuments, etc. Yet, standing to watch a marathon or a concert triggers its wrath.
It is sneaky. It can spread when buying clothes at Kohl’s but not at Target. It is non-alcoholic. It can’t spread when you are buying beer. It lives for two days on Amazon boxes, you must wait 48 hours to touch them, but It can’t survive on Dunkin Donuts coffee cups, so enjoying a hot cup of joe is safe. It is the most curious thing, how it lives on basketballs, baseball bats, and ballet bars, but dies on WWE ropes and Walmart shopping carts. It is spread by hairstylists, dog groomers, and dentists, but not by bank tellers, cashiers, and fast-food workers. It’s so smart. It won’t bother the first 10 people, but it knows when the 11th person shows up so be careful if that’s you. It even knows what you want vs what you need. If you want a massage or your nails done it is very active on the prowl and not even a mask can stop it but If you need a plumber, it is weak, and a mask will keep it away. It also seems to be most dangerous after 5:30pm so businesses must start to close before the virus comes out and wreaks havoc upon the populations. Whoever heard of such a smart sneaky virus?!?
I have many friends that are restaurant owners and business owners that would gladly reopen and accept the responsibility to keep their staff and customers safe. How do I know this? Because that is how they ran their business pre-COVID. These people will not take unnecessary risks with anyone’s health. They care deeply about people and I am proud to have them as friends.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into the decisions made by those that are, supposedly, tasked with taking care of the population.
First, every health expert around the world says we should take care of our sick and elderly first. Why then are so many people dying in nursing and personal care homes? Obviously, we missed something, or the system has totally failed us. We saw major deaths in Ontario and Quebec first and apparently the rest of Canada has not learned. In the US, according to the AARP, 39% of deaths are from nursing, personal, and long-term care homes for seniors. And this does not include those that are dying from being alone and unable to be with family. The emotional cost is staggering.
How can we be so wrong in protecting our most vulnerable? We have not learned from these same experiences that occurred around the world. How is this possible?
And yet, we have bureaucrats and elected officials making sweeping decisions that imply most reasonable citizens will make bad decisions putting the populace at risk. I know restaurant and store owners that care deeply about the safety and well-being of their staff and customers. These people will NEVER do something that puts someone at risk with COVID.
So, our leading health professionals say that a lockdown is necessary. We enter the lockdown for “2 weeks to flatten the curve” and the numbers still rise. Except that this is not the real story.
The people that succumbed to the illness now were the same age range and vulnerability that were affected prior to the lockdown. And yet, schools closed to in class learning. Goods were identified as essential and non-essential. This decision alone told many owners and employees that their company, and product, was non-essential. The job is essential to the person doing it so that they can feed their family and live their life. And suddenly, the government says, “not quite” and here are a few bucks to help you through this difficult time.
I get a bad taste in my mouth on this. My mother-in-law turned 90 just before Christmas. We could not go to a store to buy a card, a book, or a small present. Yet we could buy her booze, marijuana, and smokes. In what world does any of this rationally make sense?
And shop online? We did. And most customer service was abhorrent. Or non-existent. And the VERY LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS MAKE JEFF BEZOS ANY RICHER!!!
This guy took away benefits from part-time staff at Whole Foods. And he offshores his revenue so that the money is kept for his shareholders. While this is legal let’s consider the impact. Amazon earns money in countries by providing a service. Taxes should be paid so that schools, hospitals, and roads can be built. But no, our government allows the practice to continue, calling Amazon essential. You cannot make this stuff up!
Our elected leaders chose not to close this loophole, but we can have by-law officers give tickets to small business owners who asked the right questions to gain permission to operate, only to be sideswiped from some “Roger Rulebook.” Check out this story: https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/coronavirus/health-order-enforcement-horribly-out-of-tune-music-school-owner-says-573535912.html
But wait…there’s more! How about all the politicians and senior leaders who traveled? I don’t believe these are all supposed to be fired, but how can the hypocrisy get any worse?
Our church did everything safely to allow us to worship in person. We adapted – very carefully and very safely. And then we were told we could not get together. So, we didn’t. What is the spiritual and emotional impact of being told “you cannot get together, even monitoring all health risks, because we said so?” No reasonable answer provided.
In March, the US Director of the National Institute of Health was on 60 Minutes saying wearing a mask was not required. The mask really didn’t do anything. And now it does? So, I investigated and went to a website of a mask producer and here is the disclaimer:
“Masks are not designed or intended to prevent, mitigate, treat, diagnose or cure any disease or health condition, including COVID-19/Coronavirus.”
Now, I am not a conspiracy theorist and I am not recommending some form of anarchy towards wearing masks. But, I am confused and do not understand why we are being forced to play a game where the goal posts continue to be adjusted, seemingly at a whim.
Finally, I want to thank our front-line workers. After spending 12 days in hospital in October (non-COVID) I can tell you that all the nurses and health care aides want improved support, processes, and clear direction much more than a certificate for doing their job. These people are amazing, and I cannot imagine the added stress that bizarre and ever-changing rules from bureaucrats and politicians cause them. And yet, they care deeply about their patients and I am grateful for their efforts. Finally, some common sense.