Nothing Has Really Changed

Hello, again – after a bit of a break. Have you wondered what we would be talking about if this virus wasn’t happening? You guessed it. Today’s article is about Covid-19. I think that this bears mentioning, even if it is repeating what should be the obvious. I might sound a mite “miffed” in this one so, once again, h-e-e-r-r-e we go!

The world is coming awake after the “slumber” that was forced upon us – and doesn’t it feel glorious! We’re coming out of the four walls we’ve been bouncing off; we see other people besides immediate family – for those that have family; for those that DON’T, we’re seeing other faces besides the one in the mirror. Although society has changed, it’s still nice to smile at people, even if it is under your mask – for those of you wearing a mask. And therein lies the crux of this article.

Although we may know just a tad more about the virus, we are still in the learning stage at this point – at the REALLY STILL LEARNING stage. We listen to healthcare specialists giving advice on how to protect ourselves and others – and then we ignore them?!?! That’s exactly what a lot of people are doing. We must remember that other than a few preventative measures, nothing has really changed. HUH?!? NOTHING?!?! That’s right! NO-THING. Has. Changed! We still don’t have a vaccine; the virus is still extremely contagious; we still need to adhere to the advice that healthcare specialists are giving us. Unfortunately, there are people out there who think that because we are opening up the country again, that everything is fine now. NOT!! You have the chance to limit your risk, but you MUST LISTEN! The young people are climbing the walls, hence they are flouting what they are being told to do. There are those who say: “It’s my right to refuse the advice” and/or “Nobody has the right to tell me what to do and how to act”. O.K. Let’s look at your “rights” as it were.

Yes, you have the right to refuse advice, but do you have the right to put others at risk when doing so? What about others’ rights to stay safe and healthy? Do you have the right to endanger their lives? If you really think about it, you might realize you don’t. We’ve heard it all before, I know. How flouting this advice is being selfish. Well, guess what? It is selfish. Just because hackles might be raised because someone is telling you how to live, that does not give any of us the right to put others at risk. How about the right of nobody telling you what to do? Well, let’s think about that one. The advice being given is for YOUR health and safety. So, why would you not want to follow it? I’m not just picking on younger people. There are adults out there who are doing the same thing. Not wearing a mask; not following physical distancing; not following the arrows in the supermarket (THAT one in particular is a pet peeve of mine.) What’s the big deal? If you know how to drive on a one-way street, you can maneuver your shopping cart down a one-way aisle. And if you don’t drive, you can still tell the difference between arrows pointing up or down – can’t you?

I know that this is sounding rather “preachy” today, but it’s for a good reason. People, we all need to work together throughout this pandemic. It really won’t work if we’re all of a mind to be “out for myself”. This virus is everyone’s problem. Yes, we do have the right to “look out for ourselves”, but we should be looking out for each other as well. Covid-19 has no rules. It will ravage the young and healthy just as quickly as the elderly and infirm. No one is safe from this unless we adhere to public health guidelines. Even then, we might still get it. Scary thought, yes, but you can LESSEN the chance of getting it.

Let’s remember that we are all on the same side – the side of stopping the virus. I know. Short of a vaccine, we are all still vulnerable, and THAT’S why you need to look out – for yourself, your neighbour, and the people you may be encountering. Let’s remember we are ALL of one race – the HUMAN RACE. (NOTE: this comment is not meant to denigrate anyone of a specific race – we are ALL human and therefore belong to each other.) So, let’s remember to wear a mask. Let’s remember to physically distance. And let’s follow ALL the advice the health care specialists are handing out. It’s for your own good. Stay safe. Stay healthy. And stay kind to one another.

Until next time,

Inge