What a difference a day or two makes! Things are changing rapidly. On March 13, I wrote:
“The American government is not forbidding any of us from leaving the country. We are not a Communist country. That is why we are free to leave. Non-citizens from certain countries are restricted from entering the U.S.A. If you are an American, you can come home, but you may be subject to testing and possibly a two-week quarantine period.”
Well, you could go to an airport, but many countries are closing their borders. So, I guess we’re free to go, but if there are no planes, boats, or trains to take us there and no borders open to us, we are restricted. It’s not Communism. It’s COVID-19.
There’s talk about big and small industries shuttering their doors if they can’t re-open soon, allowing workers to work and people to buy services they want/need. Government assistance would not be a bailout in this case. The companies were operating at a profit until they had to cease operations. It’s not faulty business practices. It’s not a misuse of free-market capitalism. The free market didn’t bankrupt businesses. COVID-19 did.
I wrote just last week that this is not an airborne virus. (At the time of writing, that was the thinking). This is BIG. It’s contagious via airborne OR surface. It’s COVID-19.
Two weeks ago, we talked about cancel culture. Now, we talk about canceling life as we know it. It’s not a representative republic gone awry. It’s COVID-19.
In January, we were worried about flat abs. Today, we’re talking about flattening the curve. It’s COVID-19.
Washing and shaking hands were hallmarks of our culture until they became a matter of life and death. Now, it’s proper to stick out your elbow. It’s COVID-19.
A week ago, “social distancing” wasn’t even in the Merriman-Webster dictionary. Now it is. It’s a new lingo courtesy of COVID-19.
A week ago, “shelter in place” seemed excessive and unnecessary. Today, it is a reality for Americans. It’s not meant to constrain us. It’s intended to stop COVID-19.
Social distancing. Frequent hand washing for 20 seconds. Covering every sneeze and cough with sleeves or elbows. Not re-using tissues. Cleaning high touch surfaces often. Avoid shaking hands. It’s COVID-19 and we’re on it. The life we save may be our own.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. ??
