We are ALL in this together - Wear a damn mask!

"Together we stand, divided we fall"
Pink Floyd

As we enter the sixth month of the pandemic as I write this blog post, the United States of America has been devastated beyond anything anyone could have imagined because of the Coronavirus also known as Covid-19. The latest statistics are showing over 200,000 Americans have died since March. That is 200,000 Americans that would probably have not died if COVID had not been contained early on.

The current President, Donald, J. Trump has been a disaster of a President, but the most heinous act of his Presidency was how he and his administration has handled the pandemic. It didn't need to be this way...

By downplaying the virus initially and having no national plan even today The Trump Administration has cost Americans thousands of lives. People have died alone, away from their loved ones. I know that most people who died with COVID had other underlying conditions that contributed to their death.

As I am writing this blog, the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump recently tested positive for the Corona Virus. I am not going to say this is a good thing, even though I am not a Trump supporter. This is a really bad thing for the leader of the free world to come down with a potentially deadly virus.

The irony is Trump and his administration down-played the virus from the beginning of its inception in this country (Around February). He is often seen in public, not wearing a mask, holding huge campaign rallies where his supporters aren't wearing a mask either. Additionally, his supporters are often seen doing any social distancing at his outdoor rallies.

President Trump himself contracted the virus and was hospitalized briefly. My hope was that he would start taking the virus more seriously, wear a mask, encourage others to do so, and follow CDC guidelines. He has not done this and does not encourage others to wear a mask.

As Americans we are free to follow the CDC guidelines or not. If you don't want to wear a mask or social distance or wash your hands that is your choice. Right now there is no law enforcing you to do these things (If I were President I would make it the law, however).

To make it clear I don't enjoy wearing a mask. I find it to be inconvenient, and a nuisance. I don't wear a mask because I like wearing a mask. I wear a mask because I know it will protect myself and others. This coronavirus has been one of the worst periods in American history. Not just the worst public health crisis, but America at its worst. Over 200,000 Americans (and counting) die-ing from a virus is not ok. Not from COVID or any virus.

In my opinion, The Unites States of America has failed in containing the virus. From the getgo, things weren't handled correctly. We didn't go into lockdown soon enough, there was a lot of misinformation in the beginning and even now, we are still learning about the virus. (It is a novel coronavirus after-all).

From what I have heard from media coverage only 50% of people are following the CDC guidelines which includes wearing a mask when you are unable to social distance, social distancing if possible and washing your hands often.

My question to people who refuse to follow these guidelines is why? Is it that hard to think of someone other than yourselves? If we all come together as a nation and do the same thing to defeat this virus we have hope.

If we are a divided nation (and we are), then this virus may continue on and on, which means no big outdoor and indoor concerts, no large sporting events, no going to stores without a mask, and no enjoying large parties with many people.

I don't know about anyone else, but I like being in crowds (without a mask and social distancing). I don't like businesses being closed. I don't like a shitty economy. I don't like staying home and avoiding other people. I like my freedom as much as anybody. I want everything to get back to normal or close to normal as soon as possible.

Wear a damn mask, social distance, and follow the advice of scientists such as Dr. Anthony Fauci.

We are ALL in this together and if we as Americans come together we can conquer the Corona Virus.

Together we stand, divided we fall!