Monday April 20, 2020
I was informed by my son this weekend that an acquaintance had passed away from the novel corona virus this past week. Our lives intersected during the raising of our children when you make friends with the other adults for the amount of time you are involved with that activity. In this case it was scouting.
As I recall, he and his wife were good parents, a loving couple and community minded. We both had attended weekend camping trips with our son's troop and enjoyed the comradeship, teaching the boys to become self-reliant and a few bawdy jokes around the campfire. It is such a waste that someone so solidly in the middle of America had to succumb to this virus.
The more I contemplate this event, the angrier I become. The gentleman who passed, did so at home. He apparently contracted the virus from his wife, whom he had been taking care of as she recovered from the illness. I don't know more than that about the circumstances. They have probably dealt with this for about a month if the reports are to be believed on the length of time the virus requires to run its course. He may well be one of the lucky ones, to die while being comforted by someone he knew, rather than a nurse or doctor in a hospital. I'm not sure if he'll be counted in the official counts or not, I suppose it really doesn't matter.
I'm not even sure who to blame? My initial reaction is President Trump. I do believe that he is an ignorant man who fails to see what his actions or inaction may cause. His inability to accept responsibility is remarkable. Most of us who attain some measure of success in our professional lives have had to assume responsibility for some issue in our career. I think, that the mark of a person is in how they handle the situation. Did they assume the responsibility? Did they determine a course of action? Did they follow through on that course? Are they capable of changing course when the needs dictate? Were they successful in the outcome? Success is a moving target, especially in today's terms. So, perhaps we'll have to wait on that one, for a moment.
What I have seen in the past few months are half measures, blame shifting, poor management, and laziness. Over the past week we've seen checks held up from mailing because Trump wants his signature on the check. I am sure this is so that during the campaign he can say "what a big beautiful check I wrote to each and every one of you". Somehow I doubt that Trump reached into his bank account and coughed up the money. The money is the citizens of the United States, not Trumps, not your senator's, not your congressperson's, it is yours. We will all have a hand, as will our children, and their children and probably their children, in paying this back.
When it comes to other measures, Mr. Trump continually reverts back to the stopping of flights from China with Chinese people on board. Apparently his one accomplishment? From that point forward, he has denied any other culpability. He has pitted state against state against federal government. Hospital against hospital in order to procure the necessary materials for caring for sick people and attempting to make sure the workers don't become sick in the process. Apparently, lessons learned from hurricanes and floods this past decade or so, haven't really made a dent in the responses from our federal government. When presented with an opportunity to lead, Trump stands blocking the way.
We've seen demonstrations in our states over the stay at home orders and our president fans the flames of division with his tweeter feed. How utterly counterproductive. Everybody has their beliefs and faiths, but I'm wondering how in the face of the current statistics a thinking person can make the decision to ignore or thumb their nose at the situation. America was founded on the premise that you have the right to self determination. I believe in that. What America doesn't provide for is your ability to harm others by your actions. If you feel that you are 10-feet tall and bulletproof, then I suppose you can walk around breathing deeply. However, for each deep breath you take, you must hold it until you are certain that you won't infect someone else.
I believe that the vast majority of Americans can and will do the right thing, given a chance. Our responsibility is to cut through the BS, the partisanship, and electoral rhetoric and do the right thing until this is defeated. Stay home, wear your mask, shop efficiently, understand your actions may cause yourself and others harm.
My acquaintance's wife, probably went to the store, bought some groceries or whatever. Someone coughed, touched or simply breathed, and she became infected. It was no one's fault and yet, it was everybody's fault.
Be well and stay safe.
I was informed by my son this weekend that an acquaintance had passed away from the novel corona virus this past week. Our lives intersected during the raising of our children when you make friends with the other adults for the amount of time you are involved with that activity. In this case it was scouting.
As I recall, he and his wife were good parents, a loving couple and community minded. We both had attended weekend camping trips with our son's troop and enjoyed the comradeship, teaching the boys to become self-reliant and a few bawdy jokes around the campfire. It is such a waste that someone so solidly in the middle of America had to succumb to this virus.
The more I contemplate this event, the angrier I become. The gentleman who passed, did so at home. He apparently contracted the virus from his wife, whom he had been taking care of as she recovered from the illness. I don't know more than that about the circumstances. They have probably dealt with this for about a month if the reports are to be believed on the length of time the virus requires to run its course. He may well be one of the lucky ones, to die while being comforted by someone he knew, rather than a nurse or doctor in a hospital. I'm not sure if he'll be counted in the official counts or not, I suppose it really doesn't matter.
I'm not even sure who to blame? My initial reaction is President Trump. I do believe that he is an ignorant man who fails to see what his actions or inaction may cause. His inability to accept responsibility is remarkable. Most of us who attain some measure of success in our professional lives have had to assume responsibility for some issue in our career. I think, that the mark of a person is in how they handle the situation. Did they assume the responsibility? Did they determine a course of action? Did they follow through on that course? Are they capable of changing course when the needs dictate? Were they successful in the outcome? Success is a moving target, especially in today's terms. So, perhaps we'll have to wait on that one, for a moment.
What I have seen in the past few months are half measures, blame shifting, poor management, and laziness. Over the past week we've seen checks held up from mailing because Trump wants his signature on the check. I am sure this is so that during the campaign he can say "what a big beautiful check I wrote to each and every one of you". Somehow I doubt that Trump reached into his bank account and coughed up the money. The money is the citizens of the United States, not Trumps, not your senator's, not your congressperson's, it is yours. We will all have a hand, as will our children, and their children and probably their children, in paying this back.
When it comes to other measures, Mr. Trump continually reverts back to the stopping of flights from China with Chinese people on board. Apparently his one accomplishment? From that point forward, he has denied any other culpability. He has pitted state against state against federal government. Hospital against hospital in order to procure the necessary materials for caring for sick people and attempting to make sure the workers don't become sick in the process. Apparently, lessons learned from hurricanes and floods this past decade or so, haven't really made a dent in the responses from our federal government. When presented with an opportunity to lead, Trump stands blocking the way.
We've seen demonstrations in our states over the stay at home orders and our president fans the flames of division with his tweeter feed. How utterly counterproductive. Everybody has their beliefs and faiths, but I'm wondering how in the face of the current statistics a thinking person can make the decision to ignore or thumb their nose at the situation. America was founded on the premise that you have the right to self determination. I believe in that. What America doesn't provide for is your ability to harm others by your actions. If you feel that you are 10-feet tall and bulletproof, then I suppose you can walk around breathing deeply. However, for each deep breath you take, you must hold it until you are certain that you won't infect someone else.
I believe that the vast majority of Americans can and will do the right thing, given a chance. Our responsibility is to cut through the BS, the partisanship, and electoral rhetoric and do the right thing until this is defeated. Stay home, wear your mask, shop efficiently, understand your actions may cause yourself and others harm.
My acquaintance's wife, probably went to the store, bought some groceries or whatever. Someone coughed, touched or simply breathed, and she became infected. It was no one's fault and yet, it was everybody's fault.
Be well and stay safe.
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