Cancel Culture and Vaccines

 Yeah, 2 big subjects this week. But 2 important subjects.

Cancel Culture. Just saw a really good panel on it. Everyone of us has said or posted something we really shouldn’t have. We’ve taken pictures with things we maybe shouldn’t have. As we gain wisdom which comes from age and experience we cringe. The worst thing about Cancel Culture - there is no room for apologies and discussion of why it was wrong in the first place. Very few enjoy upsetting other people. Oh when we are younger their is this feeling that we are exerting our independence from our parents. I grew up with a mother who was racist and anti LGBTQ. I was blessed with a father who taught me people were people and there was absolutely nothing wrong with a person of a different race or in the LBGTQ community. But I still did and said things as a teenager that embarrass me and I have worked hard to purge myself of. Thank Heavens there was no Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc when I was that age. I’m 58 and still put both feet in my mouth sometimes. It’s okay to say that someone is wrong but explain in a non-confrontational way. Give them a chance to grow.

Vaccines. I got my first Coronavirus vaccine yesterday. Phizer if you’re curious. Not that I have enough exposure to worry about. It is the right thing to do! I got it not for me, though not having my lungs fill with fluid isn’t a bad reason, I got it for people like my Dad that was on anti rejection drugs for a heart transplant. People like my husband that had scars on his lungs from severe flu complications. I got it to reach 75% herd immunity. Yes my arm is sore and I got like 12 hours of sleep but even if the 2nd shot makes me run a fever? Big deal! I’ll take ibuprofen and get through it. I don’t like wearing a mask - claustrophobia and can’t stand things covering my nose and mouth but I wear the thing when I need to. Since hubby died I’ve developed a I don’t care if I die but I’m not going looking for death. When he comes knocking it will be okay.

A weekend away.

 I took this past weekend off from Social Media. Oh I checked it to keep up with friends and news but no commenting and no posting. It gave me time. I also realized somethings.

1. Americans are used to thinking that the USA is invincible. I think the Coronavirus Pandemic has proved that was a load. 1/6 proved it. The invincibility that is assumed is just a thin veneer and when that is broken there are some who fall into a fear response. 

2. Back when the virus first hurt the USA I predicted 18 months to get it under control. It was announced last week that every adult over 18 would be eligible for a vaccine. That’s exactly 18 months. We now have vaccines and treatments that if given soon enough prevent hospitalization and all the vaccines have a good chance of keeping folks out.

3. No matter how much we hope Coronavirus will go away it won’t. Because it’s a virus. It has the ability to mutate and to hibernate- it’s a characteristic of all viruses. So it’s not going away any more than influenza is gone - we just know how to manage it now in most cases it’s an inconvenience instead of fatal.

4. People are too entrenched in a political party. Will I automatically vote for the Democrat in 2024? No it depends on the candidates. In 2016 I was really underwhelmed by both candidates and frankly I voted for the one I could live with.

5. People use their religion to justify anything. But that isn’t anything new - The Spanish Inquisition anyone? Religion is to bring you peace not to beat others over the head with. Even the Bible says to go to your closet to pray otherwise you are an ass in the eyes of the Lord.  All religions have been corrupted by those in power.

6. The United States of America will not stand forever if we, it’s citizens, don’t remember and cherish that this country is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and races. We need to realize that the Constitution clearly says in order to form a more perfect union. The founding fathers knew it wasn’t perfect and would never be perfect. They realized we should always strive for better. To always go forward, be more inclusive and not ever go backwards.

The News and the puzzle.

 I live in a vaccine of my own making. I rarely leave the house and have even fewer conversations in person. I do read a lot of news articles. The articles focus on one thing. My mind turns that information into a puzzle piece. 

Last week there were articles on the stimulus bill, increase in vaccination rates, the availability to vaccines for every one moving from July to May (in January they were saying September) and Governors of red states dropping mask mandates. The only thing they seem to have in common is the Pandemic, right? But there are a lot more connections. It took a few days for the pieces to fall into place. 

1. It seems that Republicans are tired of the Pandemic. Hey Democrats are tired of it too. 

2. Republicans knew the Democrats were going to pass the stimulus bill without them through a loophole. Yes I’m a liberal and usually vote Democrat but I know they used a loophole. Don’t think Republicans don’t use loopholes - Fillibuster anyone??? 

3. Vaccinations are now a 2 million per day! Way faster than I thought. Every adult can have a vaccination at least by the first week in June.

4. US population is roughly 330 million in change. 28.7 million of that population have received full vaccination (2 shots). A 1 shot vaccine entered the distribution early in the week. Herd immunity occurs at between 70 and 80% of population or roughly 231 million. Meaning 202 million citizens need to be vaccinated. At current vaccination rates that is 101 days. Currently infection rates have plateaued.

5. Governors are dropping mask mandates. I believe Texas ends their Mandate Monday. Alabama’s ends April 9th. Some of it might be tired of reminding citizens to wear mask. Some might be the miss information that mask don’t protect from the virus. Some might be the Governor thinks their state will reach herd immunity sooner. They are probably adding recovered patients into the herd immunity projection.

Now that I’ve laid out how I organized the articles here is my conclusion. The Governors are playing Russian Roulette with their citizens. The Republicans are letting the Democrats and specifically President Biden do the heavy lifting. My opinion is that if there is not another spike in late April early May we will see Republican lawmakers going on the news saying there was no reason for the stimulus. Only time will tell.