My Idiot Nation: The Debate of Wearing a Mask.

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Ok, people, for the life of me, I am not sure how the hell this became a partisan issue.  I do know that we seem to be the only country to have debated, and some people are just irate about this issue. What is this divisive issue? Well, it's wearing a mask.  How? Why are we idiots?

Well, the how it became a partisan issue is self-evident.  We have become so divided that we separated a global pandemic into "red and blue".  What didn't help is the Trump administration's lack of a comprehensive national response to the pandemic.  It shouldn't have been that difficult to get us all on the same page.  In the beginning, even Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) were and still are on the same page with similar emergency orders. They both were alarmed on how quickly the virus spread through their states. Both showed the same compassion and concern for their citizens. Gov. DeWine signed similar emergency orders, etc as his Midwestern Democratic counterpart.  But some how, these stay-at-home and mask wearing orders were painted as an overreaction to a simple "flu" virus by the "blue" governors.  And then this sentiment spiraled into Florida and Texas, and other the "red" states.

In the beginning, it did not help that Trump called the seriousness of this pandemic a hoax.  And that is how some, who claim to hate their fellow Americans, who are "liberal" or "leftists" or just plain Democratic, decided that it was overblown rhetoric in February.  Then those of us who proclaim that they are the true Americans, decided that wearing masks was unpatriotic and against their individual freedoms.  Ironically, some were evening claiming that it was their bodies, their choice. Sound familiar? Which is strange because  that is one the main pro-choice arguments, but oh, well, fight for embryos and fetuses but let those of us actually living die. Makes sense. (Notice how I can make anything about reproductive rights?)

Currently, as of July 7th, my state of Illinois has had 143,452 confirmed positive cases and 7,063 deaths. (See https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/).  My state, like others, has had to battle this.  Today, my governor testified in front of the House, about a federal response, or basically, there wasn't/isn't one.  He also stated how states were competing with one another regarding Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). I can't imagine if each state responded differently to World War II, and fought one another for survival.  So much for "one nation."  It is bad enough we let corporations race to the bottom for jobs, wages and tax breaks, but to fight a virus?

We (the US) should have been on the same page early on, some of the "red" states are seeing a surge (See Texas and Florida), while some Blue states are still battling with high numbers (See California).  My state's number are going down. What is so sad that because a lack of response from the federal government and other states, my state, New York's and Ohio's could see a another surge from travelers from those facing surges. So, should we ban interstate travel? Don't be ridiculous, we are one nation. We could all wear masks for the time being. We can get through this. But we won't if we make this simple request as a "red" and "blue" issue.  This is a "purple" issue. It's as simple as that. But we are struggling, all because we can't get it together as a nation, we are a global laughing stock.   Our national numbers are 3.08 M positive cases and approximately 134.000 deaths. (See CDC website). 

For many of you, who are not aware, Mexico, Canada and Europe has put a travel ban on Americans.  Now, how does that feel?  We are now being banned by the rest of the world. Why?  Because we can't make the simple sacrifice of wearing a mask. But you all are ok with NSA spying on us, corporations making billions off our data, taking our fucking shoes off at the airport, the wealthy/famous/politicians actually getting small business loans for their businesses during COVID.  You all are fine with billions of our tax monies spent on endless wars with hundreds of thousands of civilians dying and along with thousands of US troops. What does anyone know of sacrifice? This shouldn't be the issue for our country to die on, literally.

So where does this come from?  I expected a few fringe people to be like this, but it seems widespread. Even if I go from where I live, where it's less populated, they are hesitant to wear them.  What is even more insane they are people in their 40's, 50's, 60's and older who will not wear them, the higher risks groups. I start to question if they are reading the same things that I am regarding this virus.  I am not sure if you all have been reading the same news and statistics as I have, but this is a GLOBAL problem. That's why it's called a "pandemic".  This is not about red and blue states, it's not about liberal or conservative, it's about our survival.  Please for the love everything is holy, wear a mask. Want the economy to reopen and get back to a normalcy of some kind, wear a mask.  2020 sucks bad enough, we don't need to make it worse. It is a pain, I agree, but what is the alternative? Are we really going to debate this?  We have so much more serious things to talk about than whether one should wear a mask or not. We have wars to end, equality to accomplish.  We need to put our country together.  

This moment to battle a pandemic should have been Trump's shining moment to bring a nation back together.  Politically speaking, he squandered it.  He is holding rallies as if we are back to "normal" and some of you go.  Tulsa, Oklahoma just reported a spike in COVID cases, but "said it’s too soon to attribute any increase in infections to President Donald Trump’s campaign rally." (https://apnews.com/245057f1c2211c7ea2fc7b0e9d6e5686). His only platform to maintain white supremacy. He loves his rallies, like many past and present dictators.  Human beings are always looking for a messiah or golden calf to worship, even it it means losing their lives.

Just a few minutes ago, the White House Press Secretary at a briefing just stated, "We encourage the wearing of masks."  Well, better late than never.


*Follow me on Twitter @JmeBooXer, Also statistics and quotes, were from 7/7/20 and 7/8/20, yesterday.

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