The number of worldwide cases is now over three million. A full one third of those come from right here in the good old U.S. of A. The best part of the current data, though? The number of people who have recovered from the virus is also now over one million. I just saw on the news that the assisted living center where my younger sister once worked has now become the most affected facility in the state. The Basilica Block Party, a major music event in the Cities each summer, has been cancelled.
The recurring theme playing out these days over media posts, commercials, and the occasional “live from home” entertainment bonanza full of alleged celebrities that don’t have anything more to do than the rest of us is, “We’re all in this together.” Um, no. We aren’t. The Commander-in-Clown-Shoes is speculating in his self-serving/self-demolishing press briefings that injecting disinfectant might be a successful treatment for Covid-19, after some of his other snake-oil brainstorms have gone up in flames. There are groups ignoring social distancing guidelines in several states to protest how their elected leaders are making difficult decisions to try and keep them, and their family members, and their communities, alive. They’re showing up to these things with leftover bits of propaganda memorabilia recycled from rallies of the past, and, of course, their automatic weapons. Because what more appropriate time to have them, and what better place to bring them. We SHOULD be all in this together, because every person out there is just as susceptible to the effects of the virus as every other person. I don’t know how issues as fundamental as life and death and self-preservation and survival become politicized.
Anyway. Today’s big moment here was when Gov. Walz both extended and modified his “shelter in place” order, continuing the strategy through May 18, but allowing some changes to how a number of businesses may open or operate. I wasn’t surprised, because our state has seen some of its highest fatality totals in the past week or so. This thing isn’t going away any time soon. I understand how desperate it is for people who have been economically ravaged by this, and I know it isn’t possible for everyone to keep pressing the “Are you still watching?” button on Netflix until a vaccine is developed. I think the tweaks the governor made to his original order were measured and justifiable, even though not everyone will be happy with them.
Personally, I’d love to be able to get out of the house and just aimlessly wander around the grocery store for an hour instead of chasing down the items on a list as quickly as I can while going during the off hours, or downloading seventeen different apps so I can arrange to pick up essentials during a curbside visit, or have things delivered to my house. I’d like to have back the layer of skin that’s disintegrated from my hands due to my aggressive washing habits of the past month.
Since the remainder of the school year has been shifted over to distance learning, we teachers are given the opportunity to return to our schools tomorrow (Friday) or the following Monday, to collect whatever materials we may need to finish the year. My two team members aren’t able to go, but I plan on making a quick stop, just to see if there’s anything there I didn't pack on my rush to retreat home a month ago, and might need or would like to have. As much as I think I will love to see actual people I know again, instead of a few neighbors and a bunch of randos I see walking by my house, I’ll probably get myself in and out of there as quickly as I can.
Even if things are slowly opening, I’m not convinced this has turned around. I don’t think this would even be close to 20th mile of the marathon, to paraphrase the governor today. I think the scientists comparing it more to the 2nd inning of a baseball game will likely be proven right. The worst part of this is that with something like a baseball game, you never really know for sure how long it’s going to drag out until it's finally over.
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