The Pandemic May Seem Like a Dark Cloud ,
By: Stephen Sovie
Tags: Covid 19, Pandemic, Silver Lining, Heroes

The Pandemic May Seem Like a Dark Cloud ,

But I see a Silver Lining

Image by MarciaAnn from Pixabay

The year 2020 has mainly been overshadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic and most people have trouble finding any bright spots. I, for one, however, have found a few positives amongst all of the negativity.

Probably the most obvious change in our lives that was a result of the Coronavirus was wearing a face mask. After living for many years in Asia, where wearing a mask to protect yourself and others from colds and the flu is quite common, wearing a mask was no big deal. Masks also are worn to ward off the effects of air pollution in most Asian countries.

But good God, not in America! Wearing a mask was and is viewed as an attack on a man’s masculinity and an abridgment of a person’s freedom. After all, we all have a right to die by any means possible! Sure, we all wear seat belts and most of us refrain from drinking while driving and driving above the speed limit. But wear a mask to protect others from dying? That’s going a bit too far.

Since the start of the pandemic, I have come to the sad conclusion that a large portion of American society is either ignorant or just plain stupid. I am shocked by how idiotic some of my family and friends have been in response to the suggestions and guidance of the CDC. They have ignored the medical and public health professionals in favor of following a scientifically illiterate, narcissistic, self-centered conman who seeks only to profit from the pandemic. The world has not seen this type of fascist, evil behavior since Germany succumbed to the cult of Adolf Hitler.

I’ve faithfully followed the CDC guideline about social distancing and wearing a mask, to protect myself and others. I’ve done this without suffering any inconveniences or loss of my civil rights. I have noticed one benefit of wearing a mask other than preventing the spread of Covid-19. I usually suffer from at least one nasty cold during the late summer and fall, but not this year. Even my COPD and asthma have not been as bad as in previous years. For me, the mask has been a healthy and pleasant side effect of the pandemic.

Perhaps the best thing to come of this pandemic is something that no one is talking about. Every since the start of the pandemic with the lockdowns and school closings we have not had one mass school shooting. In the previous year, 2019, there were 45 school shootings. But that’s only part of the story. It’s not really a bright spot. Unfortunately, even though there were no mass school shootings, there was an increase in mass shootings outside the school setting. It’s almost as if people can’t shoot up a school they’ll find someplace else to commit mass murder.

With so many people acting like complete assholes and idiots defying the reality of the pandemic, the goodness of the majority of our citizenry goes unnoticed. So many Americans have stepped up unselfishly to assist their neighbors and strangers who have been negatively affected by the pandemic. From helping elderly neighbors shop to collecting food and money for those who have lost their jobs, so they can feed their family, Americans have shown what it’s like to be American. We have seen ordinary Americans, doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, first responders, truck drivers, grocery store workers, farmworkers, and both the young and elderly become the true heroes of this pandemic.

Going forward I see these people as the silver lining in the dark cloud of the pandemic and the nightmare of the Trump presidency. We have all had our complaints and bitching about minor inconveniences, but we’re still alive. Some of us have lost family and friends to the Coronavirus, and some are still suffering. We owe it to those people to fight on and endure, to protect each other and defeat the virus, regardless of the selfishness of a few. Our families, our children, and our country depend on us.