My better angels are on lockdown

Tell me again why I should care when a virus denier gets sick or dies. Yes, I understand they endanger health care workers and friends/neighbors. I get that. I’ll grieve for them. But if you refuse to wear a seat belt and die in a crash… or refuse to wear a helmet and die in a motorcycle crash (no others harmed)… why am I supposed to care? I’ve only got so much grief to go around and I’m now rationing.

The First Thanksgiving

Americans revive spirit of first Thanksgiving by carrying disease to new areas

“I was watching a PBS special about the Pilgrims,” one American said, “and they spent their entire first winter in Massachusetts before Thanksgiving just watching their family members die. They carried them out to the woods, propped them up against trees and left them there to give the illusion that the settlement was guarded. That wasn’t something we incorporated into our Thanksgiving before, but it’s never too late to start a new tradition.”

From a delightful piece in the Washington Post. Behind their pay-wall, I think. But here’s the link.

I like pumpkin pie as well as the next guy but let’s face it: Thanksgiving –and Xmas for that matter– are made-up holidays. Like Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day and all the rest. Mostly about selling stuff. So putting family at risk for some cranberry sauce? Just selfish. I’ll celebrate “thanksgiving” on the day people start getting vaccinated.

Instashield


I’ve long admired the face shield worn by Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. So I ordered a couple for Barb and me. I like this model because it slips onto the bill of a cap which makes it easy to wear.

More and more health care pros are recommending eye protection for indoor situations and while Barb and I have been able to avoid being indoors, a situation might come up where it’s unavoidable. We would, of course, be masked behind the shield. Ounce of prevention = pound of cure.

Your money or your life!

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “The Missouri Senate has postponed a special legislative session focused on limiting COVID-19-related lawsuits after a COVID-19 outbreak within its ranks.”

Lots of COVID denial in Missouri even as our cases soar. No mask mandate for us, thank you very much. So the classic Jack Benny bit seems apropos.

COVID-19: “Wear a mask or I’ll infect you and make you really sick or kill you! What’s it going to be?!”

MISSOURI LEGISLATOR: (long pause) “I’m thinking! I’m thinking!”