Villains, Villains Everywhere!

Fear can be a terrible thing and one of the reasons is because it easily creates villains and false enemies. We've all seen it happen. It happened in World War ll with reactions toward Japanese and German American citizens. I remember the hatred toward the Vietnamese and other Asians during our war with Vietnam. Witness 9/11 and other events that followed that quickly created fear and hatred of Islam and Muslims, again including American citizens. Most recently the pot of fear has been stirred relative to South American and Mexican immigrants. They're viewed or presented as evil, bad, criminal, needy and poor. That's some of what fear does. It feeds stories, rumors and prejudice. It makes people suspicious and less tolerant of each other.

But now we are seeing something else. Something caused by an invisible virus. It had its origin in China so Asians are, in some cases, seen as responsible and feared. They became the villains. Then, it moved to our shores on both coasts. NYC has become an epicenter and new fears have arisen and are sometimes stoked. First, because of our fear of the virus, Upstate New Yorkers began pulling down the welcome signs, shooing away tourists and second home owners from NYC. They became the villains. Then rumblings began about keeping our hospitals safe from Covid 19 victims who may have crossed a county border. They became the villains. The same people who had offered open arms to immigrants were now questioning how open their boarders should be to fellow citizens in trouble. We've all traveled and we've all expected that if we got ill in one section of the country, we would be able to get medical help. We never wanted to be villains.

I heard a local hospital administrator recently asked by a member of the press if they were planning on any of their beds (there are only 12) being used for people from other areas of the state. Her answer was that no, they had no plans for that eventuality. I was surprised by both the question and the answer. Governor Cuomo has asked all hospitals to look at doubling their capacity. That's because he and other officials are projecting a shortfall of hospital beds. It seems there may come a time during this crisis when hospital space (beds) will have to be managed to serve a regional or state need. The last thing we need to do is point fingers at this person or that person and question their home address as part of the admittance procedure. You get help in an emergency where you can. A person living outside my county boarder should not be the new villain.

No doubt about it, this virus is scary and it is spreading fear as quickly as it moves among us. We're all scared, every one of us. We don't know if we can leave our house. We don't know where the virus is or how long it has been wherever we are isolating ourselves. Can we get it from the grocer, from the mail carrier, from the pharmacy? All good questions that medical professionals are trying to answer. Each creates another level of fear.

Because of fear there's talk about quarantining travel from NYS, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Florida doesn't want travelers from NY. Rhode Island doesn't want travelers from NY. We New Yorkers have become the latest villain. It seems to me that closing our interior boarders will be difficult. We're already having trouble getting people to understand how important it is to stay where they are and isolate themselves. But that's what we have to do. Let's spend a little less time trying to find the bad guys and the villains. Let's concentrate on physical distancing and looking out for each other.

The Underbelly of America

Normally when you think about the underbelly of society you visualize people on skid row, the homeless, the poor, drug addicts, alcoholics, criminals of various sorts, sex offenders. You get the picture. Yes, that's where people's minds seem to go in this world of class division. Recently though, I've been seeing things differently.

I've spent a lot of time trying to understand Donald Trump and the attraction he seems to garner from so many people. I've watched his rallies and listened to his rhetoric and rants. I've watched the people listening and conversed with his supporters in coffee shops and at various gatherings but I've always been left not knowing, not understanding. Even now I'm sure I don't totally get it but I have come to a few conclusions.

It strikes me that Donald Trump really is a cult leader and he knows this very well. He knows it and uses it in the manipulation of his followers, the press and his opponents. We all fall for it every time. First and foremost he sees himself as an entertainer. He tells bad jokes, does lousy imitations and goofs off making fun of everyone. He acts like an Elvis impersonator in a suit and without the songs. Many in his audience love it. They laugh, cheer, poke each other and give affirmative nods with a holler thrown in for good measure. It seems to be all in good fun. The second thing he does is to play the victim. He usually does this very well. He's able to point to the press or the democrats or the elites, whomever he can get the most out of in his quest for sympathy from his followers. Nothing, absolutely nothing is his fault. It's always someone else with Obama at the top of the list. It includes everyone though, sometimes even his innermost staff or political allies. And with his victimhood come enemies. The list of these is for him to keep and for his supporters to memorize.

The worst though is yet to come. It really is the underbelly of society and, sad to say, America. Donald Trump says the things that people have wanted to say all their lives. He says the things that people's mothers told them never to say. He says things that nuns and preachers and teachers taught people over the years never to say or do. He blurts out hatred, racism and phobic comments that deep down in people's souls, they have been yearning to get out. He can rant against the poor, people with disabilities, religions and cultures, and there are people who cheer for what's in their hearts. There are people who want desperately to say the same things and they've wanted to for years. Cheering and defending him are the next best thing but the line is very thin.

