Life is Cancelled, So Keep Calm and Use Common Sense
Friday March 13, 2020 has been a crazy day. All New Mexico public schools, some universities and other schools throughout the U.S. have been cancelled for three weeks due to the worldwide Coronavirus outbreak that started in China back in January 2020. It seems like our world is in utter chaos: toilet paper, hand sanitizers, Clorox wipes, food, etc. are flying off the shelves like crazy. Our government is constantly reminding people to wash their hands, avoid touching their faces, stay away from large crowds, and stay home when you’re sick. It’s so pathetic to be told by our government to use common sense; we should already be practicing those simple things in the first place.
The Coronavirus is not nearly as bad as the flu, but the elderly (people over 60), those with autoimmune diseases, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, respiratory issues, and cancer are more susceptible to it. So why are many public schools being cancelled when children are not as susceptible to this virus and do not have as many health issues? If they're sick, they just need to stay home. More people die from car accidents, suicide, heart disease, cancer, and the flu every day than this virus which has yet to have a vaccine. So why aren't we banning people from driving when there are many fatal accidents on the roads?
In addition to schools being cancelled, many social events, and church services are also cancelled for the rest of this month and also in April. So, what are working parents (especially single parents) supposed to do about child care when their children are out of school for several weeks to one month? They have to make a living not only to support their families, but also to pay for day care. I think if more people simply used common sense all the time, we wouldn’t be freaking out about this Coronavirus.
I’m not freaked out about this virus. Maybe it’s easy for me to say that because I’m a healthy, child-free 43-year-old who doesn’t have to worry about child care and the burden of unexpected financial woes. Of course, I do have some concern for my 65-year-old mother who has some minor health issues but nothing life-threatening. Since I work at a college, I'm off work for two weeks (without pay because I'm only part-time) and not too thrilled about it. At least one of those weeks is spring break so I'd be off anyway. Thankfully, I have a lot of money saved up and this extra time would allow me to focus on my writing. As for food and toilet paper, Mom and I will manage somehow. We have enough to last us for a while and I have a bidet which cuts down on toilet paper usage. Mostly, I’m frustrated with the media and our government making a much bigger deal out of this than necessary.
Life was not cancelled when there were chicken pox outbreaks during my childhood. If you got the chicken pox, you stayed home; school was not cancelled. What about those other viruses: the Zika (2016) and the Ebola (2014)? Yes, people were in a panic but not like they are today. “What is this world coming to?” my great-grandmother would always say. Well, she had no idea that 30 years later our world would be in a bigger mess. Can't we all just be like the band who played on while the Titanic was sinking? Live life because it's short.
Here are some interesting reads about this issue:
This one is from Anthony Morris, an Australian writer who has a unique sense of humor. Two weeks before Americans became overly panicked, Morris stressed not to panic and if there's no toilet paper left in Australia, this is what could happen: Aussies might die with shitty arses rather than runny noses (March 2, 2020).
Andy Brack of Statehouse Report, says to perform common-sense things such as “get a flu shot, wash your hands more, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and stay home when you’re sick.” He doesn’t think it’s necessary to stockpile up on toilet paper and all those other things many people are rushing to the stores to stock up on (March 11, 2020).
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