I just read on the internet that a neighboring town has declared itself to be a sanctuary city. In that they are exempt from any Statewide control or oversight with respect to Coronavirus. They acknowledge that our Governor directs County Departments of Public Health throughout the State. They just choose to nullify his authority, overriding it and mocking it.
Our President over and over again is saying that not only does he want all the kids back at school, and all the sick workers in the meat packing plants, but he wants sports stadiums packed to the gills, with people standing on top of each other. While paraphrased, he said this. Today.
Totally, I respect the views of both political parties, at least to the extent that I acknowledge the right of everybody to believe as they choose, and speak that truth, whether I agree or not. What I have an extreme problem with is the sacrifice of pretty much everybody, for political and economic expediency.
To a extent some of this is operative all of the time. Certain policies give preferential treatment to certain demographic groups, social classes and/or constituencies. While wrong, it happens.
But the thing is there are measures that if followed will curb this virus. If we do them, it will go away. We can have robust economic activity, even with these measures. It may not be 100 percent, I recognize this. But what is at stake is all of our lives.
There are social classes, genders, ethnic and racial groups, who have earned fifty cents on the dollar, for generations, if not centuries. Who have substandard health options, who have not been able to participate fully in either economic or social options, ever, really, if we're honest. These people have never reached 100 percent in their access to the benefits this society affords.
I recognize that powerful and advantaged people don't like to take a hit. But much of the rest of society has been taking that hit. And it's expected. It's expected that they not complain, shut up and take the hit.
That's their problem, some say. Or maybe their fault. There are those who believe the disadvantaged don't deserve more, because they don't work hard enough or live badly. You can actually hear that on TV now. Blaming some of the victims of Coronavirus as having lived badly, and brought it upon themselves through obesity or bad diet. Okaaaaay. Give me a break.
The thing is, I heard a football club owner on TV today complaining about the hit to big sports. To the tune of maybe 4 billion dollars. I guess he either wants a bail out or he wants people standing on top of each other in the stands.
I empathize with him. Truly, I do. Does he empathize with the rest of us? Has he ever? Now is the time.
I've never written posts like this. I doubt I will again. If I've offended, I am sorry.