Writer's Note: "The Path to Human Extinction" published on April 9, 2020 precedes this material.
On March 11, 2021 the TV played its usual inconsequential role as ambient noise while I went about my daily routine. That was, until a “CBS This Morning” piece featuring a hindsight of 2020
caught my attention. It was a shared recollection of a world unprepared for the physical and psychological torture unleashed by SARS-CoV-2 merely months after its discovery in Wuhan, China. I watched the program intently in silence, feeling the oh so recognizable and unbearable weight on my chest. It stirred emotions similar to what I felt when I visited the 9/11 Museum. I fought back tears as the bitter montage of the infamous year of the pandemic played before my eyes.
In 2020, Washington state was ground zero for us Americans. A murder of crows, the sickness spread its wings across the coastal states and into the Midwest. People we knew started getting sick— started dying. Government and health officials were either scrambling for, or cautiously weighing the pro’s and con’s, of potential solutions to the global health crisis. Grownups were as confused and scared as children.
“What is happening?!?” we all cried.
We frantically grabbed any form of PPE available on and off the internet. We panic shopped. Perishable and non-perishable food, flu medicine, and sanitation supplies flew off the grocery store shelves. We were locked in our homes and locked out of our schools, offices, and places of
worship. We were forced to temporarily physically cut ties with family and friends. For how long? We didn’t know. We watched and streamed bad news after bad news. During this time, some of us chose to argue, judge, and hurt others through words or actions. Others found love, friendship, faith, a new hobby, and whatever silver lining the days, weeks, and months presented us while we were exiled in our homes.
Moreover, many looked into themselves and discovered what truly mattered most in their life. And of course we waited... and waited... and waited for a cure to this insidious pandemic.
The year 2021 was met with renewed hope. Vaccines by Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen— the where, when, and how to get that most valuable jab on the arm— have peppered conversations and news broadcasts way before January's first dawn.
“I’m ready for things to go back to normal,” has been everyone’s common sentiment.
As of March 2, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a decline of 74.9% of the daily 7-day moving average versus the highest average on the week of January 11th. Despite this hopeful news, 65,424 Covid-19 cases reported on March 3, 2021 still proved much higher compared to data collected during the pandemic's first peak in April 6, 2020. It was 42,597 cases back then.* As of this writing, 98.2 million Americans have been administered either one or two shots of the vaccine. Yet only 10.2% have been reported fully vaccinated.** What troubles me is that in my little parcel of the world, I am observing a surge in brazenness in individuals over age 16. One sore thumb was this gentleman of about 30 years old who, with toddler in tow, casually shopped at an indoor farmer's market minus a mask. I reported it to a couple of sales associates who shook their heads in frustration.
"We used to politely ask shoppers to please enter our store wearing a mask (signs are still posted by the entrance of just about every establishment), but now we're helpless at preventing them from coming in," said the lady behind the cash register.***
Receiving a partial or full dose of any vaccine does NOT give anyone a license, privilege nor option to act irresponsibly and selfishly. We ALL sit in the SAME Petri dish whether we accept or deny it.
Are you sick of living in a bubble? Do you believe that life must go on? Then CONTINUE wearing your mask, continue social distancing, continue using your common sense, continue listening to that tiny voice in the very core of your being called, "a sense of descency" whenever you are around people. Continue singing "Happy Birthday" as you cleanse your hands so that you and other individuals on this plague-ridden planet may continue celebrating a birthday instead of attending another funeral. Click on this link which can serve as your guide after getting vaccinated: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html
Until the World Health Organization (WHO), the CDC, the scientists, and agonizingly overworked essential workers have a clear idea of what happens after all adults, teens, and children under age 16 get fully vaccinated, then do your own policing of you and your household's decisions and actions pertaining to SARS-CoV-2. Part of the cure is not just staring you in the face. It's already on your face.
About the author:
Aina R. Ferris is a multi-platform content writer, designer, photographer, illustrator, and international award winning B2B marketing creative director. She is co-founder of the homeowner education initiative, The Native Explorer. Its mission is to promote wildlife conservation through thoughtful home landscaping (aka naturescaping) with plants native to one's home state. Aina serves as projects planner and communications lead. Her husband Brian Ferris, a certified sustainability associate, serves as plant researcher and lead gardener. The Native Explorer offers its services free of charge. For more information, visit their website: TheNativeExplorer.org. For the most current posts and updates, visit their The Native Explorer Facebook page: @Wildlings.of.StLouis. For inquiries, please email The.Native.Explorer@gmail.com.
***Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market in St. Peters, MO
Comentarios