Thoughts on Covid-19 and our Presidents response.

1,158,409 Confirmed cases in U.S. 67,792 Deaths in U.S.

As of May 4, 2020, 4:32 AM CDT

This indicates a mortality rate of 5.85%

As a sixty-six-year-old retiree, which means I am drawing on my social security benefits, my perspective may differ from yours as to the changes being brought about by the Covid-19 virus pandemic. I still work, every day. I write and carve wood, work on our 121-year old home, and try to keep the peace with my four fur-babies.

My life has not been significantly affected by the pandemic. I still get my same monthly, although not very impressive check from the SSA. I had already been forced to stop working outside the home in January of 2020 due to the onset of some physical anomalies which make it nearly impossible to maintain a job. It is a day by day situation, and fortunately, I still have  more better, or let me say tolerable days than the ones which keep me from enjoying life.

I have only left the house four or five times since the start of February. My undiagnosed condition can lead to severe bouts of vertigo, which is no picnic when walking let alone trying to navigate the streets.

My last venture out was about a week ago. I went to a Lowes store to pick up some items for my new wood hobby. Remember, these are only my observations and opinions, even if they are spot on… wink-wink.

The first thing I noticed was very few employees wearing masks or gloves, and only about 25% of the customers if that. Those few who know me well are aware of my propensity to share my opinions without concern for tact or political correctness under certain conditions. This – was one of those times. Mind you, I do not rant or rave, I smile and talk to them as though I was talking to a six-year-old. Yes, that does piss a few off, however, I have grown accustomed to the reactions.

An employee approached sans mask and gloves and asked it he could help me find anything, which is a good thing in a box store. However, he walked right up to me, well within arms-reach while speaking.

My response was quick and to the point. I said, “You need to step back at least six-feet. You are standing in my space without a mask. You are risking exposing me to the coronavirus. So, no, you may not help me find anything today. Obviously ,you don’t find trying to limit the spread of a potentially deadly disease as much as me.”

He had nothing to say. He looked like I had just told him to go have a conjugal visit with himself or a close family member. He turned red and then walked away.

I witnessed mothers bringing infants in with neither wearing a mask. The store manager who I used to work for, was walking around in the same manner.

I stopped to pick up some pizza for us on the way home. We try to support the restaurants as much as we can afford during these difficult times.

Well, that did not go well, either. None, not one of the employees was wearing masks or gloves, which did zilch for my desire to support them. I asked the young lady who asked it she could help if she had been tested for the virus. Of course, she said no. I then asked the rest of the four employees the same question to which I got the same answer.

I informed them their lack of concern for the health and well-being of their customers had just cost them one, and I left.

I love their damn pizza, too. I simply find it somewhat pervasive here in central Wisconsin. People do not take it seriously. I understand a lot has to do with the total lack of clarity and/or leadership from the current President and his administration. When he directly contradicts his medical experts at the press briefings it sends a message, and not a good one.

Now, the states are re-opening, some with requirements for social distancing and wearing of masks in stores. That went over like a lead balloon in several states. Customers actually physically threatening employees over wearing a mask. I do, to a degree consider the order by the government reasonable, and at the same time a bit over-reaching. However, store owners and operators can set their own guidelines and require the masks or refuse service.

Then, there are the rabid conspiracists., claiming this is anything from government propaganda to a direct bio-warfare attack by the Chinese.

I may be preaching to the choir, and some of you may agree with the conspiracies. It is neither my job nor my desire to try and educate the willfully ignorant who buy into suck bullshit.

Here is my only comment regarding a governmental conspiracy to take away our freedoms.

If this is a conspiracy, it is the most intricate one of all times. It would mean the leaders of almost every single nation in the world, the WHO, the MIH and the CDC in conjunction with medical experts the world over. It would also mean these same people are colluding in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of lives. It would mean the ER doctors are all lying, all the nurses, EMT’s and hospital staff as well.

Now that, my friend, would be the most significant joint venture of the world governments since the formation of the United Nations.

Well, it ain’t. If you believe the President or the VP, how this will all be gone by Memorial Day or as Trump said, “simply disappear, like magic,” you are among those who are being targeted by nature to try and improve the gene pool. (I am para-phrasing the Don, so if you choose to take umbrage with my “quotation,” that would be your thin skin, not my words.

Nature, from time to time, thins the herd. Whether through tornadoes, hurricanes, diseases, Tsunamis, earthquakes, fires or other means. This herd needs thinning. The problem is, the ones who should be thinned out are displaying their ignorance, lies and conspiracies around. Some of their stupidity is costing the lives of innocents.

Donald Trump spent weeks ignoring the potential magnitude of the crisis, then lied about the numbers of infected, the severity of the symptoms and berated governors who were trying to provide their front-line healthcare and safety personnel with desperately needed PPE, medicines and ventilators.

He brags bout what a great job he has done. I have one simple question for him. “Why did you wait fifty days from the date the Chinese informed you of the coronavirus out-break?”

I can answer that one. He was more concerned about the economy, his ego, his legacy and taking revenge on everyone who ever said anything truthful during the impeachment hearings than he was the citizens of this nation. Mostly, however in my opinion; Donald Trump did not have a clue as to what to do or how to be a leader in times of crisis.

Well, Don, this ain’t so-called “Reality Television.” You have fired or asked for the resignations of some of the finest minds and governmental officials for the pettiest of reasons. You have gutted the government of leadership in many departments, filling open positions with temporary acting directors to avoid Congressional examination of their qualifications.

You could not do anything to make America great again, because it already was. You have, however, managed to alienate most of our allies, been featured as the laughingstock of the United Nations, NATO leadership, The G-8 or however many it is now and of late, the Chinese communist party. The warned you – you said it was like the flu and would be gone soon, you know, just “go away.”

My grandfather told me, “You can sometimes educate the ignorant, but stupid is forever.” You, sir, fall into the latter.

One last note – you have accomplished what no one else has been able to in my family, circle of friends or acquaintances. I will be voting for the Democratic candidate this election. Congratulations, you broke my streak of voting for the Republican nominee which began in 1976. Good job, Don.