I own a retail shop in the largest town in a rural county on the west coast. Our shop has a storefront, and an online store, with a mailing list approaching 10,000 people. A nice little business. I have three wonderful employees, but I often work the storefront to save on payroll, and because it’s fun.
Because of my contact with the public, I encounter a huge cross section of opinions, both in person, and online in my interactions with customers.
Customers come in two brands: A) May I please come in? I’ve sanitized my hands, my mask is worn correctly, and I just got my second vaccine shot two weeks ago” and (B) “Masks are stupid, I’m never getting the vaccine because baby-parts/tracker-chips/I’m-Not-A-Scientist-But-I-Still-Have-Questions-I-Wouldn’t-Understand-The-Answers-To, and you’re a Nazi for even asking me about any of this.”
And because of this, I now realize that Mother Nature has revealed her Master Plan.
For years now, She has been telling us that we have proverbially shit the bed. She has told us in no uncertain terms to clean up our act, or we must face dire consequences. We have (as a species, not as individuals) completely ignored Her warning, and now She’s had it with us. She’s stopping the car, and turning around because we can’t play nice in the back seat.
Which is why we have COVID-19. She, in Her infinite wisdom, has realized that we (as a species, not as individuals) are idiots, and can’t have nice things. So she’s cleaning house.
At first, Her broom caught everyone in its path. But now that some of us have caught on to Her plan, it’s clear (to me, anyway) that Her broom is more of a scalpel. And those of us who have evolved past knuckle-walking can take advantage of that.
For the most part, COVID-19 is like getting pregnant. There is almost NO reason for you to experience either unless you (1) want to, or (2) you’re an idiot*.
If you wear your mask, get the vaccine, and stay the hell away from people who aren’t equally careful, you will not get COVID-19. (Don’t flame me — please read on!)
Sure, there will be a few horrible exceptions. And sure, some people are so wage-enslaved by our shitty I-Got-Mine-Screw-You-Non-Existent-Safety-Net society, that some people won’t be ABLE to protect themselves, even if they know better. Which is a colossal tragedy. Uncle Joe is trying to fix that, thank the FSM!
But, for the most part, if you have a brain in your head (and you’re not forced by forces against your will to be unsafe), you will not get COVID now.
OTOH, if you insist that wearing a mesh mask that does f*ck-all, or you wear it under your nose, or you refuse to get the vaccine, or you insist on going mask-less to large parties/churches/rallies, well then, Mother Nature will be able to identify you easily, and act accordingly.
I used to be angry about all this, but at this point, I’m fine with it. Please proceed, Mother Nature…You know best. Your plan will make the world a better place for the rest of us who do our best to live in harmony with You.
*Unless you’re one of the rare few for whom these precautions don’t work, even though you have been diligent about them. So sorry… not fair. Please don’t flame me, and accept my sympathy.