The Longest Year

 

Th past week marked the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 being declared a world-wide Pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). For most of us it has been the longest year of our lives. Many of us have seen more deaths, lost more friends and had more life changes than at any other time in our lives. We have been locked down, shut away and separated from friends and family for long periods of time. Some have lost jobs and businesses, hopes and dreams. For both children and adults – the question was – “are we there yet or is it over?” The answer, unfortunately is still no. This year has seemed to last forever, almost an eternity.

The 17th Century theologian, Thomas Boston, defined eternity thusly: “Eternity is an ocean, whereof we never see the shore; it is a deep, where we can find no bottom; a labyrinth, from whence we cannot extricate ourselves, and where we shall ever lose the door.”

We have not quite reached that point yet, but we have hit levels that were not expected or anticipated a year ago. What is so regrettable is that it didn’t need to be this bad and we could have prevented many deaths if the virus had not become so politicized. Recently a physician described the situation regarding virus deniers and opponents to masks and vaccines: “the virus does not see Democrat, Republican or any party – it is an equal opportunity infection.” So, what will happen if the number of Americans who are refusing the vaccine keeps spreading the infections throughout their communities? Obviously, if this occurs, it will prolong the existence of Covid in our country. We do need their participation if we are ever to reach herd immunity. President Biden, in speaking to America this week, noted the Anniversary and the grief and pain that this pandemic has caused and noted that we must grieve in order to heal. He quoted Ernest Hemingway in saying that “we must be strong in all of the broken places”.

The good news is that the Biden administration’s promise of 100 million vaccines given in 100 days has already been exceeded in about half that time, so we are moving forward with getting immunity broadened. When President Biden spoke to the nation the other evening, he indicated that the US would have enough vaccines for all Americans by May 1^st and he hoped that all would be vaccinated before the 4^th of July, so people could celebrate in small family gatherings. He cautioned about rushing to open up facilities or lifting restrictions on large gatherings and mask-wearing until we are certain it is mostly behind us.

People who are vaccinated have been celebrating the opportunity to see parents and children in person and get those long-awaited hugs. Psychologically, isolation is one of the major results of this virus; Kaiser Health News noted that isolated dementia patients (even those who did not get Covid) in nursing home care had higher death rates or deteriorated more rapidly when they could not interact with friends and family. Children and teens who had long terms of virtual schooling also suffered from a lack of outside contacts. Schools are beginning to open up more fully as teachers are becoming more widely vaccinated and that is a positive result. The relief bill included funds to assist with retrofits to schools to allow for better ventilation and social distancing. With more school openings, then more parents can return to jobs as the economy slowly comes back online.

The Covid relief bill is sending more money to families and cities which should assist with the costs of back rents, increasing numbers for vaccinations, local health centers, and spurring local businesses. The President, in a Rose Garden speech, hailed it as a paradigm shift by putting working people first. It should also assist families in low-income situations and work to alleviate childhood hunger by monthly payments to families with children in addition to the onetime financial stimulus checks being sent out right now. Republicans are cheering some aspects of this legislation, even as it passed with none of their votes in support. The President, Vice-President, and their spouses will go on road trips this week to promote the measures in the bill.

Concerns are now being raised about the ability of Congress to pass any additional legislation regarding some important items on the Presidential agenda. These issues such as infrastructure projects (which have been discussed for years, but mostly ignored), voting protections and reform, background checks, and restrictions on semi-automatic arms, may need filibuster modifications if any are to be passed. With not even all of the Democrats on the same page here, this may make for a non-productive session, no matter what the President would wish. In reading President Obama’s memoir – “A Promised Land”, I saw that he discussed interactions with Mitch McConnell, who was minority leader then. When his Congressional liaison and Joe Biden went to McConnell for assistance on the major relief bill Obama needed to get passed in 2009, McConnell’s retort was: “You must be under the mistaken impression that I care.” It does not appear that he has changed much in the last11 years. McConnell has been quoted as saying in 2010, that it was his mission to make Obama a one-term President and famously kept his caucus in opposition.

McConnell, who is 79 years old, is said to be considering resigning his seat (to which he was just re-elected in 2020) if he can get the Kentucky legislature to change the rules about the Governor appointing members to fill vacancies. Currently, the Governor is a Democrat and can appoint a Democrat, but he does not have enough Democrats to support any veto he might make of a bill requiring him to do otherwise. Many Kentuckians called on McConnell to resign after he castigated the former president at the time of the Impeachment hearings, even though he did not vote for conviction. After the former president then publicly called him out, he said he would support the Republican nominee in 2024, even if it was the former losing candidate.

The former president and his echoes at Fox news called on Biden to recognize the efforts his covid health team had made in making money available to develop the vaccines, claiming that without his help it would have been five years before any were ready. Since he cannot tweet any longer, he is putting out press releases “from the desk of the 45^th president”; he does not do well without his instant response mechanism. YouTube is said to be considering dropping its ban on his broadcasts, so we will see what develops. Personally, I would prefer that no more press ink is wasted on him and his hangers-on. This week, one of his State Department-appointed political staff members was arrested for taking part at the inside the Capitol Building battle with police officers. Several members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys with possible ties to the White House or Secret Service have also been implicated in the insurrection. According to Yahoo News, the FBI has charged more than 316 persons as a result of their actions at the Capitol insurrection.

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Vaccinations are happening at an increased rate; nearly 3 million were given on Saturday alone. New Jersey is doing the best with 40% of its population vaccinated; Maryland remains far back in the group of states, around 30^th - with only 14% vaccinated. Many in the state do not understand why the governor thinks that Baltimore or Six Flags are reasonable vaccination sites for the one million residents of Montgomery County, especially those who need to use public transit. I do not understand why a large site has not been long established in the county. Governor Hogan of Maryland abruptly opened the state this week, without consultation with local officials, leading many county officials to scramble and determine local regulations.

The sign-up process is also problematic. President Biden mentioned a national sign-up database is being established which would link the visitor to a local option. That sounds quite promising, but we will see; sign-ups should not be so difficult. According to the CDC, currently, 21% of the population has received one vaccination; 11.3% are fully vaccinated.107,060,274 vaccinations had been given as of March 11^th.

Current COVID US stats (NY Times)

Total US cases: 29,460,900.  Total new cases: 49,728.

Total US deaths: 534,460.      Total new deaths: 1,846.

Maryland Cases: Total cases: 392,581.  Total new cases: 1,101.

     Total deaths: 8,038.     Total new deaths:8.

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So much news, so little time. This week was the anniversary of the death of Breonna Taylor – marches were held in her honor in Louisville and elsewhere. The family of George Floyd received 27 million dollars in a wrongful death settlement from the city of Minneapolis; they will use some of the award money for the neighborhood where he died. The trial of the officer charged in his death is currently in juror selection. The teenager, Darnella Frazier, who filmed his death was given an award for courage from the PEN foundation in December.

Recently the Seuss Foundation decided to retire from print some lesser-known books which it thought had outdated or racist content. Right-wing media and the Republican Party somehow put this move on the head of Democrats, shouted ‘cancel culture', and took to reading Suess books on TV, the floor of the House and Senate. Funny, though, the books most of them chose to read, such as “Green Eggs and Ham”, were not among the books removed from print. Facts are funny, aren’t they?

‘Til next week – peace!