entry "Living in the time of Corona" 10/8/20

Thursday, October 8^th, 2020

      It is sunny and cool here in WNY. Media sources are abuzz with analysis of the Vice-Presidential debate last night, at the University of Utah. Cal. Sen. Kamala Harris squared off with Vice President Mike Pence. Predictably, both sides thought “their guy” won. Though not without flaws, the televised debate was at least a fairly civil exchange between opposing viewpoints.

     When did we know of Covid-19? What did we, or did we not know about it and what, if anything, did we as a nation do about it were thoroughly commented on by both participants.

     In the background today, is the “tweeter in chief.” He says that he feels wonderful and that he was blessed by the Corona affliction. “Every American should have the same kind of care that I received,” he stated. The cost of his treatment probably exceeded several hundred thousand dollars. And that doesn’t include the helicopter ride back and forth. He said that he would not participate in the next presidential debate because organizers were advising that it would be a “zoom” affair,” with participants separated from each other.

      The Corona death totals now approach 213,000 souls, with no upward limit in sight. By the time a Corona vaccine is manufactured and distributed, some 300,00 to 400,000 Americans may perish from its onslaught. And still, some resist wearing masks and social distancing.

     Several more staffers at the White House, and the entire Joint Chiefs of staff in the military, are in quarantine today from possible exposure to those afflicted with Covid-19. The “retribution” is almost biblical, in its assault on those who mocked its virulence. May the good Lord watch over them.

      Unemployment figures are still rising. Paradoxically, we see many fast food outlets locally with “help wanted” signs out. I have no idea what that is all about. The stock market continues to chase its own tail. The President signaled that there would be no agreement on another stimulus bill until after the presidential election. Issues floating around the periphery are the Senate Judiciary hearings on a new SCOTUS appointment. They have recently been delayed because three Republican Senators have tested positive for Covid-19.

      The “Affordable Care Act” (Obama Care) challenge gets a hearing on November 10^th before the Supreme Court. If the act gets repealed it will deprive some twenty million people of their health care and open the way for Insurance Companies to deny health care treatment claims from people with “pre-existing conditions.”

       There is a lot on the line in the next few weeks. I think the entire population of the country is getting a little weary of all the turmoil. Hopefully, much of this will be resolved with the coming election. Some five million Americans have already voted, by mail or early voting. A comparable figure was 78,000 at this time in 2016. And if there is not a landslide on election day, the results could be tied up in recounts and court cases for months. Inexplicably, the sitting president has refused to acknowledge that he would peacefully turn over power if he loses. I don’t think most of us can wrap our heads around such an alien concept.

       Still, life goes on. We are readying to drive to Florida tomorrow. We are in a race with Hurricane Delta. We hope to get far enough south in the next two days, that Delta’s after effects will pass to our north.    

      One day at a time.