Radcliff, KY. As a veteran, I define patriots as those who are willing to sacrifice their own self-interest or comfort to benefit the greater good (Society). Unfortunately, this pandemic has shown that America has a large population of selfish, unpatriotic citizens. Too many have decided not to be vaccinated and/or to wear masks. They seem not to understand the reasons for these tools and the results are them being taken down by COVID-19 and occupying hospital beds to the tune of over 90% in some states. This is unacceptable as they had options but decided to be irrational and defiant.
The solution is simple. Stop begging these people to vaccinate and treating them once they become ill and make them and their family members recover at home. This only pertains to those who refuse to be vaccinated AND choose not to wear masks. They are usually easily identifiable as all of their explanations include “I, me, or my”. They often say things like “If I get it, I get it” or “You can’t stop the virus, so you might as well live your life”. They are selfish and proclaim that they have some type of rights to make safety decisions amid a public health crisis. I reviewed the Constitution and Bill of Rights and have yet to identify these rights that they espouse. These citizens confuse rights with choice but are ironically often anti-choice regarding women’s health issues. Most fail to realize that the results of their choices are most likely the cause of the state and local restrictions that they detest and resist.
However, the Federal Government and most states grant the executive branch with extraordinary powers to keep the citizenry safe during disasters and emergencies. Unfortunately, some state legislatures, like Kentucky and Wisconsin, have curtailed those powers after the former governor of their party left office; they have undertaken the responsibility and blame to make decisions which could be unpopular (lockdowns and restrictions) or deadly (doing nothing and promoting pre-pandemic life). The worst part of the equation is having governors blocking efforts by local officials who seek to protect their constituents.
Vaccines help resist infection and mitigate the effects of the virus, but they do not totally prevent one from being infected. Masks help protect others from being infected by those who may or may not know they are carrying the virus, including children. Proponents ask that people be patriotic by wearing masks to protect themselves and others which is a very honorable act. Failing to do so places fellow citizens at risk and create national security risks by placing strains on the economy and healthcare system. Many businesses, education institutes, and governmental units have temporarily closed during the current Delta Variant outbreak. Many states have reported shortages in space, including emergency and ICU units, and healthcare professionals.
These citizens have created crises in most states as many occupy large proportions of medical resources. They also want to send their possibly infected children to school without masks. This has caused infections in some schools which were taken home and passed to relatives. The educational process for many children has been interrupted while many schools and districts manage the results of infected employees and children. Sadly, too many educators and students have died from the virus. The non-patriotic parents seemed not to realize that they could not know if they had the virus unless they were tested and immediately notified and that they MAY have caused the death of relatives and neighbors. According to television interviews, these parents also teach their children bad civics and selfishness and caused our international allies to see us as pariahs. Large blocs have banned our citizens from traveling to their countries. They do not want American selfishness to infiltrate their lands.
Though my recommendation might seem cold and uncaring, I care about those who care about everyone. Some who cannot receive the shot(s) have health issues which prevent vaccination, but they can still wear mask. What I cannot tolerate are those selfish citizens who trust conspiracy theories, dishonorable politicians, unqualified hacks, and unethical news and media outlets more than they do the actual experts whose life work is public health and infectious diseases. They seem not to realize that they are pawns in a dangerous political game which has no real goal but to appease certain people and ensure that some retain or gain power. Some politicians, media critics, and pundits have been outspoken against the vaccine and mask wearing and paid the ultimate price. Some may call that karma.
What remains are hospitals having to make choices. The choice should not be whether to treat those who had no control in the condition(s) which sent them to the hospital versus those who made decisions which caused them to be ill. Send the ones who decided to not mask or be vaccinated home and mail them medications. Place them on a registry which local law enforcement can access with the dates of their discovery and end of quarantine dates. If they are caught violating quarantine, fine and consider arresting them for public endangerment crimes. Allow them to receive the vaccine if they survive. This allows hospitals to open spaces and treat people who otherwise need other treatments without being overwhelmed. Hopefully, this will lessen the risks of catching the virus by our first responders, medical personnel, and others in the buildings.
The defiant claim to be fine with catching COVID-19, so let them. Stop begging them to do what is right in this fight against the pandemic. You are wasting your breath and should devote your energies elsewhere. To governors whose legislators decided to do your jobs, let them face the burden of people’s welfare that you were supposed to shoulder. Let them go to bed knowing that their direct decisions might have cost some lives.
Finally, how fair is it that we who are vaccinated and still wear masks must encounter those who do not? They breathe on food in grocery stores and restaurants and touch items that we take home. Some cough and sneeze without covering themselves. They place us at risk without regards for our well-being. Should we not also become selfish?
Adjustments require sacrifice and many have sacrificed for the perceived rights that many claim in this country. Many have adjusted for the vast majority to be safe and comfortable. Let’s all do the right thing and take care of one another. Get vaccinated and wear a mask, or at least wear a mask. Become a true patriot and care for others. That’s the true American way!
Lacy L. Rice Jr. is an independent journalist and photographer with credits in several local, regional, national, and international publications. He currently leads Rice FAME Group, an independent corporation which specializes in media content and is a Kentucky minority-owned and veteran-owned firm.