WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH US?
I was going to post something I wrote up about steroids and other anti-inflammatories and Covid but heard something this morning that made me sad and angry and I decided to post about it instead (one post every few days is all I can handle).
The piece on the radio was about a volunteer who was spending 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, providing free Covid testing to mostly homeless and indigent people in LA. He worked as a hygienist in a dental clinic with his 80 year old dentist father who ran it, providing free dental care to those same people and when Covid hit, he switched roles. Despite the risks, his father still works daily in that clinic providing free dental care.
He described how every morning, he dons his “space suit” of head to toe PPE and goes out in a van testing people. Initially, he was inspired by the gratitude expressed by people for the free care and the risks he was taking on a daily basis and this inspired him and helped keep him going. People would make signs on pizza boxes, give him food… Small things which were meaningful.
Over the months, the attitude he experienced from people shifted to one of apathy and now, criticism and frequent insults. Most people he sees are still appreciative, but he also regularly gets angry and almost violent reactions such as being flipped the finger or yelled at for his involvement in testing. Long gone are the days of people banging pots and pans, singing from their balconies or even just saying thank you. I certainly don’t expect any such recognition and I don’t think anyone in healthcare or any of the other essential fields expects that, but to be put down or criticised is too much. In June, more than 600 healthcare workers died from Coronavirus related problems and many, many more were infected. By the start of August, it was over 900 deaths. These are workers who risk their lives to help others and some unfortunately pay the ultimate price.
This country was founded on the concepts of freedom and opportunity but neither is possible without community and civility. Everyone has a right to their opinion but not to the right to abuse other people and verbal abuse is just as bad as physical abuse.
As the political “season” progresses, divisions and opinions will become more and more prevalent as will attack ads and negative emotions. We need to keep these things in check and remember that we are all people, trying to make our way in this world and, for some if not most of us, trying to make a difference. The loud, obnoxious, rude few unfortunately get the most press. Keep these people and their opinions in perspective.
As I have mentioned in the past, information keeps changing as we learn. Scientists should not be held to the opinions they had months ago, because they simply do not apply today. Even Dr. Fauci said back in February that masks were not necessary but now, we know how much of a difference they can make. However, the outright lies and opinions expressed by some of our leaders are fueling anger, paranoia, violence and vitriol in people and it is all unnecessary. We must stop thinking as individuals and look out for all around us because without everyone else, we can’t survive.
This weekend is Labor Day weekend, a holiday meant to celebrate all those who work, regardless of what they do. The definition of essential worker is not limited to healthcare workers but everyone who does anything because everything anyone does, matters to someone.
Have a safe and happy holiday. Love and spend time with your family and friends. Thank a worker, any worker. You don’t have to sing or bang pots and pans. You don’t have to hug them (God forbid!!) or sit in a circle singing kumbaya. A simple thank you goes a long way.
And if you disagree with someone about an issue, try to appreciate their perspective. Maybe you’ll learn something.
Stay safe and be well.
AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻♂️🌎😷