Imagine where we are. We have people dying due to poor planning and mismanagement of the federal government. We have doctors and nurses and janitors crying for help with equipment and supplies as they care for the sick. We have elders being identified as expendable and Asian American brothers and sisters being spat on. We have Governors and Mayors being told they won't get help unless they show appreciation to Donald Trump. Yes, we have all of these appalling things happening that our mothers and fathers, nuns, preachers and teachers told us never to say or do. This is the real underbelly of America. I have to hope that we're better than this.

Greed Kills!

Well here we are at a point in time that I never thought I'd see. Two or three weeks ago my independence was limited a little bit but nothing too drastic. Also at that point I'm not sure I really had a good sense of the numbers that I would be seeing today in terms of the spreading of the Covid 19 virus. Here in NY State there are currently over 26,000 people infected and the virus seems to be doubling every three days and 129 people have died in one day.

Making projections about opening up the country's economy by Easter (April 12) and not ensuring that states and cities have needed medical supplies is immoral, unethical and crazy. This is also more bluntly, greed vs people. Yes, the President of the United States and many of his wealthy cronies are pitting the economy and the dollars they will make, against fellow citizens who are seen as expendable. It is disturbing and disgusting and shows us how close we are coming to a serious moral dilemma. It's a dilemma that has been faced in the past by people around the world. A healthy economy or sometimes personal wealth itself have justified slavery, genocide, the institutionalization of people, etc. Surprising how quickly we have forgotten how millions of genetically different people and the weak were found to be expendable by others during the last World War.

Today we see greed measuring the value of a person's life against the rise in the price of a stock. In addition, due to either disorganization and incompetence or some conscious effort, life and death choices are being made about people infected with Covid 19. Governors, Mayors, Doctors and Nurses are making choices about who lives and who dies based on terrible decision making in Washington relative to access to supplies and equipment.

How do we combat this moral atrocity? First of all, people have to be held accountable and immoral activity needs to be called out. Politicians and political parties can't be allowed to say that the economy of a country is more important than life. We also all have to fight the misinformation comparing this pandemic to the flu. We need to demand the truth and follow the science and the facts. We need to demand a more robust public health system that is funded appropriately. Last but not least, we need to follow the recommendations of health professionals and isolate ourselves for the good of others. Support each other and stay safe. Remember greed does kill.

Who's Responsible In A National Emergency?

There have been arguments for years about what the role of the federal government should be in our daily lives. A war was fought over it. Political parties have been formed, changed, reconfigured and buried over it. Certain issues have made it more visible and more volatile, issues like abortion and gun rights come to mind.

But here we are in the middle of a pandemic and as I write this over 15,000 people in the US are the victims of Covid 19. In my own mind, there really shouldn't be any debate about the role of the federal government in this crisis but right now it rages on. States, hospitals and health care workers are pleading for help and assistance with important things like tests, equipment, basic supplies and personal protective equipment. It seems we have a President, his cabinet and his political party who are taking the position that Governors and other local officials are responsible for getting their own items to fight this war on a deadly virus.

People watch news conferences, on a daily basis at this point, where the President and Vice President keep talking about public, private partnerships and promoting individual CEO's and corporations while doctors, nurses and patients are exasperated waiting for items like masks and gowns and ventilators. If there ever was a national emergency, we are in the middle of it. We have responded better, as a federal government, to hurricanes and tornadoes than we have to this pandemic. It's a shame what we see unfolding.

This philosophy of "your on your own" and "it's your responsibility" is coming from a child President who continues to demand praise and bully anyone who questions his actions/inactions. The quid pro quo concept we witnessed around Ukraine makes its appearance again, almost everyday, as Governors have to beg and compliment the chief before he provides any support. It is shameful that members of his party support his position and his behavior. It's also shameful that medical professionals who work for him and for the American people, don't push back when he makes false and medically dangerous pronouncements.

Yes we've argued about federal and state roles before, but this time it really is a deadly discourse. Some projections indicate that we could lose more people in this pandemic than we did in the Civil War. Imagine, with that information, a federal hands off approach, telling states it's your responsibility. This certainly isn't leadership. It's not even a good business model from a man-child who believes he's the greatest business person in the world. He's not by any measure.

