My work schedule has not changed one bit since the social distancing rules have been put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. The only thing that has changed appreciably on the job is the end-of-shift disinfection of the company phone, a couple of doorknobs, and the bathroom sink faucet handles. My social life has taken a nosedive, but the bulk of my weekly routine is unchanged... I typically limit my supermarket trips to a Wednesday night stop to pick up milk for my workplace coffee habit and some staples and a Sunday morning post-shift trip to pick up whatever I can for the week's meals. There's the occasional stop at a mom-and-pop shop or a pizzeria to add a bit of variety to the diet, but I tend to limit these to once a week as well.
I don't feel a need to lash out about the social distancing orders, and I dutifully don mask and gloves before stepping into an establishment. I have a decent layperson's understanding of epidemiology. Looking at the pictures of the recent protests in Austin, TX and Pacific Beach, CA, I had a dawning realization about a dawning realization (a metarealization, if you will)... the reason why these protestors are so angry is that they have come to the realization that they aren't essential. Despite their huge egos, this Ark B crowd has finally come to the realization that they aren't necessary for society's fundamental functions, and they are willing to put people's lives at risk because of this.
ADDENDUM: I've had a dawning realization that the 'protestors' aren't really like the 'Ark B' crowd, because the 'Ark B' crowd's exile was actually detrimental, and that none of these 'protestors' seems like the type to sanitize a phone.
That may be, but their belief that Being Real ‘ Muricans wiil protect them from Corona virus also plays a role.
ReplyDeleteI think it's sadder than that. Despite the fact they like to bruit their love of family, church, and guns, they have no interior life at all. No reserve of remembered joy, book read, music loved, thoughts to pursue. They seek an endless supply of exterior distraction - booze, TV, Trump rallies, manufactured outrage, devotion to personal appearance and status - none of which gives you anything to lean on when you are forcibly alone or separated from easy distractions.
ReplyDeleteSo they have seized on this latest grievance as a way to explain why they are miserable and bored and dissatisfied with their existence, unable to deal with the fact that almost lives, ultimately, are only meaningful to a small number of people, and even less to history. Unless you are able to reach inside and bring self-worth and happiness from yourself, you will never be content.
The mango menace is the ne plus ultra of this type of person, of course. Which is why they recognise him as one of their own, even with the disparity of wealth and normal human experiences.
It's not necessarily their fault that they're like this. Poor upbringing, worse role models, and a lack of opportunity can damage a growing soul quite badly. But some, even many, manage to transcend such disadvantages and become people content in themselves and a benefit to their community. It means no longer reaching out for an easy fix and being honest with oneself. In the end, people have to choose what kind of person they want to be.
That may be, but their belief that Being Real ‘ Muricans wiil protect them from Corona virus also plays a role.
ReplyDeleteI have this disquieting notion that they see how the outbreak is affecting minority communities and think that the spread is not so bad.
Unless you are able to reach inside and bring self-worth and happiness from yourself, you will never be content.
I don't even think they seek happiness for themselves, they mainly seek misery for others.