Here in the USA your response likely depends on which side of the veracity of the Pandemic question you fall. You likely believe the Pandemic and Covid-19 are real public health threats or they are simply a mass-media fraud and thereby Fake News. Your actions are deemed intelligent by those who believe the same as you and are deemed stupid by those on the other side of the equation.
I cannot recall a time in our history when nearly everything is politicized as it is today and in that regard, we are 100% stupid. Our political system is based upon compromise - start with areas on which there is agreement and build consensus through negotiation. There are more lines drawn in the sand these days than there are lines on a football field and they all seem to be red.
Here's a quick lesson about COVID-19 . It is a disease that causes your white blood cells to attack your cells, tissues, and organs. The evidence clearly shows that simply wearing a face mask is the most effective way to retard the spread of the disease. While many individuals are able to recover from it with no problem, they can easily carry it to someone in the high-risk group and that individual won’t be as lucky. That simply makes being belligerent and not wearing a mask incredibly selfish and stupid. We all have an obligation to protect our society and to ignore this simple method to help protect others is to me incredulous. It is mind-boggling to think that the Lt.Governor of one of our largest states is on record as saying sacrificing a few older, at-risk people is perfectly acceptable. Remind you of the alleged death squads Obamacare allegedly would establish? Dan Patrick of Texas is a scary individual and I hope the voters in his state consider that attitude when he is next up for reelection.
Now, of course, the country is facing an unprecedented surge in new infections, thanks largely to increases in four states. Several events converged in a perfect storm - Memorial Day, bars and beaches opened up, street protests with insufficient - if any - social distancing and a complete lack of leadership from the current administration. POTUS pressed to open the country for economic reasons and effectively convinced his base wearing masks wasn't necessary. Anything to boost his image for the upcoming election. I suppose he agrees with Dan Patrick - what are a few older lives. But an interesting thing has happened.
In the current wave, those developing Covis-19 skew younger than before. They apparently put too much faith in the notion they were strong and invincible. Now POTUS says wearing a mask is not a bad idea, he has worn one on occasion and thought he looked pretty good - ala The Lone Ranger. I'll leave it to you to decide if that's intelligent or stupid.
Then there are the folks who claim it is their right to not wear a mask and quote Ben Franklin "Those who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety". Bless their patriotic little hearts. Stupid or intelligent? Your call.
Dr. Tony Fauci, one of our nation's top infectious disease experts recently (this week) warned we are in danger of adding 100,000 new cases daily soon if current outbreaks were not contained. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick of Texas says Fauci has been wrong about everything related to the pandemic and denied the crunch in intensive care beds is the result of COVID-19 cases. Texas is one of the four states whose combined total of new cases is half of our national total. “He (Fauci) doesn’t know what he’s talking about. … The only thing I’m skipping over is listening to him. … He’s been wrong on every issue,” Patrick said. Is Patrick intelligent or stupid? You make the call.
To top it off, along with the Pandemic we are enduring, we could well be entering a period of cultural revolution the likes of which we have not really seen. All of the work done in the sixties cultural revolution was not completely baked into our culture and the heat has been turned on to finish the job. There will be much kicking, screaming, denial, and likely some violence as so-called citizen patriot "militia members" dig in their heels and wave their semi-automatic weapons in resistance. But that's a topic for another week.
That's my quick shack-take on Raju's topic. Intelligent or stupid - you make the call, but if you are in Dan Patrick's camp I guarantee you do not have to worry about running into me.
I'll see you next week for another round of 6 on 1 blogging when we all write on a single topic.
You know my answer before I even say anything. And I'm willing to bet it will be the answer of all who read your blog. And therein lies a lot of the problem. It is hard to communicate between two people in separate silos.
ReplyDeleteLet me clarify. There separated solo people are those who won't read your blog or mine anyway.
ReplyDeleteLet me clarify my clarification, lol. Separated solo people.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm starting to think I qualify for the stupid designation!
Damn it. If I type silo, do not change it after the fact to solo!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Trump & Co could lead by example and sacrifice themselves on the altar of old age.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how happy I am that Johnson is not MY prime minister (Leaving aside that I am not English, I am also not allowed to vote in the country I have spend most my adult life in). I dimly remember when the UK were called the sick man of Europe. Between Brexit and their handling of the Virus they'll probably win the accolade of both sick and poor.
As to the specifics of wearing masks. It's a difficult one. Where I live the 2 m social distancing rule has largely been observed - until it all broke down, a week or so ago. Never mind. Herds will be herds. Sheep will be sheep. And the White Cliffs of Dover do have a purpose. Namely to throw yourselves over them. Follow the leader.
However, one thing I have noticed that those who have taken to wearing masks suddenly think it perfectly ok to scramble over you in their quest for five bananas. Que? I can't tell you the number of times I step back, back and again. And wait. For others to get there first. Luckily I am a very patient person. Running my social commentary, silently; silently being amused, bemused.
You mention stupid. Alas, watching other people, certain demographics, it is obvious that they are not so much stupid as don't know what they are doing, regardless of weather they wear a mask or not. And remember, Shackman, those NOT in the know (the meek) will inherit the earth. That's all well and good. But will they do with it once they have inherited it? Just now I looked up the actual meaning of "meek" in English. "Submissive" being the main suggestion. Yeah, well. Great. What's next? Divide and conquer? No, that's old hat. Entry level how to rule.
As an aside: You know what I find vaguely baffling? Until not so long ago there was an outcry in certain countries and certain circles (I am not one of them) to ban the burqa. Not always on count of religion. Oh no, facial recognition. HA. Don a burka. Unless you are a terrorist in disguise, go rob a bank. How times change. Don a face mask. No questions asked. Go rob a bank. You may also qualify as a terrorist.
The Virus has served a purpose for some, Shackman. A welcome diversion from OTHER urgent business. The well honed tradition of war. And then there is the Trojan Horse.
U
It amazes me how politicized this has all become. All we need to do is wear masks, keep a reasonable distance apart and wash our hands - those alone will slow this thing but too many are simply too selfish or stupid to believe the science. Meek inheriting the earth - well what will be left to inherit if this keeps up? 45 is a master at
Deletedeflecting but now he is becoming trapped in his lies.
You mention "deflecting". To deflect is an art - which does come natural to some of us. On the charitable side one might say it's a weapon of self defence, of protecting the deflector. Its downside that it only works for so long. Once you become known as the master of deflection you've got to change tactics or, as you say, you are done for/not being taken seriously any longer.
DeleteU
The most important is the initial responses of Uncle Donald trivializing these pandemic and considers USA to have the best health system and doctors in the world.
ReplyDeleteI'll leave it to you to decide if that's intelligent or stupid.
Your views reflect mine exactly. It is all simply a matter of which side of the divide you are in.
ReplyDeleteAnd, coming to your point about the cultural revolution, I am amazed at the speed with which it is moving.
ReplyDeleteAs am I - and I expect blood to be shed here
Deleteas usual fellow countryman... you are spot on.
ReplyDeletesanity has taken a back seat. it's frightening if one gives it thought. what has ever changed? it's just been covered up better.
I mean the inner thoughts and outward actions of mankind.
pathetic! although we no longer allow heads on spikes. so that's a plus right there Tammy. but we're just as greedy and full of our own 'free will of stupidity' as we ever were!
keep talking Shack. someday someone will listen. xoxo
Sanity has joined civility atthe bar having a beer while the insanity proceeds. Take care of yourself my friend
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