We can do better than this and we need to do better very soon. The good people of this country and the world deserve better than this President. Businesses and private citizens will respond to calls for action. We've done it before but it takes a leader. Our hospitals and doctors and nurses deserve more from all of us but they certainly deserve more from their government. We all have a responsibility to demand better of the President and his staff. We need accountability, transparency and we need a President who knows when to be quiet and let his professional staff speak.

Here It Is - Covid-19

Covid 19 is here and has most likely been here for a while. We've found out some things pretty quickly about this virus. First of all, and this should be no surprise, it's a virus so it doesn't see or recognize boarders or walls. It also can't be bullied and tweets, no matter who they're from don't phase it. It doesn't care about the economy. Stocks can be up or down. Covid-19 just doesn't care.

We've found out some other things. We've found out that our government and our health care systems don't work. Some of us have known this for awhile but now it has become clear to anyone who wants to pay attention. These things have failed us for lots of reasons but mainly because of a lack of leadership, misinformation and secrecy. The fact that no one can provide good answers about how much testing has been done, why it has taken so long to get tests, and why results take so long are painful examples of incompetence. It's a massive failure that ultimately affects everyone. New rules and protocols for testing were seriously delayed and our government won't admit it. And now, due to a not so well thought out plan to have people return from overseas all at once, we have crowds of people stuck at airports for hours in tight quarters probably infecting each other.

This virus has also done something else. It has helped to unleash new racist tirades and beliefs. Even though the virus itself has no nationality, no homeland and as stated above, no borders. It is not a "foreign" virus or an "Asian" virus or the "Wuhan" virus. You can't get it from eating Chinese food. We're all supposed to know better than this. Covid 19 is its name. Too bad that politicians filled with hatred can't understand that.

What else have we learned? Perhaps that social distancing can lead to social isolation. That some people won't use common sense or follow good advice no matter what. That sporting events and Hollywood stars can give us real wake up calls when we need them. We're learning that having a President who thrives on compliments and saying good things about himself isn't helpful in a crises like this. We're also learning that no matter how bright or scientific people may seem to be, they too can be intimidated by this silly and incompetent politician. We've also learned that we're hoarders. We've learned that we've been so inundated by emergencies and natural disasters that we think buying large quantities of toilet paper and water is necessary. Covid 19 though, isn't a hurricane.

Most of us will survive this event but many will be lost needlessly due to the lack of preparedness and quick action. People will be brought together even as we keep ourselves physically apart. The good in us will prevail as we help each other through this pandemic. Look out for each other and keep the faith in humanity, your God, your values.

Vulnerable and Facing The Coronavirus

All of the current statements coming from government and health care leaders are telling people to calm down relative to the coronavirus. The statements go something like, "if you're fairly healthy, your risk is very low and, even if you do get it, your symptoms will probably be like getting the flu and you'll easily recover". Exceptions? "Well unless you're elderly and have an underlying condition".

I am writing this from the perspective of a 75 year old man with COPD, Emphysema and diagnosed within the past 6 months with Pulmonary Fibrosis, currently using oxygen 24/7. Am I worried? I'd say more like scared out of my wits and my level of confidence in government right now is pretty low. And yes, I'm washing my hands.

Last July I was hospitalized with pneumonia which led to followup, various tests and my current diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis. Living with that reality in itself along with the oxygen therapy, tank management. and restrictions on physical activity have brought mental and physical challenges. I've coped though with a lot of support from my spouse, family and friends. I've slowly gotten somewhat use to my disability, realizing that I am limited and will be from this point on. There is frustration and sometimes a sense of uselessness as household chores and maintenance arise. But, it is what it is and there are things that I can do, including writing and assisting some other people with a few things I know about which include technology, politics and organizing.

That's the backdrop from which I write this piece. Like so many others, I really do need to assess my daily interactions with people as the coronavirus spreads. I'm certainly not happy about having to do that or even to think about it. I currently participate in a pulmonary rehab program twice a week. It's basically cardio exercise on various pieces of equipment. Monitored oxygen is available along with classroom sessions on pulmonary disease management. Of course it's on the grounds of a hospital and in a setting where people are coming and going for their basic health care needs. It has been very helpful for a lot of reasons but now I probably need to look at how feasible it may be to continue participating as the coronavirus evolves. I have some time to make that decision but I'm realistic in knowing the time may come. Of course there are other interactions with people that will have to be assessed. We can call it self quarantine or distancing but it is an isolation from social interactions.

All of this is the dilemma faced by certain populations during a potential crisis like this. Government and health officials attempt to calm people but this is a reminder that people like me, who will be high risk patients if we get coronavirus can hear you when you reassure everyone that we're the only ones who might die. Not very reassuring to those of us with serious underlying conditions.