*This is a photo of the I-8 a two weeks ago with traffic again*
One year ago I was preparing for some major events in my day job and getting ready to accomplish some really big things to benefit my community. A year later, the world looks just as shitty as before. Why would I think that way? Because I don't think our society has learned anything in the last year.
Do you remember those first weeks of lockdown? There was no toilet paper or top ramen in any store but staying at home showed that we actually had the ability to make a difference in our sick society. Freeways were empty and the air was so clear in LA that it was a major news story.
It was supposed to be two weeks at home and we would have "beat this thing." But we couldn't do it like the rest of the world could. No it wasn't perfect, but the science supported this extreme measure as the best option. The federal government couldn't take practical preventative methods to slow the spread like shutting down air travel, define what was essential work, or even mandate mask usage. Everything was done as a half measure. Or in other terms, half assed, it was all half assed (I should say full-assed now because the US is #1 in the world for Covid transmission and deaths, ahead of Brazil, India, and Russia combined).
What I miss from early in the pandemic is all the lessons that we supposedly learned. We saw elders being taken care of by being able to shop in stores first or getting supplies dropped off to them so they didn't have to go out and risk their health. On top of that, there were delivery services of prescriptions for the elderly as well as those with chronic illnesses. Elders could actually call a hotline to ask for assistance and they would receive it, for free in most cases.
One of the biggest changes was the support for housing. The homeless were put up in hotels or in other places and it was covered by the local governments. Rent was suspended for many low income individuals as well as for those with chronic illnesses (but of course we found out later that many would have to pay all past due rent payment at the end of their leases). People weren't being evicted or having their utilities shut off by companies either. Also, schools were passing out meals to families in need everyday. Many children relied on those school lunches to have three meals per day and schools provided that extra meal many needed.
There were hopes for more social changes as well. If you needed to take a sick day, even for mental health, it was generally more accepted. Companies and employers found ways to have their employees work from home. This was something that "wasn't possible" with a lot of jobs until a pandemic reared its head that had the potential to cripple society. People actually valued the work of educators and there were talks about increasing teachers salaries. Now that parents had such a difficult time teaching elementary school work, it seemed reasonable (to the exclamations of "FINALLY" from all the teachers out there). After all, we were all trying to live through a pandemic. I saw families walking around the neighborhood, sometimes twice a day. I actually heard children laughing and playing outside in my area as well.
Let's also not forget that people learned that putting their hands in water for 1 second wouldn't actually work, they needed soap, and to lather for 20 seconds. And with life slower, people were reaching out to those that they haven't connected with in a while.
Now a whole year later, it is clear that so many people just quit too early. I am still at a loss of when the actual turning point was but I think it was around the time that anti-maskers started protesting because they wanted haircuts and to go golf because they were bored. We have lost 535,000 people and apparently it still isn't enough for some. There have been so many commenting on FaceBook posts, "but 99% recover," or "it's not that serious since only less than 1% die." But these people fail to see that the United States population is 328.2 million and that means 1% dying from this virus would still mean 3.282 million dead. So much misinformed speech has been spewed and as a result, so many people out there believe lies.
"If you are afraid, stay home." This has circulated the internet just as much as any other statement. Anti-maskers make so many statements to try to excuse the real reason, that they don't actually care about anyone but themselves. It is selfish but strangely, absolutely an American ideal. "I want to sit inside at IHOP and eat my pancakes in public because FREEDOM."
With so many places opening for consumerism again, we might actually be taking a larger step back. Why? Because so many are letting their guard down in excitement for life to "resume." For one, as of today, only 21% of the US population has been partially vaccinated as most are waiting for their second dose and, that is not nearly enough right now (roughly 70 million according to some sources). Also, we forgot about all the sickness that was already present in our world after all this time waiting. The polluted air, traffic jams, crowds, unnecessary lines, no sense of personal space in public areas, shaking sweaty/sticky hands, unwanted hugs and so, so much more. So as people rush out to start spending any money they have left in their bank accounts, I will mourn the lives that we lost and the United States we could have emerged as when all this is actually over. Everyone should be mourning all the lives that were lost before celebrating.
Lastly, I am tired of this shit world of staying home, just like everyone else.
Michele Eve Sandberg/Shutterstock
Source: ABC News - Beachgoers flock to South Beach, Miami, March 13, 2021, during Spring Break
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