MUSINGS ON THE CORONAVIRUS

After a number of weeks in isolation and while generally unaware of which day of the week I am living through, I often feel guilty if my mind strays briefly from the coronavirus.  If I steal a half hour to watch Live PD, or a few minutes to contemplate what I might plant in my backyard if it’s possible this summer, or even a couple of hours of uninterrupted sleep, my conscience registers it as a failing.  Yes, that is obsessive, but after all we are alive, we are well, and we personally know nobody who is a victim of the virus.  We also have a nice home, a comfortable retirement, access to enough food and other supplies to sustain us for as long as it takes, and our inconveniences are minor.  So many others have none of these advantages.  We continue to make donations, but still it gnaws at me.


The world confounds me … not the virus … but reactions to it.  Sure, I understand a bit of it.  I realize that younger people subscribe to what I call the doctrine of illogical invincibility – the “It can’t happen to me” philosophy.  As a member of the most vulnerable group, I can assure them that this perception fades with time.  In fact, I’m quite certain that social distancing and avoiding crowds will be prominent in the rest of the lives of those in our situation.


Of course the economy needs to restart; people have to get back to work.  However, it must be undertaken cautiously, incrementally and intelligently.  Reopening beaches as a first step in order to cure the inconvenience of “cabin fever” is unconscionable.  Death is the ultimate inconvenience.  Even if those who flocked to the Florida shores care nothing about their own well-being, they are now potentially exposing all with whom they come in contact.  There is so much selfishness evident in such attitudes and statements like the one made by a Denver “protestor” who said, “Death is a part of life…and it’s time to start living again.”  There is no hint of concern for loved ones or just as importantly healthcare workers who have to deal with the results of this kind of attitude.


That brings me to my boundless admiration for and gratitude to the first responders, doctors, nurses, researchers, plasma donors, public servants, volunteers and essential workers who have kept us going and are continually risking their lives to do so.  I offer my respect to the brave healthcare workers who physically blocked cars of the Denver demonstrators who were encouraged by Donald Trump.  Many of these so-called protestors were disregarding social distancing orders and holding up senseless signs such as, “Your health does not supersede my right.”  The heroes in masks face the enemy every day; these cowards on the street face only their own ignorance.  One heroic nurse said that the protests felt like a slap in the face to medical workers.  Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned that demonstrations against quarantine orders will only serve to prolong the shutdown period.  But, when you’re only about “me” and are currently free of the virus, there is no logic or empathy.


Those who call the virus a hoax cheapen life by disregarding the pain and suffering of 40,000 deaths.  Those who equate the number of virus deaths to those killed in auto accidents are familiar only with poor driving habits and not with the mechanisms of contagion.  Those who believe all the misinformation and supposed cures floating around on the internet would have happily bought from snake oil salesmen a century ago.  Those who urge us to immediately go back to the pre-virus way of life doom us to repeat the cycle.


Over the past 80 years, we have faced numerous man-made crises; Hitler’s Nazi scourge, Soviet nuclear threat, the terrorists of 9/11.  Together we faced them all with grit and determination, which was pretty much all we had.  Now we face a crisis that is not man-made but fortunately has human ingenuity to assist us.  As a former scientist, it is incomprehensible to me that there are supposedly intelligent human beings who reject science, who don’t believe medical experts, who think they can cure the virus by going outside.  We have been asked to stay home, keep our distance from others and wear masks where appropriate.  Have we become so indifferent that our temporary sacrifices overtake the costs of previous generations?  There will be therapeutics; there will be a vaccine; there will be an end.  The economic pain is real and the businesses must be reopened and rebuilt, but only when it can be done orderly without creating a viral rebound.


I have been particularly concerned about today’s children, how they would fare during this emergency and how they would remember it.  I still have vivid memories of duck and cover exercises during the era when the Soviet Union was expected to launch a nuclear attack.  Judging by our wonderful grandchildren, I doubt I need worry.  They are extraordinary resourceful, resilient, understanding and brave; I’m a very proud grandpa.


My hope that the actions and inactions of the uneducated, uninformed, untruthful, unconcerned, unsympathetic, intolerant, indoctrinated, complaining, self-serving and sometimes downright delusional will be swept away like crumbs on the fabric of history.  What should remain is the commemoration of decency, compassion, good works and selflessness.

One of many ironies - I was reading a story in the Los Angeles Times about small town America and their lack or concern for the virus.  Their interviewee said, "This virus isn't necessarily as bad as it's made out to be.  People are overreacting to this damn coronavirus thing," as he took a drag from his cigarette.