Coronavirus in the United States - news and thoughts

I think on a macro level it is. On a micro level you are 100% correct there is a lot of personal decision making. I could be wrong on the whole thing, I've really been trying to figure it out. The other theory is we somehow became a country unwilling to make personal sacrifice. But how come?

 

I think it is more insidious than that. We have a party that has for years taught that educated meant "elite." They have sold that educated jurists are attacking America rather than striving to defend our constitution. They have taught that our best scientists are attacking the economy and alarmist on climate science, rather than doing their jobs. They taught that our intelligence agencies are "deep state" rather than people who give their all to protect our security. And now they have taught that our health care providers are alarmists perpetuating a hoax rather than the heroes they are. This attack has been building for years.

This tangent in American politics is the most destructive and dangerous period in this country's history in my lifetime (yes, more than Vietnam). But it also presents opportunity by raising real problems (income inequality, lack of health care, perpetuated racism, lack of education/training) that enabled this idiotic cult to gain a major political foothold in our country.

People who have supported this undermining of our country's institutions ("To save it, we have to destroy it" mentality) ARE Americans. We all need to address the problems that have led them to throw reason to the wind. With that a divider and buffoon like Trump will disappear into the dust bin of history - only debated when discussing the worst leaders in our history and what led them to office.

 

Definitely agree about personal sacrifice and responsibility. It is interesting watching the people in my world squirm. The people I know are trying to figure out how they can do things, go places and seem like they’re being safe. Sometimes it feels like I’m the only person trying to do it right. I don’t shove it in anyone’s face, not yet anyway.

 

Outstanding post.

 

The Donald refusing to wear a mask might be what does in his reelection hopes. His idiot followers mimic his behavior. The pandemic is prolonged and worsened because people won’t wear masks. That delays the economic recovery until it’s too late.

 

Trump follows his base. They mock Masks, so he follows them. He is incapable of leading them because he can’t risk losing them.

 

Ehh I think he took the lead on the mask thing. Why would anyone mock masks unless it was already political?

 

I'm hopeful that we've improved our treatment enough that it will only go up to 500-600.

 

The “idiots” are the ones who think it’s only Trump supporters not wearing masks.

 

Well, we know what Matt Bevin would do if he were running the show:

Bevin exposed 9 kids to chickenpox, says vaccine not for all

 

Yeah, thanks for your contribution that doesn’t do anything to prove that it’s only Trump supporters not wearing masks.

 

it’s not only trump supporters. Never said that. But he’s definitely made not wearing a mask a political thing.

 

it’s amazing how he’s managed to galvanize the stupidest people in America.

 

Yes, but you conveniently only single out “idiot” Trump supporters in your post. The mask thing is overrated, because unless you have an N95, the evidence suggests a regular cloth mask does little to prevent you from acquiring the virus. And when you consider there could be millions out there who are asymptomatic (ie more likely to not be wearing a mask and going to your local grocery store), a cloth mask isn’t going to stop the spread. Social distancing is the only thing proven that will significantly decrease your likelihood of acquiring the virus.

 

Do you wear a mask?

 

I do, because it's the law. Most people I see out do not.

 

They must be republicans because all Democrats wear their masks. I know this because these highly intelligent posters here have told us.

 

I didn’t know that was law in Kentucky. That’s surprising. It’s sad to hear that most in your commonwealth are breaking that law. That’s not surprising.